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Line 118: − − === shraddha: Not finding faults === − मयि सर्वाणि कर्माणि संन्यस्याध्यात्मचेतसा । निराशीर्निर्ममो भूत्वा युध्यस्व विगतज्वरः ॥३.३०॥ − − ये मे मतमिदं नित्यमनुतिष्ठन्ति मानवाः । श्रद्धावन्तोऽनसूयन्तो मुच्यन्ते तेऽपि कर्मभिः ॥३.३१॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga)]</ref> − − Meaning: − − Surrendering all your actions to Me with a mind focussed on the self, free from desire and selfishness, fight having eased the heat of excitement.<ref>Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3, [https://www.gitasupersite.iitk.ac.in/srimad?language=dv&field_chapter_value=3&field_nsutra_value=30&etsiva=1&etpurohit=1&etgb=1&etssa=1&etadi=1&choose=1 Verse 30 (Translation)]</ref> − − Those who constantly follow this doctrine of Mine, with faith and without finding fault [in it], such people are freed from [the results of] all actions.<ref>Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3, [https://www.gitasupersite.iitk.ac.in/srimad?etsiva=1&etpurohit=1&etgb=1&etssa=1&etadi=1&choose=1&&language=dv&field_chapter_value=3&field_nsutra_value=31 Verse 31 (Translation)]</ref> − − In verse 3.31, Krsna tells Arjuna that those people who always follow Krsna’s directive (given in verse 3.30), who have shraddha in him (śraddhāvantah) and who are not jealous of him (anasuyantah), become free of the bondage of karma. In this verse, Krsna contrasts shraddha with asūya (envy, jealousy or indignation caused by happiness of others), illustrating that when we have shraddha for someone, we do not find fault with that person or envy the achievements of that person. Thus, shraddha is associated with anasūya (absence of envy/jealousy), and a '''behavioural outcome of shraddha is not finding faults in others'''. This has implications for practice in that spiritual practitioners should cultivate shraddha and anasūya. Thus, shraddha can be viewed as the fruition of not harbouring asūya or jealousy for anyone, thus breaking the boundaries between self and others. Line 119:
Line 160: − कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसम्मूढचेताः । यच्छ्रेयः स्यान्निश्चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् ॥२.७॥<ref name=":9" /> − − Confused about his duty, when Arjuna was inclined to act in a cowardly manner, he surrenders to Krsna as a student, which is captured in verse 2.7. He beseeches Krsna to instruct him firmly to do what was best for him. This reflects the shraddha one places in another person, especially a guru or teacher. − − नष्टो मोहः स्मृतिर्लब्धा त्वत्प्रसादान्मयाच्युत । स्थितोऽस्मि गतसन्देहः करिष्ये वचनं तव ॥१८.७३॥<ref name=":7" /> − − At the end of the Bhagavad-Gītā in verse 18.73, Arjuna tells Krsna that by Krsna’s grace his confusion was dispelled, he was free of doubts and he had gained his discriminatory faculty. Further, Arjuna tells Krsna that he was ready to follow his instructions. This shows that a student surrenders to his or her teacher, listens to the instructions and carries out the instructions of the teacher. This is showing shraddha to a person. Thus, shraddha is an emotion that a student has for a teacher. − − It should also be noted that people can have shraddha for any of the various Hindu deities as noted in verse 7.21 presented in section four earlier. In other words, shraddha is needed in worshipping a deity or pursuing any spiritual practice. Thus, shraddha is also an emotion one has for a deity. − − अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च । निर्ममो निरहंकारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी ॥१२.१३॥ − − संतुष्टः सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चयः । मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः ॥१२.१४॥ − − यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः । हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तो यः स च मे प्रियः ॥१२.१५॥ − − अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथः । सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः ॥१२.१६॥ − − यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति । शुभाशुभपरित्यागी भक्तिमान्यः स मे प्रियः ॥१२.१७॥ − − समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः । शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः सङ्गविवर्जितः ॥१२.१८॥ − − तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी सन्तुष्टो येन केनचित् । अनिकेतः स्थिरमतिर्भक्तिमान्मे प्रियो नरः ॥१२.१९॥