The need for praise comes from a vital deformation of a truth. The vital ego wants to be at the centre of everything. It wants itself to be at the top, the height of everything, the most important person so to say. But since it is not possible therefore it settles with praises and prizes for the ego to boast. Combined with it there is also the need for being acknowledged, for validation, for boosting self-confidence, to get the needed drive and push for progress. Thus it does serve an indirect purpose in the infancy of the soul.
The truth behind it is that there is in us a divine centre, the soul, which is always connected to the Divine and thereby can experience being at the summit as well as at the centre of everything. But that is possible only through a long journey of Yoga. And when this Divine Centre is discovered then one finds it everywhere, in everyone and everything. So with this discovery all tendency for praise, comparison, jealousy, feelings of inferiority and superiority, vanity and modesty leave us completely.
The unregenerate vital however does not understand it nor does it want to undertake the long labour of self discovery. It wants a short cut way and hence the deformation and the desire for praise.
The need for praise not only automatically diminishes but feels like a falsehood as we get closer and closer to the soul and through it with the Divine Centre in us and in all.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
