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Line 2: − + − + − Shraddha is considered as one of the highest virtues. It is a gift of the Supreme. It always bears fruits which carry over to the next life. The highest quality of shraddha is that of a devotee. From interpersonal perspective, shraddha is an emotion one has for another person, a deity or shastra (scriptural text or instructions in such texts that guide human behaviour). Shraddha reflects the basic nature of people. Absence of shraddha causes all efforts to go in vain.<ref name=":4" />+ − − Shraddha (faith) is to believe in what you do not see and the reward is in seeing what you believed.<ref name=":17">K.V.Anantharaman (2010), Siva Gita A Critical Study. See: [https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/295754/14/15_appendix.pdf Faith (Glossary)]</ref> − − − − shraddha (श्रद्धा) refers to:—Faith; the firm conviction that all of one’s obligations will be fulfilled by performing kṛṣṇa-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> − − shraddha (श्रद्धा) refers to:—Faith in the statements of the ''śāstras'' which is awakened after accumulating pious devotional credits over many births.<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> − − shraddha (श्रद्धा) refers to “faith in the statements of scripture awakened when one has accumulated pious devotional activities over many births or by the association and mercy of a pure Vaiṣṇava; the first manifestation of the creeper of devotion. The inner essence of the seed of ''shraddha'' is the conception implanted within the disciple’s heart to serve Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa in a particular capacity”.<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> − − (Wisdom library - https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shraddha) − − It is hoped that explication of the indigenous construct, shraddha, will also enrich our understanding of adhyatma or spirituality. − − In Canto 17, shraddha is defined with respect to the three gunas (quality or innate tendencies) of sāmkhya darśana or philosophy.<ref name=":4" /> − − 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/) Line 188:
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→परिचयः ॥ Introduction: Editing
== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
The term Shraddha is explained in Apte's Sanskrit dictionary with the following words: <blockquote>"to believe, put faith in, trust, respect, revere or desire something"</blockquote>It refers to,
The term Shraddha is explained in Apte's Sanskrit dictionary with the following words: <blockquote>"to believe, put faith in, trust, respect, revere or desire something"</blockquote>It also refers to,
* a state of calmness or composure of the mind
* a state of calmness or composure of the mind
* a firm belief in divine revelation<ref name=":0">Vaman Shivram Apte (1890), The Practical Sanskrit English Dictionary, Poona: Shiralkar & Co., See: [https://archive.org/details/ldpd_7285627_000/page/n1075/mode/2up Shraddha].</ref><ref name=":4" />
* a firm belief in divine revelation<ref name=":0">Vaman Shivram Apte (1890), The Practical Sanskrit English Dictionary, Poona: Shiralkar & Co., See: [https://archive.org/details/ldpd_7285627_000/page/n1075/mode/2up Shraddha].</ref><ref name=":4" />
Simply put, Shraddha is an emotion one has for a deity or shastra (any scriptural text or injunctions that guide human behaviour).<ref name=":4" /> It is the ability or quality to believe in what one does not see and its reward is in seeing what was believed in.<ref name=":17" /> Shraddha reflects the basic nature of people. It is infact, considered as one of the highest virtues; a gift of the Supreme Being that always bears fruits which carry over to the next life as well. And the highest quality of shraddha is said to be that of a devotee.<ref name=":4" />
Simply put, Shraddha is an emotion one has for a deity or shastra (any scriptural text or injunctions that guide human behaviour).<ref name=":4" /> It is the ability or quality to believe in what one does not see and its reward is in seeing what was believed in.<ref name=":17">K.V.Anantharaman (2010), Siva Gita A Critical Study. See: [https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/295754/14/15_appendix.pdf Faith (Glossary)]</ref> It is infact, considered as one of the highest virtues; a gift of the Supreme Being that always bears fruits which carry over to the next life as well. 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>
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 or spirituality.<ref name=":4" />
Shraddha is the rudimentary stage of Bhakti. (Sri Shandilya Bhakti Sutras book)<ref name=":15" />
== Types of Shraddha ==
== Types of Shraddha ==
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 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/)
=== shraddha shapes a person ===
=== shraddha shapes a person ===