sattvānurūpā sarvasya śhraddhā bhavati bhārata
śhraddhā-mayo ‘yaṁ puruṣho yo yach-chhraddhaḥ sa eva saḥ
sattva-anurūpā — conforming to the nature of one’s mind;
sarvasya — all;
śhraddhā — faith;
bhavati — is;
bhārata — Arjun, the scion of Bharat;
śhraddhāmayaḥ — possessing faith;
ayam — that;
puruṣhaḥ — human being;
yaḥ — who;
yat-śhraddhaḥ — whatever the nature of their faith;
saḥ — their;
eva — verily;
saḥ — they
This verse explains that everyone has a certain kind of faith depending on their life experiences and the influences they have. Faith can be seen as a deeply held belief or trust in something. The nature of this faith can be categorized into three types: good, passionate, or ignorant.
Think of it like this: just as people have different personalities shaped by their upbringing and environment, their faith is also shaped by the specific influences in their lives. For instance, some people might have a faith that encourages kindness, honesty, and peace. This kind of faith aligns with goodness. Other people might be more focused on ambition, pursuit of pleasure, or recognition, which reflects a passionate type of faith. Finally, some may hold beliefs that are unclear, confused, or even harmful, which comes from ignorance.
So, depending on what you believe in, you naturally connect with others who share the same kind of faith. This can influence your choices, relationships, and how you view the world. For example, someone with a faith in kindness might choose to help others and form friendships with like-minded individuals, while someone driven by selfish desires might have friends who encourage competition or personal gain.
The verse also reminds us of a deeper truth: at our core, everyone is a part of a greater divine presence. However, when we forget this connection and instead get swept up in everyday life and material experiences, we might develop a faith that is purely based on temporary things. This means we might start to make choices influenced more by our desires, fears, and the society around us, rather than by our true, higher nature.
To truly reconnect with this deeper essence, it's vital to clear away the layers of material attachment that cloud our judgment and understanding. The path suggested for this cleansing and reconnection is through understanding and embracing a pure consciousness, often referred to as Krsna consciousness. This means recognizing our link to a loving, higher power and living our lives in a way that reflects that understanding. When someone actively engages with this path, they can rise to a higher, more enlightened state of being.
On the other hand, if a person chooses to ignore this path of self-discovery and spiritual realization, they risk being swayed by the influences of their environment, remaining stuck in cycles of wanting and suffering related to material existence. Essentially, this verse highlights the importance of understanding and nurturing one's faith to align it with our true spiritual nature, leading to a more fulfilling and enlightened life.