SUPREME TRUTHFULNESS

 

(Uttama Satya Dharma)

            Truth is the speech of inward purity.

                                  - Sir Edwin Arnold

     The word 'satya' (truth) has been derived by the addition of the suffix 'yat' with the root 'sat' (satya) are prevalent in common use; e.g. truthful, real, genuine, honest, loyal, non-deceitful or truth speaking.

     "Satsu prshastaishu janaishu saddhuvachnam satymituichate"

        -Sarvarthsiddhi

     I.e., To speak saintly words with the noble souls are truth.

     "Satam sadhunam hitbhashnam satyam"

                      - Bhg. Aara

     I.e., To speak genuine words with monks and their devotees - the householders - is the virtue of truth.

     To speak politely in accordance with scriptures for the uplifting of religion is called truth. Nothing on earth is as glorious as truthfulness; it brings in its wake all other virtues.

     Every living soul should always speak with restraint only truthful words, which are sweet like nectar and beneficial to self and others as well. If perchance at any time a man feels hesitation in speaking truthful words, he should better keep mum.

     A person who is truthful in his conduct and dealings leads a smooth and simple life. Even mere contact with truthful and good persons makes a man truthful. Sir Edwin Arnold has rightly said:

     'Of all the pleasures given on earth

     The company of good is best.

     For weariness has no birth

     In such a company sweet and blest.'

     Satam prasangain nirgunropi gunri bhavait"

     I.e., 'He who treads the path of truth remains happy for ever.' Lord Jinendra has also affirmed the above idea thus:

     "Idam jenaishvaram vakyam satypatham sukhpradam"

     The Indian Government has also assigned the highest significance to truth by adopting the eternal motto 'Satyamev Jeyatai'- 'Truth conquers all'. Indeed, Truth is the highest divine principle'. A renowned Hindi poet sings:

     Satya brabar tap nhi, jhut braber pap

     jiske hirday satya he, tis kai hirday aap

     I.e., No austerity is equivalent to truth and no sin is equal to falsehood. God's abode is the soul who has truth in his heart.

     While walking on the road a poor Brahman found a diamond, which was worth one lakh rupees. He was going casually with the diamond in his hand. A jeweler was coming from the opposite direction as if searching for something on the road. He looked confused and uneasy. Meanwhile seeing him restless at the heart the Brahman asked him, "O brother jeweler! What makes you so restless? See; I have found this diamond. If it belongs to you, please take it." Saying this he handed over the diamond to the jeweler. Then the jeweler said, "I had lost two diamonds. You have given me only one. Give me the second one also. Only then I will let you go." So the Jeweler handed over the Brahman to the police, and filed a lawsuit against him. In the court the judge interrogated the Brahman, "Tell gentleman, what is the truth?" The Brahman replied, "My Lord! While walking on the road I found a diamond lying there. I was going straight in a carefree mood. Just then this man looking vexed at heart was coming from the opposite direction making a search for something lost. I asked him, "What are you searching for?" Then he replied that he had lost his two diamonds. I then handed over one diamond and said, "See, I have found this diamond. If it belongs to you, please take it." Then he took the diamond from me. But again he said that he had lost two diamonds." At this the judge made further inquiry from the Seth. Even then the Seth said, "I had lost two diamonds which I had dropped some where on the road. The Brahman has given me only one diamond but declines to give the second one." The judge realized that if the Brahman had not been truthful, why should he have given one diamond to the Seth, despite being poor himself.

Therefore, after deep pondering he declared the judgement - "As the diamond found by the Brahman was only one, it could not belong to the Seth. So the diamond should be given to the Brahman. The Seth had dropped the two diamonds together at a time, so he might have dropped them else where." Then the Seth spoke, "Well, Your honor! Then let me have this single diamond." In reply the judge said, "Now you cannot get this one diamond as well." Right is the following statement:

The flame of truth may be put down by falsehood temporarily for a while, but it cannot be put out for ever by any attempt." Indeed:

     Sataymaiv varo lokai, satyam Dharmai sadasrit

     Satya sarvanri mulani, satyanasti pram padam