Bas U Hin – Just Like That (Blog 6): Humility — The Greatest Strength of All
“Mittin Dian Murtan Te Maan Kis Gal Daa;
Sahan Da Bharosa Nahin, Ghadi Ek Pal Daa.”
“We are but idols made of clay. What is there to be proud of? Even our next breath is uncertain, and life itself lasts but a fleeting moment.”
Few virtues elevate a human being more than humility.
Ironically, it is also one of the most difficult virtues to cultivate. Human nature encourages us to celebrate our achievements, admire our abilities, and gradually begin believing that every success is solely our own creation. Confidence is necessary; pride in honest effort is natural. But when confidence transforms into ego, we begin to lose perspective.
Life has a remarkable way of reminding us that we control far less, than we imagine.
There are seasons of success and seasons of struggle. When life smiles upon us, we proudly claim credit. Yet, when adversity arrives, we often blame destiny, circumstances, luck, or even God. If success is entirely our own doing, should failures not also belong to us?
Almost every religion teaches that there exists a higher order governing the universe. Sikh philosophy beautifully expresses this through the concept of Hukam—the Divine Order.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji says in Jap Ji Sahib:
“Hukme andar sabh ko, bahar hukam na koe.
Nanak hukme je bujhe, tan haume kahe na koe.”
Everything exists within the Divine Will; nothing lies outside it. Once a person truly understands this, ego naturally dissolves.
If all events unfold within God’s Hukam, how can we selectively claim ownership of only the victories while distancing ourselves from life’s disappointments?
The Punjabi verse captures this wisdom with remarkable simplicity.
We are temporary beings—mere forms fashioned from clay. Our existence depends on something as fragile as the next breath, whose certainty none of us owns. We cannot predict what the next hour holds, let alone the next year. Then why should we live with arrogance?
Humility does not mean becoming passive or abandoning effort. It does not suggest waiting for destiny to do our work.
Rather, it teaches us to perform our duty with complete sincerity while accepting outcomes with grace.
The Bhagavad Gita echoes this timeless principle: perform your karma, but do not become attached to its fruits.
When we begin living this philosophy, something remarkable happens.
Our ego becomes smaller.
Our gratitude becomes larger.
We stop comparing ourselves with others. We begin respecting every individual, recognising that each person is walking a unique journey designed by the Creator. Some receive more, some less. Some arrive early, others later. Every soul has its own itinerary.
I often think of God as the ultimate travel planner. He has already scheduled our arrival, our journey, our experiences, and our departure. We know only today’s destination, while He alone sees the complete map.
If that is true, then what exactly are we so proud of?
Kabir beautifully reminds us:
“Dukh mein sumiran sab karen, sukh mein kare na koe;
Jo sukh mein sumiran kare, to dukh kahe ko hoe.”
Most of us remember God only during tough times. Prosperity often breeds forgetfulness, while adversity rekindles faith.
Guru Nanak expresses the same truth:
“Dukh daru, sukh rog bhaya.”
Sorrow becomes the medicine that reconnects us with God, while comfort often becomes the disease that distances us from Him.
Another profound Doha by Kabir offers perhaps the greatest lesson in humility:
“Maati kahe kumhaar se, tu kya rondhe mohe;
Ek din aisa ayega, main rondungi tohe.”
The clay reminds the potter that one day both shall become one.
Such is the certainty of life.
Our bodies are temporary.
Our achievements are temporary.
Our positions, titles, wealth, and influence are temporary.
Only our character and the goodness we leave behind endure in the memories of others.
Humility therefore is not weakness—it is wisdom.
It allows us to remain composed in success, dignified in failure, compassionate in leadership, and grateful through every phase of life.
That is why genuinely great leaders rarely speak about themselves. They recognise that every accomplishment is the outcome of countless blessings—family, teachers, colleagues, opportunity, timing, and above all, Divine Grace.
The more life teaches me, the more convinced I become that humility is not merely a virtue—it is the foundation of meaningful leadership and a peaceful life.
After all, when even the next breath is not guaranteed, what room is left for ego?
Just like that…
Jai Hind
Maj General Ranjit Singh, SM, VSM, PhD, Retd
Author | Mentor | Leadership and Motivational Speaker | Nation Builder