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Line 66: − − This verse is in effect similar to verse 2.40, where Krsna proclaims that effort invested in the practice of karmayoga (a spiritual practice in which action is emphasised without attachment to rewards also called nishkama karma), one of the practices of spirituality, neither suffers a loss, nor is there an adverse effect; and even a little bit of practice helps a person to get over his or her biggest of fears. Thus, '''shraddha is integral to the procedure that makes efforts bear fruit in the practice of spirituality.''' − − नेहाभिक्रमनाशोऽस्ति प्रत्यवायो न विद्यते । स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात् ॥२.४०॥<ref name=":9" /> Line 105:
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Line 241: − − == श्रद्धाविहिनत्वम् ॥ Absence of shraddha == − अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति । नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मनः ॥४.४०॥<ref name=":6" /> − − In verse 4.40 Krsna tells Arjuna that those who are ignorant, without shraddha, and sceptical are ruined, completely lose out on achievements both in this world and beyond, and also do not find happiness. In this verse, absence of shraddha is equated to lack of knowledge. − − Verse 4.39 also states that only those who have shraddha obtain knowledge (śraddhāvān labhate jñānam). Further, absence of shraddha is equated to being sceptical, and shraddha is also presented as a precondition of happiness. − − अश्रद्दधानाः पुरुषा धर्मस्यास्य परन्तप । अप्राप्य मां निवर्तन्ते मृत्युसंसारवर्त्मनि ॥९.३॥<ref name=":8" /> − − In verse 9.3, Krsna tells Arjuna that people without shraddha in the teachings of Krsna go through the cycle of life and death without attaining moksa.
→भगवच्छ्रद्धा फलम् ॥ Fruit of Shraddha in a Deity: Editing
Therefore, shraddha never gets misplaced and always bears fruit. It is something that brings one to Shri Krishna and also continues to bring the blessings of Shri Krishna to the devotees, whoever and however they worship. It is indeed, a gift of the Supreme, a divine grace.<ref name=":4" />
Therefore, shraddha never gets misplaced and always bears fruit. It is something that brings one to Shri Krishna and also continues to bring the blessings of Shri Krishna to the devotees, whoever and however they worship. It is indeed, a gift of the Supreme, a divine grace.<ref name=":4" />
== आप्तेषु श्रद्धा ॥ Shraddha in a Person or Shastra ==
== आप्तेषु श्रद्धा ॥ Shraddha in a Person or Shastra ==
This is nothing but a directive expounded by Shri Krishna Himself. And thereby, it is to be trusted as it is an apta-vachana or shastra-vachana (authoritative statement). Shri Krishna says, 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><blockquote>ये मे मतमिदं नित्यमनुतिष्ठन्ति मानवाः । श्रद्धावन्तोऽनसूयन्तो मुच्यन्ते तेऽपि कर्मभिः ॥३.३१॥<ref name=":20" />
This is nothing but a directive expounded by Shri Krishna Himself. And thereby, it is to be trusted as it is an apta-vachana or shastra-vachana (authoritative statement). Shri Krishna says, 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><blockquote>ये मे मतमिदं नित्यमनुतिष्ठन्ति मानवाः । श्रद्धावन्तोऽनसूयन्तो मुच्यन्ते तेऽपि कर्मभिः ॥३.३१॥<ref name=":20" />
