Bhagavad Gita 17.1 · Arjuna
Faith without the rulebook?
ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः।
तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः॥
ye śāstravidhimutsṛjya yajante śraddhayānvitāḥteṣāṃ niṣṭhā tu kā kṛṣṇa sattvamāho rajastamaḥ
Those who set aside the rules of scripture, yet worship with faith, Krishna, where do they stand? In clarity, restlessness or heaviness?
Words
- śraddhā
What it means
Arjuna asks a modern-sounding question. Krishna just said to let scripture guide you. But what about people who don't know the rules, yet worship with real shraddha, faith and trust? Which guna is their faith rooted in? Is sincerity enough?
The story
Arjuna thinks of ordinary soldiers and villagers who pray with all their hearts but have never studied scripture. Do they count? It's a kind and fair question.
In your life
Think of a friend who has never read any holy book, but lights a candle for every person they love. Is that faith? Ask yourself what your own faith rests on.
Sincere faith deserves a sincere answer.