<ref name=":10" /> − − In verses 12.13–12.19 many attributes like being in a balanced state, not having any negative feeling towards other beings, always being content with whatever comes one’s way, and so forth, are presented to characterise devotees who are dear to Krsna. − − ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते । श्रद्दधाना मत्परमा भक्तास्तेऽतीव मे प्रियाः ॥१२.२०॥<ref name=":10" /> − − In the concluding verse of the Canto (12.20) another quality that is highlighted is that devotees who worship Krsna by surrendering to him with deep shraddha, and follow the dharmika or pious and nectar-like (amrta-like) instructions meticulously are dearest to Him. Such instructions refer to what is stated in śāstras or scriptures. What is meant here is that it is not enough to have shraddha for a person or deity but an individual needs to have it also in śāstra (or scriptural text) that guide human behaviour. − − In Vivekachudamani, Sloka 25, Śrī Śankaracharya says: − − “शास्त्रस्य गुरुवाक्यस्य सत्यबुद्ध्यवधारणम्। सत्यबुद्ध्यावधारणा सा श्रद्धा कथिता सद्भिर्यया वस्तूपलभ्यते॥” − − Meaning, trust in Śāstra and in the words of Guru with truthful behavior performed with śrअddhā intern helps in the understanding of reality and the gain of desired results or objects. (https://sanatanadhara.com/bhakthi/)
Editing
{{ToBeEdited}}Shraddha (Samskrit: श्रद्धा) as a concept broadly refers to firm belief towards a deity, person or a shastra.<ref name=":4">Dharm P. S. Bhawuk, [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0971333620906758 Sraddha: Construct Definition from the Bhagavad-Gita], SAGE Journals, Volume 32, Issue 1.</ref> As a quality, it is described as the rudimentary stage of Bhakti.<ref name=":15">Tridandi Sri Bhakti Prajnan Yati (1991), [https://archive.org/details/ShandilyaBhaktiSutra Sri Shandilya Bhakti Sutras], Madras: Sree Gaudiya Math.</ref> Shraddha is also a deity in the Rgveda.<ref name=":16" /> And is seen personified across Vedic literature from the Brahmanas, to the Itihasas and Puranas.<ref>Vettam Mani (1975), [https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/page/734/mode/2up Puranic Encyclopaedia], Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.</ref> This article explores the different facets of Shraddha from the Vedas to the Puranas.
{{ToBeEdited}}Shraddha (Samskrit: श्रद्धा) as a concept broadly refers to firm belief towards a deity, person or shastra.<ref name=":4">Dharm P. S. Bhawuk, [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0971333620906758 Sraddha: Construct Definition from the Bhagavad-Gita], SAGE Journals, Volume 32, Issue 1.</ref> As a quality, it is described as the rudimentary stage of Bhakti.<ref name=":15">Tridandi Sri Bhakti Prajnan Yati (1991), [https://archive.org/details/ShandilyaBhaktiSutra Sri Shandilya Bhakti Sutras], Madras: Sree Gaudiya Math.</ref> Shraddha is also a deity in the Rgveda.<ref name=":16" /> And is seen personified across Vedic literature from the Brahmanas, to the Itihasas and Puranas.<ref>Vettam Mani (1975), [https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/page/734/mode/2up Puranic Encyclopaedia], Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.</ref> This article explores the different facets of Shraddha from the Vedas to the Puranas.
== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
It should also be noted that people can have shraddha for any of the various Hindu deities as noted in verse 7.21 presented in section four earlier. In other words, shraddha is needed in worshipping a deity or pursuing any spiritual practice. Thus, shraddha is also an emotion one has for a deity.
It should also be noted that people can have shraddha for any of the various Hindu deities as noted in verse 7.21 presented in section four earlier. In other words, shraddha is needed in worshipping a deity or pursuing any spiritual practice. Thus, shraddha is also an emotion one has for a deity.
shraddha: A divine grace
shraddha: A divine grace
In verse 7.21, Krsna tells Arjuna that any devotee who wants to worship with shraddha, whatever form of deity it may be, Krsna bestows acalam or unflinching shraddha to that devotee so that he or she can worship that deity. There are two points to be noted in this verse. First, Krsna does not discriminate among devotees who have shraddha; they can worship whichever form of deity they want to. In other words, we are free to choose the spiritual practice, and Krsna endows us with the necessary shraddha, based on what we bring to the practice. Second, Krsna blesses people who have shraddha. In other words, shraddha shown by human beings begets divine shraddha or shraddha from Krsna.
