Nature is internal, whereas faith is external. One’s nature determines the kind of faith one has, writes AJIT KUMAR BISHNOI
Lord Krishna says that faith is according to one’s nature. Human species is endowed with faith. Whatever faith he has, he is that only (Bhagawad Gita 17.3) The Lord has linked our faith to our nature. Therefore, let us understand our nature in essence.
What does our nature comprise? To carry out this exercise, we must have basic knowledge of the three factors — goodness, passion and darkness. Our natures consist of these three mode in various proportions. The mode of goodness is illuminating and free from diseases on account of purity. (14.6) The mode of passion, which suffers from the fault of attachment, know that to be caused by desire and attachment. (14.7) And the mode of darkness, which causes delusion to all living entities, know that to be born of ignorance, which binds with carelessness and laziness. (14.8) Generally, the percentage of the mode of passion is the highest in most people, therefore, we can take it as the base mode. This mode is given direction either by the mode of goodness or the mode of darkness, i.e., whichever is in preponderance at a particular time.
Besides the modes, our nature is also influenced by our consciousness, i.e. whether that is material or spiritual. In the earlier type of consciousness, one considers the self as a material body. In the later consciousness, a rare one, one knows oneself to be a soul. ‘Sanskars’ brought from the previous lives and given by parents and others in this life also make a huge difference to what our natures will be like. Similarly, habits both good and bad influence our natures greatly. Ego is not far behind. Rather this has an undue influence over the nature of some.
All these factors determine what kind of faith or in whom one will have at a particular time or generally. Nature is internal, whereas faith is external. The nature determines the kind of faith one will have. Those, whose nature is dominated by the mode of goodness, and who have spiritual consciousness, and who are endowed with good sanskars will have faith in God and scriptures. This is wonderful because one becomes happy with brightness in all gates (senses) of the body. (14.9 and 11) Such faith is highly desirable. Saints have such faith. It does not exclude occasional lower behaviour when the other modes are in ascendence. This is when they make mistakes like all do.
Those, who have mode in passion in preponderance, have faith in money and material objects. These they love to show off also, besides accumulating as much of it is possible. Sense enjoyments are not far behind; the more the better. They are also likely to have a lot of faith in their own abilities. Faith in God and scriptures is mostly casual.
Those, who have mode of darkness in ascendance are generally in trouble. They are mostly atheists, i.e. no faith in God or in scriptures. Such faith degrades and one regresses than progresses. It has severe consequences; one may have many bad qualities. One may also suffer from anxiety, fear, depression, and so on. When this mode is overpowering, one commits crimes and may even kill the self.
In order to avoid these eventualities, one must work consciously to try to reduce this mode’s presence in one’s nature. The first thing to do is to begin honouring all the ‘maryadas’ put in place for the human species. One should try to follow ‘dharma’ — the guidelines for our proper existence. Faith in God, which is the ultimate savior will come gradually as the other modes, especially the mode of goodness gets in ascendance. Therefore, let us try to develop faith in God.
Bishnoi is a spiritual writer and can be reached at spiritual@ajitbishnoi.com
