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Following
thoughts of SwamiJi has always inspired us. I am simply
compiling these thoughts from his master work "SatyarthPrakash"
(also known as Light of Truth in English) for the benefit of
all. These are taken only from the introduction part of
'Light of Truth'. If you find this knowledgeable then
you can imagine that how knowledgeable 'SatyarthPrakash'
is.
- The human
souls posses the capacity for ascertaining truth, yet
through self-interest, obstinacy, wrong-headedness,
ignorance and the like, it is led to renounce truth and
incline towards untruth. We have freed ourselves from
these influences while writing this book. It is not our
object to hurt anyone’s susceptibilities or to injure
anyone. On the other hand, our aim is to further the
advancement and advance the well-being to help (all)
humankind in the attainment of what is right, and to
enable them to accept truth and reject falsehood. In our
opinion there is no other way of elevating the human
race.
-
There are
undoubtedly many learned men among the followers of
every religion. Should they free themselves from
prejudice, accept the universal truths – that is those
truths that are to be found alike in all religions and
are of universal application-,reject all things in which
the various religions differ and treat each other
lovingly, it will be greatly to the advantage of the
world, for it cannot be denied that differences among
the learned create bad blood among the ignorant masses.
This leads to the multiplication of all sorts of sorrows
and sufferings and destroys human happiness.
-
This evil,
which is so dear to the heart of the selfish, has hurled
mankind into the deepest depths of misery. Whoever tries
to do anything with the object of benefiting mankind is
opposed by selfish people and various kinds of obstacles
are thrown in his way. But finding solace in the belief
that ultimately truth must conquer and not error and
that it is the path of rectitude alone that men and
women of learning and piety have always trodden, true
teachers never become indifferent to the promotion of
public good and never give up the promulgation of truth.
-
It is our
firm belief that everything calculated to the
advancement of knowledge and righteousness is like
poison to begin with but like nectar in the end.We have
kept all this in view while writing this book. Let all
those who read or hear it being read keep an open mind,
enter into the spirit of the author and form and
independent opinion.
-
Though we were born in Aryavarta (India)
and still live in it, yet just as we do not defend the
evil doctrines and practice of the religions prevailing
in our own country – on the other hand expose them
properly – in like manner we deal with alien
religions.We treat the foreigners in the same way as we
treat our own countrymen in recognition of our common
humanity. It behoves all the rest to act likewise. Had
we taken the side of one of the prevailing religions of
India; we would have but followed (blindly) the example
of sectarians who extol, defend and preach their own
religion and decry, refute and check the progress of
other creeds. In our opinion, however, such things are
beneath the dignity of man.
-
Should a man act like an animal, which
if strong, oppresses the weak and even puts them to
death, he is more an animal than a man. He alone can
fitly be called a man who being strong protects the
weak. He that injures others in order to gain his
selfish ends can only be called a big animal.
-
There are
four elements necessary to convey a complete sense of a
passage, viz:-
Akankasha
consists in
entering the spirit of the speaker or the author.
Yogyata
in the fitness of
compatability of sense. For instance, when it is said
"water irrigates" there is nothing absurd in
the mutual connection between the objects signified by
the words.
Asatti
consists in
regarding or speaking words in proper sequence, i.e.,
without detaching them from their context.
Tatparya
is to give the
same meaning to the words of a writer or a speaker which
he intended that they should convey..
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There are many people who, through
bigotry and wrong-headedness, misconstrue the meaning
of the author. The sectaries are the greatest sinners
in this respect because their intellect is wrapped by
bigotry.
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We consider it the first and foremost
duty of every man to proclaim the truth without fear or
favor. May the Omniscient, Omnipresent, Supreme Spirit
Who is the true personification of Existence,
Consciousness and Bliss through His grace diffuse this
spirit and give it permanency.
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