Truth is the origin of creatures. Truth is their progeny. It is by Truth that the Wind moves. It is by Truth that the Sun gives heat. It is by Truth that Fire burns. It is on Truth that Heaven rests. Truth is Sacrifice, Penance, Vedas, the utterance of Samans, Mantras, and Saraswati. It hath been heard by us that once on a time Truth and all religious observances were placed on a pair of scales. When both were weighed, that scale on which Truth was seen to be heavier. There is Truth where Righteousness is. Everything increaseth through Truth. Why, O king, dost thou wish to do an act that is stained with falsehood? Be firm in Truth. Do not act falsely, O monarch! Why wouldst thou falsify thy words "Give (me)," which thou hast uttered? If thou refusest, O monarch, to accept the fruits that I have given thee of my recitations, thou shalt then have to wander over the world, fallen away from Righteousness! That person who does not give after having promised, and he also that does not accept after having solicited, are both stained with falsehood. It behoveth thee, therefore, not to falsify thy own words.'Mbh 12.199.31b · Mahabharata · SANTI PARVA
Mbh 12.199.31b
Mahabharata · translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli
Themes in this passage
TruthNatureCharityDharmaJusticeSpeechThe DivineLeadership
Truth in other traditions
The same theme, as Islam, Buddhism, Christianity and Hellenism address it.
Confound not truth with falsehood, nor knowingly conceal the truth.Quran 2:42 · Quran · The Cow
They who know truth in truth, and untruth in untruth, arrive at truth, and follow true desires.Dhp 1.12 · Dhammapada · The Twin-Verses
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.John 17:17 · Bible · John
Stopp’d in the tumult Cleobulus lies, Beneath Oïleus’ arm, a living prize; A living prize not long the Trojan stood; The thirsty falchion drank his reeking blood: Plunged in his throat the smoking weapon lies; Black death, and fate unpitying, seal his eyes.Iliad 16.33 · Iliad · 16
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