"Satyameva Jayathi" or "Truth always triumphs" has been the catchphrase of the INDIANS . In India, since times immemorial, it has been believed that truth always triumphs and this dictum has been rightly emphasized by the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. We achieved independence using the massive weapon ."Satyagraha" which means "The force born out of truth" How true! Truth generates a force from it, a powerful force which cannot be overlooked.

A person may have several virtues but it is his honesty that sets him apart. It stands as a hallmark to his character. Truth brings with it purity. Truth makes a person strong and builds a concrete personality. Our epics too tell us that a person emerges victorious only if he abides by the truth. In the Mahabharata, it was the truthful Pandavas who emerge victorious after the end of the battle. Though Kauravas resorted to deceitful means to overpower the Pandavas, it was the Pandavas who emerged victorious. In the Ramayana too Lord Rama achieved victory through his truthfulness and honesty.

While it is true that we see many people climbing up the ladder of success through dishonest means, it is equally true that at the end such success is only short lived. . When a person is truthful, not only he is admired but he also commands respect from everyone around him. We all must have read the story of the lion and the cow. The lion wants to kill the cow but the cow pleads with the lion saying it has to feed its baby. The lion does not agree to it at first but after repeated persuasions, it agrees to the cow's request. The lion thinks that the cow has fled but when it returns the lion is filled with love for the cow. It deos not kill the cow and leaves it free . Isn't this a good example to show how truth helps us and how being truthful can save us too! 

This dictum is acknowledged not just in India but universally too. The classic "Merchant of Venice " is a good example to mention. While Shylock is prosperous and rich due to dishonest means, at the end of it all he had to suffer while Antonio , the truthful merchant becomes prosperous . A life of lies will only lead to misery. What starts out as one lie leads to another and the list goes on and on. It would amount to discomfort, guiltiness and worthlessness in the mind of the person. When a person is truthful , he is satisfied . Satisfaction leads to joy ---joy ultimately leads to happiness. Isn't happiness the eventual destination everyone looks for ? But when one is not honest , he may be getting richer and prosperous but the conscious keeps on pricking him. When a person is not truthful, he stands defeated---not in front of any opponents but in his own eyes. Isn't this the most shameful defeat ?

We have recently seen the case of a Harvard student Kaavya Vishwanathan who was accused of plagiarism. It goes on to prove that , it is ultimately the truth that would fetch you rewards. Dishonesty o lived life. It is life lived to the fullest. When our life ends , people talk of how honest we are and good we are not how much rich we are A dishonest life only damages your character and reputation. A life of truth and honesty is an enriched life.