Bhagavad Gita 17.15 — Austerity of Speech: Truthful, Pleasant, Beneficial Words and Study
अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत् ।
स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते ॥ १७.१५ ॥
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Words that do not cause distress, that are truthful, pleasing, and beneficial, and the regular practice of the study of the scriptures—these are said to be the austerity of speech.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| anudvegakaram | not causing distress; not agitating |
| vākyam | speech; words |
| satyam | truthful |
| priya | pleasing; agreeable |
| hitam | beneficial; wholesome |
| cha | and |
| yat | which |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| svādhyāya | study of the scriptures; self-study |
| abhyasanam | regular practice |
| cha | and |
| eva | indeed |
| vāṅmayam | of speech; relating to speech |
| tapaḥ | austerity |
| uchyate | is said to be |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| anudvegakaram | not causing distress; not agitating | svādhyāya | study of the scriptures; self-study |
| vākyam | speech; words | abhyasanam | regular practice |
| satyam | truthful | cha | and |
| priya | pleasing; agreeable | eva | indeed |
| hitam | beneficial; wholesome | vāṅmayam | of speech; relating to speech |
| cha | and | tapaḥ | austerity |
| yat | which | uchyate | is said to be |
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Here Lord Krishna explains the austerity of speech. Words should neither disturb others nor deceive them. They should be true, pleasant, and beneficial, and they should be nourished by regular study of sacred teachings.
Essence
Taming the Tongue
Speech is one of the most powerful forces we possess, and also one of the hardest to control. Lord Krishna gives a precise four-part standard for words that deserve to be called austere.
Anudvega-karam (not causing distress): Words should not agitate, hurt, or frighten anyone.
Satyam (truthful): Speech must be honest and faithful to reality.
Priya (pleasing) and hitam (beneficial): Speech should be kind and also genuinely helpful. Lord Krishna requires all of these qualities together. Truth without kindness can wound, and pleasantness without truth is flattery. The wise speaker unites truth, gentleness, and benefit.
Svādhyāya-abhyasanam (regular study and recitation): The practice of reading and reflecting on sacred wisdom fills the mind with uplifting thoughts, and uplifting words naturally follow.
This verse offers a kind of test one can apply before speaking: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it useful? Will it cause unnecessary distress? Few words pass all four, which is exactly why speech discipline is a real austerity.
Message for Everyday Life (Words in the Age of Instant Messaging)
Pause before you speak or send: Hasty comments in conversations, arguments, and online posts can cause lasting damage. A moment of reflection can prevent years of regret.
Practical approach: Before speaking or posting, ask yourself whether your words are true, kind, and helpful. Also feed your mind with good reading each day, because what fills the mind shapes what comes out of the mouth.
Taming the Tongue
Speech is one of the most powerful forces we possess, and also one of the hardest to control. Lord Krishna gives a precise four-part standard for words that deserve to be called austere.
Anudvega-karam (not causing distress): Words should not agitate, hurt, or frighten anyone.
Satyam (truthful): Speech must be honest and faithful to reality.
Priya (pleasing) and hitam (beneficial): Speech should be kind and also genuinely helpful. Lord Krishna requires all of these qualities together. Truth without kindness can wound, and pleasantness without truth is flattery. The wise speaker unites truth, gentleness, and benefit.
Svādhyāya-abhyasanam (regular study and recitation): The practice of reading and reflecting on sacred wisdom fills the mind with uplifting thoughts, and uplifting words naturally follow.
This verse offers a kind of test one can apply before speaking: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it useful? Will it cause unnecessary distress? Few words pass all four, which is exactly why speech discipline is a real austerity.
Message for Everyday Life (Words in the Age of Instant Messaging)
Pause before you speak or send: Hasty comments in conversations, arguments, and online posts can cause lasting damage. A moment of reflection can prevent years of regret.
Practical approach: Before speaking or posting, ask yourself whether your words are true, kind, and helpful. Also feed your mind with good reading each day, because what fills the mind shapes what comes out of the mouth.
Next Topic
Speech is only the outer expression of the mind. Lord Krishna now describes the most subtle and fundamental of the three disciplines, the austerity of the mind.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
A word once spoken cannot be recalled; choose it with care.
Truth without kindness is incomplete; kindness without truth is hollow.
Gentle speech is a gift to every listener.
A well-read mind speaks with depth, not noise.
Speak to heal, not to win.
Pause before you speak; wisdom often arrives in the pause.
Daily study shapes daily speech.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'anudvegakaram' (not causing distress) mean?
How can speech be 'satyam' (truthful), 'priyam' (pleasing) and 'hitam' (beneficial) at the same time?
What does 'svādhyāya' (study of the scriptures) mean here?
Why is speech called 'tapas' (austerity)?
What is the practical message of this verse in one sentence?
Explore related topics
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