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| ~ Haidakhan Babaji |
Sraddha is
intense faith
"Not
an iota of spiritual progress is ever possible unless one is really endowed
with the fourfold qualifications*." ~ Swami Sivananda
Sraddha is
intense faith in the words of the Guru and in the sayings of the Vedanta
scriptures and above all in one's own self.
Faith is
belief in the truth of revealed religion. It is confidence and trust in God and
in one's own self. It is belief in the statements, utterancef, and teachings of
one's Guru, preceptor or saints. It is belief in religious scriptures. It is
not blind faith but faith based on accurate reasoning, evidence and experience.
Then only can it be a lasting unshakable faith. Faith is a firm conviction of
the truth of what is declared by another by way either of testimony or
authority without any other evidence.
Any clear
conception of subtle ultimate truths is almost impossible without proper faith.
When there is faith, the mind can be easily concentrated on the subject to be
understood and then the understanding quickly follows. Faith is that personal
attitude by which divine revelation is subjectively appropriated. Faith
transcends reason.
It does not
originate from logical processes, but from an immediate inner experience. No
spiritual progress is possible without faith. We give credence to a report and
assent to a proposition or to a proposal. Belief is stronger than credence.
Conviction is a belief established by argument or evidence. Assurance is belief
beyond the reach of argument. Faith is a union of belief and trust. Faith is
chiefly personal, whereas belief may be quite impersonal. We speak of belief in
a proposition and faith in a promise, because the promise emanates from a
person. Confidence is a firm dependence upon a statement as true, or upon a
person as worthy. We have reliance upon the uniformity of nature. We have trust
or faith in God. Faith should not be forced. Tryrng to compel religious belief
leads to unbelief.
Faith in God
elevates the soul, purifies the heart and emotions and leads to
God-realisation. Faith is the soul of religion. It creates new hopes and
awakens immortality. It is the eye that sees the Lord, and the hand that clings
to Him. Faith is power, strength and abundant energy. Men with no assets but
tremendous faith in themselves have accomplished wonders. He who has faith is
strong, he who doubts is weak. Strong faith precedes great actions, while doubt
cramps energy.
Much divine
knowledge is lost to you through lack of faith. Faith illumines the spiritual
path, builds a bridge across the gulf of death and takes the aspirant to the
other shore of fearlessness and immortality.
Faith in God
is the first rung in the ladder of spirituatity. It inspires hope in the seeker
of Truth to attain divine grace. You need neither art nor science for attaining
God-realisation, but faith, purity and devotion. Have a definite purpose. Be
determined. Be sincere. Be serious. Understand clearly and definitely what you
are really aspiring for.
Only with
faith will the strong yearning for attaining the Divinity dawn in your heart.
Understand clearly the nature and glory of the Lord, nature of the divine life
and God-realisation. Seek the company of the wise. Lead a life of selfless
service, renunciation, dispassion, prayer and meditation. Only then will you be
able to do self-surrender. Without faith, an intense desire for Darshan 0f the
Lord and self-surrender you cannot attain God-realisation. Therefore strive to
possess these things. Strengthen your faith through Satsanga or association
with the wise and the study of sacred scriptures.
The Lord is
everywhere. Feel His presence everywhere. His eyes behold everything, His hands
protect all. Have perfect faith in Him. Surrender your entire being unto Him.
He will take care of you. Tlust in Him. Thke refuge in His sweet Name. You need
not despair nor be afraid of anything. You will ever remain at ease.
Faith is
power. Faith is strength. Faith is abundant energy. Faith is the soul of
religion. It creates new hopes and awakens immortality.
Brahman is
to be learnt through the Srutis, and independent thinking and reasoning have
nothing to do with it. Srutis are revelations. They are the direct
superintuitive experiences of Rishis. Sages and Srutis give an accurate
knowledge of Brahman. Brahman is beyond the reach of the senses, is beyond the
reach of the mind and speech. Some learned fools, big wise fools who pose to
possess reason, whereas, they really mistake their fancies and preferences for
reason, declare that they will accept that portion of the Srutis which appeals
to reason. They wiil never get out of this Samsara Chakra.
Though any
subject has been established by means of arguments and valid authorities, still
people's minds being entirely taken up with gross external objects, any clear
conception of subtle ultimate truths is almost impossible without proper faith.
When there is faith, the mind can be easily concentrated on the subject to be
understood and then the understanding quickly follows.
Faith is
belief in the Unknown. Faith and devotion speak together. Faith heals, faith
creates, faith works wonders, faith moves mountains. Unshakable faith in God
gives mysterious power to overcome any difficulty. Faith makes the weak,
strong, and the timid, brave. Faith makes the impossible, possible. Faith
argues not, thinks not, reasons not, cogitates not. Reason is an unreliable,frail and
finite instrument. Faith is the search-light for God-finding. Life is a dreary
waste when it loses its faith. Life loses its effulgence when it loses its
faith. Know that everything is lost when faith is lost. The water of life is
faith. Have perfect faith in ths Lord.
Extract from
Swami Sivananda book Sadhana
Chatustaya.pdf
NOTE:
1.
Viveka-discrimination between Sat (real) and Asat (unreal).
2. Vairagya-dispassion or indifference to sensual enjoyments herein and hereafter.
3. Shad Sampat (6 virtues):
2. Vairagya-dispassion or indifference to sensual enjoyments herein and hereafter.
3. Shad Sampat (6 virtues):
(a)
Sama-peace of mind through eradication of Vasanas.
(b) Dana-control of sense organs.
(c) Uparati-satiety, renunciation of all works (Sannyasa).
(d) Titiksha - forbearance.
(e) Sraddha-faith in scriptures and the Guru's words.
(f) Samadhana-concentration of mind, balance of mind.
(b) Dana-control of sense organs.
(c) Uparati-satiety, renunciation of all works (Sannyasa).
(d) Titiksha - forbearance.
(e) Sraddha-faith in scriptures and the Guru's words.
(f) Samadhana-concentration of mind, balance of mind.
4.
Mumukshutva-Intense longing for liberation.