विवेचन सारांश

Śraddhā is a Combination of Devotion & Intellectual Focus maintained with Clarity till the Goal is Attained

In 4th Adhyaya, Bhagavān clearly defines that -"

"Shraddhavan labhate gyana"

In this context is described the Chitrakoot incidence in Ramayana, when Bharat ji along with his Chatirangini Army comes to meet Śrī Rama and pleads to return to Ayodhya. Now, Lakshmana ji doubts Bharat ji in his intentions and thinks that Bharat Ji has come to kill both Śrī Rama and Lakshman ji. So, Lakshman ji informs Śrī Rama of his arrival in great anger and assures him that he himself is enough to defeat all whether Bharat or Shatrughana or the army.

Then Śrī Rama smiled and eased down Lakshman ji. Śrī Rama says that the Sun can rise from west, the earth can sink in the seas/oceans, but Bharat cannot hurt or turn against Śrī Rama. Śrī Rama exhibits great love and respect for Bharat ji. This is an example of profound faith - of Śrī Rama in Bharat ji, irrespective of all political elements like army etc. Where faith rises, everything else like doubts, negatives vanish away and become trivial matters!

Another good to go example here is of Gandhiji.

Once, a communist approached to criticises Gandhiji for his great talks and preachings on chanting Rama name, propagating Hindu scriptures like Ramayna and Mahabharata, etc.

According to the Communist, it's all Mythology and is not Truth. Gandhiji beautifully replies that by reading or going through these scriptures, he himself is stabilised in the "Truth", what could be better "Truth" definition than this. When Gandhiji was 8 years old, he saw a silent movie of "Satya Harishchandra" in a Bioscope. Then he was committed to speak truth for entire lifetime, no matter what the consequences could be.

There can be no better faith in scriptures like Ramayana, Mahabharata, etc. Gandhiji went to study abroad (London) by sea route. Due to common natural calamities, he was warned several times at home and was denied the trip. On the port, he was continuously followed by an insurance policy maker and under his influence, Gandhiji made insurance of 5000 Rs. Then Gandhiji realised this mistake as soon as he boarded the ship for London. He realised that taking out an insurance policy was kind of doubting his own brother to take care of his family in his absence.

"Shraddha is the blind faith on Scriptures and statements of Guruji. While faith is experiential based Shraddha observed in one's life. In Ramcharitmanas, many people have stated about Shraddha, but only three people have stated about Faith.

Shivji says-"Uma kahu mein anubhav apna, Sat hari bhajan, jagat sab sapna."

Secondly, Kaakbhusndi says to Garun ji, "Nij anubhav mein kahahu Khagesa, Binu hari bhajan na mithe kalesa"

Shraddha comes from others experience while one's own experience harbingers faith.

Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya ji says in Vivekchudamani, " Śāstrasya, Guruvakyasya Satyabuddhavadhaarna, Sashrdhya sakikasabhya, yayavastu uplabhyate.

The truth attainment in scriptures and Guru words is sheer "Shraddha" One does not have abundant time, ability and strength to experience everything in one's life.

Goswami ji also begins Manas with "Bhawanishankaro vando shraddha vishwas rupino. Vande bodhmayam nityam, Gurushankar roopinim" Listener or student is "Shraddha" while Guru is "Faith (Vishwas)". Whole Ramayana is told by Guru (Shiv ji) Vishwas to Mata Parvati (listener) i.e., Shraddha.

Mata Parvati was in state of Sati ji at that time. Sati ji did not have faith in the katha and ignored it most of the time. Goswami ji changed her description from "Jagjagati bhawani" to "Daksh Kumari". Shivji tells Sati ji to have positive thoughts in the heart and not to test Śrī Rama, but against this advice, Sati ji went to test Śrī Ramji. This was not the right attitude on Sati ji's end.

As its aptly said-"Ho wahi jo ram rachi rakha." Sati ji went in the guise of Sita ji to meet Bhagavān Rama.  But Bhagavān Rama and Lakshman ji bowed down happily in front of her. They asked her about Bhagavān śiva's whereabouts and reason of her wandering alone in the forest. Sati ji soon realised her mistake of doubting Śrī Ramji and ran away from there. Śrī Ramji, Lakshmanji and Janki ji were seen in all directions wherever she went and finally she fainted with this vision.

In this Sloka, Bhagavān Krishna replies to the queries of Arjuna regarding the status of different devotees in three Gunas, i.e., Sattva, Rajas, Tamas who are unaware and ignorant of the scriptures. Such kind of devotion originating from the basic nature of the devotees unaffected and uninfluenced by the Scriptural details of Saṃskāras, can be of all three kinds of Gunas- Sattva, Rajas, Tamas.

