The Atman is beheld within in the form of light and purity by the austere ones who are freed from all kinds of sins. Truth is adherence to fact whether absolute or relative. It is proceeding along the way of the unity of existence. Relatively it takes the form of acting in conformity with facts that are experienced through the process of individual knowledge. Absolutely, it is living in the light of the fact that Existence is absolute and indivisible.
Falsehood is the opposite of truth, and is the result of clinging to the falsehood of individuality.
Truth is the way of disintegrating the individual personality through presentation of the good and not the pleasant. Truth is that which is universally good, but falsehood, when it is deliberately resorted to for the fulfilment of a definite purpose, appears pleasant only to an individual or certain individuals. Falsehood, therefore, fattens the individuality, whereas truth breaks open the individuality and enables one to realise the Atman. Tapas or penance, in its true sense, consists in the withdrawal of senses and concentration of the mind. Austerity or penance is only a means to the end and not the end itself.