Swami Brahm Bodhi

How should a Bhagavad-dharmi conduct self-evaluation in order to know his true position on the spiritual path?

And, Gurudev, should we live our lives according to the four stages—Brahmacharya (0–25 years), Grihastha (26–50 years), Vanaprastha (51–75 years), and Sannyasa (76–100 years)?

Kindly guide us. 🙏🙏

Answer (Brahm Bodhi):

Two Questions

You have asked two questions:

How should one evaluate oneself?

How should one adopt different lifestyles at different stages of life?

In this post, I will address your first question—Self-Evaluation.

The Need for Self-Evaluation

The fundamental difference between animals and human beings is that animals cannot practice self-reflection, introspection, or self-evaluation.
Man, however, can. And the one who engages in self-reflection and self-evaluation is able to correct his mistakes and thereby advance more rapidly.
That is why all seekers and devotees must practice self-evaluation from time to time.

The Basis of Self-Evaluation – Buddhi (Intellect)

According to the Bhagavad Gita, the essential instrument for self-evaluation is buddhi (intellect).

In Chapter 3, Arjuna asks Lord Krishna:

अथ केन प्रयुक्तोऽयं पापं चरति पूरुषः।
अनिच्छन्नपि वार्ष्णेय बलादिव नियोजितः॥ 3.36॥

Meaning: O Krishna, by what is man impelled to commit sin, even against his own will, as if constrained by force?

Desire and Anger – The Root of Sin

In reply, Lord Krishna declares that uncontrolled desire (kama) and anger (krodha) force a man into sinful action, even against his will (3.37).

He further explains that the dwelling places of these forces are the senses, the mind, and the intellect. Yet, among these, the intellect is supreme. Therefore, the solution must come through the intellect.

The Supremacy of Intellect

At the conclusion of Chapter 3, Lord Krishna explains:

इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः।
मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः॥ 3.42॥

Meaning: The senses are superior to the gross body. Higher than the senses is the mind, higher than the mind is the intellect, and higher than the intellect is the soul.

एवं बुद्धेः परं बुद्ध्वा संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना।
जहि शत्रुं महाबाहो कामरूपं दुरासदम्॥ 3.43॥

Meaning: Thus, knowing the soul to be beyond intellect, and controlling the mind by the intellect, O mighty-armed Arjuna, slay this formidable enemy in the form of desire.

The Unique Perspective of the Gita

Many religious scriptures set intellect aside in matters of faith and spirituality.
But the Bhagavad Gita is unique—it emphasizes the use of intellect to uplift life and to gain true knowledge.

Though intellect alone cannot fully comprehend the Absolute, God, or the soul, it can lead us very far on the path. Ultimately, there comes a stage in higher spiritual practice where one must go beyond intellect. But until that stage, it is intellect that guides us.
And here, intellect is not mere “intelligence”—it includes knowledge and discrimination (viveka) as well.

Thus, intellect is the tool for self-evaluation.

The Tools of Self-Evaluation

The question then arises: through intellect, what aspects should we evaluate?

Based on the Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavad Dharma has developed eight tools of self-evaluation.
A seeker should employ these at least once a month, preferably once every week.
One should begin with a single tool, and then gradually expand to all.

Key Points for Self-Evaluation

How much progress have I made towards steadiness of wisdom (sthitaprajñata)? (Chapter 2)

How dear have I become to God? (Chapter 12)

How many marks of knowledge have manifested in me? (Chapter 13)

How many signs of the transcendence of the three gunas are visible in me? (Chapter 14)

Am I moving towards heaven or towards hell? (Chapter 16)

How close am I to pure sattva? (Chapter 18)

A general monthly self-review.

Conclusion

Thus, the essential instrument for self-evaluation is intellect.
When we employ intellect in regular self-review, only then can we correct our faults and steadily progress upon the spiritual path.

Hari Sharanam!