Satya

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Short description: Sanskrit word and a virtue in Indian religions


Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. is an important concept and virtue in Indian religions. Rigveda, dated to be from the 2nd millennium BCE, offers the earliest discussion of Script error: The function "transl" does not exist..[1][2] It can be seen, for example, in the fifth and sixth lines, in this Rigveda manuscript image.

Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. (Sanskrit: सत्य; IAST: Script error: The function "transl" does not exist.) is a Sanskrit word loosely translated as truth or essence.[3] It also refers to a virtue in Indian religions, referring to being truthful in one's thoughts, speech and action.[4] In Yoga, satya is one of five yamas, the virtuous restraint from falsehood and distortion of reality in one's expressions and actions.[5]

Etymology and meaning

In the Vedas and later sutras, the meaning of the word Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. evolves into an ethical concept about truthfulness and an important virtue.[4][6] It means being true and consistent with reality in one's thought, speech, and action.[4]

Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. has cognates in a number of diverse Indo-European languages, including the word "sooth" and "sin" in English, "Script error: The function "transl" does not exist." ("истина") in Russian, "sand" (truthful) in Danish, "sann" in Swedish, and "Script error: The function "transl" does not exist." in Avestan, the liturgical language of Zoroastrianism.[7]

Script error: The function "transl" does not exist.

Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. (Sanskrit: सत्) is the root of many Sanskrit words and concepts such as Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. ("pure, truthful") and Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. ("truth"). The Sanskrit root Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. has several meanings or translations:[8][9]

  1. "Absolute truth"
  2. "Reality
  3. "Brahman" (not to be confused with Brahmin)
  4. "unchangeable"
  5. "that which has no distortion"
  6. "that which is beyond distinctions of time, space, and person"
  7. "that which pervades the universe in all its constancy"

Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. is a common prefix in ancient Indian literature and variously implies that which is good, true, genuine, virtuous, being, happening, real, existing, enduring, lasting, or essential; for example, Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. means true doctrine, Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. means one devoted to the truth.[10]:329–331[8] In ancient texts, fusion words based on Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. refer to "Universal Spirit, Universal Principle, Being, Soul of the World, Brahman".[11][12]

The negation of Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. is Script error: The function "transl" does not exist., that is delusion, distorted, untrue, the fleeting impression that is incorrect, invalid, and false.[10]:34[8] The concepts of Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. and Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. are famously expressed in the Pavamana Mantra found in the Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. (1.3.28):

Asato mā sad gamaya
tamaso mā jyotir gamaya
mṛtyor mā amṛtam gamaya

Lead me from delusion to truth
from darkness to light
from mortality to immortality

Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. is one of the three characteristics of Brahman as described in Script error: The function "transl" does not exist..[12] This association between Script error: The function "transl" does not exist., 'truth', and Script error: The function "transl" does not exist., ultimate reality, is also expressed in Hindu cosmology, wherein Script error: The function "transl" does not exist., the highest heaven of Hindu cosmology, is the abode of Script error: The function "transl" does not exist..

Hinduism

Main page: Religion:Hinduism

Vedic literature

Main page: Religion:Historical Vedic religion

Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. is a central theme in the Vedas. It is equated with and considered necessary to the concept Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. (ऋतं, Script error: The function "transl" does not exist.)—that which is properly joined, order, rule, nature, balance, harmony.[1][13] Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. results from Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. in the Vedas, as it[ambiguous] regulates and enables the operation of the universe and everything within it.[14] Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. is considered essential, and without it, the universe and reality falls apart, cannot function.[14]

In Rigveda, opposed to Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. and Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. are Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. and Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. (falsehood).[1] Truth and truthfulness is considered as a form of reverence for the divine, while falsehood a form of sin. Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. includes action and speech that is factual, real, true, and reverent to Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. in Books 1, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10 of Rigveda.[2] However, Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. isn't merely about one's past that is in context in the Vedas, it has one's current and one's future contexts as well.[clarification needed] De Nicolás[clarification needed] states, that in Rigveda, "Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. is the modality of acting in the world of Script error: The function "transl" does not exist., as the truth to be built, formed or established".[2]

