In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy—Kali Yuga—truth is the last leg of dharma still standing.
The Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (1.17.24) tells us that the other legs—austerity, cleanliness, mercy—have already been broken.
Only truthfulness (satya) remains.
Yet we walk around assuming, “I’m honest.”
As if it’s default. As if chanting and quoting spiritual truths automatically makes us pure.
But honesty isn’t passive.
It’s not inherited. It’s not implied.
It’s a practice—inconvenient, humbling, and razor-sharp.
The Many Faces of Dishonesty
Even sincere practitioners fall into dishonesty without realizing it:
Not keeping your word.
Saying “I’ll try to come” when you know you won’t. Just say, “I probably won’t make it.”Polite lies.
Saying “yes” when you mean “no.” Smiling when you're inwardly annoyed.Spiritual humblebragging.
“By Guru’s mercy…” followed by self-glorification.Withholding.
Staying quiet to avoid conflict but nursing silent resentment.Rationalizing.
Justifying our lower behavior and calling it devotion.People-pleasing.
Trading truth for approval.Preaching from the modes.
“Krishna consciousness is just about being happy and doing what you love.”
No—it’s about surrender. You might feel that, but that’s your psychology, not śāstra.
Spiritual Bypassing is Dishonesty
This one's big.
You skip the basics. You haven’t worked through your emotional baggage or material conditioning.
But because you chant and wear tilaka, you think you’re transcendental.
So you start leaking your unprocessed rajas and tamas into your service.
You speak on Krishna consciousness from the wrong platform.
And next thing, you're subtly changing the philosophy.
You water it down.
You say, “It’s all about being true to yourself.”
No—it’s about being true to Krishna.
That’s dishonesty disguised as devotion.
Be Honest About Your Āśrama
Āśrama is a container, not a costume.
A brahmacārī suppressing his desire for marriage ends up leaking it into the sanga.
A gṛhastha avoiding real talk about money, expectations, sensual needs, or parenting creates dysfunction in the home.
Honesty means having clear, open, sometimes awkward conversations.
Like:
“Can you help with this chore that’s usually my job?”
Or:
“Here’s how I actually feel about our roles.”
Don’t hide behind the āśrama label—live it with integrity.
Institutional Dishonesty is Still Dishonesty
It’s not just individuals.
Endorsing Chandrayaan and the moon landing to gain favor with politicians.
Turning temples into vaccine clinics for money.
Softening Prabhupāda’s message for public approval.
This is called selling out.
Trading truth for clout.
Swapping the real teachings for popularity.
Wearing the robe of paramparā while quietly rewriting it.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said:
“My only credit is that I did not adulterate the message.”
We should ask: Can I say the same?
Śāstra on Honesty
“Among all the qualities of a sādhaka, truthfulness is the foundation. Without it, no other virtue can stand.”
— Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura“In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is chanting the holy name of the Lord. There is no other way.”
— Bṛhan-nāradīya Purāṇa
Chanting Is the Most Honest Thing You Can Do
To chant sincerely is to admit:
“I can’t save myself. I need help.”
It’s to stand before Krishna, no filters, no performance, no script.
It’s the end of pretending.
It’s the beginning of truth.
Because Krishna is truth.
And you can’t meet Him without being real.
So be real. Even when it burns.
Because in this collapsing age, honesty is the only thing left standing.
Share this post