Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Sookti on Truth – August 28, 2021 – Mysore
Compiled by Archana Penukonda
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Krishna Janmashtami is fast approaching. It occurs this Monday. Everyone may participate in the Pujas. Get ready for Krishna Puja.
satyameva jayate nānṛtaṃ satyena panthā vitato devayānaḥ |
yenākramantyṛṣayo hyāptakāmāḥ yatra tat satyasya paramaṃ nidhānam ||
The Government of India adopted as its official emblem the three lion heads under which is inscribed the gospel like statement “Satyameva Jayate” – Truth alone Triumphs. Even if untruth seems to win in the short run, it will inevitably be defeated. Truth will eventually win. It is very aggrieving and frustrating to the truthful when untruth wins in the beginning and when justice does not seem to prevail. They go as far as blaming Guru and God. Finally, however, they know that truth will certainly win. Historians point out that this Upadesha associated with the emblem of Government of India was adopted from Ashoka Stupa in Sarnath that is located near Varanasi. The monument was established by Emperor Ashoka in 250 BC. Since then, the saying “Satyameva Jayate” has been considered gospel by the people of India.
The surprising fact that not many know is that the statement Satyameva Jayate on Ashoka Stupa originated in our ancient scriptures. As the sixth mantra in the first section of the third Mundaka in the Mundakopanishad is this mantra found – that truth always triumphs and untruth never does. Untruth will always be defeated. The ability to fulfill noble desires lies only in adherence to truth. The only means to attain the ultimate goal of salvation for human birth is truth. Know truth to be that which is seen only in the sages and pious souls.
satyamiti satyavacā rāthītarah
Maharshi Ratheetara’s Upanishadic statement that truth is the foremost means to gain the kingdom of salvation also reiterates this.
In common parlance, although the two terms satyaṃ and ṛtaṃ are used to indicate the same thing, the small difference between the two is that the permanence indicated in the Vedas is ṛtaṃ, while the worldly truth is referred to as satyaṃ. The present sookti relates only to satyaṃ, not to ṛtaṃ as reflected in the scriptures. By adhering to truth, one gains fame and reputation. Even though one might temporarily face difficulties, one gains lasting fame and honor over time by adhering to truth.
Prominent greats in the past – Emperor Harishchandra and Nala in Krita Yuga, Sri Rama in Treta Yuga and many great sages, yogis and siddhas in Kaliyuga adopted the vow of truth as their austerity and penance. They all suffered a lot in personal lives. They lost everything, including kingdom and even spouse and children, but never gave up truth. Leading an exemplary life, they are now worshiped by all three worlds.
Many think that speaking brutally frankly is great. It only shows their innocent foolishness and barely adheres to the principle of truth. True, the scriptures dictate that we only speak the truth, but they also caution that we speak without hurting anyone. The scriptures state that truth must be pleasing, beneficial and sweet. There is no evidence that great souls such as Harishchandra, Nala, Sri Rama in history ever uttered harsh words. Our scriptures in fact extol them as being endowed with pleasant speech. The more pleasingly you deliver the truth, the greater the power in it. All wishes are fulfilled and finally the kingdom of salvation is attained through the vow of truth, says the Mundakopanishad.
All of us should take note of, understand and follow this wonderful Sookti.