satyam

[Sunder Hattangadi]

One solution to this dilemma is to think in terms of all actions as a
form of yaj~na; speech would then be 'vaachik yaj~na' ( vide Gita).

As devotees of truth, we do say a prayer:

  "  priiyataaM puNDariikakshaH sarvayaGYeshvaro hariH .

    tasmi.nstushhte jagattushhtaM priiNite priiNita.n jagat.h .. "

    If we sincerely believe that what we say pleases the Lord, the Lord
will take care of pleasing the listener; He will absolve us of any sin
of hurting others.

Sunder


----- Original Message -----
From: Ravi <msr at COMCO.COM>
To: <ADVAITA-L at advaita-vedanta.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 1999 3:36 PM
Subject: satyam


| Anand wrote:
|
| 2) satyam.h - the mitAxarA defines satyam.h as
| "aprANipIdAkaraM yathArthavachanam.h", which means speaking
| truth that does not cause pain to creatures (both humans and
| animals). To clarify one must always speak the truth unless
| doing so would cause only untold suffering to others.
| ---
|
| namaste Anand:
|
| Should not one speak truth no matter what the consequences
| are? Valluvar definition also coincides with what you have
| written. He says, "Truth is defined as that which causes no
| harm to other beings"*.
|
| Is there a shruti support for the definition you have
| quoted?
|
| I can understand this definition, but what I find it
| difficult to digest is the often quoted verse "na brUyAt
| satyam apriyam".
|
| Thanks.
|
|
| Ravi
|
| * vAymai enappaDuvathu yAthenin yAthonRum
|   thImai ilaatha cholal
|