Why is 'I' (ego) stronger in males, which is an obstacle in spiritual progress?

[Shri Kishore Ram asked: Paadanamaskaram Swamiji, The word ‘I’ (aham) is connected to the soul, not the body. But I have a question — why is this sense of ‘I’ (ego) seen more strongly in male souls, where the male ego often becomes an obstacle in spiritual progress? Is this male ego something that exists by nature (by design), or is it a defect related to the male body, or is it something specific to that particular soul? At Your Divine Lotus Feet, Kishore Ram]

Swami replied:- Body is called as the fruit of previous deeds (Karma Phalam). When a soul in human birth confines itself to eating, drinking, sleeping and sex only without making any effort in learning the spiritual knowledge of God that leads the soul to salvation, that soul will attain an animal-birth so that it can continue its way of life. For animals, spiritual life is totally absent and the worldly life is also without any justice. We see several human beings leading such unjust worldly life, without even a trace of spiritual life. As per their deeds, they are reborn as animals and there is no personal involvement of God in this cycle of Karma of each soul, although God is the creator of both the souls (humans and animals) as well as the cycle of deeds (Karma Cakra). God has not done any injustice to them (animals) because what they wanted was given to them. Based on their interest, a human form is unnecessary for them. The human form is meant only for those interested in leading a worldly life of justice along with spiritual life.

Similarly, when a soul reduces its quality of ego, its next birth will be a female birth based on the cycle of deeds only. The quality and deed are inseparable because every deed is based on its respective quality only. Deed is the practical manifestation of the quality. The basic ego (Ahamkāra) indicates basic individual soul or awareness standing for a set of thoughts. Excess of basic ego is called pride. The basic ego just stands as a representative model like the national flag for a nation. It doesn’t change if the basic thoughts are in the state of qualities. Since thoughts are related to awareness, the basic ego is related to soul only and not to the body. But, there is a relationship between body and mind, which is proved by the doctors also. The intake of food generates pride based on the constitution of the body and modifications in the body. The food, the form of the body and the intelligence of mind are interrelated (Annā'nurūpāṃ tanu rūpa buddhim - Naishadham).

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