How often do we bargain with the truth? From a child's first white lie to the complex half-truths of adulthood, our relationship with honesty is rarely simple. A new episode of the podcast Thirukkural with the Times, released on December 6, 2025, delves into this timeless dilemma, guided by the ancient Tamil classic and explored by motivational speaker and author Bharathi Bhaskar.
The Elusive Nature of Truth: From Philosophy to Daily Life
Defining truth has perplexed thinkers for centuries. Is it merely "the property of being in accord with fact or reality," as Merriam-Webster states? Philosophical traditions offer deeper layers. Advaita Vedanta, for instance, classifies reality into three categories: Sat (the absolutely real), Asat (the absolutely unreal), and Mithya (the apparently real).
Ancient Indian epistemology outlines three ways to know truth:
- Pratyaksha: Direct perception through the senses.
- Anumaana: Logical inference or deduction.
- Shruthi: Accepting knowledge from a credible authority or testimony.
Yet, beyond these frameworks, truth confronts us in deeply personal ways. The podcast recounts a poignant short story by Thi. Janakiraman, 'Sathiyama Solrène'. A young boy, after promising to give his most treasured picture of Krishna to a sly playmate, keeps his word despite his heartbreak. His father, moved to tears by this pure integrity, also worries about his son's survival in a harsh world. The mother's reassurance—"He will learn when he grows"—echoes the journey we all take from childhood's uncompromising honesty to the nuanced moral landscape of adulthood.
Thiruvalluvar's Timeless Counsel: Truth Tempered with Compassion
The Thirukkural, written by the poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, is a cornerstone of Tamil literature and global ethical thought. This masterpiece, composed of 1,330 concise couplets, is divided into three books exploring virtue (Aram), wealth (Porul), and love (Inbam). Valluvar places truthfulness above all virtues, calling it divine.
However, he introduces a crucial nuance. Thiruvalluvar pairs truth with a necessary companion: compassion. His radical teaching suggests that if a harsh truth will destroy, and a gentle lie can heal and serve an unblemished common good, then one must choose the path of healing. This is not a moral compromise but a sign of moral maturity.
The Kural encapsulates this idea powerfully:
"Poymayum Vaaimai Idaththa Puraitheerndha
Nanmai Payakkum Enin"
This translates to: Even a lie could take the place of truth, only if it brings blameless benefit.
The Highest Truth is Humane
The episode, voiced by Bharathi Bhaskar and produced by Sahil Gupta, concludes that truth at its highest form is not merely factual accuracy. It is a principle that must uplift, not hurt; a light meant to illuminate, not burn. In a world of rigid binaries, the Thirukkural offers a sophisticated guide for navigating the grey areas with wisdom and heart.
The podcast invites listeners to reflect and share their thoughts at thirukkural@timesgroup.com. It stands as a timely exploration of how ancient wisdom can address modern ethical conflicts, reminding us that sometimes, the most truthful act is an empathetic one.
