Truthfulness!


Virocana came with Sudhanvan to his father Prahlāda & said: Dear Father! We are not friends. Infact, we have wagered our lives & for this reason have come to you to answer our questions truthfully


Hoping to avoid this awkward situation, Prahlāda called for water, honey & a cow to be given in charity, to worship his Brāhmana guest. However, Sudhanvan was very anxious to settle the matter & said: Dear Prahlāda! I already received these things before coming here. I simply request you to give me an answer without delay. Who is Superior, a Brāhamanā or your son Virocana?


Prahlāda pleaded: Dear Sudhanvan, because Virocana is my only son, pls excuse me. Do not force me to answer this question


Sudhanvan was insistent, however, and so Prahlāda finally said: Dear Brāhmanā! Before I answer your question, pls answer my question. What is the result obtained by one who misuses his tongue by telling a lie?


Sudhanvan said: A person who gives false evidence must suffer like a neglected wife who sees her husband sleeping in the arms of her co-wife, like a person who loses everything by playing dice, or like one who is weighed down by unbearable anxieties. Such a person will be forced to starve outside city gates, having been barred from entering & will always find himself harassed by numerous enemies. The severity of reaction for lying increases in consideration of whether one has done so for the sake of an animal, a human being, gold or land


After hearing this, Prahlāda said: My dear son Virocana! Sudhanvan is superior to you, just as his father & mother are superior to me & your mother. Therefore, you must become this Brāhmanā’s slave. He then turned to Sudhanvan & pleaded: O Brāhmanā, pls exhibit your kindness & spare the life of my only son


Sudhanvan said: I will give Virocana his freedom as a reward for your unflinching truthfulness


Telling this story, Vidura said to Dhritrāshtra: O King! Don’t forsake truth, either for purpose of gaining a kingdom or benefitting your son. Otherwise, your lies will surely cause destruction of Kuru dynasty. The degree of one’s success in life ultimately depends upon how virtuously he has acted. If one tries to overcome a miserable condition of life by unrighteous means, he will attain an opposite result, because his sinful reactions will produce suffering


Everyday we should act in such a way that we’re able to sleep peacefully at night. We should pass youth in such a way that we live happily in old age & should live throughout this whole life in a way that will ensure that our next life is auspicious. Truthfulness is a basic tenet of a stress-free life and shows us true north


Gita says:

tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā

upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ

Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively & render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth

 

Thoughts? #gameoflife

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