In verse 7.21, Krsna tells Arjuna that any devotee who wants to worship with shraddha, whatever form of deity it may be, Krsna bestows acalam or unflinching shraddha to that devotee so that he or she can worship that deity. There are two points to be noted in this verse. First, Krsna does not discriminate among devotees who have shraddha; they can worship whichever form of deity they want to. In other words, we are free to choose the spiritual practice, and Krsna endows us with the necessary shraddha, based on what we bring to the practice. Second, Krsna blesses people who have shraddha. In other words, shraddha shown by human beings begets divine shraddha or shraddha from Krsna.
=== भगवच्छ्रद्धा फलम् ॥ Fruit of Shraddha in a Deity ===
Verse 7.22, continues from the previous one, and Krsna states that when the devotee worships the deity of his or her choice with the divine shraddha provided by Krsna, his or her desires are fulfilled by Krsna himself. Therefore, shraddha is not only something that brings one to Krsna but also continues to bring the blessings of Krsna to the devotees, whoever and however they worship. Thus, shraddha is a gift of the Supreme, or a divine grace.
Verse 7.22, continues from the previous one, and Krsna states that when the devotee worships the deity of his or her choice with the divine shraddha provided by Krsna, his or her desires are fulfilled by Krsna himself. Therefore, shraddha is not only something that brings one to Krsna but also continues to bring the blessings of Krsna to the devotees, whoever and however they worship. Thus, shraddha is a gift of the Supreme, or a divine grace.
== आप्तेषु श्रद्धा ॥ Shraddha in a Person or Shastra ==
In Vivekachudamani, Sloka 25, Śrī Śankaracharya says:
“शास्त्रस्य गुरुवाक्यस्य सत्यबुद्ध्यवधारणम्। सत्यबुद्ध्यावधारणा सा श्रद्धा कथिता सद्भिर्यया वस्तूपलभ्यते॥”
Meaning, trust in Śāstra and in the words of Guru with truthful behavior performed with śrअddhā intern helps in the understanding of reality and the gain of desired results or objects. (https://sanatanadhara.com/bhakthi/)
shraddha: For person or śāstra
=== गुरौ श्रद्धा ॥ Shraddha in a Guru ===
कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसम्मूढचेताः । यच्छ्रेयः स्यान्निश्चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् ॥२.७॥<ref name=":9" />
Confused about his duty, when Arjuna was inclined to act in a cowardly manner, he surrenders to Krsna as a student, which is captured in verse 2.7. He beseeches Krsna to instruct him firmly to do what was best for him. This reflects the shraddha one places in another person, especially a guru or teacher.
नष्टो मोहः स्मृतिर्लब्धा त्वत्प्रसादान्मयाच्युत । स्थितोऽस्मि गतसन्देहः करिष्ये वचनं तव ॥१८.७३॥<ref name=":7" />
At the end of the Bhagavad-Gītā in verse 18.73, Arjuna tells Krsna that by Krsna’s grace his confusion was dispelled, he was free of doubts and he had gained his discriminatory faculty. Further, Arjuna tells Krsna that he was ready to follow his instructions. This shows that a student surrenders to his or her teacher, listens to the instructions and carries out the instructions of the teacher. This is showing shraddha to a person. Thus, shraddha is an emotion that a student has for a teacher.
