Pt. Dr. Umesh Persad, Spiritual Leader, Gyaan Deepak Kirtan Mandali
Once there were twin brothers, one named Truth and the other named Lie, who were standing at the side of a river. Lie challenged Truth to a race. He said, “I could swim across this river faster than you.” Truth agreed and Lie explained the rules: “We must swim across the river without our clothes.” Then Lie said, “Ready, set, go!” Truth left his clothes on the riverbank and began to swim. However, the nature of Lie was to lie, so he remained on the shore and laughed at his brother. Lie then put on Truth’s clothes and ran away to the nearby village. He pretended he was Truth. Everybody he met said, “That’s the Truth.”
Meanwhile, Truth emerged from the water and saw Lie’s clothes on the riverbank. However, as he was a truthful being, he did not put on Lie’s clothes. The naked Truth proceeded to the village and tried to tell people that he was Truth. However, people couldn’t relate to the shock of the naked Truth. They preferred to believe a lie rather than the naked truth. They rebuked and mocked him so he became dejected and left the village.
Despondent and dejected, the naked Truth walked away from the village and sat under a tree. A little while later, an old man was walking by and he explained his situation to him. The old man introduced himself: “My name is Scripture. I have some special clothes and a mask, that are made of fabric called stories and parables. Clothe yourself with them.” The naked Truth thanked him for the clothes and returned to the village. Truth, clothed in the garb of Scripture, walked around the village and people treated him well. He began to live among them. After some time, people expressed concern over how he was looking and what he was wearing. Some began to argue with each other about the Truth clothed in Scripture.
One day, a very old friend of Truth’s arrived at the village. He told the villagers his first name was Gyaan (wisdom) and his last name was Deepak (light). He instantly recognised behind the mask and the clothes who Truth really was. He saw that the people were arguing about Truth clothed in Scripture and he wanted to see his friend revealed as he really was. He called everyone in the village to a special meeting. He welcomed them and then proceeded to tear off Truth’s clothes and mask. People were in disbelief; they coulldn’t stand the sight of the naked Truth. After some time, and with the guidance of Gyaan Deepak, the villagers came to better understand Truth. They understood that while they were all wearing different clothing, the Truth was the same for all of them. From that day, they all lived knowing the real Truth.
Our scriptures tell us to seek the Truth about who we really are. The Lie dressed up as the Truth is who we think we are. That place of peace and wisdom under the tree is always there, regardless of life’s circumstances. The temple is similar to that tree. We all live in the world and face its various disappointments. We then return to the nourishment of the spiritual truth that can be found in the shade of the temple.
