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Satya Or Truth As Absolute Being In Hinduism

Truth or satya is worshipped as absolute being in Hinduism. Brahman, the supreme being, in Hinduism is defined as Satyam jnanamanantam Brahman, i.e, Brahman is truth (real), knowledge (conscious) and infinite (Taittiriya Upanishad 2/1/1).

Truth and knowledge are basically similar. What does anyone want to know? Simply put, the truth. Nobody intends to be deluded by what is false. Even a person who habitually himself does not speak truth does not like to be cheated by another’s lie. Knowledge means awareness of truth (satya). Therefore, the Absolute Being is satyam jnanam. But the satya or jnana that is Brahman (the biggest of the big) cannot be limited. Brahman is ananta-satya (infinite truth) and ananta-jnana (infinite knowledge). Thus the truth or reality (satya) in its wholeness or absolute state is Brahman, as Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (5/4/1) declares, “Truth and only truth is Brahman” (Satyam Brahmeti Satyam Hyeva Brahma). The divine beings (gods) adore or only stay near satya (Devah satyamevopasate – Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5/5/1).

Chandogya Upanishad (6/1/4-6) says that among all worldly objects, vikara (changeable forms) are only for namesake, fragile like the uttered words denoting them; the reality behind all that is changeable is one and the same, and that is the only truth, like clay in all clay pots and gold in all gold ornaments (vacarambhanam vikaro namadheyam mrtiketyeva satyam), etc.

Mundaka Upanishad asserts that only truth wins, not the lie (satyameva jayati nantram); the divine path to salvation is widened by satya (satyena pantha vitato devayanah) through which the rishis, with all wishes fulfilled, go to the supreme abode of satya (3/1/6).

When the Brahmavadi rishis discuss – kim maranam Brahman kutah sma jatah… (what is the ultimate cause of all things and from where do we emerge?) (Svetasvatara Upanishad 1/1) or when they query – kenesitam patati presitam manah … (directed by who does this mind fall on the objects?), etc. (Kena Upanishad 1/1) or even, earlier, when the Rig Vedic rishi asked – ko dadrsha prathamam jayamanam… (who has seen the first born?) (Rig Veda 1/164/64), they all are concerned about the truth, the Ultimate Truth. Brahmavidya of Upanishads is the revealing introduction of that Ultimate Reality, the Supreme Truth.