Upanishads

Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. is widely discussed in various Upanishads, including the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad where Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. is called the means to Brahman, as well as Brahman (Being, true self).[15][16] In hymn 1.4.14 of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Satya (truth) is equated to Dharma (morality, ethics, law of righteousness),[17] as

Nothing is higher than the Law of Righteousness (Script error: The function "transl" does not exist.). The weak overcomes the stronger by the Law of Righteousness. Truly that Law is the Truth (Script error: The function "transl" does not exist.); Therefore, when a man speaks the Truth, they say, "He speaks Righteousness"; and if he speaks Righteousness, they say, "He speaks the Truth!" For both are one.
—Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, I.4.xiv[16][17]

Taittiriya Upanishad's hymn 11.11 states, "Speak the Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. (truth), conduct yourself according to the Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. (morality, ethics, law)".[18][17]

Truth is sought, praised in the hymns of Upanishads, held as one that ultimately, always prevails. The Mundaka Upanishad, for example, states in Book 3, Chapter 1,[19]

सत्यमेव जयते नानृतं[20]
Translation 1: Truth alone triumphs, not falsehood.[21]
Translation 2: Truth ultimately triumphs, not falsehood.[22]
Translation 3: The true prevails, not the untrue.[23]

—Mundaka Upanishad, 3.1.6[19]

Sandilya Upanishad of Atharvanaveda, in Chapter 1, includes ten forbearances[24] as virtues, in its exposition of Yoga. It defines Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. as "the speaking of the truth that conduces to the well being of creatures, through the actions of one's mind, speech, or body."[25]

Deussen states that Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. is described in the major Upanishads with two layers of meanings—one as empirical truth about reality, another as abstract truth about universal principle, being, and the unchanging. Both of these ideas are explained in early Upanishads, composed before 500 BCE, by variously breaking the word Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. or Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. into two or three syllables. In later Upanishads, the ideas evolve and transcend into Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. as truth (or truthfulness), and Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. as the Being, Be-ness, real Self, the eternal.[26]

Epics

The Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata states, "The righteous hold that forgiveness, truth, sincerity, and compassion are the foremost (of all virtues). Truth is the essence of the Vedas."[27]

The Epic repeatedly emphasizes that Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. is a basic virtue, because everything and everyone depends on and relies on Script error: The function "transl" does not exist..[28]


सत्यस्य वचनं साधु न सत्याद विद्यते परम
सत्येन विधृतं सर्वं सर्वं सत्ये परतिष्ठितम
अपि पापकृतॊ रौद्राः सत्यं कृत्वा पृथक पृथक
अद्रॊहम अविसंवादं परवर्तन्ते तदाश्रयाः
ते चेन मिथॊ ऽधृतिं कुर्युर विनश्येयुर असंशयम

To speak the truth is meritorious. There is nothing higher than truth. Everything is upheld by truth, and everything rests upon truth. Even the sinful and ferocious, swear to keep the truth amongst themselves, dismiss all grounds of quarrel and uniting with one another set themselves to their (sinful) tasks, depending upon truth. If they behaved falsely towards one another, they would then be destroyed without doubt.

—The Mahabharata, Chapter CCLIX: Shanti Parva[28]

Yoga Sutras

In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, it is written, “When one is firmly established in speaking truth, the fruits of action become subservient to him."[29] In Yoga sutra, Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. is one of the five Script error: The function "transl" does not exist., or virtuous restraints, along with Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. (restraint from violence or injury to any living being); Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. (restraint from stealing); Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. (celibacy or restraint from sexually cheating on one's partner); and Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. (restraint from covetousness and craving). Patanjali considers Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. as a restraint from falsehood in one's action (body), words (speech, writing), or feelings / thoughts (mind).[5][30] In Patanjali's teachings, one may not always know the truth or the whole truth, but one knows if one is creating, sustaining, or expressing falsehood, exaggeration, distortion, fabrication, or deception.[29] Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. is, in Patanjali's Yoga, the virtue of restraint from such falsehood, either through silence or through stating the truth without any form of distortion.[31]

