Faith. (Glossary for the Vahinis)

‘Shraddha’ is earnestness, perseverance, determination and steadfastness. ‘Shraddha’ alone is not enough. ‘Shraddha’ should be strengthened by ‘Nihsamshaya’ or absence of doubt or scepticism. ‘Shraddha’ and ‘Nihsamshaya’, are the two banks of the stream of life. In other words spiritual advancement cannot be achieved without persistence and faith. (SSB 1979, p. 66)

To acquire this sacred spiritual Jnana, one thing is essential; Shraddha, steady faith in the Shastras and the Teachers, and in acquisition of Jnana. Without earnestness born of faith, no task, however tiny can be accomplished by man. (GV, p.97)

Shraddha is the incomparable treasure of Sama, Dama, Uparati, Titiksha and Samadhana, each one a coveted possession. Shraddha is only the first step. (GV, p.97)

Shraddha means unwavering faith in the sacred scriptures or Shastras and in the moral codes they contain as well as in the Atma and the Guru. Faith is the sign of Shraddha. Gurus are worth worshipping. They show us the path of fulfilment, the Sreyo marga. The Shastras are designed to ensure the peace and prosperity of the world and the spiritual perfection of mankind. They have before them this great aim. They show the way to its realisation. So, one must place faith in such holy Shastras, Gurus and elders. The Gurus, on their part instruct people only in the knowledge of the One Atma that is immanent in all Beings. (Sarva jivaatmaikya Jnana). He who has Shraddha will achieve this Jnana. They must themselves have full faith in it and live according to that faith without the slightest deviation. (Sutra Vahini, p. 12/13)

King Vikramaditya told the assembly, ‘Oh Pundits!’Aastha’ means Asakthi or Shraddha zeal and faith; ‘Svastha’ means sthiratva and firmness. Without Asakthi and Sthiratva, Medha -talent is useless’. In other words, it would be futile on the part of man to depend only on his talents and cleverness for leading a purposeful life. He should develop faith and zeal together with steadiness and firm determination. Then only will he be able to accomplish great things in his life. Shraddha or faith is of paramount importance. Without Shraddha or faith you can achieve nothing important. Without Shraddha or faith you can achieve nothing. (ICS, p.92)

Students, you should realise that for every act of your, you should take great care. ‘Shraddha van labhate Jnanam’, one can get wisdom by paying sufficient attention. The letters contained in this statement should be understood carefully. To promote this kind of Shraddha, we should also think of another eight-letter statement ‘Samsayatma vinasyate’. You must remove all doubts from your mind. On the one side, ‘Shraddha van labhate Jnanam’ and on the other side, ‘Samsayatma vinasyate’, if we have these two statements as the two limits between which our stream of life should flow, we will be happy. If one has sufficient care and sufficient faith, even if you gets a tiny spark, out of the spark he can generate huge fire. If one is not careful even if you give him big burning logs, he will push them aside; there will be no fire, For student who has Shraddha, who has no desire learn, even if you give a sacred sentence, it will be enough. (SSB 1977, p. 141-142)