Bhagavad Gita 17.15 अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत्

Bhagavad Gita 17.15 — word by word

Explanation

Speech that causes no distress, that is truthful, pleasant and beneficial, along with the regular practice of sacred study and recitation, is called austerity of speech. Krishna holds words to a high standard: they should be true, kind and helpful all at once, and the voice should also be used for study and prayer.

This verse is among the most quoted in the chapter. Shankara stresses that all the qualities must be present together; speech that is true but hurtful, or pleasant but false, does not count as tapas. The standard echoes the well-known Manusmriti counsel to speak what is true and pleasant. Svādhyāya, study and recitation of scripture, is included because it disciplines the faculty of speech by turning it towards the sacred. Many readers find this a lasting guide for communication.

भावार्थ

जो वाणी किसी को उद्वेग न पहुँचाए, सत्य हो, प्रिय हो और हितकारी हो, तथा स्वाध्याय और पाठ का नियमित अभ्यास — इसे वाणी का तप कहा जाता है। सत्य, प्रिय और हितकारी — तीनों गुण साथ होने चाहिए।

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