We need to understand the three sources of profound faith as stated in the scriptures:

1. Swabhavja - he who is the result of one's basic nature, family traditions, customs, childhood learnings and brought up

2. Sangja - he who is result of the company one keeps. Example- Garun ji asked Shivji, then Shivji answered-" Tabhi hoyi sab sansaya bhanga, jab bahukaal karein satsanga."

But this Sangja demands chronic (long term) practice and attention .

Wonderful example is of the Geeta learning classes we are attending on daily basis, initially we simply register ourselves, the level of faith is very minute, but then we later attend the class, watch the great devotion of the trainer, the dedication of the Group Coordinator and the great efforts and sincerity of the Technical Assistant, all three are working to the best of their capacities without any gains or benefits simply to offer services and bhakti to Śrī Krishna and all the Sadhakas, such company fosters more Shraddha and new students attending the classes graduallydevelop more and more faith and devotion in this great learning Yajna!

Kakabhusundi says to Garud ji, "Tabahi hoi sab sansaya bhanga, jab bahukaal kariye satsanga"

Say you fill water in a vessel and then put few drops of oil on water. After a while both layers get separated. If you put your finger within an hour and take it out, it may stick to some oil, not completely covered with oil, while the same finger will be totally oily if you put your finger after a month in the same solution. Similarly, to bring changes and positivity in one's life, people need to practice and follow satsanga for long duration of time.

3. Shastraja- he who originates from scripture reading, recitation, etc.

Now the question arises, why such people or laymen not abide by the rules and systems stated in the Shastras? This is aptly answered and explained as follows:

1. Unawareness- he does not know what is written in the scriptures

2. Oblivion - he has knowledge of scriptures , still he does not follow owing to factors like laziness, cost, distance, time, etc.

3. Rebel/Revolt- he does not follow owing to inner fight with scriptures, a tendency to do opposite of what is told

Now, out of these three:

• 1. Unawareness is forgivable to those who seek forgiveness-"Na janam yogam, japam, vaim, poojam"
• 2. Oblivion leads to non consequence, i.e. No result state of the karma being actively ignored.
• 3. Rebel/Revolt fetches punishment.

In this Sloka, Bhagavān Krishna tells Arjuna, "Hey Bharat" (as Arjuna is bharatvanshi) that deep faith of the devotees is according to the state of their inner Self. And more importantly, depending upon the profound belief system, that the person eventually grows or changes into. It is all in the mindset of the person which finally decides the altitude in life. Swami Vivekananda ji, explains this as -"One's thoughts decides the status of the person."

This is wonderfully exemplified with the story of a sculptor who had mastered his art up to an extent that stones he carved used to talk to him. That was the consequence of his "Sadhna". He was very famous. The region where he lived, he was called upon by the king of the state and respectfully requested to build an extremely beautiful temple of Bhagavān Krishna (Dwarikadheesh), such that its glory would spread all around and people from faraway lands pay a visit. The sculpture of Bhagavān Krishna should be an eye catcher of the temple, it should behold everyone's heed and vision.

Now the sculptor began his research of the best variety of stones that would be available to make the idol of Bhagavān Krishna. Since the stones could talk to him, the first stone was in deep agony and refused to be moulded further, so was the fate of second stone. The third stone kept being shaped up for about 6 months after which it gave up. Then the sculptor went on search of a new stone. He finally found a stone willing to be moulded up as per the will of the sculptor no matter how many strokes, hammering etc needed.

For about two years, the process continued, and the rough stone which surrendered itself to the strokes of the sculptor was beautifully transformed into a captivating idol of Bhagavān Krishna. The sculptor bowed down in front of it and so did the king. The exceptionally pretty idol was established in the great temple newly built and celebrated with rituals etc.

Thousands of people came, visited the temple and bowed down in front of the idol. People offered Prasadam, flowers, tilak, etc. to the beautiful idol. The third stone which was worked upon for 6 months, found a place in the decor of the temple like the lotus etc., the second stone was used up in staircases of the temple. While the first stone was broken into pieces to be spread on path of the temple. One can easily conclude the fate of each of the stone was as per their devotion.

Moral of the story is the level of person's devotion and perseverance decides his stature in the life or society. Adhyātma is defined not by deeds, but by intentions. Everyone attends Geeta classes for 40 minutes, their action and way of learning and reading Gītā might. be similar, but the inner intentions are all different,:

"Jaaki rahi Bhavana jaisi, Prabhu murat, dikhe tine taisi"

All people visit Pilgrim places, some see the grandeur of the temple, the granite stone, the decor, etc. Some see the organisation of the temple, the system, the hygiene, etc. while some only see the Bhagavān in the temple and nothing else. Everything depends on interests and intentions.

