The power of truth
It is said that if a man speaks truth uninterruptedly for 12 years, whatever he speaks thereafter will come true. The saying, at once, reveals the power of truth as also the difficulty of remaining conscious of truth consistently for any length of time.
Theoretically speaking, truth should be a simple task as the most natural thing to do. Truth about oneself is always self-evident. Our thoughts and feelings, fears and aspirations, likes and dislikes are known to us and yet, we hardly express ourselves fully and truthfully. Instead, we battle with our conscience, concoct stories and manipulate our expressions to camouflage our thoughts and true feelings. We choose the hard option driven by all sorts of fears: fear of being found out, of rejection, of losing honour, status and image. As long as the veneer lasts it is fine but the foundation underneath remains ever brittle and shaky.
Seers who reached the summit of existence have done so as they have boldly ventured onto the path of truth with conscience as their sole guide. Gandhiji's uncompromising attitude towards truth is what made him a mahatma. In his autobiographical work, 'My Experiments with Truth', he unabashedly confesses his innermost thoughts and feelings, weaknesses and failings, adducing that 'if something isshameful to reveal, it is more shameful to hide'. Those who did not know him called him a half-naked fakir. But this frail man, partially-clad in a skimpy dhoti but fully clothed in the attire of truth, was more powerful than battalions of armed men dressed in uniform.
In the Ramayana, there are many instances where the miraculous power of truth is revealed. Sita boldly proclaims that if she has been truthful and chaste, Hanuman's tail that was set afire by enemies would not scorch him. The fire god had no option but to bow before the truth. Hanuman's tail remained unharmed despite the raging fire. Again, towards the end of the epic, Sita is asked to prove her chastity before an assembly. This was the second such instance after the fire-ordeal she was made to undergo soon after the war. Mother Earth, unable to bear the travesty of justice, opened up and took her daughter back into her womb.
In more recent times, a distraught middle-aged woman came sobbing and fell at the feet of Kanchi Mahaswami. The compassionate saint blessed her as was his wont, and said: "Sowbhagyawathi bhava"-May you enjoy a long and happy married life. The startled woman informed him that she had just received the news of her husband's death on the war front. Upon hearing this, the swami said the words came from him spontaneously and, hence, should be presumed to be God's decree. News arrives that the woman's husband was taken prisoner and that his return was imminent.
Truth is immortal. A shadow of lie can temporarily dim its illumination but only in passing. Lies, however, have a limited life and need to continuously breed and proliferate to keep up the pretence of constancy. Truth is like fresh water, cleansing the mind of sensory debris like desire, hatred, greed, jealousy, envy and animosity. Pursuing truth in thought and action, the mind attains a state of tranquility and starts mirroring the truth of people, objects, events and situations well beyond constraints of time and space.
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(2). KNOW WHEN TO BE SILENT.
The Pandavas went to the Gurukul of Dronacharya for education. All the disciples were hard-working and used to remember their lessons well. Yudhisthir also was a good student but he somehow could not proceed further for several days from one particular lesson. When questioned by the Guru, he explained, "I am stuck in the first sentence itself -- Satyamvad(speak the truth). Until I inculcate this lesson in my character, in my life, it won't be true learning and I won't be able to proceed to the next lesson".
Truthfulness is the ninth of the 10 attributes of dharma. Normally speaking the truth is linked with faculty of speech, to strictly say what one has seen, heard or understood. However, if the objective is noble then circumstances may warrant deliberate deviation from the liberal definition. For example, if a person is struggling against an apparently incurable ailment, words of encouragement and hope strengthening his will-power and thereby increasing his chances of survival would better serve the spirit of truth than heartlessly repeating the medical verdict. Similarly, if there is alenation between two closely related parties or persons, each feeling uncompromisisngly righteous, the ends of truth will be better served by acting as a bridge through highlighting even in an exaggerated way the brighter side of both sides and work towards healing rather than widening the gap through plain speaking.
There was a time when open confession of one's faults and demerits were not looked down upon; rather one's innocence and simplicity invited indulgence and forgiveness. But now things are different. Revelation of private secrets has become a matter of ridicule by those who take sadistic pleasure in taarnishing the one who is truthful.
A bride was led to confide in her spouse about her past mistakes and then, instead of promised love and forgiveness, a highly revengeful attitude was adopted thereby making her life a living hell. The right thing is to keep silent about incidents of the past whose revelation is likely to create problems, misery and confusion.
Truthfulness is considered a sign of nobility. A match between word and deed is indeed a virtue and such qualities should be routinely practiced in daily activities. However, it is not falsehood to keep quiet about matters of the past the uncovering of which is likely to raise a storm. Very often silence amounts to truthfulness in such circumstances.
Honesty and truthfulness are indeed the basic moral and ethical values to be practiced in our lives. We must not indulge in adulteration or profiteering or hoarding, must use correct weights and measures and have clean bookkeeping. But by the same token, it is not at all necessary to play Harishchandra before a thief or a thug, reveal to him details of one's money or valuables and thus facilitate and encourage theft or robbery.
Needless publicity of facts that lead to harmful consequences should be avoided. There are many occassions in life when silennce is golden; it saves one from mental pollution and tension.
It is wise to speak less, speak sweet and speak for the good. This is the essence of practical truthfulness. Needless revealing of facts to all and sundry invariably harms the interests of many who tend to become foes. It is noble to adhere to truth, but it should be compatible with upholding of social harmony and order, and personal dignity and peace of mind.
