Faith

As Scripture says, 'Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen' (Hebrews 11:1).

But those who follow this deathless teaching of dharma as I have declared it, with faith, holding me as supreme — those devotees are exceedingly dear to me.

The Blessed Lord said: Those who, fixing their minds on me, worship me, ever steadfast and endowed with the highest faith — I regard these as the most perfectly yoked in yoga.

You may believe in a God with form or a formless God, but your faith must be genuine and complete. It is through faith alone that one achieves everything.

Even the person who listens to it with faith and without ill-will — even that one shall be liberated and shall attain the auspicious realms of the righteous.

Whatever is offered, given, or performed in austerity without faith, O Partha — that is called 'Asat'; it avails nothing, neither here nor after death.

And among all yogis, the one who, with inner being immersed in Me, worships Me with faith — that one I regard as the most completely united with Me.

Those human beings who always follow this teaching of Mine with faith and without envy — they too are released from the bondage of actions.

Containing all actions, all desires, all fragrances, all tastes, embracing all this, without speech and without concern — this is my Self within the heart; this is Brahman. Into him I shall merge on departing from here. He who holds this with certainty has indeed no doubt. Thus spoke Shandilya — yes, Shandilya.

The faith of each person, O Bharata, conforms to their nature. The person is made of faith; whatever one's faith, such indeed is that one.

The Blessed Lord said: The faith of embodied beings is threefold, born of their own nature — sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic. Hear about these.

Others again, not knowing thus, take to worship having heard of it from others. Even these, devoted to what they have heard, cross beyond death.

Those who have no faith in this dharma, O scorcher of foes, without attaining Me, return again to the path of death and repeated becoming.

Endowed with that faith, such a person performs the worship of that form and obtains thereby the desired fruits — which are in truth ordained by Me alone.

Whatever form a devotee wishes to worship with faith, I make that very faith of theirs steady and unwavering.

Arjuna said: One who has faith but lacks perseverance, whose mind has strayed from yoga — without reaching the perfection of yoga, O Krishna, what path does such a person tread?

The one who has faith and is devoted to it, with senses restrained, attains knowledge. Having attained knowledge, one swiftly reaches the highest peace.

He said to him, 'That subtle essence which you do not perceive, dear boy — from that very subtlety, dear boy, this great banyan tree stands. Have faith, dear boy.'

Janashruti Pautrayana was one who gave with faith, a giver of much, who had much food cooked. He had rest-houses built everywhere, thinking, "Everywhere people will eat my food."

The sage said to them: Dwell with me for a full year, practising austerity, celibacy, and faith; then ask whatever questions you wish. If I know, I shall reveal all to you.