Mantralaya-1093
(Fundamental definition of truth as explained in our Vedas - 1)
Date : Jun 6, 2024
Background
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
SATYAMEVA JAYATI NA ANRUTA
Background
Fundamental definition of truth as explained in our Vedas is described in Mantralaya (1093).
Meaning
Today,
we are going to explore the fundamental definition of truth as
explained in our Vedas, Puranas, and by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad
Gita.
Truth is not merely stating what you see, but
understanding the consequences that follow after telling the truth. The
Upanishads share a beautiful story to illustrate this principle.
A
poor Brahmin decided to go on a TeerthaYatra to visit holy places and
gain positive energy. He carefully packed all his small treasures into
a bag, items he had accumulated over the years, each holding
sentimental and practical value. With a heart full of devotion and
chanting Narayana's name, he set out on his sacred journey, eager to
immerse himself in the divine atmosphere of the holy sites.
As
dusk approached and the light began to fade, the Brahmin found himself
on a lonely path. Unbeknownst to him, a thief had been watching from
the shadows, eyeing his bag with greedy intent. Sensing an opportunity,
the thief began to follow the Brahmin, gradually closing the distance
between them.The Brahmin soon noticed the shadowy figure behind him and
realized he was being chased. Fear gripped him, but his determination
to protect his humble possessions and fulfill his spiritual quest was
stronger. He started to run, clutching his bag tightly. The sound of
his sandals slapping against the dusty road echoed through the
twilight.With every step, the thief gained on him. The Brahmin's heart
pounded, not just from the exertion, but from the fear of losing
everything he had. He knew that if the thief caught him, his dreams of
visiting the sacred places and gaining the blessings he so desperately
sought would be shattered.
The poor Brahmin began to run as
fast as his legs could carry him, his heart pounding with fear and
determination.Not far ahead, a sage was sitting under a tree in his
ashram, deep in meditation. The Brahmin, spotting the serene figure,
dashed towards him. Gasping for breath, he hurriedly explained, "I am a
poor Brahmin carrying a small quantity of wealth for my Teertha Yatra.
A thief is following me to rob me. Please, allow me to hide in your
ashram, and do not tell the thief that I am here."
The sage,
with a calm and compassionate demeanor, nodded in understanding. The
Brahmin quickly rushed into the ashram and found a hiding place. He
crouched there, his heart still racing, hoping the sage would protect
him from the imminent danger.
Moments later, the thief arrived
at the ashram, spotting the sage sitting calmly under the tree. The
thief, with a menacing look, asked, "Did you see a Brahmin running into
your ashram? Where is he hiding?"
The sage, bound by his principle of truthfulness, replied, "Yes, the poor Brahmin is hiding in that room."
The
thief, eager to seize the treasure, rushed to the indicated room.
Without a moment's hesitation, he killed the defenseless Brahmin and
took away the small treasure the Brahmin had so desperately tried to
protect.
After the tragic incident, the sage's Guru visited the
ashram and, with his divine insight, comprehended the events that
transpired. He gently admonished the sage, pointing out the gravity of
his mistake. The sage, perplexed, defended himself, asserting that he
had always spoken the truth and never lied.
However, his Guru
offered a profound insight into the essence of truth. He explained that
truth does not merely entail verbalizing what one sees; rather, it
necessitates a deeper understanding of the situation and its
implications. True adherence to truth involves considering whether
one's words will cause harm or conflict with Dharma, the righteous
path. In this case, the sage's truthfulness inadvertently facilitated
the thief's wrongful actions, leading to the untimely demise of a
devout soul who had saved diligently to embark on a sacred pilgrimage.
Reflecting
on his Guru's teachings, the sage realized the profound meaning of
truth and the significance of acting in alignment with Dharma. With a
heart heavy with remorse, he resolved to live a life guided by this
newfound understanding, seeking repentance for the unintended
consequences of his actions.
In Mahabharata, Lord Sri Krishna
exemplified the profound meaning of truth through his actions. Some,
unable to grasp the depth of his wisdom, criticized Krishna for what
appeared to be falsehoods, particularly his role in the demise of
Dronacharya. However, Sri Krishna elucidated that sometimes, what may
seem like a lie is, in fact, the highest form of righteousness.By
intervening in Dronacharya's fate, Sri Krishna prevented the loss of
countless innocent lives at his hands and spared Dronacharya from the
sin of killing. Bhima, recognizing the greater truth, fearlessly
conveyed to Dronacharya that his son Ashwatthama had perished. In
contrast, Dharmaraja hesitated, constrained by his interpretation of
truth. His reluctance to speak what he perceived as a falsehood led to
grave consequences.
Dharmaraja's failure to understand the
nuanced meaning of truth resulted in his disobedience to Sri Krishna's
divine guidance. As a consequence, he faced the prospect of witnessing
the gates of hell. This serves as a poignant reminder of the
complexities inherent in truth and the importance of discerning
righteousness in every circumstance.
Truth is not always
straightforward, and it must be understood in context. Simply stating
what one sees or believes to be true may not always align with the
greater good or uphold righteousness. Instead, one must consider the
consequences of their words and actions, ensuring they do not cause
harm or lead others astray. In both narratives, failing to grasp the
deeper significance of truth resulted in unintended consequences and
suffering. Thus, the moral underscores the importance of discernment,
wisdom, and a broader understanding of truth beyond surface appearances.
Our
revered Sri Raghavendra Teertharu exemplified the essence of Truth in
Prahalada Avatara, where he fearlessly confronted his father with
unwavering honesty. Our Rayaru is hailed as "Satya Dharma Ratayacha,"
signifying a steadfast dedication to the righteousness of truth. This
title underscores a deep commitment to upholding the principles of
truth and righteousness in every aspect of life. It serves as a
reminder of the paramount importance of adhering to truth and
righteousness as guiding principles in our actions and conduct.
In
our next article, we will delve into another compelling tale from the
Upanishads that underscores the significance of speaking truth without
reservation.
The devotion towards
Sri Raghavendrateertharu is the ultimate truth and is the most simple
and effective way to reach Sri Hari - "NAMBI KETTAVARILLAVO EE
GURUGALA"! “Those who have complete faith in this Guru will never be
disappointed.”
|| BICHALI JAPADAKATTI SRI APPANACHARYA PRIYA MANTRALAYA
SRI RAGHAVENDRATEERTHA GURUBHYO NAMAHA||