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{{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 name=":25">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.

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 (भक्तिः)|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 [[Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः)|Rgveda]].<ref name=":16" /> And is seen personified across [[Vaidika Vangmaya (वैदिकवाङ्मयम्)|Vedic literature]] from the [[Brahmana (ब्राह्मणम्)|Brahmanas]] to the [[Itihasa (इतिहासः)|Itihasas]] and [[Puranas (पुराणानि)|Puranas]].<ref name=":25">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 (वेदाः)|Vedas]] to the Puranas.

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

The highest quality of shraddha is said to be that of a devotee.<ref name=":4" /> It reflects the firm conviction of a bhakta that all of one’s obligations will be fulfilled by adhering to the path of bhakti.<ref>Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Goswami Maharaja (2010), Sri Brhad Bhagavatamrta, Vrndavana: Gaudiya Vedanta Publications. See: [https://www.purebhakti.com/resources/ebooks-magazines/bhakti-books/english/9-brhad-bhagavatamrta-canto-2-volume-1/file Sraddha (Glossary)]</ref> And by accumulating pious devotional activities over many births or by associating with a pure bhakta, one's Shraddha in the statements of Shastras is awakened. And hence, Shraddha is referred to as the first manifestation of the creeper of devotion.<ref>Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura (2003), Sri Bhajana Rahasya, Vrindavan: Gaudiya Vedanta Publications. See: [https://www.purebhakti.com/resources/ebooks-magazines/bhakti-books/english/3-bhajana-rahasya/file Sraddha (Glossary)]</ref><ref>Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Goswami Maharaja (2015), Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Vrindavana: Gaudiya Vedanta Publications. See: [https://www.purebhakti.com/resources/ebooks-magazines/bhakti-books/english/32-bhagavad-gita/file Sraddha (Glossary)]</ref>

The highest quality of shraddha is said to be that of a devotee.<ref name=":4" /> It reflects the firm conviction of a bhakta that all of one’s obligations will be fulfilled by adhering to the path of bhakti.<ref>Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Goswami Maharaja (2010), Sri Brhad Bhagavatamrta, Vrndavana: Gaudiya Vedanta Publications. See: [https://www.purebhakti.com/resources/ebooks-magazines/bhakti-books/english/9-brhad-bhagavatamrta-canto-2-volume-1/file Sraddha (Glossary)]</ref> And by accumulating pious devotional activities over many births or by associating with a pure bhakta, one's Shraddha in the statements of Shastras is awakened. And hence, Shraddha is referred to as the first manifestation of the creeper of devotion.<ref>Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura (2003), Sri Bhajana Rahasya, Vrindavan: Gaudiya Vedanta Publications. See: [https://www.purebhakti.com/resources/ebooks-magazines/bhakti-books/english/3-bhajana-rahasya/file Sraddha (Glossary)]</ref><ref>Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Goswami Maharaja (2015), Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Vrindavana: Gaudiya Vedanta Publications. See: [https://www.purebhakti.com/resources/ebooks-magazines/bhakti-books/english/32-bhagavad-gita/file Sraddha (Glossary)]</ref>

Also, it is said that Shraddha reflects the basic nature of people. And an absence of Shraddha causes all efforts to go in vain. The Bhagavad Gita, in Chapter 17 (Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga), explains this indigenous concept of Shraddha with respect to the three gunas (quality or innate tendencies) of Samkhya darshana or philosophy namely, Sattva, rajas and tamas; an understanding of which enriches in general, the understanding of bharatiya adhyatmata.<ref name=":4" />

Also, it is said that Shraddha reflects the basic nature of people. And an absence of Shraddha causes all efforts to go in vain. The [[Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता)|Bhagavad Gita]], in Chapter 17 ([[Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga (श्रद्धात्रयविभागयोगः)|Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga]]), explains this indigenous concept of Shraddha with respect to the [[Trigunas (त्रिगुणाः)|three gunas]] (quality or innate tendencies) of [[Samkhya Darshana (साङ्ख्यदर्शनम्)|Samkhya darshana]] or philosophy namely, [[Sattva (सत्त्वम्)|Sattva]], [[Rajas (रजः)|rajas]] and [[Tamas (तमः)|tamas]]; an understanding of which enriches in general, the understanding of bharatiya adhyatmata.<ref name=":4" />

== श्रद्धायाः महत्त्वम् ॥ Greatness of Shraddha ==

== श्रद्धायाः महत्त्वम् ॥ Greatness of Shraddha ==

=== श्रद्धाप्रकाराः ॥ Types of Shraddha ===

=== श्रद्धाप्रकाराः ॥ Types of Shraddha ===

Shabdakalpadruma<ref name=":1" /> quotes the verses 17.2, 17.3 and 17.4 from the Bhagavad Gita (Adhyaya 17) and states,  <blockquote>सा (श्रद्धा) त्रिविधा ।<ref name=":2" /> ''sā (śraddhā) trividhā ।''</blockquote>ie. shraddha is of 3 types. Namely, Satviki, Rajasi and Tamasi.  <blockquote>त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा । सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां शृणु ॥१७.२॥<ref name=":5">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%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 17 (Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga)]</ref>   

Shabdakalpadruma<ref name=":1" /> quotes the verses 17.2, 17.3 and 17.4 from the Bhagavad Gita (Adhyaya 17) and states,  <blockquote>सा (श्रद्धा) त्रिविधा ।<ref name=":2" /> ''sā (śraddhā) trividhā ।''</blockquote>ie. shraddha is of 3 types. Namely, Satviki, Rajasi and Tamasi.  <blockquote>त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा । सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां शृणु ॥१७.२॥<ref name=":5">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%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 17 (Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga)]</ref>  </blockquote><blockquote>''trividhā bhavati śraddhā dehināṁ sā svabhāvajā । sāttvikī rājasī caiva tāmasī ceti tāṁ śr̥ṇu ॥17.2॥''  </blockquote>Meaning: Shraddha of people, born of their individual natures, is of three kinds. It is characterized by sattva, rajas or tamas.<ref name=":3">Swami Nikhilananda (1944), [https://estudantedavedanta.net/Srimad%20Bhagavad%20Gita%20with%20Commentary%20-%20Swami%20Nikhilananda%20(1944)%20%5BEnglish%5D.pdf The Bhagavad Gita], New York: Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center.</ref>  

 

''trividhā bhavati śraddhā dehināṁ sā svabhāvajā । sāttvikī rājasī caiva tāmasī ceti tāṁ śr̥ṇu ॥17.2॥''  </blockquote>Meaning: Shraddha of people, born of their individual natures, is of three kinds. It is characterized by sattva, rajas or tamas.<ref name=":3">Swami Nikhilananda (1944), [https://estudantedavedanta.net/Srimad%20Bhagavad%20Gita%20with%20Commentary%20-%20Swami%20Nikhilananda%20(1944)%20%5BEnglish%5D.pdf The Bhagavad Gita], New York: Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center.</ref>  

This is in response to Arjuna's question to Shri Krishna in verse 17.1 about the nature of people who do not follow the method given in the shastras but worship with Shraddha<ref name=":4" /> that reads as, <blockquote>ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः । तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः ॥१७.१॥<ref name=":5" />  

This is in response to Arjuna's question to Shri Krishna in verse 17.1 about the nature of people who do not follow the method given in the shastras but worship with Shraddha<ref name=":4" /> that reads as, <blockquote>ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः । तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः ॥१७.१॥<ref name=":5" />