By Jim Kulackoski
Kritajna (कृतज्ञा) means gratitude.
It is formed from the word krita (कृत) meaning “cultivated,” and the root jna (ज्ञा) referring to a state of consciousness.
Kritajna therefore references a state which is consciously created or chosen. It is the result of being fully present, the realization and acknowledgment of a particular moment in time.
As I contemplate gratitude, I realize how little time I actually spend in this state, and as I study the Sanskrit word Kritajna, I realize precisely why. I notice my lack of gratitude is directly related to the experience of an apparent lack of agency in a particular moment.
When I think of the times in my life I consider to have been the most meaningful, I notice these happen to be the instances in which I felt the most freedom of choice. These were also the times when I felt truly “grateful.”
It also appears that these glimpses of gratitude were independent of the circumstance in which they occurred. In fact, many of these times I consider to be among the most difficult in my life.
What made these moments meaningful was my ability to move beyond my normal reflexive responses to my environment, and instead becoming fully present to who or what I could be.
As I approach yet another holiday season, I anticipate being burdened by the usual obligations to family, friends and the rituals of the season.
This year, I wonder what it would be like to really cultivate a sense of presence, acknowledgement and gratitude in each and every moment. What would it feel like to consciously create who I am in relation to my family, my friends?
Perhaps these obligations could become a source of inspiration, clarity and true gratitude.
5 Responses to “Sanskrit: Practicing Kritajna this holiday season”
November 26, 2013
mia parkwhat a very thoughtful article and unique way to embrace gratitude. thanks, jim. maybe i’ll be less “sensitive” this holiday season and be more present!
July 19, 2015
Richards MarksI have been trying to find the word “kritajna” and I cannot find it anywhere but here.
I did find “kṛta-jña” (including the hyphen) which does mean “gratitude”.
Saying that gratitude is the definition doesn’t make sense, since your explanation of “kritajna” is “a state which is consciously created or chosen”.
Because a person can “consciously created or choose” any state of consciousness: love and peace; hate and anger, generosity or selfishness…. or any other state of consciousness….. including gratitude, or ingratitude.
And if using the word in a mantra, then it would be the wrong sound. Mantras are sound energy and depend on the sound for its effect/affect. So if you’re saying the wrong sound (wrong word) then your mantra is completely useless for its intended use.
September 19, 2015
Lourdes Paredes CampbellThank you for taking the time to read illumine.
Both Ktitajna and kritajnataa are precise definitions for gratitude. The latter is another form of the same word, and just as precise.
Both, therefor can be used as a mantra.
Both refer to a consciously chosen state of created and chosen state. Anger and hate as you mentioned are not created fully consciously, rather, they are created from a reactionary state based on fear, which is based on samskara. These states are not fully conscious in other words.
July 21, 2015
RichardSo instead of answering my question and comment you delete it?
Wow. You need to study more.
July 21, 2015
RichardSwami Chinmayananda Saraswatithe (who was a Advaita Vedanta teacher and spiritual leader) and Swami Vagishananda give “kRta-jNa-taa” (with hyphens, no typos) as the precise word for gratitude.