Satya
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Jainism Portal |
Satya is a Sanskrit word that loosely translates into English as "truth" or "correct". It is a term of power due to its purity and meaning and has become the emblem of many peaceful social movements, particularly those centered on social justice, environmentalism and vegetarianism.
Sathya is also defined in Sanskrit as "sate hitam satyam" which translates to "The path to ultimate truth or Sat is sathya (i.e. the real truth)".
Hence all the deeds, words, and wisdom that takes closer to the Ultimate Truth are the truth.
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Philosophical meaning
The philosophical meaning of the word 'Satya' is "unchangeable", "that which has no distortion", "that which is beyond distinctions of time, space, and person", "that which pervades the universe in all its constancy". Human life progresses through different stages—from childhood to adolescence, from adolescence to youth, and youth to old age. It is through these changes that people progress in the manifest world. That is why human life or its receptacle, the body, is not Satya.
Subtle meaning
There is a more subtle meaning of the word, 'Satya', which is Citsvaru'pa (the Supreme consciousness) or Parama Purusha. In the field of Sadhana or intuitional practice, the meaning of 'Satya' is 'Parahit'artham' va'unmanaso yatha'rthatvam' satyam i.e., Satya is the benevolent use of words and the mind for the welfare of others. This is to say that a benevolent sage must be truthful regardless of the meaning of satya.
Common interpretation
The accepted interpretation however, is "the Truth which equals love." This concept of truth is not merely a synonym of fact or correctness, but is more metaphysical, like the difference between brain and mind. This 'bigger picture' notion of truth, at least as far as the term Satya is concerned, implies a higher order, a higher principle, a higher knowledge, but not necessarily a higher being or creatorcitation needed. Satya is what one becomes aware of upon becoming a Bodhi (enlightened or awakened person—'Buddha' means awakened one). Thus, this topic is an aspect more akin to the sum of the rules of the universe—the 'universal reality.' This idea of a universal reality is common in Eastern philosophy. Combined with other words, Satya acts as modifier, like "ultra" or "highest," or more literally "truest," connoting purity and excellence. Examples: Satyaloka = highest heaven; Satya Yuga = the original, "golden" and best of the four cyclical cosmic ages in Hinduism. Note, in Hinduism, we are currently in the Kali Yuga, the most depraved, degraded, and corrupt of the four cycles, which began on 3102 BC and will end and be replaced by the Satya Yuga in another 427,000 years.
In Buddhism
The term Satya is translated in English as "right" in terms of the Eightfold Path, such as Satya Vishwas(right belief), Satya Karma, (right action), etc. The Buddha's Four Noble Truths were called by the Buddha, "Aryasatya."
In Jainism
Jainism considers satya to be one of its five core principles and all sadhus must take a vow to adhere to it.
Indian Emblem Motto
The motto of the republic of India's emblem is Satyameva Jayate which is literally translated as 'Truth alone triumphs'.
Hinduism
In patanjali yogasutrs, it is given that (sutra number 2.36)“ When one is firmly established in speaking truth, the fruits of action become subservient to him. In his book, Paramahamsa yoganada, written that "By the grace of God, as I have spoken truth always, I speak truly now. Through the divine blessings, your body shall verily change from today; in one month it shall have the same weight as mine.” These words from my heart found fulfillment. In thirty days, Nalini's weight equalled mine. The new roundness gave her beauty; her husband fell deeply in love. Their marriage, begun so inauspiciously, turned out to be ideally happy."‘