The blog statistics so far show that the posting “Always Speak the
Truth” has had the highest number of viewers, since 27 January
2012, when it was posted. In this post Bhagawan mainly spoke about the importance of speaking the
Truth. He explained how Truth is the life for our spoken word. He described the
code to be followed while talking. Satyam Bruyaat - Speak the
Truth. Priyam Bruyaat – speak in a pleasing way. Na
Bruyaat Satyam Apriyam – (but) never speak the truth in an unpalatable
way. The post concluded with Bhagawan explaining how easy it is to speak the
Truth rather than speaking lies.
As the audience seem to find this aspect of Bhagawan’s message
very interesting, here is one more posting on the same theme. Whereas the
earlier posting furnished the theory about speaking the Truth, in this posting,
Bhagawan illustrates the concept with case studies from Bharateeya scriptures.
There are five excerpts from Bhagawan’s Discourses presented in this
post. These have been selected from Discourses given by Bhagawan Baba in the
years 1996 and 2003.
In Clip-1, Bhagawan once again explains how speaking the Truth is very
straightforward and easy while telling a lie involves a lot of manipulation. In
Clip-2, Bhagawan gives the example of the King Satya Harischandra who went to
the extent of giving up his life for the sake of upholding Truth. Clip-3
describes how Mahatma Gandhi, owing to one significant incident in his
childhood and inspired by his mother, took a vow never to speak a lie; a vow
that he kept up till the end of his life. Clip-4 narrates the story of King
Bali Chakravarti, who stands as a role model for the quality of keeping up
one’s word. Even at the cost of giving up his life, King Bali kept up his word.
Finally, in Clip-5 Bhagawan praises Hanuman and presents him as a model to all
of us for following a dignified and respectful mode of speech.
Each audio clip has a name that adopts the following code: Serial
number, Title appropriate to the key content, Duration of the clip in minutes,
Year-Month-Date of the Clip. Below the title is the translation in English of
the select excerpt of the Discourse, followed by the audio player. The
post ends with a short quiz that would help you evaluate your absorption of
Bhagawan's Message from these extracts.
Note:
Those receiving this blog by email may see words bunched
together due to a technical glitch. That is beyond my control. Please click on
link at the top of the email to read the blog directly. Sorry about this. If
anyone has a solution to this please help me out.
01-Truth
Speaking is Easy-Telling Lies very Tough-1.40-1996 July 07
 |
| Speaking the Truth is so easy! |
A boy said in his talk, Satyam
Vada, Dharmam Chara – Speak the truth and Follow righteousness. He said,
this is not easy, it is very difficult. This is wrong. There is nothing easier
than speaking the truth and practising Dharma. It is truthful to say that today
Swami came early at 4 pm and He started His Discourse before time. It is so
easy to state facts as they are. You do not need to think over or have any
worry. But if you wish to speak a lie, you have to think a lot. You have to
package the lie in a manner that it will be believed. You have to use a lot of
knack in speaking and finally you will become a crack! Therefore, it is so
difficult to speak a lie. Speaking the Truth is so easy. We think it is
difficult to speak the truth. This is very wrong. We have got used to speaking
lies. Because of this we are unable to understand the truth. The world is also
giving scope to such weaknesses. This weakness is present in every man.
02-Always
Speak the Truth-Case Study of Satya Harischandra-1.36-1996 July 13
 |
| Do not give up Truth under any circumstances |
Rama is the very embodiment of Truth. But we utter all lies. We
perform the Satyanarayana Vratam (a
Hindu religious observance) once a year; that is all. That is not right. Satatam Satyam. We must speak the truth
always. Sarvada Sarvakaleshu Sarvatra
Harichintanam. We must think of God always, at all times and everywhere. We
must at least make an effort to speak the truth. But we are not doing that. The
moment we open our mouth, it is lies. Whatever we say, it is lies. It is not
even possible to know what truth is. Therefore students; do not give up truth
under any circumstances, even if it comes to losing your very life. It is truth
that will be with you, around you, front of you, behind you and will protect
you like the eyelid of the eye. This is how Harischandra got transformed into
Satya Harischandra. He was faced with so many difficulties and pains. He sold
his wife and children, he sacrificed his kingdom, and finally became a cemetery
worker. But he did not get shaken and he never gave up the truth. Finally, God
Himself had to submit to him. God manifested before him, gave him back
everything that he had lost and honoured him with the tile “Satya Harischandra”
(The Truthful Harischandra).
