Re: Niyama 4 - Astikya, Faith
hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~~
namasté
I thought to add this for one's consideration...
- āstika¹ is from asti meaning 'there is or exists' and implies one who believes in the existence of God , of another world e.g. heaven. It also means believing , pious , faithful. This faithful takes us to śraddhā.
faith is śraddhā¹ ; śrād + dhā ; dhā = placing or putting + śrad = faith, hence putting or placing of faith. I think many of us have faith. IMHO there is something I believe is a bit more profound and that is called kratu. This is ādi śaṅkara's word he uses. It can mean a sacrificial rite or ceremony , sacrifice , yet it is also defined as resolution, determination , purpose, intention and this is how I use it.
Hence when one's will (icchā) + faith (śraddhā) are strong we enable kratu.
Ādi śaṅkara's definition of this kratu is much stronger then just resolution. He defines it as , 'that this is so, not otherwise'. This notion that 'this is so…' is one of resolute will and firm faith, but in what? Of what one will become in a future condition. Of what one wants to become, to unfold to , over time. for the sādhu, it is the condition of mokṣa, or bhakti, or that of yoga. That is, pursuing ones spiritual status, while here on this earth.
That is why it is of great import & joy ( to me) to write and post on brahman, kaivalya, and the like. It is to discuss and comprehend the end state, the condition to pursue, to have the 'firm resolve' to achieve.
praṇām
words
- āstika is also seen in āstika darśana - schools of Indian thought/philosophy ~ darśana~ that regard the veda-s as infallible.
We would call this āstika-mata and there are 6 schools ( ṣaḍ - darśana ) you have heard of yoga, sāṁkhya, vedānta, etc. - śraddhā can also be spelled śrāddha indicating faithful ; this is also known as a ceremony in honour and for the benefit of dead relatives
Last edited by yajvan; 04 July 2010 at 11:25 AM.
यतस्त्वं शिवसमोऽसि
yatastvaṁ śivasamo'si
because you are identical with śiva
_
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