Satya – Being Truthful
Here is a story on Being Truthful or “Satya” (Sanskrit) – The 2nd Yama
Being Truthful All the Time
Once there was a shepherd boy who had to look after a flock of sheep. One day, he felt very free and decided to play a trick on the villagers. He shouted,” Help! Wolf! Wolf!” The villagers heard his cries and rushed out of the village to help the shepherd boy. When they reached him, they asked, “Where is the wolf?”
The shepherd boy laughed loudly, “Ha, ha, ha! I fooled all of you. I was only playing a trick on you.”
A few days later, the shepherd boy played the same trick again.
Again he cried,” Help! Help! Wolf! Wolf!” Again, the villagers rushed up the hill to help him and again they found that the boy had tricked them. They were very angry with him for being so naughty.
Then, one night he dreamt , a wolf went into the field. The wolf attacked one sheep, and then another and another. The shepherd boy ran towards the village shouting,” Help! Help! Wolf! Help! somebody!”
The villagers heard his cries but they laughed because they thought it was another trick. He woke up from his sleep and first thing in the morning he went to a for forgiveness from the villagers for being untruthful to all of them and he regretted what he had done. He promised them he would never lie again. All the villagers forgave him and were proud of him for admitting his mistakes.
After sometime a wolf went into the field and started to attack the sheep. The shepherd boy shouted “Help! Wolf! Wolf!” The villagers heard his cries and rushed out to help. They managed to chase the wolf and saved all his sheep. The shepherd boy was very happy that his sheep were saved because of his truthfulness.
The moral of the story is:
Thus you see, there is great harm by being untruthful. We have to admit our faults so that we become bold, have a pure and clear heart. All will admire and love us.
Always speak the truth in words and thoughts. Saying what is beneficial with honesty in a pleasant way is truthfulness.
This article was featured in YogaMail Oct-Dec 2009 issue.
