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Humility And Truthfulness Will Be Rewarded Today Or Tomorrow - It Never Goes Waste - Teachings Of Hindu Saints

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In the teachings of Hindu saints, the virtues of humility and truthfulness are profoundly emphasized. These values are considered fundamental to leading a righteous and fulfilling life. Here are some key teachings from Hindu saints that highlight these virtues:

Humility (Vinaya)

  1. Swami Vivekananda: He often spoke about the importance of humility in personal growth and spiritual progress. He said, "The greatest religion is to be true to your own nature. Have faith in yourselves!" This emphasizes that true strength comes from a humble recognition of one's own nature and potential.
  2. Ramana Maharshi: Ramana Maharshi emphasized self-inquiry and the dissolution of the ego, which is intrinsically linked to humility. He taught that realizing the self involves transcending the ego, which requires humility.
  3. Sant Kabir: Kabir, a 15th-century saint, poet, and mystic, often spoke about the insignificance of human pride. One of his famous couplets is: "When the drop of water fell in the ocean, it lost its identity. When the ocean entered the drop, the drop became the ocean." This signifies that true humility lies in recognizing oneself as part of the greater whole.

Truthfulness (Satya)

  1. Mahatma Gandhi: While not a saint in the traditional sense, Gandhi's principles were deeply rooted in Hindu philosophy. He said, "Truth is God." Gandhi believed that truthfulness is the highest form of righteousness and the foundation of all virtues.
  2. Sant Tukaram: A prominent Marathi saint, Tukaram emphasized the importance of living a life of truth. He believed that honesty and integrity are essential for spiritual liberation.
  3. Swami Sivananda: He taught that truthfulness is essential for personal and spiritual development. He said, "Truthfulness is the main pillar in the temple of divine virtues." This implies that all other virtues stand on the foundation of truth.

The Rewards of Humility and Truthfulness

  1. Inner Peace and Spiritual Growth: Hindu saints teach that humility and truthfulness lead to inner peace and spiritual growth. By being humble, one can overcome ego and pride, which are seen as obstacles to spiritual progress. Truthfulness aligns an individual with the cosmic order (Rta), leading to a harmonious life.
  2. Karma and Dharma: According to the law of karma, actions aligned with truth and humility create positive karmic results, leading to favorable outcomes either in this life or the next. This belief reassures that good deeds and virtues never go waste.
  3. Social Harmony: Living with humility and truthfulness promotes trust, respect, and harmony in society. It fosters genuine relationships and a sense of community.

Practical Application

  1. Self-Reflection and Self-Inquiry: Regularly reflecting on one's actions and motives helps in cultivating humility and truthfulness. Saints often recommend practices like meditation, prayer, and self-inquiry.
  2. Serving Others: Engaging in acts of selfless service (seva) is a practical way to develop humility. It reminds individuals of their interconnectedness with others.
  3. Consistency in Truth: Practicing truthfulness in daily life, even in small matters, helps in building integrity and aligning one's actions with higher principles.

In summary, the teachings of Hindu saints convey that humility and truthfulness are essential virtues that yield rewards both in the present and in the future. These virtues guide individuals towards spiritual enlightenment, inner peace, and harmonious living.