Significance of Fortitude

Fortitude, as described in Vaishnavism, embodies the mental and emotional strength needed to remain devoted to bhakti despite challenges. This concept resonates throughout various texts, emphasizing qualities such as courage, resilience, and the ability to face adversity. Figures like Bharata, Bhagiratha, and Rama exemplify this strength, showing how fortitude is essential for facing hardships and fulfilling duties. It is a vital quality not only for spiritual seekers but also for leaders, allowing them to endure difficulties and maintain mental control.

Synonyms: Courage, Resilience, Determination, Strength, Bravery, Endurance, Tenacity, Grit, Perseverance, Steadfastness, Stamina

In Dutch: Standvastigheid; In Finnish: Rohkeus; In Spanish: Fortaleza; In German: Kraft

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Hindu concept of 'Fortitude'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, Fortitude represents mental and emotional strength to face adversity bravely, endure hardships, and maintain resilience. It embodies qualities essential for leaders and sages, emphasizing self-restraint, courage, and dedication to one's duties amidst challenges.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Mahabharata (English)

(1) Courage and strength in facing adversity or challenges.[1] (2) Courage and strength in facing challenges, a characteristic valued by the goddess of prosperity.[2] (3) The strength of mind to endure challenges, cultivated through the practice of self-restraint.[3] (4) The strength of mind to remain undisturbed by external circumstances, embodying resilience in both joy and sorrow.[4] (5) Fortitude is a quality essential for kings, allowing them to endure challenges and inflict punishment on wrongdoers without fear.[5]

From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4

(1) The mental courage and strength required to overcome personal challenges and egoism.[6] (2) The strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity, referenced in the context of overcoming earthly sorrows.[7] (3) Courage in facing pain or adversity, which Bhagiratha was encouraged to maintain regarding the physical body.[8]

From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)

(1) The strength of mind that Rama is expected to exhibit while fulfilling his duties.[9] (2) The mental and emotional strength to face adversity with courage and determination.[10] (3) The strength and courage that Bharata embodies as he embarks on his noble mission.[11]

From: Devi Bhagavata Purana

(1) A virtue associated with the Sattva quality, contributing to a sense of well-being and righteousness.[12] (2) It is one of the wives of Jñana (knowledge), without which everyone would be stupid.[13] (3) The strength and courage one needs to endure hardship; Lakshmana advises Rama to remain steadfast.[14]

From: Vishnu Purana

(1) Arjuna's need to retain courage and strength in the face of adversity, as advised by Vyasa.[15]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Bhajana-Rahasya

(1) Mental and emotional strength to remain dedicated to bhakti despite challenges.[16]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Significance in Kavya (poetry):
Kavya Books

From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)

(1) The mental strength and bravery associated with King Trivikramasena, symbolized by the armor around a hero's heart.[17]

Kavya refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.

Significance in Ayurveda (science of life):
Ayurveda Books

From: Sushruta Samhita, volume 1: Sutrasthana

(1) The mental strength and courage to endure pain or hardship without faltering.[18]

Ayurveda is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Ayurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Significance in Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology):
Jyotisha Books

From: Hayanaratna: The Jewel of Annual Astrology

(1) This term represents a positive personal trait, and is mentioned in the context of the sixth house, indicating a specific aspect of life influenced by this house's astrological interpretations.[19]

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotisha or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

The concept of Fortitude in scientific sources

Science Books

Fortitude embodies the mental resilience required to face challenges and hardships, highlighting its importance in maintaining composure and control during difficult situations, as described in the text about enduring adversity.