अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत्। स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते॥
anudvegakaraṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priyahitaṁ ca yat । svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ caiva vāṅmayaṁ tapa ucyate ॥
Meaning of Anudvegakaraṁ Vākyaṁ Satyaṁ Priyahitaṁ
One should always speak words that are truthful, pleasant, and beneficial, without causing unrest in anyone's mind. Constant study and reflection on sacred wisdom elevate and give true purpose to one's speech. Speech expressed with thoughtfulness spreads peace, harmony, and positivity throughout society.
Word by word
- अनुद्वेगकरम्anudvegakaram
not causing agitation
अन् + उद्वेग + √कृ
- वाक्यम्vākyam
speech
√वच्
- सत्यम्satyam
truthful
सत्
- प्रियहितम्priyahitam
pleasant and beneficial
प्रिय + हित
- च यत्ca yat
and which
- स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनम्svādhyāyābhyasanam
the regular practice of sacred study
स्वाध्याय + अभ्यसन
- च एवcaiva
and also
- वाङ्मयम्vāṅmayam
pertaining to speech
वाच् + मय
- तपःtapaḥ
austerity
√तप्
- उच्यतेucyate
is called
√वच्
Commentary
The verse defines vāṅmaya tapas, austerity practiced through speech. It asks that words meet four conditions together: they should not agitate the listener, and they should be true, pleasant, and beneficial. This discipline is more demanding than merely avoiding falsehood, because truth must also be spoken with regard for its effect and purpose. The verse includes svādhyāyābhyasana, the regular practice of sacred study or recitation, within the same discipline of speech. The supplied meaning extends this teaching to peace and harmony in society; the verse itself focuses on the qualities of speech and the steady practice that trains it.
Sources and textual variants
Original Post
More from Bhagavad Gita
View source pageअद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च। निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी॥
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The Bhagavad Gita describes a character free from hatred and ego, friendly to all beings and steady in joy and sorrow.
स्वे स्वे कर्मण्यभिरतः संसिद्धिं लभते नरः। स्वकर्मनिरतः सिद्धिं यथा विन्दति तच्छृणु॥
sve sve karmaṇyabhirataḥ saṁsiddhiṁ labhate naraḥ । svakarmanirataḥ siddhiṁ yathā vindati tacchṛṇu ॥
The Bhagavad Gita teaches that devotion to one's own work is a path to perfection.
एको धर्मः परं श्रेयः क्षमैका शान्तिरुत्तमा। विद्यैका परमा तृप्तिरहिंसैका सुखावहा॥
eko dharmaḥ paraṁ śreyaḥ kṣamaikā śāntir uttamā । vidyaikā paramā tṛptir ahiṁsaikā sukhāvahā ॥
A verse from Vidura Niti in the Mahabharata that pairs four virtues with what each one alone can give: dharma brings the highest good, forgiveness the finest peace, knowledge true contentment, and non-violence lasting happiness.
More subhashitams on Ethics
View topic pageउद्यमः साहसं धैर्यं बुद्धिः शक्तिः पराक्रमः। षडेते यत्र वर्तन्ते तत्र दैवं सहायकृत्॥
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Effort, courage, patience, intelligence, strength, and valor prepare a person to receive the help of providence.
एको धर्मः परं श्रेयः क्षमैका शान्तिरुत्तमा। विद्यैका परमा तृप्तिरहिंसैका सुखावहा॥
eko dharmaḥ paraṁ śreyaḥ kṣamaikā śāntir uttamā । vidyaikā paramā tṛptir ahiṁsaikā sukhāvahā ॥
A verse from Vidura Niti in the Mahabharata that pairs four virtues with what each one alone can give: dharma brings the highest good, forgiveness the finest peace, knowledge true contentment, and non-violence lasting happiness.
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A Garuda Purana verse counsels living, conversing and forming friendships with people of good character.