03-Always
Speak the Truth-Case Study of Mahatma Gandhi-3.14-2003 November 23
 |
Mahatma Gandhi took a vow never to speak a lie
A vow that he kept up till the end of his life! |
Gandhi too became Mahatma Gandhi because of the great qualities
of Putlibai (his mother). Putlibai had taken a vow wherein she would not
partake food or water, not even take a morsel of food until she heard the sound
of the cuckoo bird in the morning. It was not possible for the son to have his
food until his mother had her food. On one occasion, it became 12 noon, 1 pm
and even 3 pm in the afternoon, but the mother was not willing to take her food
(as she had not heard the cuckoo’s sound). At that time, Gandhi planned a
strategy. He went behind his house and made a sound like the cuckoo bird. He
then came in and told his mother that he had heard the cuckoo bird sing, though
she could not hear, and therefore they could have their food now. The mother
felt very sad. She thought to herself, “Has such an evil son been born to me
from my womb? Just for the sake of food, he is betraying me by speaking lies.
Making the sound of the cuckoo himself, he is lying to me that he heard the
cuckoo sing”. Out of anger she caught his ears and dragged him. “Bad boy, for
the sake of my food, are you speaking lies in this manner”, saying so, she
slapped him. Gandhi felt very repentant and begged her for pardon. The mother
said that it was not possible for her to pardon him and he must undergo the
punishment for his mistake. It was from that moment that Gandhi promised that
he would never utter a lie and he kept up his promise till the end of his life.
04-Always
Keep up Your Word - Case Study of Bali Chakravarti-1.36-1996 July 12
 |
| King Bali kept up his word even at the cost of disobeying his Guru |
We must have a very good speech in society. Only then we will
win the faith of all. When it comes to the matter of truth, we can even disobey
our Guru (teacher). Guru Shukracharya advised king Bali that Vamana was not an
ordinary man. He may have come as a three feet tall dwarf but he is verily Lord
Narayana Himself. If you agree to give him anything you will become a beggar.
King Bali replied, “Swami, when God Himself has come asking, can I ever refrain
from giving? I will give, even if I may be put into any situation. God’s hands
are below and mine are above. The one who receives, his hands are always below.
This itself is my good luck. It is not an ordinary person who is seeking alms
from me. It is Lord Narayana Himself. Can there be any other greater fortune
than this? To avail this good fortune, I am ready to forego anything. The true
respect lies in keeping up ones word”.
05-Speech
must be Respectful-Case Study of Hanuman-1.43-1996 July 12
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| The Peaceful, Virtuous, Strong, Respectful and Dignified Hanuman! |
If you slip, you can retrace your leg and get up. But a slip of
the tongue cannot be taken back. Kaalujarithe
Kalagadu Nashtam, Naalagu Jarite Narakamera (A Telugu saying). If you slip (physically),
there is no loss, but a slip of the tongue takes you to hell. Students,
considering your words as your very life, when you talk to elders, your
parents, your friends and other respectful people; you must speak the truth in
a respectful and meaningful way. Hanuman being the minister of Sugriva, seeking
the permission of Sugriva, came to speak to Rama and Lakshmana. Listening to
the sweet words of Hanuman, Rama was very delighted. Brother Lakshmana, he is
Shantudu (peaceful), Gunavuntudu (virtuous), Balavantudu (strong), Hanumantudu.
Peace is verily manifest in his face. His respect and dignity speaks of his
qualities.
A Short
Quiz:
01-Why is it easier to speak the Truth than to speak a lie?
02-Why did God Himself honour king Harischandra with the title “Satya
Harischandra” (The Truthful Harischandra)?
03-What prompted the young Gandhi to take a vow never to speak a
lie in his entire life?
04-What was the justification given by King Bali to his Guru, for
keeping up his word and giving charity to the young Brahmin (Vamana)?
05-In describing the virtues of Hanuman, what are the three titles
Bhagawan uses to extol him?
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