Jainism

Main page: Philosophy:Jainism

Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. is one of the five vows prescribed in Jain Agamas. Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. was also preached by Mahavira.[32] According to Jainism, not to lie or speak what is not commendable.[sentence fragment][33]:61 The underlying cause of falsehood is passion and therefore, it is said to cause Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. (injury).[33]:66

According to the Jain text Sarvārthasiddhi: "that which causes pain and suffering to the living is not commendable, whether it refers to actual facts or not".[34]

According to the Jain text Puruşārthasiddhyupāya:[33]:33

All these subdivisions (injury, falsehood, stealing, unchastity, and attachment) are Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. as indulgence in these sullies the pure nature of the soul. Falsehood etc. have been mentioned separately only to make the disciple understand through illustrations.
—Puruşārthasiddhyupāya (42)

Buddhism

Main pages: Religion:Buddhism and Philosophy:Sacca

The term Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. (Pali: Script error: The function "transl" does not exist.) is translated in English as "reality" or "truth." In terms of the Four Noble Truths (Script error: The function "transl" does not exist.), the Pali can be written as Script error: The function "transl" does not exist., Script error: The function "transl" does not exist., Script error: The function "transl" does not exist., and Script error: The function "transl" does not exist..

'The Four Noble Truths' (Script error: The function "transl" does not exist.) are the briefest synthesis of the entire teaching of Buddhism, since all those manifold doctrines of the threefold Pali canon are, without any exception, included therein. They are the truth of suffering (mundane mental and physical phenomenon), of the origin of suffering (Script error: The function "transl" does not exist., craving), of the extinction of suffering (Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. or Script error: The function "transl" does not exist.), and of the Noble Eightfold Path leading to the extinction of suffering (the eight supra-mundane mind factors).

Sikhism

Main pages: Religion:Sikhism and Religion:Satnam
ਜਿਨਾ ਰਾਸਿ ਨ ਸਚੁ ਹੈ ਕਿਉ ਤਿਨਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
Those who do not have the Assets of Truth-how can they find peace?
ਖੋਟੈ ਵਣਜਿ ਵਣੰਜਿਐ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਖੋਟਾ ਹੋਇ ॥
By dealing their deals of falsehood, their minds and bodies become false.
ਫਾਹੀ ਫਾਥੇ ਮਿਰਗ ਜਿਉ ਦੂਖੁ ਘਣੋ ਨਿਤ ਰੋਇ ॥੨॥
Like the deer caught in the trap, they suffer in terrible agony; they continually cry out in pain.
ਖੋਟੇ ਪੋਤੈ ਨਾ ਪਵਹਿ ਤਿਨ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਸੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥
The counterfeit coins are not put into the Treasury; they do not obtain the Blessed Vision of the Lord-Guru.
ਖੋਟੇ ਜਾਤਿ ਨ ਪਤਿ ਹੈ ਖੋਟਿ ਨ ਸੀਝਸਿ ਕੋਇ ॥ खोटे जाति न पति है खोटि न सीझसि कोइ ॥
The false ones have no social status or honor. No one succeeds through falsehood.
ਖੋਟੇ ਖੋਟੁ ਕਮਾਵਣਾ ਆਇ ਗਇਆ ਪਤਿ ਖੋਇ ॥੩॥
Practicing falsehood again and again, people come and go in reincarnation, and forfeit their honor.
ਨਾਨਕ ਮਨੁ ਸਮਝਾਈਐ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਾਲਾਹ ॥
O Nanak, instruct your mind through the Word of the Guru's Shabad, and praise the Lord.
ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਤਿਆ ਭਾਰੁ ਨ ਭਰਮੁ ਤਿਨਾਹ ॥
Those who are imbued with the love of the Name of the Lord are not loaded down by doubt.
ਹਰਿ ਜਪਿ ਲਾਹਾ ਅਗਲਾ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਹਰਿ ਮਨ ਮਾਹ ॥੪॥੨੩॥
Those who chant the Name of the Lord earn great profits; the Fearless Lord abides within their minds.
—Guru Granth Sahib, 4.23
The Gurmukhs do not like falsehood; they are imbued with Truth; they love only Truth. The shaaktas, the faithless cynics, do not like the Truth; false are the foundations of the false. Imbued with Truth, you shall meet the Guru. The true ones are absorbed into the True Lord.
—Gurubani, Hymn 3, [35]

