Faith / Trusting Conviction (Śraddhā)
Not mere belief but trusting commitment — the inner 'yes' without which the path cannot begin.
Śraddhā is faith — but less a belief in propositions than a trusting, wholehearted disposition: confidence in the teaching, in the teacher, and in the worth of the goal, the inner 'yes' that lets a seeker commit and persevere. The Bhagavad-gītā says a person is made of their śraddhā — that one becomes what one trustingly gives oneself to. Across the schools it is treated as a qualification without which the path cannot even begin, the soil in which knowledge or devotion takes root.
Key passages(13)
The Blessed Lord said: Threefold is the Shraddhâ of the embodied, which is inherent in their nature,—the Sâttvika, the Râjasika and the Tâmasika. Do thou hear of it.
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Vivekacūḍāmaṇi · Śaṅkara (traditionally ascribed; authorship doubted)
Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad · Vedic Revelation (śruti)
Sakalya said: 'Which is thy deity in the Southern quarter?' Yagnavalkya said: 'Yama.' Sakalya said: 'In what does that Yama abide?' Yagnavalkya said: 'In the sacrifice.' Sakalya said: 'In what does th
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'When one believes, then one perceives. One who does not believe, does not perceive. Only he who believes, perceives. This belief, however, we must desire to understand.' 'Sir, I desire to understand
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When the (promised) presents were being given (to the priests), faith entered into the heart of Nakiketas, who was still a boy, and he thought:
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That Rishi said to them: "Stay here a year longer, with penance, abstinence, and faith; then you may ask questions according to your pleasure, and if we know them, we shall tell you all."
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'Thou art unborn,' with these words some one comes near to thee, trembling. O Rudra, let thy gracious face protect me for ever!
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