Wholeness And Holiness – In Gita Verse 3.31 Those persons who execute their duties according to My injunctions and who follow this teaching with Shraddha, without envy, become free from the bondage of fruitive actions.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Verse 3.31, Lord Krishna imparts a significant teaching to Arjuna, underscoring the importance of performing one’s duties in alignment with divine guidance and embracing these teachings with Shraddha, devoid of envy. Krishna assures that this practice liberates individuals from the constraints of fruitive actions. Central to this verse is the concept of “Shraddha,” often misunderstood as mere faith or belief. A deeper examination reveals that Shraddha transcends these simplistic definitions, representing a state of being where disbelief is entirely absent.
Unlike conventional faith, Shraddha does not coexist with doubt. It is a state where the heart is free from disbelief, allowing genuine faith to flourish. This distinction is critical because belief, as commonly understood, often conceals underlying skepticism. People may claim belief in God, yet harbor doubts within, akin to wearing a facade of faith. True Shraddha emerges when disbelief is eradicated, leaving a pure faith that is not just the absence of doubt, but a profound presence of conviction.
Krishna’s discourse to Arjuna highlights the transformative power of Shraddha. He does not merely advocate for belief in Him but emphasises the importance of Shraddha – a faith that arises from within, untainted by external influences or internal conflicts. This distinction is vital, as belief imposed from external sources can never lead to true liberation. Instead, Krishna calls for a faith that is self-generated, born from one’s own understanding and experience.
Swami Vivekananda’s quest for truth illustrates the essence of Shraddha. When Vivekananda confronted Maharshi Devendranath about God’s existence, he sought an answer beyond mere belief. Maharshi’s hesitation revealed the limitations of superficial faith. In contrast, Ramakrishna’s response demonstrated the depth of Shraddha. He invited Vivekananda to explore the mystery of existence, offering not a definitive answer but an opportunity for personal discovery. This encounter exemplifies how Shraddha is not about accepting predefined beliefs but about embracing the mystery of life with an open heart.
Shraddha, therefore, is not about adhering to inherited beliefs or societal constructs. It is a personal journey, a recognition of life’s inherent mystery, and an acceptance of the unknown. This acceptance paves the way for genuine faith to take root. In contrast, belief systems often provide a false sense of certainty, mapping out the universe in rigid terms. Such beliefs, while comforting, can become barriers to true understanding, as they close the mind to the infinite possibilities that life presents.
Krishna’s teachings in the Gita urge individuals to transcend these limitations and cultivate Shraddha – a faith that is alive, dynamic, and rooted in personal experience. This faith is not static; it evolves as one engages with the mysteries of existence. It is a faith that embraces uncertainty, recognising that true knowledge lies beyond the confines of logic and reason.
In practical terms, Shraddha manifests in everyday life through the acceptance of one’s duties and responsibilities with a sense of trust in the divine order. Just as a family operates harmoniously within a framework of mutual understanding and shared values, individuals are called to align their actions with the greater cosmic order. This alignment is not about blind obedience but about acting with awareness and integrity, understanding that each action is part of a larger, interconnected whole.
Krishna’s message to Arjuna underscores the importance of acting from a place of self-awareness and connection to one’s inner truth. By doing so, one becomes a conduit for divine action, free from the bondage of karma. This freedom arises not from the absence of action but from the absence of attachment to the results of actions. It is a state of being where the individual, like a seed transforming into a tree, embraces the natural flow of life without resistance.
Furthermore, Krishna advises Arjuna to become self-aware and connect with his subjectivity, ensuring alignment with the whole. By doing so, one finds freedom rather than bondage. Bondage exists only in the resistance to growth. For instance, if a seed resists transforming into a tree, it is in bondage; however, if it allows transformation, it experiences freedom and growth. The seed manifesting as a tree and the tree merging back into a seed represents the whole, the holy.
Krishna’s teachings advocate for self-consciousness, encouraging individuals to act as part of a holistic process, much like a seed growing into a tree and the tree returning to a seed. By embracing this approach, individuals become vehicles for the universe’s response, experiencing wholeness and holiness without bondage.
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