Indian emblem motto

National Emblem of India

The motto of the republic of India 's emblem is Satyameva Jayate which is literally translated as 'Truth alone triumphs'.

See also

  • Philosophy:Dharma – Key concept in Indian philosophy and Eastern religions, with multiple meanings
  • Philosophy:Sacca – Buddhist term meaning "real" or "true"
  • Religion:Satnam – 'Satnam' was concept of Guru Nanak ji
  • Philosophy:Transcendentals – Truth, beauty, and goodness
  • Truth – Being in accord with fact or reality

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hindery, Roderick (1996). Comparative ethics in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 51–55. ISBN 978-81-208-0866-9. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 de Nicolás, Antonio T. (2003). Meditations Through the Rig Veda. iUniverse. pp. 162–164. ISBN 978-0595269259. 
  3. ↑
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Tiwari, Kedar Nath (1998). "Virtues and Duties in Indian Ethics". Classical Indian Ethical Thought. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 87. ISBN 978-8120816077. https://archive.org/details/nhAt_classical-indian-ethical-thought-kedar-nath-tiwari_202012. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Garg, Ganga Ram, ed. Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World. 3. p. 733. ISBN 8170223733. 
  6. ↑ Dhand, A. (2002). "The dharma of ethics, the ethics of dharma: Quizzing the ideals of Hinduism". Journal of Religious Ethics 30 (3): 347–372. doi:10.1111/1467-9795.00113. 
  7. ↑
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Monier-Williams, Monier (1872). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary: Etymologically and Philologically Arranged with Special Reference to Cognate Indo-European Languages. Oxford: Clarendon Press. pp. 1052–1054. https://archive.org/details/1872sanskriten00moniuoft. 
  9. ↑ Ishwaran, Karigoudar (1999). Ascetic Culture: Renunciation and Worldly Engagement. Leiden: Brill. pp. 143–144. ISBN 978-90-04-11412-8. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Macdonell, Arthur Anthony (2004). A Practical Sanskrit Dictionary with Transliteration, Accentuation, and Etymological Analysis Throughout. Motilal Banarsidass Publ.. ISBN 978-81-208-2000-5. 
  11. ↑ Chaudhuri, H. (1954). "The Concept of Brahman in Hindu Philosophy". Philosophy East and West 4 (1): 47–66. doi:10.2307/1396951. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Aurobindo, Sri; Basu, Arabinda (2002). "The Sadhana of Plotinus". in Gregorios, Paulos. Neoplatonism and Indian Philosophy. Albany, N.Y.: SUNY Press. pp. 153–156. ISBN 978-0-7914-5274-5. 
  13. ↑ Sourcebook of the world's religions: an interfaith guide to religion and spirituality. Novato, Calif.: New World Library. 2000. pp. 52–55. ISBN 978-1-57731-121-8. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Holdrege, Barbara (2004). "Dharma". The Hindu world. New York: Routledge. p. 215. ISBN 0-415-21527-7. 
  15. ↑ Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (third ed.). Advaita Ashrama. 1950. Section V. https://archive.org/stream/Brihadaranyaka.Upanishad.Shankara.Bhashya.by.Swami.Madhavananda. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Johnston, Charles (23 October 2014). The Mukhya Upanishads: Books of Hidden Wisdom. Kshetra. p. 481. ISBN 978-1495946530.  For discussion on Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. and Script error: The function "transl" does not exist. pp. 491–505, 561–575.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Horsch, Paul (2004). "From Creation Myth to World Law: The early history of Dharma". Journal of Indian Philosophy 32 (5–6): 423–448. doi:10.1007/s10781-004-8628-3. 
