Yogashastra of Hemchandracharya

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Surendra Bothra
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 60

Meaning : Individual becomes devalued by telling lies and he is branded as a liar by people. He gets very bad existence after death. On account of all this, one should try to avoid even an inadvertent lie. Just as big trees are felled down by wind, all gains are lost by falsehood. By lies vices such as animosity, ill will, unreliablity are caused just like diseases by unwholesome food. By telling lies, a being is consigned to the kingdom of Nigodas (dormant beings), that of birds and beasts, and that of hellish beings. Due to the king's fear or due to importunity of the relatives one should never say falsehood like Kalakacharya and if one says, he fares the same condition as King Vasu did.
न सत्यमपि भाषेत परपीडाकरं वचः ।
लोकेऽपि श्रूयते यस्मात् कौशिको नरकं गतः ॥६१॥ Meaning : One should not utter painful words though they may be true. It is heard amongst people that Koushika went to hell because of this only.
Explanation : Here in the stanza it is not meant that one should resort to lie or otherwise the feelings of others will be hurt. To tell a lie is totally banned. Truth should not be sacrificed at all. But at the same time it should be so said as hurting of the sentiments of the other is avoided. If at all this double task can not be accomplished, one should better keep mum.
One who knows the essence of the reality should never, if and when, asked by the other, make a statement which is untrue, ambiguous, harsh, and harmful.
Second Chapter
47