Both the visual and print media are forever breaking stories about people in important places falling from grace or even getting into trouble for their wrongdoings. Why does this happen? Aren’t successful people intelligent enough not to make big mistakes? And why does such a thing happen all too frequently?

The mystery will be revealed if we understand the sequence of what happens. We are all souls and are equal in that respect. However, in every birth the implements- the body, mind and intelligence-given to us are different. These are the results of one’s pious and impious deeds in one’s past lives. Pious deeds bring about bodily strength, consciousness and sharp intelligence, whereas impious deeds result in a weak body, polluted consciousness and a dull mind. Successful people are blessed with good implements. But their success only comes with the active help from others and also via divine forces. This should be clear to an intelligent person, but in order to look great, one ignores the contribution of others. Logically speaking, how can a tiny soul achieve so much? But in order to hog all the credit one pleads ignorance to this fact.

A successful person can go three ways-continue in the some vein, while giving credit to whoever helped them or is helping them; be content with success but not acknowledge others’ contributions; or begin to exploit others. The moment this attitude of hogging all the limelight and even treating others with disdain is adopted, one enters a downward spiral. People who helped such a person begin to take a dislike to them and may even become jealous. Divine powers withdraw their support. One makes mistakes driven by lust which overpowers intelligence. And one assumes oneself bigger than the tiny soul that one actually is.

How should one prevent this tragedy? The answers should be obvious to an intelligent person. Always remember one’s identity as a tiny soul and remain humble. Learn to give credit to others, even erring on their side. Never lust to enjoy any success: just enjoy the feeling of doing what you did. Additionally, offer the results to god. This is easily done by devoting one’s mind and intelligence to god (The Bhagavad-Geeta 12.8).