17/F.A.C.E

THE DIVISIONS OF FAITH

In the previous chapter Krishna describes two extremes; the divine and the demoniac. Its clear, however, that each of us have many faces and are not necessarily one or the other. Life is never black or white, but usually different shades of grey. The faces that we present on a daily basis reveal something about our faith – the things we trust, pursue and place value upon. As they say, “What makes him tick?” Chapter Seventeen describes how a person’s affiliation to a particular mode will determine the type of faith they have.

F

Although religious people are often referred to as ‘people of faith,’ the reality is that everyone has faith. Without putting faith in traffic lights, doctors, and banks, to name but a few, could we function in this world? To have faith means to see opportunity, reward and value in something even though it may not be immediately verifiable. Thus, according to our faith, we identify objects of value and then engage with them in different ways. In accordance with this, individuals adopt their respective worldviews, lifestyles and character traits. Krishna begins a discussion of this, by giving examples of diet and sacrifices.

A

In order to achieve anything in this world, one must undergo some austerity. We sacrifice immediate pleasure and comfort for the purpose of gain. People who place faith in different things, perform different austerities in life. Krishna explains beneficial austerities pertaining to the body, mind and words, and also the varying motivations with which one may perform them.

C

The innate quality of the soul is to serve and thus we find a charitable disposition within everyone to a greater or lesser extent. According to one’s own faith, they make efforts to help others. Krishna discusses the different types of charity and explains that to truly benefit people, charity must be performed within certain parameters. Charity should be given out of duty, without expectation of return, at the proper time and place, and to a worthy person. The ultimate charity, however, is to help someone reawaken their spirituality - this will permanently solve all their problems.

E

Throughout this chapter Krishna discusses all His themes with reference to the modes of nature. It is essential to understand that all activities, even those performed in Goodness, will always yield karmic reactions to the performer and thus bind him to repeated existence in this world. There is a way out. In Vedic hymns, God is defined as the supreme enjoyer by the three words “om tat sat.” Thus, if our sacrifices, penance, and austerities are dedicated to the Supreme, done for His pleasure and favour, then such activities yield permanent benefit and ultimate freedom. Such activities transcend the three modes of material nature and are liberating rather than entangling.

“YOU WERE BORN ORIGINAL - DON’T DIE A COPY.” ~ UNKNOWN