Truth is the means to reach the supreme goal. Anything that is not true cannot take one of it.

Mahatma Gandhi was a votary of Truth and non-violence. Truth and non-violence combined make what is called in our scriptures satya-dharma. Gandhiji was truly a satyadharma parakramah.

There is a fascinating verse in Valmiki's Ramayana which, although in the context it is only conversation of a matter of fact type, has a remarkable fragrance of philosophy.

Visvamitra and the princes of Ayodhya reached the river Sona, on their way to Mithila. In answer to a query of Rama as to how they were to ford the stream, the Rishi said, "Let us take the road where the Maharshis go."

The fascination of this verse arises out of its close resemblance to the famous Upanishad mantra from which the motto of the Union of India has been taken.

The path that the Rishis, undisturbed by unrealised desires, take the bright path that leads to the supreme abode of Reality, that path is paved with Truth; Victory is for Truth ever, never for un-Truth.

Truth is the means to reach the supreme goal. Anything that is not True cannot take one to it.

It is the sure road the seers have always taken.

The quest for Truth in the material or phenomenal world is what science pursues. Modern methods of science strictly fulfil the Rishi's injunction. Without pride, without bias created by unfulfilled ambitions which lead to error, with concern only for truth and adopting ways strictly in accordance with truth, science unravels the musteries of nature and is fully rewarded.

The quest for Truth in the non-material world is different from the scientific quest. Here we face the unknowable and not merely the unknown as in science. What the approach should be is indicated in a verse in the Isha Upanishad which is beautiful as it is profound.

"O, Pushan, open for me the golden urn and disclose the Truth that is encased in it, the Truth that is also Dharma."

This attitude of humility and prayer is necessary for obtaining the vision of Truth that we seek in this field of eternal mystery beyond science. To be blessed with a glimpse of the supreme Reality behind everything, one must live a pure life in thought, word and action. No unfulfilled desire should disturb his mind. It should be aaptakaamaah.

The superficial thinker may wonder what need there is for truth and penanceand freedom from desire in order to see what must be seen.

But the good and the godly man free from every sin, he only, not the professor of logic or philosophy or grammar or literature, can obtain the vision. He must be free from desires unfulfilled, aaptakaamaah.

Not merely should he discard objects of sensuous enjoyment, but he must be free from the memory of their taste or thought of them. This total freedom from sin comes only when the mind is directed towards the Supreme Being.

Gandhi Jayanti Day on October 2 and Anniversary Day on January 30 cannot be better observed than by a re-dedication to Truth and non-violence to the extent we are, each of us, capable of and by a prayer for increased strength of heart in order to be more and more devoted to that ideal.

There may be external rituals of homage to Gandhiji, but they must be accompanied by dedication to satyadharma and a prayerful mind behind it.