  18. ↑ "taittirIya upanishad". https://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_upanishhat/taitaccent.html. "सत्यं वद । धर्मं चर, satyam vada dharmam cara" 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Easwaran, E. (2007). The Upanishads. Nilgiri Press. p. 181. ISBN 978-1586380212. 
  20. ↑ Mundaka Upanishad (Sanskrit) Wikisource
  21. ↑ Ananthamurthy, U.R.; Mehta, Suketu; Ananthamurthy, Sharath (2008). "Compassionate Space". India International Centre Quarterly (India International Centre) 35 (2): 18–23. ISSN 0376-9771. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23006353. Retrieved 7 September 2023. 
  22. ↑ Lal, Brij (2011). A Vision for Change: Speeches and Writings of A.D. Patel 1929–1969. Australian National University Press. p. xxi. ISBN 978-1921862328. 
  23. ↑ Müller, F. Max, ed (1884). "The Mundaka Upanishad". The Upanishads, Part 2. The Sacred Books of the East. XV. Oxford: Clarendon Press. pp. 38–40. https://archive.org/stream/upanishads02ml. 
  24. ↑ Patanjali states five restraints, rather than ten. The complete list of ten forbearances in Sandilya Upanishad are, in the order they are listed in original Upanishad manuscript: Script error: The function "transl" does not exist., Script error: The function "transl" does not exist., Script error: The function "transl" does not exist., Script error: The function "transl" does not exist., Script error: The function "transl" does not exist., Script error: The function "transl" does not exist., Script error: The function "transl" does not exist., Script error: The function "transl" does not exist., Script error: The function "transl" does not exist., and Script error: The function "transl" does not exist.
  25. ↑ Narayanaswami Aiyar, K. (1914). Thirty minor Upanishads. Madras: V̇asanṭā Press. pp. 173–174. OCLC 23013613. 
  26. ↑ Deussen, Paul (1908). The Philosophy of the Upanishads. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. pp. 128–133. https://archive.org/stream/philosophyupani00deusgoog. 
  27. ↑ Dutt, Manmatha Nath, ed (1903). "Mokshadharma parva". The Mahābhārata: Shanti parva. CCC.12. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "Mokshadharma Parva". The Mahabharata, Vanti Parva, Volume II. Calcutta: Pratapa Chandra Ray, Bharata Press. 1891. p. 344. 
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Patanjali (September 2012). "Sutra Number 2.36". Yoga Sutras. Sanskrit Works. pp. 140–150. ISBN 978-0988251502. 
  30. ↑ Palkhivala, Aadil (August 28, 2007). "Teaching the Yamas in Asana Class". Yoga Journal. https://www.yogajournal.com/article/teach/teaching-the-yamas-in-asana-class/. 
  31. ↑ Bryant, Edwin (19 April 2011). "Ahimsa in the Patanjali Yoga Tradition". in Rosen, Steven. Food for the Soul: Vegetarianism and Yoga Traditions. Praeger. pp. 33–48. ISBN 978-0313397035. 
  32. ↑
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 Jain, Vijay K. (2012). Acharya Amritchandra's Purushartha Siddhyupaya: Realization of the Pure Self, With Hindi and English Translation. Vikalp Printers. ISBN 978-8190363945. https://books.google.com/books?id=4iyUu4Fc2-YC. " This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain." 
  34. ↑ Jain, S.A. (1992), Reality (English Translation of Srimat Pujyapadacharya's Sarvarthasiddhi) (Second ed.), Jwalamalini Trust, p. 197, https://archive.org/details/Reality_JMT, " This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain." 
  35. ↑ Template:SGGS page



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