Uttam Satya

UTTAMA SATYA (SUPREME TRUTHFULNESS)

· Our life is as genuine as the truthfulness and genuineness of our mind and thoughts.

· Only those who are free of all Kashayas attain a life of truth.

Attaining truth means attaining our true nature, getting close to purest form of our soul. An unblemished soul can only attain truthfulness. Truthfulness is nothing but the pristine form of conscience in the absence of all four passions (anger, arrogance, maya (deceit), & greed).

The prerequisite to attain a truthful life is to make our mind truthful. To achieve this, our Acharyas have listed eight steps:

1. Never doubt truth and genuineness.

2. Even if a lie can get you everything in this world, never have a desire for this world. Instead only if we desire truth can we attain a truthful life.

3. Never disgust truth, never disgust a truthful person. What happens generally is that we loathe a truthful person; we consider him a fool, an out of date person. Stay away from such feelings.

4. Whatever may be the incentives , we shouldn’t step aside from the path of truth.

5. We might be imperfect while practicing truth, don't worry and keep improving.

6. A person trying to walk on the path of truth may defer on some instance, we should not only ignore his one off mistakes but also give him the chance to stabilize and return strongly.

7. Whenever the feeling of affection comes in the mind, feel affectionate for truth.

8. Start respecting truth and true people.

Whenever we don’t praise a person for his truthfulness, it’s basically motivating him to follow the path of lies. Nowadays it appears that liars get more benefits & so people think it’s better we lie & find an easy way out.

For example, a student couldn’t do his homework due to headache. When asked about it, the student truthfully says that he couldn’t complete his homework due to headache. The teacher punishes this student thinking that he must be giving lame excuses.

On the other hand another student who didn’t do his homework lied with confidence that he has done his homework. The teacher didn’t even check his copy. So the other student thought “what use of my truthfulness is?” I could have also lied like him and would have avoided the punishment.

On such occasions we must try to mete better justice and make sure that we appreciate the true person. If we appreciate truth then slowly our life will also become truthful.

Meaning of Truth

It is necessary that we are truthful first and then speak the truth. As a truth spoken by a liar can be very harmful! Speaking truth doesn’t only mean stating a fact as it is. Before telling a fact, Acharyas have asked us to consider the following – first of all avoid use of words so far as possible, that’s the most desirable situation. If this is not possible then speak words that are not going to hurt others. When we renounce all such detrimental words and swear to speak the truth then it’s called “Satya Mahavrat”.

Jain Acharyas have defined truth as – that which is harmless (hitkari)is truth. A truth that will cause harm to someone is put into the category of lies. Jain Acharyas say that it is secondary whether you are telling a fact as it is or not. What’s more important is whether it is said with pure intentions or with feelings of anger-greed-mockery etc.

Intention is Important

While speaking truth weight it on the following criteria – firstly speak the truth, make sure you are saying with a good intent and pure mind, a truth spoken with a maligned conscience would be a lie.

Secondly, before speaking truth think over its impact, the result. Remember words have a significant impact; you may get into a fight with someone and beat him up – he may forget that in a few days. But if your words have hurt someone deeply, then its marks will remain on his mind for a lifetime.

Wealth and power are two things that divert a person from truth. Once you know that you have power or authority (due to money or position), then it’s very easy to forget the path of truth. So be cautious of these two, and even if you have them never forget the path of truth and modesty.

Speak – that which is true and delightful

On the path of truth all we need to do is to be a bit cautious and speak that which is true and delightful at the same time. Let’s take a small example to understand this:

A king wanted to make a portrait picture of him. Many artists were called to do this. A king’s portrait shall be really beautiful but our king had a problem – he had lost one of his eyes. On one hand the picture should be beautiful & on the other hand if the picture is to show the truth then it won’t have an eye & wouldn’t look beautiful.

So one of the artists thought “I’ll draw what’s true, & not what’s pleasing (but untrue).” He made a beautiful picture except that it didn’t have an eye. The king didn’t like that picture.

Another artist thought “The picture should look beautiful irrespective of whether it shows the truth or not.” So he made the picture with two beautiful eyes. Looking at that the king said “That’s a beautiful portrait, but it doesn’t show the truth.”

This one looks pleasing but is untrue. First one didn’t look pleasing but wasn’t true. Both got rejected. A truth that’s unpleasant is not appropriate neither is a lie that’s pleasing.

Third artist made another picture. In that the king looks mighty, is brave & is shown as an archer. He has a bow & an arrow in his hand & is taking an aim. While taking an aim one eye has to be closed, this way the artist pictures the king with one eye closed. That picture was passed because it was both true & delightful.

The lesson here is not to be deceitful, but as the painter achieved both, the picture told the truth in a way that didn't hurt the king. Similarly we should find out a way of telling truth which doesn't hurt someone.

Similarly if we make an effort and cautiously use our speech then there is no doubt that we will rise in our life. On every single day try to find at least one such incident where even if we had to lie to someone (for pity gains, or out of fear), then confess it to that person before the evening.

Let’s pray that we become more truthful and genuine day by day.

Guruvar Kshamasagarji Maharaj Ki Jai!

Our sincere thanks to Yogendra for compiling this article !