Verse-15
Chapter 17 — Shraddhatreya Vibhag Yoga
Verse 15
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
anudvegakaraṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priyahitaṁ ch yat
svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ caiva vāṅmayaṁ tapa ucyate
🕉 English Translation
Sacchayi jisme na udveg ho,
Hitkar va pyara lage auron ko.
Pathan granthon ka, Iswar naam japp,
Kehte hain isko hee vani ka tapp.
📜 Translation
English
The speech which does agitate anyone, is truthful, pleasant and beneficial and that which engages in the study of scriptures and recitation of the name of the Lord-is said to be the penance of speech.
Through the means of the austerity of the speech, the Blessed Lord is trying to relate the manner of speaking. The words of the speech have their impact on the inner state and also influence the external environment. It should be remembered-the words which we are speaking, those words are not just limited to speech; it is an indication of our feelings, nature and our personality. Your mental state will be reflected in the words of your speech.
The words of speech should not be such that should immediately excite anybody; the wound caused by the words are deeper than the ones which are caused by thorns, needle or knife. The words which insult others, sarcastic words which ridicule, which are sharp, harsh and which cause anguish, avoid them. The tongue is the softest part of the human body. No hard words should be emitted from the gentle tongue. Abide by truth; whatever is seen is not to be stated. The truth is something else but is presented as other than what it is-this is misuse of the speech; the words should be pleasant; our words should be pleasant and not unpleasant. Even if the truth is unpleasant, the moral law requires deliberation to be given to it. 'Satyam bruyaad, priyam bruyaad, na bruyaad satyam priyam' One should speak truthful and pleasant words, not the truth which is unpleasant. (Manusmriti)
To derive greater benefit from speech, recite the holy scriptures. Practise the remembrance of the Lord, prayer, religious hymns, worship, recitation of the name of divine. It will destroy the darkness inside and enlighten the power of discernment. By pronouncing the pure, holy, divine words, the environment will also become purified. The austerity of speech described in the Gita should be taken as a spectacular inspiration for yourself.