Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - July 26, 2005

[Guest guest]

There are three levels of truth: Nijam (fact), Sathyam (truth) and

Ritam (absolute truth). To speak according to what one has seen is to

merely state a fact. Suppose I see you wearing a white dress and

say "you are wearing a white dress", this becomes a statement of a

fact. Later, at home, you may wear a blue dress. Then what I had said

earlier will not hold good anymore. Thus, a fact is subject to change.

Truth on the other hand does not change with time. A person may change

any number of dresses. But, the person, as such, remains the same.

Thus, truth is the same at all times. Ritam, however, relates to the

Atma (self) which is changeless and eternal, unlike the body or mind

that are subject to change. It transcends both good and evil. It is

described as attributeless, pure, eternal, permanent and unsullied.

 

-SAI BABA