What do they see all around? Someone won a court case and someone else did not. But that is not the victory of truth. Look at history—our most recent history. Fine, forget the Ramayana and Mahabharata, as intellectuals can argue that they are myths. But consider the most recent example: the two great wars of the last century.
On one side was Hitler, with his propaganda machine and an army prepared to run over nations and civilizations without the least qualm. What happened in the end? Isn’t this a great lesson of history? Yes, many soldiers died, and they may not have seen the end, but when they say “Satyameva Jayate” (Truth Alone Triumphs), this is what it means. Look at India’s freedom struggle. It took 600 years of slavery to fight against an empire about which it was said: the sun never sets on the British Empire. What was the result at the end of the day?
And look at today, 77 years down the line. Which ship is sinking and which ship is rising? That is the lesson of life. Look beyond these 10–20 years; look at the larger picture. Who is immortal today? Arjuna, Sri Krishna, the Pandavas? Or Duryodhana? Today, nobody wants to name their son Duryodhana, but at that time, Duryodhana and Dushasana must have been famous. People must have been afraid of them.
Consider the story of Chanakya. The Chanakya serial tells us about him, but people don’t even know his name. However, Chanakya and Chandragupta are immortalized, so children must be told these stories. Children should always be told that eventually, it is the truth that triumphs and not falsehood. This must be taught to children through stories and serials. [I am surprised why serials like Chanakya are not shown in schools.].
Look at Shivaji. The entire Mughal Empire, which was supposed to be invincible, was not just composed of Mughals; it included Pathans, Rajputs, and many other armies. What was Shivaji’s army? A handful of people, as they called them at that time, led by one man who had the sword of Bhavani. Shivaji is not mythology; it is very contemporary. Look at the story of Maharana Pratap. We have so many stories based on truth, and they are very contemporary. As I said, teach children that Jhansi ki Rani had the last laugh from the pyre. The truth rises from the grave, takes on a new body, and completes its mission, provided it is the truth. Also, not any idea is truth, but truth will win the victory.
I often say that people should be very careful when they build their lives, individually and collectively, and the life of a nation. It should be built on the grounding of truth. Look at Indian civilization; it was built on truth and has survived many ordeals. Which civilization has survived like that? Greek? Roman? Egyptian? Persian? Middle Eastern? All are forgotten. They had such rich pasts, but all are gone. Why is it that in India, one continued to have the Vedic age and the Upanishadic age? Because that was the foundation. Because some Rishi uttered, “Satyameva Jayate Nanritam.” This is the way they paved the path, so whatever you do, this civilization will not drown because its foundation is there.
How do we remember India? In the early days of India, we remember the Vedas and the Upanishads. What was the geographical boundary? It came much later. So what was the foundation they put in place? Truth. And they watered it with courage, love, knowledge, and tapas. That is why you may have tens of thousands of corrupt people, but with a drop of truth, it can rebuild itself, as the foundations are so powerful. One can see for themselves. One hundred years ago, no one could believe that India could get full independence. And it was Sri Aurobindo who said “Purna Swaraj” and predicted it; he foresaw it.
So when life is based on the foundation of truth, that is the beauty of such a life, and we should teach this to our children. And also show them parallel examples of when the foundation was not based on truth and what happened. Whether you wear the cloak of a babaji, it doesn’t matter. It is the age of truth. You may fool a million followers, but it will catch up with you. You may be a billionaire; you may be the president of America.
Look at how the age of truth is fast dawning upon mankind. We have seen all this in our lifetime—the impeachment of the president of the mightiest nation. Did we ever imagine this would happen? All these things we are seeing because it is the age of truth. You are given a chance to change, like Ravana, so everyone has a little hope and will be given a chance. If they respond, then even more chances and a long rope will be given. But eventually, truth has the last word.
Teach children through stories, serials, movies, real-life examples, and above all, your own example, that eventually truth and only truth will triumph. But this is not what we understand as truth, that is to say my truth based on my opinions, my biased views, preferences etc, but the Truth which is an expression of the Divine Will. The Divine Will alone is true and eventually it prevails over all else.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
