Satya Asatya Ke Rahasya

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Satya Asatya Ke Rahasya" (The Secrets of Truth and Untruth) by Dada Bhagwan, based on the provided pages:

Core Concept: Distinguishing between "Sat" (Absolute Reality) and "Satya" (Relative Truth)

The central theme of this book, as articulated by Dada Bhagwan, is the fundamental distinction between "Sat" (सत्) and "Satya" (सत्य). This distinction is crucial for spiritual progress and understanding reality.

1. Satya (सत्य) - Relative Truth:

• Definition: "Satya" refers to what is commonly understood as truth in the worldly, transactional sense. It is "Vyavahar Satya" (व्यवहार सत्य), or relative truth.
• Characteristics:
  • Vinaashi (विनाशी): It is perishable, temporary, and subject to change.
  • Saapeksha (सापेक्ष): It is relative and depends on viewpoint, context, time, and place. What is considered "Satya" in one situation or culture might be "Asatya" (असत्य) in another.
  • Dependent on Untruth: "Satya" is often defined in contrast to "Asatya." It stands on the foundation of "Asatya."
  • Worldly Purpose: "Satya" is necessary for worldly functioning, social harmony, and day-to-day interactions. It helps in navigating life and fulfilling responsibilities.
  • Examples: Relationships like "son-in-law" or "father-in-law" are temporary "Satya." The statement "This is my wife" is "Satya" as long as the marriage exists, but it becomes "Asatya" after divorce. What is considered a crime in one country might be legal in another.
  • Ethical Guidelines for Satya: For "Satya" to be considered valid in a worldly sense, it should be:
    • Hit (हित): Beneficial.
    • Priya (प्रिय): Pleasant.
    • Mit (मित): Concise, to the point, not excessive.
    • Dukh na den (दुःख न देन): Causing no pain to others through speech, action, or thought.
• Purpose in Spiritual Path:
  • For worldly happiness, one should move from "Asatya" to "Satya."
  • "Satya" is a stepping stone towards the ultimate truth ("Sat"). It is useful for development and progress until one realizes their true Self.
  • However, clinging too tightly to "Satya" can become an obstacle to attaining "Sat."

2. Sat (सत्) - Absolute Reality:

• Definition: "Sat" refers to the absolute, unchanging, eternal reality. It is the "Nishchay Satya" (निश्चय सत्य), or real truth.
• Characteristics:
  • Avinaashi (अविनाशी): It is imperishable, eternal, and indestructible.
  • Nirapeksha (निरपेक्ष): It is absolute and independent of any viewpoint or condition.
  • Self-Contained: It is not contained within any boundaries or limitations and transcends all duality.
  • The Soul (Aatma): The soul, in its pure state, is "Sat." It is the eternal, conscious entity.
  • Six Eternals: The universe is composed of six eternal elements ("six eternals") which are considered "Sat."
  • Unified: There is no difference of opinion or perspective regarding "Sat"; it is one and consistent everywhere.
  • Examples: The soul is "Sat." The fundamental atomic nature of matter is also considered "Sat" as it does not undergo origination or destruction in its essence.
• Purpose in Spiritual Path:
  • Attaining "Sat" is the ultimate goal of spiritual liberation (Moksha).
  • When one realizes "Sat," worldly "Satya" and "Asatya" lose their significance and become irrelevant in the ultimate sense.

3. Asatya (असत्य) - Untruth:

• Definition: "Asatya" is the opposite of "Satya," meaning untruth, falsehood, or that which is incorrect and leads to suffering.
• Characteristics:
  • Vinaashi (विनाशी): It is also perishable and temporary.
  • Leads to Suffering: "Asatya" is inherently painful and creates negative consequences.
  • Incorrect Beliefs: It arises from ignorance and mistaken notions about reality.

Key Teachings and Concepts:

• The World is "Relative Truth": The entire phenomenal world, everything we perceive and experience, is considered "relative truth" or "relative Satya." It is not "false" in the sense of being non-existent, but it is impermanent and conditional.
• "Brahman Satya, Jagat Mithya" is Incorrect: Dada Bhagwan refutes the common philosophical assertion "Brahman is the only truth, and the world is false." Instead, he states that both Brahman (the Self/Soul) and the world are true, but in different ways: Brahman is "Real Satya" (रियल सत्य) and the world is "Relative Satya" (रिलेटिव सत्य).
• The Soul is "Sat," Not "Satya": The soul is not "Satya" but "Sat." "Satya" is always relative and subject to change, while "Sat" is eternal and unchanging.
• The Importance of Self-Realization ("Aatma Gnana"): To distinguish between "Sat" and "Satya" and to realize the "Sat," one needs "Aatma Gnana" (Self-knowledge), which can be attained through the "Akram Marg" (the effortless path) from a Self-realized being.
• Practical Application:
  • For worldly happiness: One needs to adhere to "Satya" and avoid "Asatya" to prevent causing suffering to oneself and others.
  • For spiritual liberation: One must go beyond "Satya" and realize the "Sat." The worldly "Satya," when held onto too tightly, will eventually be understood as "Asatya" in the ultimate context, leading to Moksha.
• The Nature of Words and Concepts: Words like "truth," "untruth," "right," and "wrong" are relative and depend on context and societal constructs. The ultimate reality is beyond these dualities.
• The Role of "Doubt" and "Acceptance": When one's own "Satya" is met with disagreement, it indicates that it's not the absolute truth. The willingness to let go of one's own viewpoint (not stubbornly clinging to it) is a sign of moving towards the absolute. Stubbornness and ego (ahankar) create "Asatya."
• The Akram Path: The path taught by Dada Bhagwan is an "Akram" (effortless) path, a shortcut. It allows for the direct attainment of Self-realization in a short period.
• "Pachhatap" (Repentance): Even when one makes a mistake (like speaking untruth), sincere repentance helps to mitigate the karmic consequences. However, it is better to avoid the mistake altogether by changing one's intention.
• "Niragrahi" (Non-attached): A truly Self-realized person is "Niragrahi" – they are not attached to their own opinions or beliefs, including their own understanding of "Satya." They are detached from both "Satya" and "Asatya."
• The Real "Satya" is Vitarag Vani: The true "Satya" is the speech of the liberated ones (Vitarags), which is free from attachment and aversion and is universally accepted.

In essence, "Satya Asatya Ke Rahasya" guides the reader to understand that while relative truth is necessary for worldly life, the ultimate reality, "Sat," is the eternal Self, the Soul, which is attained through Self-knowledge and detachment from all worldly concepts, including one's own understanding of truth and untruth.