=== शास्त्रेषु श्रद्धा ॥ Shraddha in a Shastra ===
अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च । निर्ममो निरहंकारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी ॥१२.१३॥
संतुष्टः सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चयः । मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः ॥१२.१४॥
यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः । हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तो यः स च मे प्रियः ॥१२.१५॥
अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथः । सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः ॥१२.१६॥
यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति । शुभाशुभपरित्यागी भक्तिमान्यः स मे प्रियः ॥१२.१७॥
समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः । शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः सङ्गविवर्जितः ॥१२.१८॥
तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी सन्तुष्टो येन केनचित् । अनिकेतः स्थिरमतिर्भक्तिमान्मे प्रियो नरः ॥१२.१९॥<ref name=":10" />
In verses 12.13–12.19 many attributes like being in a balanced state, not having any negative feeling towards other beings, always being content with whatever comes one’s way, and so forth, are presented to '''characterise devotees who are dear to Krsna'''.
ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते । श्रद्दधाना मत्परमा भक्तास्तेऽतीव मे प्रियाः ॥१२.२०॥<ref name=":10" />
In the concluding verse of the Canto (12.20) another quality that is highlighted is that devotees who worship Krsna by surrendering to him with deep shraddha, and follow the dharmika or pious and nectar-like (amrta-like) instructions meticulously are dearest to Him. Such instructions refer to what is stated in śāstras or scriptures. What is meant here is that it is not enough to have shraddha for a person or deity but an individual needs to have it also in śāstra (or scriptural text) that guide human behaviour.
==== शास्त्रश्रद्धाफलम् ॥ Fruit of Shraddha in Shastra ====
shraddha: Not finding faults
मयि सर्वाणि कर्माणि संन्यस्याध्यात्मचेतसा । निराशीर्निर्ममो भूत्वा युध्यस्व विगतज्वरः ॥३.३०॥
ये मे मतमिदं नित्यमनुतिष्ठन्ति मानवाः । श्रद्धावन्तोऽनसूयन्तो मुच्यन्ते तेऽपि कर्मभिः ॥३.३१॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga)]</ref>
Meaning:
Surrendering all your actions to Me with a mind focussed on the self, free from desire and selfishness, fight having eased the heat of excitement.<ref>Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3, [https://www.gitasupersite.iitk.ac.in/srimad?language=dv&field_chapter_value=3&field_nsutra_value=30&etsiva=1&etpurohit=1&etgb=1&etssa=1&etadi=1&choose=1 Verse 30 (Translation)]</ref>
Those who constantly follow this doctrine of Mine, with faith and without finding fault [in it], such people are freed from [the results of] all actions.<ref>Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3, [https://www.gitasupersite.iitk.ac.in/srimad?etsiva=1&etpurohit=1&etgb=1&etssa=1&etadi=1&choose=1&&language=dv&field_chapter_value=3&field_nsutra_value=31 Verse 31 (Translation)]</ref>
In verse 3.31, Krsna tells Arjuna that those people who always follow Krsna’s directive (given in verse 3.30), who have shraddha in him (śraddhāvantah) and who are not jealous of him (anasuyantah), become free of the bondage of karma. In this verse, Krsna contrasts shraddha with asūya (envy, jealousy or indignation caused by happiness of others), illustrating that when we have shraddha for someone, we do not find fault with that person or envy the achievements of that person. Thus, shraddha is associated with anasūya (absence of envy/jealousy), and a '''behavioural outcome of shraddha is not finding faults in others'''. This has implications for practice in that spiritual practitioners should cultivate shraddha and anasūya. Thus, shraddha can be viewed as the fruition of not harbouring asūya or jealousy for anyone, thus breaking the boundaries between self and others.
== भगवद्गीतायां श्रद्धा ॥ Shraddha in Bhagavad Gita ==
== भगवद्गीतायां श्रद्धा ॥ Shraddha in Bhagavad Gita ==
श्रद्धया परया तप्तं तपस्तत्त्रिविधं नरैः । अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्युक्तैः सात्त्विकं परिचक्षते ॥१७.१७॥<ref name=":5" />
श्रद्धया परया तप्तं तपस्तत्त्रिविधं नरैः । अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्युक्तैः सात्त्विकं परिचक्षते ॥१७.१७॥<ref name=":5" />
=== shraddha and moksa ===
=== shraddha and moksa ===
=== shraddha: For person, deity or śāstra ===
=== shraddha: For person, deity or śāstra ===
=== shraddha shapes a person ===
=== shraddha shapes a person ===