Bhagavad Gita 17.3 · Krishna
You are what you trust
सत्त्वानुरूपा सर्वस्य श्रद्धा भवति भारत।
श्रद्धामयोऽयं पुरुषो यो यच्छ्रद्धः स एव सः॥
sattvānurūpā sarvasya śraddhā bhavati bhārataśraddhāmayo’ayaṃ puruṣo yo yacchraddhaḥ sa eva saḥ
Each person's faith matches their nature, Bharata. A person is made of faith. As their faith is, so are they.
Words
- śraddhā
- puruṣa
What it means
This is one of the Gita's most striking lines. Shraddhamayo yam purusha. A person is made of faith. Whatever you deeply trust, that's who you become. Trust money, and you become anxious about it. Trust love, and you become loving. Your faith shapes your whole self.
The story
Arjuna realises his own faith has been shaky today. Krishna isn't scolding. He's showing him that strengthening his trust will strengthen him.
In your life
Imagine a friend who trusted that people are basically good, and slowly became the kindest person you know. Ask yourself, what do I trust most? Am I happy becoming that?
As your faith is, so are you.