Sri Saibaba and Speech (Conclusion)
Another instance is our grandsons asking for blank papers for drawing pictures. Normally, once or twice we can always spare. But, when our stock is coming to an end, what do we tell them? If we give away every paper from our stock, there would be a problem of getting it from the market in this our old age. If we tell the grandson that there is no paper left with us, we transgress the principle of truth. Then, how should we add?
From the above discussion, personally my views are as follows. One must always speak the truth. Never tell a lie - at least not for one's own self-interest. However, sometimes for the benefit of others. There is no harm in sometimes telling a little lie. For example, if telling some sad news is likely to shock a person, there is no harm in telling a lie that such a thing has not happened or that we do not know about it. Similarly, if somebody has offered with love and care some food and even if it is not relished by us, will it not be wiser to praise the food smilingly rather than bluntly telling the truth and hurting the feelings of that person! Such acts are even supported by our scriptures:
Satyasya vachanam shreyaha
satyadapi hitam vadeta!
Yadbhutahitmatyamanta
metatsatyam matam mama//
- Mahabharata, Shanti Parva
(Telling the truth is good, but telling what is beneficial to others is better. In my opinion, what results in the ultimate welfare of all beings, is the real truth.)
Satyam bruyat priyam bruyat na bruyat satyampriyam !!34!!
- Manusmruti, Adhyay 4
(One should speak the truth and speak what is pleasing and agreeable to others. Never speak the truth, which is not pleasing and agreeable to others.)
Keep Your Promise Always: Sai Baba preached that, if you promise anything to anybody, you must fulfill it. Never give a false promise. Devotees normally pray and make a vow to their deity or Guru to do some act or offer something, on condition, that certain desire of theirs is fulfilled, but, once their desire is fulfilled they forget to fulfill their vow. There are many instances, where Sai Baba prompted such devotees to fulfill their pending vows. For instance, in Ch. 33, Appasaheb Kulkarni wished to pay Rs. 10 to the Fakir, who had visited his residence during his absence and Baba got it fulfilled by approaching him again and demanding the full amount. Similarly, in Ch. 30, we have read how Sai Baba maneuvered to get Shama's long pending offering to Sapta-shringi Goddess fulfilled. In Ch. 15 also Sai Baba is seen highly pleased to note His devotee Cholkar giving up sugar in his dietary and drinking tea also without sugar until his vow to offer sugar-candy to Sai Baba by visiting Shirdi is fulfilled.
Talk Less: Sai Baba Himself followed this principle. He never gave long lectures, but preached His devotees by giving them suitable experiences or by narrating suitable stories. For spiritual advancement, observing silence for sometime everyday is good. Baba Himself practiced this by spending sometime twice a day in Lendi Baug till the end of His life regularly. Talking too much consumes lot of energy, hence, even in day-to-day business; it is advisable to avoid unnecessary talk.
Repeating God's name: In speech, Sai Baba's most important advice was about repeating God's name. He Himself used to repeat Allah Malik (God is Lord) constantly. He was fond of making others sing God's name continuously by day and night for a whole week. This is known as Nama-saptaha. Hemadpant also adds in Ch.27:
"The efficacy of God's name is well-known. It saves us from all sins and bad tendencies, frees us from the cycle of births and deaths. There is no easier sadhana than this. It is the best purifier of our mind. It requires no paraphernalia and no restrictions. It is so easy and effective." (P. 145)
In short, Sai Baba's advice on speech was as under:
(a) Not to speak cuttingly to anyone, so as to hurt-him to the quick. On the contrary one should bear the other person's outburst calmly!
(b) Avoid argumentation and disputation!
(c) Never indulge in slander-mongering or ridiculing others!
(d) Speak the truth always!
(e) Speak soft and sweet words!
(f) Keep your promise!
(g) Talk less and observe silence frequently!
(h) Repeat God's name as often as possible!
(Contributed by Source: Shri Sai Leela Magazine, 1993)
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