The Radiance of Truth

Truth is not just a virtue. It is the ultimate cosmic law — that which cannot be refuted in the past, present, or future. That which stands firm, even when the heavens tremble and the earth shatters.

In the Rigveda, it is said: 'सत्यं वद' — Speak the truth. The gods themselves are described as speaking truth. But here on earth, it’s a battlefield — Truth and Falsehood clash every day. Yet in the end, Truth always triumphs. That is why our scriptures declare — 'ससत्यमेव जयते’ — Truth wins.

Satyakama Jabala — The Boy Who Chose Truth Over Shame

Let us walk back to the story of Satyakama. A young boy, burning with the desire for knowledge, approaches a Guru for education. But in ancient times, the upanayana (thread ceremony) was a must before entering a Gurukula. And to be initiated, one had to declare one's lineage — father, gotra, family.

The Guru asked him, ‘Whose son are you?’
Satyakama, with eyes steady and heart fearless, answered: ‘My mother’s name is Jabala. She once told me she had served in many houses in her youth and doesn’t know who my father is. So I only know myself as Jabala’s son — Satyakama Jabala.’

The Guru was moved — here was a boy who did not lie, who didn’t cook up a fancy lineage just to enter the Gurukula. His words carried the fragrance of Satya, and the Guru declared, ‘You are a true Brahmana — not by birth, but by your truthfulness!’ He was accepted and blessed.

Truth — That Which Even Death Fears

Truth, they say, is the reflection of Brahman. And it is Truth that shatters the grip of Death itself. That is why the ancient saying goes — 'सत्यमेव यजेत्' — ‘Through Truth, one crosses even death’. It is no slogan — it's our living dharma.

When Seeta Devi, accused unjustly and asked to prove her purity, did not raise her voice or cry. She simply turned to Mother Earth and said:

‘If I have never thought of any man other than Rama in my heart, O Mother Earth, take me in.’
And Earth split open. She entered it. Such was the power of truth. It didn’t need weapons or proof — just the weight of purity.

Truth in the Rigveda — Sarama and the Panis

The Rigveda sings of truth through tales. One such story is the Sarama-Pani conversation (Rigveda 10.108).

The Panis were cunning beings who had stolen cows from the gods and hidden them across the river Rasa. The gods, needing milk for Soma yajna, sent Sarama — a divine female dog — to track them.

Sarama crossed the river and reached the Panis. They welcomed her, offered her gifts, tried to bribe her. But Sarama stood firm. She had come to retrieve the cows — and truth, not bribery, was her path.

She didn’t budge. She didn’t compromise even when they threatened her. She upheld her dharma with fierce loyalty. And the gods, later, retrieved the cows and defeated the Panis. Even a dog in Vedic times upheld values with more dignity than humans do today.

But… Even Truth Has Its Boundaries — The Shastric Exception

Then the shastra adds something deeper, more nuanced:

'सत्यं ब्रूयात् प्रियं ब्रूयात् न ब्रूयात् सत्यमप्रियम्'
Speak the truth. Speak pleasantly. But don’t insist on truth if it hurts and innocent being.

Even deeper is this rule from the scriptures:

'नानृतवचने दोषः जीवनं चेत् तदधीनम्’

 There is no fault in lying — if it saves a life.

Let us hear a tale that teaches this rule:

A cow was running — desperate, afraid, panting. A hunter was close behind, bow ready. The cow vanished from sight and ran past a Rishi meditating under a tree.

The hunter came and asked: ‘Where did the cow go?’

Now this was not a time to preach. It was a time to protect life. The Rishi calmly pointed in the opposite direction.

He lied — but he upheld a greater truth. The truth of compassion, of life-protection, of dharma above dogma.

The shastra says — If it is a question of life or death, take shelter even in untruth — you will not incur sin.

Even lies can be divine — if they are spoken for dharma.

Conclusion: Truth Is Not Just a Word. It's a Force.

Truth is not merely about facts. It is about intent, dharma, and righteous courage.
Truth is Rama. Truth is Seeta. Truth is Sarama.
It is not the easiest path. But it is the only one that leads to peace — within and without.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi