Srimad Bhagavad-Gita Chapter-17. Slokam-15.

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Friday, December 10, 2021. 8:00. PM.
Srimad Bhagavad-Gita
Chapter-17. { Sraddha-traya-vibhaga-yogam }

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Slokam-15 : 

"anudvegakaram  vakyam  satyam  priyahitam  ca  yat,

svadhyayabhyasanam  caiva  vanmayam  tapa  ucyate." 

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Slokam translation :

"Austerity of speech consists in speaking truthfully and beneficially and in avoiding speech that offends. One should also recite the Vedas regularly."

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Translation :

anudvegakaram  =  without  agitating  others  ( anyone );

satyam  priyahitam  ca  =  truthful  benefical  kind;

yat  vakyam  =  word  and;

svadhyayabhyasanam  ca  eva  =  study  of  spiritual  scriptures;

vanmayam  tapa  ucyate  =  is  said  to  be the  tapas  of  speech.

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Commentary :

Lord Krishna speaks of the austerity of speech as the recitation of the Vedas, Puranas, Upanisads, Ramayan, Mahabharata and others along with the chanting of Vedic mantras. 

Austerity of speech is speaking words that are truthful, unoffending, pleasing, and beneficial for the listener. The practice of the recitation of Vedic mantras is also included in the austerities of speech. 

“Speak the truth in such a way that it is pleasing to others. Do not speak the truth in a manner injurious to others. Never speak untruth, though it may be pleasant. This is the eternal path of morality and dharma.”

Also speaking words that are totally truthful yet causes no offence to those addressed while speaking words that are pleasant to be heard as well as beneficial and gives satisfaction. 

All these are austerities of speech in sattva guna the mode of goodness.

Tapah or austerities of speech in sattva guna the mode of goodness are words that cause no worry or trepidation. 

Words that are truthful, encouraging and beneficial, giving an impetus for spiritual development and resulting in attraction to the Supreme Lord Krishna or any of His authorised incarnations and expansions as well as proper recitation of Vedic mantras are all actions of speech in sattva guna.

Lord Krishna states that what is known as austerity of speech is svadhaya or the recitation of Vedic mantras after first being duly initiated by the Vaisnava spiritual master. 

Words which consist totally of truth yet do not offend those spoken to and which are imbued with sweet and pleasing words that are inspiring and beneficial are austerities of speech in sattva guna the mode of goodness.

One should not speak in such a way as to agitate the minds of others. 

Of course, when a teacher speaks, he can speak the truth for the instruction of his students, but such a teacher should not speak to others who are not his students if he will agitate their minds.

This is penance as far as talking is concerned. 

Besides that, one should not talk nonsense. 

When speaking in spiritual circles, one's statements must be upheld by the scriptures. 

One should at once quote from scriptural authority to back up what he is saying. 

At the same time, such talk should be very pleasurable to the ear. 

By such discussions, one may derive the highest benefit and elevate human society. 

There is a limitless stock of Vedic literature, and one should study this. 

This is called penance of speech.

To be continued  ..

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