Please welcome guest writer* Rishi Raj Manglesh, a Senior IT Consultant in the Nordic region. He has a keen interest in Indian studies and is happy to give his perspective on almost everything if it helps... Today he shares his views about the concept of 'satya' often translated into English as 'truth'. But is it as unidimensional as that? Read on to find out. A bit of thinker Rishi Raj enjoy tackling serious questions, so please connect with him for via his twitter handle @rmanglesh
When we try to understand Truth or "Satya", derived from the Sanskrit word Sat, it means that which always exists,unchangeable and consistent. What would it actually mean? It would mean that truth is the same for me, you and everyone else. Moreover it would also be the same in the past, present and future as well. It is static and also called as Absolute or Eternal truth which doesn't change with time.But due to limitation of expression and inability to know all at once, we might require a different versions of truth which suits to our context to understand the absolute truth. Such a dynamic narrative which evolves with our spiritual development may be/could be or can be different to me, you or anybody else. Such a truth which is not static but expresses absolute truth can be called Relative truth which changes with time.------------------Why truth is so essential to know?Because it is part of our existence. Our physical being along with the narrative of relative and absolute truth put together is our existence actually. "Our being" is not just physical manifestation but also an attribute of several qualities due to our life situation and original nature - known as Prakrti.Relative truth is the illusion (maya) which is rajasic in nature. The absolute truth is playground of existence which is sattvik in nature whereas physical being is a manifestation of tamasic energy.We can hopefully go further into the details of gunas in future but perhaps it is enough to understand now that our existence has three main pillars: ourself, illusion which exists temporarily and absolute truth or very fine balance between our self and real nature.------------------How does relative truth manifest itself in our life?The relative truth is rajasic thus creative and related to the creator thus our self.Therefore my illusions are just mine. My perception of self, others, family, society and future goals, ambitions makes my world and my world is always different then someone else world.To realize the illusion or our own world, the GOAL of life is education. Education will give individual enough skills, abilities and knowledge to achieve our world.--------------------How absolute truth manifests in our life?This is sattvik and always perfectly balanced thus providing stability to continue our existence. It is a link of our prakrti to eternal prakrti. This is not about an individual world but a shared world. To live in shared world, the GOAL of life is dharma so that we strike fine balance with ourselves and others who makes up the real world.Thus, education can vary in how it drives the individual, but dharma is a common code which everyone should follow to have a balance in life with others. The rise of adharma would simply mean indifferent conduct to other and would create imbalances thus threatening the very of self, or the object of existence.-----------------Why is Dharma goal of our life along with Artha, Kama & Moksha?It is natural to chase our world and one will most likely follow an efficient and effective mean to individual achievement and survival. But it is not easy to realize that too much individualism can create disharmony in the society and nature. Thus, dharma has to be goal of life to live and let others live and strike a balance with nature.To add further, the dharma should be based on absolute truth. We could ignore and let all such traditions and beliefs go which are specific to certain time and social realities.
* I may or may not agree with the views of guest writers, but I respect their right to be heard.