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Theoretically speaking, truth should be a simple task as the most natural thing to do. Truth about oneself is always self-evident. Our thoughts and feelings, fears and aspirations, likes and dislikes are known to us and yet, we hardly express ourselves fully and truthfully. Instead, we battle with our conscience, concoct stories and manipulate our expressions to camouflage our thoughts and true feelings. We choose the hard option driven by all sorts of fears: fear of being found out, of rejection, of losing honour, status and image. As long as the veneer lasts it is fine but the foundation underneath remains ever brittle and shaky.
Seers who reached the summit of existence have done so as they have boldly ventured onto the path of truth with conscience as their sole guide. Gandhiji's uncompromising attitude towards truth is what made him a mahatma. In his autobiographical work, 'My Experiments with Truth', he unabashedly confesses his innermost thoughts and feelings, weaknesses and failings, adducing that 'if something isshameful to reveal, it is more shameful to hide'. Those who did not know him called him a half-naked fakir. But this frail man, partially-clad in a skimpy dhoti but fully clothed in the attire of truth, was more powerful than battalions of armed men dressed in uniform.
In the Ramayana, there are many instances where the miraculous power of truth is revealed. Sita boldly proclaims that if she has been truthful and chaste, Hanuman's tail that was set afire by enemies would not scorch him. The fire god had no option but to bow before the truth. Hanuman's tail remained unharmed despite the raging fire. Again, towards the end of the epic, Sita is asked to prove her chastity before an assembly. This was the second such instance after the fire-ordeal she was made to undergo soon after the war. Mother Earth, unable to bear the travesty of justice, opened up and took her daughter back into her womb.
In more recent times, a distraught middle-aged woman came sobbing and fell at the feet of Kanchi Mahaswami. The compassionate saint blessed her as was his wont, and said: "Sowbhagyawathi bhava"-May you enjoy a long and happy married life. The startled woman informed him that she had just received the news of her husband's death on the war front. Upon hearing this, the swami said the words came from him spontaneously and, hence, should be presumed to be God's decree. News arrives that the woman's husband was taken prisoner and that his return was imminent.
Truth is immortal. A shadow of lie can temporarily dim its illumination but only in passing. Lies, however, have a limited life and need to continuously breed and proliferate to keep up the pretence of constancy. Truth is like fresh water, cleansing the mind of sensory debris like desire, hatred, greed, jealousy, envy and animosity. Pursuing truth in thought and action, the mind attains a state of tranquility and starts mirroring the truth of people, objects, events and situations well beyond constraints of time and space.
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- For the one who is moderate in eating, recreation, working, sleeping and waking, this yoga of meditation destroys all sorrow. (Bhagwad Gita).
- Follow the wisdom provided by nature. Everything in moderation - sunlight, water, nutrients. Too much of a good thing will topple your structure. You can't harvest what you don't sow. So plant your desires, gently nurture them, and they will be rewarded with abundance. (Vivian E. Glyck).
- Moderation is the only rule of a healthful life. This means moderation in all things wholesome. (Herbert M. Shelton).
- A little more moderation would be good. of course, my life hasn't exactly been one of moderation. (Donald Trump).
- Everything in access! To enjoy the flavour of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks. (Robert A. Heinlein).
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(2). KNOW WHEN TO BE SILENT.
The Pandavas went to the Gurukul of Dronacharya for education. All the disciples were hard-working and used to remember their lessons well. Yudhisthir also was a good student but he somehow could not proceed further for several days from one particular lesson. When questioned by the Guru, he explained, "I am stuck in the first sentence itself -- Satyamvad(speak the truth). Until I inculcate this lesson in my character, in my life, it won't be true learning and I won't be able to proceed to the next lesson".
Truthfulness is the ninth of the 10 attributes of dharma. Normally speaking the truth is linked with faculty of speech, to strictly say what one has seen, heard or understood. However, if the objective is noble then circumstances may warrant deliberate deviation from the liberal definition. For example, if a person is struggling against an apparently incurable ailment, words of encouragement and hope strengthening his will-power and thereby increasing his chances of survival would better serve the spirit of truth than heartlessly repeating the medical verdict. Similarly, if there is alenation between two closely related parties or persons, each feeling uncompromisisngly righteous, the ends of truth will be better served by acting as a bridge through highlighting even in an exaggerated way the brighter side of both sides and work towards healing rather than widening the gap through plain speaking.
There was a time when open confession of one's faults and demerits were not looked down upon; rather one's innocence and simplicity invited indulgence and forgiveness. But now things are different. Revelation of private secrets has become a matter of ridicule by those who take sadistic pleasure in taarnishing the one who is truthful.
A bride was led to confide in her spouse about her past mistakes and then, instead of promised love and forgiveness, a highly revengeful attitude was adopted thereby making her life a living hell. The right thing is to keep silent about incidents of the past whose revelation is likely to create problems, misery and confusion.
Truthfulness is considered a sign of nobility. A match between word and deed is indeed a virtue and such qualities should be routinely practiced in daily activities. However, it is not falsehood to keep quiet about matters of the past the uncovering of which is likely to raise a storm. Very often silence amounts to truthfulness in such circumstances.
Honesty and truthfulness are indeed the basic moral and ethical values to be practiced in our lives. We must not indulge in adulteration or profiteering or hoarding, must use correct weights and measures and have clean bookkeeping. But by the same token, it is not at all necessary to play Harishchandra before a thief or a thug, reveal to him details of one's money or valuables and thus facilitate and encourage theft or robbery.
Needless publicity of facts that lead to harmful consequences should be avoided. There are many occassions in life when silennce is golden; it saves one from mental pollution and tension.
It is wise to speak less, speak sweet and speak for the good. This is the essence of practical truthfulness. Needless revealing of facts to all and sundry invariably harms the interests of many who tend to become foes. It is noble to adhere to truth, but it should be compatible with upholding of social harmony and order, and personal dignity and peace of mind.
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