Essentials of Hinduism - What Is Satya

Essentials of Hinduism

What Is Satya

Although Satya is a part of our Sanatana Dharma, yet Satya is being treated here as a separate Chapter, because, it is so important. There are few interpretations for the meaning of Satya: (1) the understanding of a Common Man is – Satya means Truth; it is said the father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhiji, always spoke the Truth; Harichandra is another good example for living a Truthful Life; (2) Our Sanatana Dharma is established in Satya because, Sanatana means eternal, Whatever does not change is Truth; Whatever is Permanent is Truth. Only Brahmam or Paramatma is Satya. (3) Satya also means equanimity in our Speech and our Thought.

We live a Life in a World of Maya that is false or mithya – everything appears Real, because, we are living our life giving importance to our Body, Pleasures and Attachments due to our ignorance of Knowledge. Once we achieve Atma-Jnyana and get rid of this ignorance by means of Bhakti, Jnyana and Vairagya, we will overcome this Maya. Jivatma is truly a part of the Paramatma or Satya. Our Human Body is perishable and therefore cannot be considered as Satya; whereas, the Jivatma is non-perishable and is Satya. We have to think on an ongoing basis about our Jivatma as “Aham Brahmasmi” or “I am Brahman” and this thinking will remove our sins and purify our Jivatma.

The Mystic Syllable OM is called Satya. The Divine Path to Liberation has been laid as Truth by our Seers. The Motto of the Government of India is SATYAM EVA JAYATE, Meaning, Truth Alone Triumphs, not falsehood . The Blessings or curse from Seers and Rishis come True due to the Power of Satya they Practice.

Chapter Re-cap:

1) Satya is a part of our Sanatana Dharma.

2) We have to live our Life prescribed by the Taittriya Upanishad – Satyam Vada and Satyanna Pramaditavyam.

3) When you are Alone, do not be under the impression that you are not watched by anyone and therefore you are free to do Karmas against Dharma. Paramatma is keeping an eye on us at all Times. Whether you are Alone or with someone it does not matter, you should live a Truthful Life at all Times.

4) Most People are Truthful outside. We should also be equally Truthful inside. We have to have Good and Pure Thoughts inside, and, our everyday Actions should reflect our Good Thoughts.

What Is Sanatana Dharma?

Hinduism used to be known as “Sanatana Dharma”. Sanatana Dharma has no Beginning, no End and is Indestructible. Henceforth, this will be called Hindu Dharma or Dharma. Dharma is Righteousness.

If we perform our everyday Karmas in accordance with the Dharma, dedicating them to God without Selfish Desire, then the impurities in us will be removed and this Great Act will pave our way to Moksha. For understanding the Dharma in order to attain the Moksha, one must get the Knowledge from 14 Vidyas.

The 14 Vidyas are:

A) the four Vedas that are Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharva;

B) the six Angas or Auxiliaries for the Vedas: Siksha (Phonetics or Study of the spoken sounds),

Vyakarana (Grammar), Chandas (Metrics or relating to Measurement), Nirukta (Etymology or tracing the History and Development of a word), Jyotisha (Astrology) and Kalpa (Ceremonial Rule-book);

C) the four other Vidyas are: Mimamsa, Nyaya, Sastras and Puranas.

Most important thing is that the direct Authority for Dharma are the four Vedas. A Brahmin should study the Vedas and the six Auxiliaries. He should first learn to recite the Vedas. In order to learn the meaning of the Vedas, he should study the six Auxiliaries.

One Short Story: Before leaving Ayodya for the Forest, Rama went to His mother Kausalya to take leave of Her. As Rama was going to be away for fourteen Years, Kausalya did not know what to give. After pondering deeply, she said: “O Raghava! There is nothing that I can do to protect You. Only Dharma will protect You. Therefore, I Bless: May that Dharma protect You, which You have been Preserving with Courage and Consistency. This is the only Blessing that I can Give”.

Chapter Re-cap:

1) Act Righteously; do not Deviate from the Righteousness.

2) We have to Remember that the direct Authority for Dharma are the four Vedas. Therefore, Vedas should be learned methodically to understand the Dharmas.

3) Dharma will Protect the one who practices Dharma in his life.

4) Read the Sections of Ramayana and Mahabharata and understand how Lord Rama and Yudhisthira practiced the Dharma when they were tested by circumstances. Apply those Dharma Practices for our Personal Life Problems.

This article is a snippet from the Book Essentials of Hinduism, Authored by G.S Nilakantan. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in & across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture & Tradition.

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