The critique gathers only negatives while the appreciator gathers positives!

The 3 types of Shraddha can be defined:

• Samsarik people have Shraddha in "Bhogas."
• Devotee has Shraddha in "Bhaav."
• Gyaani has Shraddha in "Tattva."

In this Sloka, Bhagavān Krishna explains to Arjuna, that People with Sattva Guna worship Devas, Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya ji has stated that in a Grihastha's home, there should be at least 5 deities whose worship should be done.

• 1. Bhagavān Vishnu
• 2. Bhagavān Shiv
• 3. Bhagavān Ganesha
• 4. Devi Mata
• 5. Surya Dev

Amongst these, our ishta dev should be in centre, or worship 33 Devtas.

Those with Rajas Guna worship Rakshasa, Yaksha etc. Example- Om Kuberaya Nama (businesspeople in their shops)

while people with Tamas Guna worship Preta, etc. example- worship of Kaal bhairava, tantra mantra.

The goal of a person decides the "Ishta" of a person. And similar is the "Phala" or result of worshipping.

When the goal of one's life is Bhakti, then person worships Devas, observes fast (Ekadashi) etc. worldly desires are too the goals of the fasts which are observed by many people like desire of good match, people do somawara fast, desire of power, people do mangalwara fast, desire of money, people do Thursday fast.

Physical bodies are same for all, what changes is the inner consciousness, the thoughts within.

This explains that "Manah" is the mirror of each person. what are your characteristics, etc. all are depicted and reflected inside your Mana. The clearer this mirror of Mana, the purest reflection of one can be seen. If it's covered with dirt of malice, anger, greed, lies and ego, etc., the false reflection of a person is visible through it.

This beautiful Bhajan explains this concept aptly:

So, Bhagavān Krishna clearly says that "Ishta" of a person changes as per his desires and that decides the consequences.

In this Sloka, Bhagavān Krishna tells Arjuna, people doing such cultural practices which are full of immoral behaviour and pomp are said to have Asuri trait. These are not devotees at all.

These days, Ganesh Utsava is going on in Maharashtra, some people do it as the Śāstras and presence of priests, some do it for pomp and show. Former will get right results, others will not.

Such acts in the name of Pooja and Bhakti should be ignored and discouraged. Such people do not even deserve to be preached for the right duties and acts of Pooja as they hardly pay any. heed!

In this Sloka, Bhagavān Krishna states that there are three types of Foods eaten by people as per their nature and behaviour. Similarly, Yagya, tap and Dana are also of three types.

This is a commendable combination of nature, doer and Shraddha of a person.

One can easily comprehend the blending natures of the three Gunas-Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.

• The excelling Sattva traits match with the Gunatita while descending traits fade away towards Rajas Guna.
• The excelling Rajas Guna blends very well with Sattva Guna and lowest natures touch the Tamas Guna.
• The excelling traits of Tamas Guna blend well with Rajas Guna and lowest ones are only traces of Tamas Guna.

There is nothing like "ABSOLUTE" Guna behaviour of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. There are variable ratios and proportions of the three Gunas depending on the thoughts, Manah and Shraddha of the person.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Rita Ji

Question: In 16th Chapter, it was told that Kaam, Krodha and Lobha are Asuri bahviours. What is meaning of Kaam in this? We do Daily pooja, what is the right way?

Answer: It suggests the desires of humans - All types of desires. There is Swamiji's "Sanshipt Pooja Vidhi", it will be soon uploaded on the website.

Jashobant Ji

Question: In a Grihastha home, where to keep the 5 devtas? What are the languages in which Gyaneshwari is available?

Answer: The "Ishta" devta should be kept in the centre. Rest all idols can be placed on any side. The basic "Gyaneshwari" is available in Marathi. Hindi translation is also available. You can buy from Geeta Press.

Riddhi Ji

Question: What is best time to offer water to Surya Bhagvan? Worship of Pitra is considered which Guna of Pooja?

Answer: Uttam time is early morning, Madhyama time is little late while Nimna time is very late around afternoon. Nothing is Absolutely wrong. Pitra pooja is Rajasi pooja.

Pushplata Ji

Question: Why Kuber Ji, being son of Rishi Pulastaya Ji, considered Yaksha?

Answer: Kuber Ji is King of Yakshas; this is the post attained with Karma.