Premanand Maharaj Ji
Why can't bhakti grow in me while I hold on to ego?
Ego is thorns for bhakti
Bhakti is very delicate and comes to a pure heart, and the thorns of pride in learning, beauty, status, family, wealth and youth keep her away. With ego, your devotion is only show, not bhakti.
Pride of learning, of beauty, of status and honour, of family, of wealth, of youth and body.