Under all circumstances
follow the path of Truth. In case the utterance of truth is
likely to lead to some danger, remain silent.
A hermit was
deeply engrossed in the contemplation of God. He had
vowed to speak “Truth always”. Lord Easwara wanted to subject him to a test. He assumed the form of a hunter and
started chasing a deer, which, out of fear, hid in a bush
close to the hermitage. This was noticed by the hermit.
On
being questioned by the hunter about the whereabouts of
the deer, the hermit was in a dilemma. He could not feign
ignorance and say that he had not seen the deer as that would
amount to uttering a lie. At the same time he could not
reveal the whereabouts of the deer, lest the hunter should
kill it. In that case he would be a party to the crime.
He
prayed to Lord Easwara fervently to show him a way out.
A brilliant idea flashed in his mind by God’s Grace. God is
always with you, in you, around you, above you guiding
and guarding you. Why fear when He is near?
The hermit
replied, “O hunter, that which sees cannot speak; that which
speaks cannot see.” By such a tactful answer, the hermit
not only upheld his adherence to Truth but also protected
the life of the deer.
Then Lord Easwara manifested in His
true form and declared, “Such yukti (tact) which safeguards
your interests as well as those of others is true yoga.”
Therefore
it is said, Truth is the life of the tongue. Righteousness
is the life of hands. Non-violence is the life of the heart.
Sivarathri is celebrated to teach man the significance of
these values.
(From the Divine Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba)
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