“Truth is that which is not modified by time, space or guna (attribute). It is the same forever, unaffected and unchanging; it is never proved false by some subsequent event or knowledge.”
Baba says that the material world is subject to constant changes and God alone is the Pure, Immutable, Ultimate Truth. This Truth can be experienced only in the purified consciousness of one’s heart and cannot be found in the ephemeral appearances of the world wrought by Maya or illusion. Elaborating on this, in a Divine Discourse on 20th November 2001, Bhagawan said, “There are three levels of truth: Nijam (fact), Sathyam (truth) and Ritam (absolute truth). To speak according to what one has seen is to merely state a fact. Suppose I see you wearing a white dress and say "you are wearing a white dress", this becomes a statement of a fact. Later, at home, you may wear a blue dress. Then what I had said earlier will not hold good anymore. Thus, a fact is subject to change. Truth on the other hand does not change with time. A person may change any number of dresses. But, the person, as such, remains the same. Thus, truth is the same at all times. Ritam, however, relates to the Atma (self) which is changeless and eternal, unlike the body or mind that are subject to change. It transcends both good and evil. It is described as attributeless, pure, eternal, permanent and unsullied.”
In a discourse in Rajahmundry on 1st of Sep 1958, Baba said,
“There is in everyone a spark of truth; no one can live without that spark. There is in everyone a flame of love; life becomes a dark void without it. That spark, that flame is God, for, He is the source of all truth and all love. Man seeks truth. He seeks to know the reality because his very nature is derived from God, who is truth. He seeks love, to give it and share it, for his nature is of God, and God is love.”
Ref: “Sathya Sai Speaks” – Vol. I, Chapter-13.
“The chief duty of man is investigation into truth. Truth can be won only through dedication and devotion, and they are dependent on the grace of God, which is showered only on hearts saturated with love.”
“The experience of Truth alone can foster love, for truth is all-embracing and integrating, and sees no distinctions. Truth is the current and love is the bulb it illumines. Through truth, you can experience love; through love, you can visualize truth. ”
Speak the truth; speak it in a palatable manner
Baba always emphasizes on speaking the truth and speaking it politely and pleasantly. He says, “If you cannot oblige, you can at least speak obligingly.”
Baba explained the value of truthfulness very clearly in a discourse in Kerala on the 20th of December 1967. He said,
“If you want to know the way in which you have to observe Sathya or truth in speech, look into the Bhagavad Gita (‘The Celestial Song’ from the Indian epic ‘Mahabharata’). It tells you that the best form of speech is "anudvegakaram vaakyam" (speech that does not create pain, anger or grief to others). The Shasthras (ancient scriptures) also say, "Sathyam bruyaath, priyam bruyaath na bruyaath Sathyam apriyam" (Speak the truth; speak the truth pleasingly; never speak truth which is unpalatable). Simply because a statement will please the listener, don't speak it out to win the person’s approval; if speaking truth will cause grief or pain, then maintain silence." This is the vow of truth in ordinary daily life.
Don't have hypocrisy or crookedness in your speech. Both unpleasant truth and pleasant untruth have to be avoided. Sathya (or Truth) is God Himself.”
Ref: “Sathya Sai Speaks” – Vol. VII, Chapter-46
“Have faith that truth will save you in the long run. Stick to it regardless of what might befall.” This has been the call of Bhagawan Baba to mankind.
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