Threefold Faith - 17 - 02

The Shloka

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श्रीभगवानुवाच ।

त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा ।

सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां श‍ृणु ॥

———

śhrī bhagavān uvācha

trividhā bhavati śhraddhā dehināṁ sā svabhāvajā

sāttvikī rājasī chaiva tāmasī cheti tāṁ śhṛiṇu

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Meaning / Summary

This shloka is significant because it categorizes faith into three distinct types based on the Gunas (qualities) of nature, providing a framework for understanding how different types of faith influence actions and outcomes. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the nature of one’s own faith to progress spiritually.

The Blessed Lord said: The faith of embodied beings is of three kinds, born of their own nature: sāttvika (goodness), rājasika (passion), and tāmasika (ignorance). Now hear about these.

Lord Krishna describes faith as being of three types: Sattvic (pure), Rajasic (passionate), and Tamasic (ignorant), each influenced by one’s inherent nature.

Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna that faith, a fundamental aspect of human nature, manifests in three distinct forms. These forms—sāttvika, rājasika, and tāmasika—are directly influenced by an individual’s inherent qualities or predispositions, which arise from past actions and accumulated tendencies. The Lord then instructs Arjuna to listen attentively as He elaborates on the characteristics of each type of faith. This sets the stage for a deeper understanding of how faith impacts actions, choices, and ultimately, one’s spiritual evolution.

Sentence - 1

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श्रीभगवानुवाच ।

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Meaning

The Blessed Lord said:

Meaning of Words

श्री	śhrī
The Blessed, beautiful, glorious, opulent, prosperous, auspicious. This signifies the Lord’s divine qualities and auspicious nature. It implies that what follows is coming from the Supreme Being, someone possessing immense power, wealth, fame, knowledge, beauty, and renunciation.
भगवान्	bhagavān
Lord, possessor of opulence. Bhagavan is a title often used to address deities or highly revered individuals. It signifies one who possesses six primary opulences in full: wealth, strength, fame, beauty, knowledge, and detachment. Krishna is often referred to as Bhagavan because He embodies all of these qualities completely.
उवाच	uvācha
Said. Uvacha means ‘said’ or ‘spoke’. It indicates that the following words are directly spoken by the Lord. This verb is used to introduce the teachings or instructions given by the Bhagavan.

Sentence - 2

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त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा ।

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Meaning

The faith of embodied beings is of three kinds, born of their own nature.

Meaning of Words

त्रिविधा	trividhā
Of three kinds, threefold, of three types. This indicates that faith manifests in three distinct forms or categories. The word highlights the diversity in the expression of faith among individuals.
भवति	bhavati
Is, exists, becomes. Bhavati signifies existence or manifestation. In this context, it implies that faith ‘is’ or ‘exists’ in these three forms.
श्रद्धा	śhraddhā
Faith, belief, conviction. Shraddha refers to faith, belief, or conviction. It is the psychological attitude of confidence and trust that motivates actions and choices. It is a key concept related to inner belief and commitment.
देहिनां	dehināṁ
Of the embodied, of the living beings. Dehinam refers to those who possess a body or are embodied beings. It indicates all living entities with physical forms.
सा	sā	That, it. Sa points to the faith being discussed.
स्वभावजा	svabhāvajā
Born of their own nature, innate. Svabhavaja means born of one’s own nature or inherent disposition. It suggests that the type of faith is intrinsically linked to the individual’s qualities and tendencies.

Sentence - 3

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सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां श‍ृणु ॥

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Meaning

Sāttvika (goodness), rājasika (passion), and tāmasika (ignorance). Now hear about these.

Meaning of Words

सात्त्विकी	sāttvikī
Of the nature of goodness, pure. Sattviki describes faith that is characterized by purity, goodness, and clarity. It is associated with knowledge, virtue, and spiritual understanding.
राजसी	rājasī
Of the nature of passion, associated with activity and desire. Rajasi represents faith driven by passion, desire, and activity. It is associated with ambition, attachment, and a strong drive for results.
च	cha	And, also.
एव	eva	Indeed, certainly, also.
तामसी	tāmasī
Of the nature of ignorance, darkness, inertia. Tamasi describes faith rooted in ignorance, inertia, and darkness. It is associated with delusion, laziness, and a lack of understanding.
इति	iti
And thus, in this manner. Iti signifies ‘thus’ or ‘in this manner,’ indicating a conclusion or a way to categorize.
तां	tāṁ
That, those. Tam refers to ‘that’ or ‘those’, referring back to the three types of faith.
श‍ृणु	śhṛiṇu
Hear, listen. Shrinu means ‘hear’ or ‘listen’. It is an instruction for Arjuna to pay attention to the explanation of these three types of faith.

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