Hare Krsna,
In the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, the word dainya (humility) is explained as follows: “When unhappiness, fearfulness and the sense of having offended combine, one feels condemned. This sense of condemnation is described as dīnatā, humility. When one is subjected to such humility, he feels physically inactive, he apologizes, and his consciousness is disturbed. His mind is also restless, and many other symptoms are visible.” (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 2.35)
We can see the same symptoms in Lord Brahma. Because he stole Krsna’s calves and cowherd friends to rest whether Krsna in His boyhood form is truly the Supreme Personality of Godhead and after realizing Krsna is Himself the Absolute Truth, Brahma felt ashamed and apologetic. A humble soul automatically begs forgiveness for his mistakes or offenses.
We may also have observed this phenomenon in us at times. If we have offended a devotee, even unintentionally, we feel a sense of restlessness and anxiety within us. We lose taste in bhakti. And then we introspect. What did I do wrong? Why am I not getting a taste in chanting or hearing? If we are sincere, the Paramatma within us reminds us what mistake we committed. If we have too much of false ego, we will overlook these subtle signs and will continue as if it is just another bad day. However, if we are truly humble, we will seek forgiveness from the person who may have felt offended by our words or actions. Once forgiven, our taste in bhakti immediately returns. I have experienced this firsthand.
Lord Brahma seeking forgiveness from Lord Krsna is the ideal mood of a humble devotee.
I am especially touched by the way Lord Brahma seeks forgiveness. He tries to invoke the Lord’s vatsalya mood by praying:
“With great pride I think I am Your son (arising from Your navel), but I am blind in all eight eyes. But my pride will be destroyed when the moon of Your mercy shines upon me.” (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura on Text 10)
Lord Brahmā therefore compared himself to a little child within the womb of his mother. If the child within the womb plays with his hands and legs, and while playing touches the body of the mother, is the mother offended with the child? (Krsna Book 12)
“O Lord Adhokṣaja, does a mother take offense when the child within her womb kicks with his legs? And is there anything in existence—whether designated by various philosophers as real or as unreal—that is actually outside Your abdomen?” (SB 10.14.12)
My dear Lord, it is said that when the three planetary systems are merged into the water at the time of dissolution, Your plenary portion, Nārāyaṇa, lies down on the water, gradually a lotus flower grows from His navel, and Brahmā takes birth upon that lotus flower. Certainly, these words are not false. Thus am I not born from You? (SB 10.14.13)
This set of Lord Brahma’s beautiful prayers teaches us the ACT and ART of seeking forgiveness from a superior.
“The Lord can be pleased only by a humble attitude in the service spirit. The more we render service unto the Lord under the direction of the spiritual master, the more we make advancement on the path approaching the Lord. We cannot demand any grace or mercy from the Lord because of our service rendered to Him. He may accept or not accept our service, but the only means to satisfy the Lord is through the service attitude, and nothing else.” (Krsna Book 58)
Humility is the most precious ornament of a Vaisnava. To remind this to ourselves, we write “Please accept my humble obeisances!” and/or “Your humble servant…”
There are numerous letters of Srila Prabhupada where he repeatedly advised his disciples to be always humble.
“You keep this humble attitude always, and your example will be a source of spiritual inspiration for everyone.” (Letter to Anuttama — Sydney, Australia 12 April, 1972)
“Anyway one quality of a devotee is that he is always very much tolerant of other people, so I request you simply to tolerate the faults of others and always think that I am myself the most faulty. In this way your humble attitude will qualify you to advance very quickly in Krishna Consciousness.“(Letter to Jayarge, Lindon Lomese — Los Angeles 25 May, 1972)
“Your humble attitude is very much appreciated by me. Always chant Hare Krsna and as far as possible help me push on this movement by preaching this philosophy and distributing our books.” (Letter to Karnamrta — Los Angeles 3 December, 1973)
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 