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 pageनित्यं परिचरेच्चैव तद्वै सुकृतमुत्तमम्। कीर्तिं पुण्यं यशो लोकान् प्राप्स्यसे राजसत्तम॥
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Daily service is praised as an excellent deed that brings merit, renown and higher realms.
अद्वेष्टा 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.
More subhashitams on Ethics
View topic pageज्ञानवांश्च तथा वाग्मी कर्मस्वपि च निष्ठितः। एवं युक्तोऽपि न श्रेयान् यदि शीलविवर्जितः॥
jñānavāṃśca tathā vāgmī karmasvapi ca niṣṭhitaḥ । evaṃ yukto'pi na śreyān yadi śīlavivarjitaḥ ॥
Knowledge, eloquence, and skill in work do not make a person worthy of esteem if good character is absent.
शुचित्वं त्यागिता शौर्यं सामान्यं सुखदुःखयोः। दाक्षिण्यं चानुरक्तिश्च सत्यता च सुहृद्गुणाः॥
śucitvaṃ tyāgitā śauryaṃ sāmānyaṃ sukhaduḥkhayoḥ । dākṣiṇyaṃ cānuraktiśca satyatā ca suhṛdguṇāḥ ॥
Purity, generosity, courage, steadiness in joy and sorrow, courtesy, affection, and truthfulness are the qualities of a true friend.
उद्यमः साहसं धैर्यं बुद्धिः शक्तिः पराक्रमः। षडेते यत्र वर्तन्ते तत्र दैवं सहायकृत्॥
udyamaḥ sāhasaṃ dhairyaṃ buddhiḥ śaktiḥ parākramaḥ । ṣaḍete yatra vartante tatra daivaṃ sahāyakṛt ॥
Effort, courage, patience, intelligence, strength, and valor prepare a person to receive the help of providence.