A few days back I had posted four series
of “Gem Necklace of Questions and Answers” (Prasna Uttara Ratna Malika) of Sri
Sri Sankara.
In the 46th
verse there is an interesting question “Who should not be trusted?” the answer
Sri Sri Sankara provides is “One who as a rule utters lies.” Next question is much
more interesting “On what occasions even a lie is considered sinless?” the
answer is “That
which when uttered is for the sake of protecting righteousness (Dharma)”. Sri Sri Sankara feels
that, if the truth which when uttered will harm anyone, then
one can tell a lie if and only if it can benefit the one who is hearing it.
Talking truth is a must and it is applauded
in all scriptures and in all philosophies. In fact it there is a small
incidence which is mentioned in Chandogya Upanishad. It is about a boy called
Satyakama (Desirer of Truth) who approaches Gautama Maharshi to learn Vedas. Gautama
questions him about his Gotra (Lineage). The boy says all he knows is that he
is the son of a woman named Jabala. Gautama asks the boy to go to his mother and
enquire about the details of his father. The boy asks his mother about his father. Mother plainly says she does not know who his father was. Satyakama
then went straight to Gautama and told what his mother had told him.
Immediately Gautama Maharshi accepts him as his disciple appreciating him for having the quality of a Brahmana. In those times whoever had the courage
to speak the truth were Brahmana.
In spite of these high moral standards
how could Sri Sri Sankara say one can utter lie if it can do some good. There
is a proverb in Kannada “Saavira sullu helli ondu maduve maadu” (utter a
thousand lies and perform a marriage). It is to over look a little deceit while
performing a good deed. Uniting two people in marriage is a good
thing hence minor things could be ignored.
Also we have a small anecdote in
Mahabharata wherein the dilemma of whether to tell the truth or not was cleared
by Sri Krishna. When the Pandava army finds it difficult to subdue Guru Drona
it is Sri Krishna who comes to the rescue with a lie. The Pandavas knew that Drona
will discard the weapons when he hears about the death of his son Ashwattama. Sri
Krishna named the elephant of the opposite camp as “Ashwattama”. He asked Bhima
to kill it. When Drona asked Yudhisthra to confirm the news, Yudhisthira says “Ashwattma
Hatah Kunjara” that Ashwattama, the elephant had been killed. When the last word
“Kunjara” meaning elephant was uttered Sri Krishna blew his Panchajanya. The statement
from Yudhisthira, drowned in sound of the conch made to appear false. Drona
could only hear “Ashwattama Hatah.” This news shattered Drona, he threw down his
arms in despair. Dhristadymna, the son of Drupada was able to slain him.
It is mentioned in Adi Parva of Mahabharata
that one can utter lie under the following five circumstances. It is not
considered a sin at all. The five circumstances are:
You can tell a lie to women. (No offense...!
it is said that women folk do not keep
secret, they are good at heart)
You can use lie in a witty situation.
As told above in the proverb in the looking
for alliance for marriage.
At a life threatening situation one can
tell a lie (In the lighter vein, it is truth that comes out when the end nears).
In the event of losing wealth one can
utter lie if it can safeguard it.
Bhagvan Vyasa the composer of Mahabharata
knew that lies can’t be avoided completely in Kaliyuga. But the end justifies
the means. So if anything leads to a good end or a beneficial effect, then
lying is justified...if the intent is clear panchakoota of Sri Krishna will take care of the words.....What say???
{Now a bit of work-out for mind--- if someone is saying "I am lying" is he telling truth}