''ye me matamidaṁ nityamanutiṣṭhanti mānavāḥ । śraddhāvanto'nasūyanto mucyante te'pi karmabhiḥ ॥3.31॥''</blockquote>This verse illustrates that when we place shraddha on an entity, we do not find fault with it. Consequently, there is no question of harbouring feelings of envy or jealousy towards the entity we have shraddha for. Thus, shraddha is associated with anasuya (absence of envy/jealousy). Building on this, Shri Krishna, in the following verses, also emphasises the merit of studying the Bhagavad Gita and tells Arjuna that those who have shraddha and are also not envious (anasūyaḥ), they definitely become free and go to auspicious places (beyond earth) because of their meritorious karma or actions even by merely listening to the dialogue (in the Bhagavad Gita); thereby, enumerating the fruit of having shraddha for shastra granthas like the Bhagavad Gita.<ref name=":4" /><blockquote>अध्येष्यते च य इमं धर्म्यं संवादमावयोः । ज्ञानयज्ञेन तेनाहमिष्टः स्यामिति मे मतिः ॥१८.७०॥
''ye me matamidaṁ nityamanutiṣṭhanti mānavāḥ । śraddhāvanto'nasūyanto mucyante te'pi karmabhiḥ ॥3.31॥''</blockquote>This verse illustrates that when we place shraddha on an entity, we do not find fault with it. Consequently, there is no question of harbouring feelings of envy or jealousy towards the entity we have shraddha for. Thus, shraddha is associated with anasuya (absence of envy/jealousy). Building on this, Shri Krishna, in the following verses, also emphasises the merit of studying the Bhagavad Gita and tells Arjuna that those who have shraddha and are also not envious (anasūyaḥ), they definitely become free and go to auspicious places (beyond earth) because of their meritorious karma or actions even by merely listening to the dialogue (in the Bhagavad Gita); thereby, enumerating the fruit of having shraddha for shastra granthas like the Bhagavad Gita.<ref name=":4" /><blockquote>अध्येष्यते च य इमं धर्म्यं संवादमावयोः । ज्ञानयज्ञेन तेनाहमिष्टः स्यामिति मे मतिः ॥१८.७०॥
adhyeṣyate ca ya imaṁ dharmyaṁ saṁvādamāvayoḥ । jñānayajñena tenāhamiṣṭaḥ syāmiti me matiḥ ॥18.70॥
adhyeṣyate ca ya imaṁ dharmyaṁ saṁvādamāvayoḥ । jñānayajñena tenāhamiṣṭaḥ syāmiti me matiḥ ॥18.70॥
śraddhāvānanasūyaśca śr̥ṇuyādapi yo naraḥ । so'pi muktaḥ śubhām̐llokānprāpnuyātpuṇyakarmaṇām ॥18.71॥</blockquote>Moreover, the behavioural outcome of shraddha is not finding faults in others that has implications for spiritual practitioners. For, not harbouring asuya or jealousy for anyone breaks the boundaries between self and others. Therefore, shraddha is contrasted with asuya (envy, jealousy or indignation caused by happiness of others) and spiritual practitioners are directed to cultivate shraddha and anasuya.<ref name=":4" />
śraddhāvānanasūyaśca śr̥ṇuyādapi yo naraḥ । so'pi muktaḥ śubhām̐llokānprāpnuyātpuṇyakarmaṇām ॥18.71॥</blockquote>On the other hand, in verse 9.3, Shri Krishna enumerates the fruit of not fostering shraddha in the teachings of Shri Krishna.<ref name=":4" /> He says,<blockquote>अश्रद्दधानाः पुरुषा धर्मस्यास्य परन्तप । अप्राप्य मां निवर्तन्ते मृत्युसंसारवर्त्मनि ॥९.३॥<ref name=":8" />
aśraddadhānāḥ puruṣā dharmasyāsya parantapa । aprāpya māṁ nivartante mr̥tyusaṁsāravartmani ॥9.3॥</blockquote>Meaning: People without shraddha in the teachings of Shri Krishna go through the cycle of life and death without attaining moksa.
