Tuesday, Apr 16 2024  

Honesty is the best policy - 07 Oct 2013

It is well known that Honesty is the best policy. If we are dishonest, we can put ourselves in a lot of trouble. If we lie once, we will end up having to tell a second lie to cover the first lie. And a third lie to cover the second. This will keep going on and eventually we will get caught and face consequences. However, this would not happen if we told the truth in the first place.

I would like to share a story from the Chinna Katha: Sir C. V. Raman, a world renowned recipient of the Noble Prize for Physics in 1930, was simple and un-assuming by nature and was respected as a man of integrity and sound character. He was very kind and charitable too. He spent the entire amount of money he received as Nobel Prize to establish a Research Institute of Science in Bangalore. Once, he had called for interview candidates for the post of Research Assistants in his Institute. Among several young men interviewed, was a young man who was told frankly by Sir Raman that the chances of his getting selected were almost zero. When the interviews were over at noon, Sir Raman went home for lunch.

When he returned to the Institute at 3 P.M, he saw the young man loitering about, near the office. Sir. Raman called him and said, in a stern voice: 'Did I not tell you that you will not be selected, then why are you still here?' The young man replied in humility. 'Sir, excuse me, I am not here to request you again to select me. I am here only to return to the accountant of the office, the excess money he had paid me towards my travelling allowance due to oversight.'

Sir C.V. Raman was surprised and pleased with the young man's honesty and integrity. He said: 'Well, my dear boy, do not worry, I am selecting you now for doing research work in my Institute. Your love for truth and honesty will always be a good asset for you in your research work as well as in life.'

Swami himself has emphasised the importance of truth in many of his discourses. He says, “Truth is man’s nature; to be untrue is to be false to one’s nature. Dharma (Right Action) is the practical application in real life of the ideal of truth. Shanthi (Peace) is the result of Dharma and Prema (Love) is the effulgence of Shanthi.”

So, we should all be honest so that we will not hurt anyone with our lies. In conclusion, here is a powerful statement by Swami, “Have faith that the truth will save we in the long run. Stick to it regardless of what might befall.” This has been the call of Bhagawan Baba to mankind.

JAI SAI RAM

Sis Anisha
Group 2