What is Ego?

Ego is nothing but identification of oneself with their body than soul.

The Supreme God, The Supreme Spirit, The Supreme Consciousness by His Supreme Power of "Maya" has created these innumerable forms. All these forms appear in "Time and Space" as real but these forms are only real in the realm of "Maya" which is the illusive energy of God. These different created beings which embody a "Body", perceive themselves to be a single individual entity different from other beings, though only one universal soul pervades within them. One feels oneself different than others, one feels one's different identity only through the Ego which is a component of Nature (Maya).

In this time and space creation of God, it is the consciousness of ego only, what has made a human being to forget this supreme knowledge of Universal all pervasive Soul. Under the influence of ego only a human being forgets the truth about God & thinks his/her identity to be different than others & supreme. Ego has come into being only through God only to produce delusion in this universe. Once a person knows to have this knowledge of God, this delusion of "Maya" disappears & that person becomes one with God again.

Here below are verses from "Bhagwat Gita" which describe about the nature of this "Maya", nature of this Ego & how it is the power / illusive energy of God only which deludes human beings & puts a veil of ignorance on human mind. This veil of ignorance just disappears from the human mind once he / she starts having faith in God & have devotion in that Almighty. God himself in below verses is declaring that one who is engaged in pure devotional service goes beyond this illusion of "Maya" / "Ego" easily & attains to God in no time.

"bhumir apo ’nalo vayuh
kham mano buddhir eva cha
ahankara itiyam me
bhinna prakritir astadha" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seven verse 4)

"Sri Krishna said: Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego—all together these eight constitute My material nature / energy eightfold divided. This is my lower (insentient) nature."

"apareyam itas tv anyam
prakritim viddhi me param
jiva-bhutam maha-baho
yayedam dharyate jagat" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seven verse 5)

"Sri Krishna said: Besides these, O Arjuna, there is another, superior energy of Mine, which comprises the living entities who are exploiting the resources of this material, lower (insentient) nature."

"etad-yonini bhutani
sarvanity upadharaya
aham krtsnasya jagatah
prabhavah pralayas tatha" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seven verse 6)

"Sri Krishna said: All created beings have their source in these two natures. Of all that is material and all that is spiritual in this world, know for certain that I am both the origin and the dissolution."

"mattah parataram nanyat
kincid asti dhananjaya
mayi sarvam idam protam
sutre mani-gana iva" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seven verse 7)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, there is no truth superior to Me. Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread."

"daivi hy esa guna-mayi
mama maya duratyaya
mam eva ye prapadyante
mayam etam taranti te" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seven verse 14)

"Sri Krishna said: This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature (Maya), is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it."

"na mam duskritino mudhah
prapadyante naradhamah
mayayapahrta-jnana
asuram bhavam asritah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seven verse 15)

"Sri Krishna said: Those miscreants who are grossly foolish, who are lowest among mankind, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and who partake of the atheistic nature of demons do not surrender unto Me."

"tesam jnani nitya-yukta
eka-bhaktir visisyate
priyo hi jnanino ’tyartham
aham sa cha mama priyah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seven verse 17)

"Sri Krishna said: Of these, the one who is in full knowledge and who is always engaged in pure devotional service of God is the best. For I am very dear to him, and he is dear to Me."

"udarah sarva evaite
jnani tv atmaiva me matam
asthitah sa hi yuktatma
mam evanuttamam gatim" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seven verse 18)

"Sri Krishna said: All these devotees are undoubtedly magnanimous souls, but he who is situated in knowledge of Me, I consider to be just like My own self. Being engaged in My transcendental service, he is sure to attain Me, the highest and most perfect goal."