Moreover, the behavioural outcome of shraddha is not finding faults in others that has implications for spiritual practitioners. For, not harbouring asuya or jealousy for anyone breaks the boundaries between self and others. Therefore, shraddha is contrasted with asuya (envy, jealousy or indignation caused by happiness of others) and spiritual practitioners are directed to cultivate shraddha and anasuya.<ref name=":4" />
== साधनाङ्गः ॥ Integral Part of Sadhana ==
== साधनाङ्गः ॥ Integral Part of Sadhana ==
This is one of the many important questions Arjuna asks of Shri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. And in verses 6.40–6.47, Shri Krishna explains that nothing is lost for the person who has shraddha and who has made some effort. Such a person picks up in the next life from the same state that he or she has been in the present life. That is, no merit is lost even while transitioning to a new life. Thus, shraddha always bears fruits that are never lost; they do not diminish in value even with rebirth. It is highest of virtues with everlasting outcomes.<ref name=":4" />
This is one of the many important questions Arjuna asks of Shri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. And in verses 6.40–6.47, Shri Krishna explains that nothing is lost for the person who has shraddha and who has made some effort. Such a person picks up in the next life from the same state that he or she has been in the present life. That is, no merit is lost even while transitioning to a new life. Thus, shraddha always bears fruits that are never lost; they do not diminish in value even with rebirth. It is highest of virtues with everlasting outcomes.<ref name=":4" />
== श्रद्धाविहिनत्वम् ॥ Absence of Shraddha ==
It is already enumerated earlier in verse 4.39 that only those who have shraddha obtain knowledge.<blockquote>श्रद्धावाँल्लभते ज्ञानं ... ॥४.३९॥<ref name=":6" /> śraddhāvām̐llabhate jñānaṁ ... ॥4.39॥</blockquote>In continuity to this, Shri Krishna in the following verse says, <blockquote>अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति । नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मनः ॥४.४०॥<ref name=":6" />
ajñaścāśraddadhānaśca saṁśayātmā vinaśyati । nāyaṁ loko'sti na paro na sukhaṁ saṁśayātmanaḥ ॥4.40॥</blockquote>Meaning: Those who are ignorant, without shraddha and sceptical are ruined and completely lose out on achievements both in this world and beyond, and also do not find happiness.
This verse equates Shraddha to lack of knowledge, to being sceptical and presents shraddha as a precondition of happiness. Furthermore, in verse 9.3, Shri Krishna tells Arjuna that people without shraddha, e in the teachings of Krsna go through the cycle of life and death without attaining moksa.
In this verse, absence of shraddha is equated to lack of knowledge. Further, absence of shraddha is equated to being sceptical, and shraddha is also presented as a precondition of happiness.
In verse 4.40 Krsna tells Arjuna that those who are ignorant, without shraddha, and sceptical are ruined, completely lose out on achievements both in this world and beyond, and also do not find happiness. In this verse, absence of shraddha is equated to lack of knowledge.
Verse 4.39 also states that only those who have shraddha obtain knowledge (śraddhāvān labhate jñānam). Further, absence of shraddha is equated to being sceptical, and shraddha is also presented as a precondition of happiness.
अश्रद्दधानाः पुरुषा धर्मस्यास्य परन्तप । अप्राप्य मां निवर्तन्ते मृत्युसंसारवर्त्मनि ॥९.३॥<ref name=":8" />
In verse 9.3, Krsna tells Arjuna that people without shraddha in the teachings of Krsna go through the cycle of life and death without attaining moksa.
== श्रद्धाफलम् ॥ Fruit of Shraddha ==
== श्रद्धाफलम् ॥ Fruit of Shraddha ==
Deriving the meaning of the construct of shraddha from the Bhagavad-Gītā.
Deriving the meaning of the construct of shraddha from the Bhagavad-Gītā.
Synopsis
Synopsis
In view of the above, it appears that shraddha is a unique Indian indigenous construct that needs to be studied to help us understand not only the psychology of Indian people but also of people in societies which are similarly inclined. Understanding shraddha is also likely to help us understand other major constructs. It should also help us understand interpersonal relationships, since shraddha is the foundation of many relationships, which hitherto has been neglected by researchers. It is hoped that the thick description of the construct of shraddha and the proposed nomological network will contribute to both Indian and global psychologies, and stimulate both basic and applied research.<ref name=":4" />
In view of the above, it appears that shraddha is a unique Indian indigenous construct that needs to be studied to help us understand not only the psychology of Indian people but also of people in societies which are similarly inclined. Understanding shraddha is also likely to help us understand other major constructs. It should also help us understand interpersonal relationships, since shraddha is the foundation of many relationships, which hitherto has been neglected by researchers. It is hoped that the thick description of the construct of shraddha and the proposed nomological network will contribute to both Indian and global psychologies, and stimulate both basic and applied research.<ref name=":4" />
== Shraddha as a Deity ==
== Shraddha as a Deity ==