Find the Hidden Truth of Life
By Swami Chidananda
“Truth and nonviolence,” Gandhiji said, “are as old as the mountains.” He called truth God and maintained that nonviolence was no different from truth. The Upanishads, from time immemorial, have held truthfulness as the greatest virtue.
A story in the Sāma Veda talks about somebody who was accused of some theft. As a part of the process of inquiry and investigation, the police – in those ancient times – ask the accused to touch a hot axe!
“He who is united with truth does not get burnt; he gets released.”
satyābhisandhah na dahyate atha muchyate
Chāndogya Upanishad, 6.16.2
Such was the faith in truth and, it is rightly said, faith can move mountains. Irrespective of the question whether we must take the story as literally true, the message of the Upanishads is undoubtedly emphasis on truthfulness.