Sathya Sai Baba’s Teachings on Sathya (Truth): Living and Speaking in Alignment
Sairam. As a humble devotee and seeker on the path shown by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, I often find myself reflecting on his profound teachings about Sathya—Truth. In the quietude of Puttaparthi, where the gentle breeze carries the echoes of his loving words, the essence of Truth feels ever-present, inviting us to live with authenticity, courage, and love.
Sathya Sai Baba often declared:
“God is the truth, the only truth. In every article or thing, God is, as the basis, as understanding and understandability, as the source of Divine light, as Atma. Know that All exists, has awareness and bliss because of the Atma which All is.”
But what does it truly mean to live in Truth? Is it merely the act of not telling lies, or is there a deeper, more luminous meaning?
The Heart of Sathya: Aligning Thought, Word, and Deed
Swami explained that Truth is not just about factual accuracy or the absence of falsehood. It is about the harmony between our thoughts, words, and actions. When what we think, what we say, and what we do are in perfect alignment, we are living in Sathya. This is the foundation of spiritual life and the bedrock of all human values.
He taught:
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When impulses from the heart are expressed in words, that is Truth (Sathya).
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When those words are put into action, that is Right Action (Dharma).
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Love is the root of all these values; love in speech is Truth, love in action is Dharma, love in thought is Peace, and love in understanding is Non-violence (Ahimsa).
Swami would often say,
“Truth is man’s nature; to be untrue is to be false to one’s nature.”
A Parable: The Truthful Woodcutter
To gently illustrate the power and beauty of Truth, Baba would sometimes share the story of the Truthful Woodcutter—a story that still resonates in my heart.
Once, there lived a poor but honest woodcutter. Every day, he would go to the forest, cut wood, and sell it to earn his humble living. One day, while chopping wood by a river, his axe slipped from his hands and fell into the deep water. Distraught, he sat by the riverbank and cried out in despair, for without his axe, he could not work.
Moved by his sincerity, the Goddess appeared before him and asked what troubled him. The woodcutter explained his predicament. The Goddess then dipped her hand into the river and pulled out a silver axe, asking, “Is this your axe?” The woodcutter shook his head, “No, that is not mine.” She tried again and brought out a golden axe. “Is this yours?” she asked. Again, the woodcutter replied, “No, that is not mine either. Mine was a simple iron axe.”
Finally, the Goddess retrieved the iron axe. The woodcutter’s face lit up, and he exclaimed, “Yes! That is my axe!” Impressed by his honesty, the Goddess rewarded him with all three axes—the iron, the silver, and the gold.
The moral, as Swami would lovingly remind us:
“Always be honest. Honesty is always rewarded.”
Living Sathya: The Challenge and the Grace
Living in Truth is not always easy. Swami acknowledged that the world often tempts us to compromise, to speak what is convenient rather than what is right. Yet, he urged us never to give up Truth under any circumstances—even if it means facing hardships, as exemplified by the legendary King Harischandra, who sacrificed everything but never abandoned Truth.
Swami also emphasized the manner in which Truth is spoken. He taught:
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Satyam Bruyaat—Speak the Truth.
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Priyam Bruyaat—Speak it in a loving, pleasing way.
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Na Bruyaat Satyam Apriyam—But never speak truth in a hurtful or unkind way.
Truth is not just a word—it is the light that illumines our path to God. When we live in Truth, we become instruments of peace and love in the world.
A Daily Practice: Truth as a Living Prayer
Swami’s guidance is simple, yet transformative:
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Start the day with love.
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Fill the day with love.
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End the day with love.
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Let Truth flow from a heart filled with love.
When our thoughts, words, and actions are in harmony, we are living embodiments of Sathya. In doing so, we honor the divinity within ourselves and in all beings.
A Heartfelt Prayer
May we, inspired by Bhagawan’s example and these timeless stories, strive each day to speak and live the Truth. May our hearts be so full of love that our words and deeds become a reflection of the divine. And may Truth, like a gentle lamp, guide us always—back to the source, back to the Self, back to God.
Sathya is not just a value. It is the very breath of life, the song of the soul, and the path to peace. Let us walk it, together.
Om Sai Ram.🙏🙏🙏
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