Expressions of Ego!
by Swami Sivananda
Wherever there is ego, there are mine-ness, selfishness, likes and dislikes, lust, anger, greed, hypocrisy, pride, jealousy, delusion, arrogance, conceit, impertinence, Vasanas (desires, tendencies), cravings (Trishna) and Vrittis (thought-wave; mental modification) or Sankalpa (resolve to do something), clinging to this earth-life (Abhinivesha), agency, doer (Kartha) and enjoyer (Bhokta).
This ego wants to exercise power and influence over others. He wants titles, prestige, status, respect, prosperity, house, wife, children. He wants self-aggrandisement. He wishes to domineer and rule over others.
If anybody points out his defects, his vanity feels offended. If anyone praises him is elated.
This ego says, ‘I know everything’. He does not know anything. ‘What I say is quite correct’. What He says is quite incorrect. ‘He is inferior to me’. ‘I am superior to him’. He forces others to follow his ways and views.