Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 30 : Veracity
 

Introductory Note

This chapter is on truth, called “….” in Tamil and “satya” in Sanskrit. Truth or Abstention from Falsehood in the 2nd amongst the five “Self Restraints” in Yoga, the 4th amongst the “Five Precepts” (Panchashilas) in Buddhism and the 2nd amongst the five “Lesser Vows (Anuvratas)” in Jainism [1], [8], [9].

Translation(s)

You ask: ‘What may be called truth in lips of men?’ It is speech free from every taint of evil.

 

Translation(s)

Falsehood may take the place of truthful words if it can afford blessings free from fault.

 

Translation(s)

Do not speak a word which your own heart knows as false. The self-kindled fire within one’s spirit makes the false glow.

Explanation

The conscious will keep reminding us of the falsehood. Hence ‘lie not in regard to that of which thy mind is conscious.’"...and shun lying speech" - Prophet Muhammad (saw), Al-Hajj 22.30, The Quran. [7]

"O ye who believe! Guard your duty to Allah, and speak words straight to the point"- Prophet Muhammad (saw), Al-Ahzab 33.70, The Quran. [7]

Translation(s)

One who lives true to his innermost soul; he lives enshrined in the souls of all mankind.

 

Translation(s)

Greater is he who speaks truth with full consenting mind than men whose lives have penitence and charity combined.

Explanation

The high importance of truth amongst ascetic virtues is emphasized here. One who is truthful in thought and words is greater than those who have penitence, an ascetic virtue.  He is greater even if the ascetic, earlier as a householder, had practiced charity as well. Fr. Beschi, in his translation into Latin, adds: ‘It is easier to afflict the body and give alms than to guard oneself from every falsehood.’ (Pope, p. 239)

Translation(s)

Words free from falsehood earn praise like no other praise. It gives every virtue spontaneously.

Explanation

The person who speaks words free from falsehood acquires other virtues effortlessly as a consequence. This couplet contradicts, or must be read with 323; where the highest virtue is ‘not to slay’ and the second highest is ‘no untrue word to say.’Abstaining from lying is one of four qualities of Right Speech – thus said Buddha in the 3rd of his Noble Eight Fold Path:

“And what is right speech? Abstaining from lying, abstaining from divisive speech, abstaining from abusive speech, abstaining from idle chatter: This, monks, is called right speech.” [13].

I think Buddha has listed the four qualities in order of their importance – so lying is the biggest of the four problems."The five moral codes of conduct (yamas) are: non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing / honesty, continence, lack of greed. These great disciplines are universally valid, beyond social position, location / place or (any particular) time...... When the truthfulness is firmly established, there is accomplishment of actions without effort." - Patanjali Yogasutra, Chapter II Practice (Sadhana), 2.30-36 [1]

“I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.” – The Five Precepts in Buddhism [8].

“The Jaina layman renounces all gross false speech.” The pentad of transgression of this vow lists: “false accusation made under the influence of temper, false accusation of a person behind her / his back, betrayal of the confidences of one’s wife, wrong information / wrong advice, wrong statements in documents / falsification of documents – Five Lesser Vows, Chapter – IV, Avashyaka Sutra [9].

Veracity: Truthfulness. From Latin Verax, derived from verus meaning true [11]

Translation(s)

If all your life be utter truth and truth alone, then it well even though other virtuous acts are left undone.

 

Translation(s)

Water will bestow outward purity. Inner purity flows from truth alone.

 

Translation(s)

Every lamp is not a lamp in wise men’s sight. (In their view) that is lamp which is bright with truth’s pure radiance.

“Lamps do not give the light that holy men desire;
It is the light of Truth that illuminates their path.”
- translation by C Rajagopalachari

 

Translation(s)

Of all the good things we have scanned with studious care, there is nothing that can compare with truthfulness.

 

Summary Note

‘S. Paul’s position appears to be that the duty of truth-speaking is an offshoot of the ordinary relations of man to man, and that it is a consequence of men being members one of another. The ground for the duty is the relation of charity in which we stand to each other, of the unity, moral, and social, by which we are connected with each other. Eph. iv. 25.’ (Pope, p. 239). This is to be compared with couplet 292.

Full Moon Night & Lighted View,
Thiruvalluvar Memorial (133 Feet, 7000 Tonnes), Kanyakumari, India
Credit: Reynard1, Flickr

References