30. Śraddha Enriches you with Jñāna, Knowledge (4.37-4.42)

What a beautiful verse, 'śraddhāvān labhate jñānaṁ, the one established in authenticity is enriched with knowledge.' Actually, śraddha means faith plus the courage of authenticity to live to your highest possibility. Kṛṣṇa declares the power of authenticity here, 'śraddhāvān labhate jñānaṁ (4.39)–Only the authentic one is enriched with knowledge.' When you have the knowledge and courage of authenticity to live the teachings, then you can achieve the ultimate knowledge, the knowledge of Enlightenment.

With śraddha, authenticity, you conquer your senses, and direct your mind towards the truth. The state of fear can be born in you only when you are inauthentic. Only a man living authenticity, is a liberated one enriched with the ultimate knowledge, śraddhāvān labhate jñānaṁ (4.39).

Kṛṣṇa says that there is no happiness for those who always have selfdoubts, who doubts the Self, either in this world or the next. Self-doubt destroys you—saṁśayātmā vinaśyati and the one who has the self-doubt is never happy anywhere—na sukhaṁ śaṁsayātmanaḥ (4.40).

First, understand what self-doubt is! When you convince others with your strong outer image (what you project to others) and your inner image (what you feel as you) starts questioning you, that is self-doubt; where root of unhappiness grows, na sukhaṁ śaṁsayātmanaḥ (4.40). Listen. In any field if you carry self-doubt, you will continue to be powerless. In any field if you complete with your self-doubt, you are educated. Education is nothing but completing with self-doubts.

Arjuna is not ready to surrender to Kṛṣṇa completely. He doesn't know that much deeper self-doubts need to be completed, through the experience of the Truth. That is why Kṛṣṇa gives over 700 verses to first convince him that 'he does not know.' When Arjuna finally gives up saying 'I don't know' then Kṛṣṇa reveals Himself!

So, let the divine Parabrahma Kṛṣṇa guide us all to the right energy, to the right path of knowledge and the right experience. Let Him shower eternal bliss, Nityānanda.