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Once, at a four-road junction a Sãdhu sat meditating. When he opened his eyes he saw, on one of the roads, a cow was running away in fear. Few moments later, a butcher came there. Seeing the Sãdhu, he enquired of him the direction in which the cow had fled. The Sãdhu was in a dilemma - "If I disclose the direction in which the cow went, the butcher would soon find the cow and kill it. If I lie to him, it would stain my life of a hermit; for, I have taken a vow to speak only the truth. What shall I do?"

With quick thinking the Sãdhu said to the butcher: "The one that witnessed speaks not. The one that speaks did not witness. The one who has a control over both these, rests at Guru's feet". The butcher was utterly confused. Unable to comprehend the Sãdhu's words, he proclaimed that the Sãdhu was a lunatic and openly chided him. He left that place; the cow had escaped too. The import of his words was: "The eyes were the witness. But they cannot speak. The tongue speaks, but it cannot see. Hence, what it utters is not true. I, who have a control over both these, am meditating on my Guru'.

Therefore, children! This story only goes to show that if speaking the truth would prove harmful to someone we can always find ways and means to avoid falsehood and yet escape from the dilemma of harming someone.

-Courtesy
Stories For Meditation by
Sri Shãntãnanda Puri Maharãj

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