Speech is an invaluable gift of God to man. Words are
necessary to exchange thoughts in human society,
and the speech imparts voice to these words. The whole
fabric of interpersonal relationships in this world is
rooted in speech. Just as misuse of wealth is harmful,
abuse of speech is very detrimental as well, though very
little attention is paid by many in this regard. As a result,
many get embroiled in a lot of trouble and spend their
entire lives repenting for their errors.
It is a well-known anecdote of the epic Mahabharata
that Draupadi called Duryodhana, ‘blind son of a blind
father.’ Her harsh words sowed a poisonous seed in
his mind. This seed initiated events that eventually led
to the great war of Mahabharata. So, saying anything
thoughtlessly can even result in the creation of
dangerous situations.
Kabirdas has also spoken thus – ‘Boli ek anmol hai, jo
koi bole jani; hiye taraju taul ke, tab mukh bahar aani’
(meaning - the words are priceless. One who knows
how to use them well first carefully weighs them in the
balance of his heart and only then speaks them out.)
Speech is indeed very precious, and every spoken word
has a lot of value. It is, therefore, imperative to weigh
carefully before speaking whether what is being spoken
has substance and truthfulness or not. Wise men say that
any person who influences others does not express the
foul language; he only talks about what sounds morally
correct. However, he, who rarely follows any of what he
says himself, his speech does not have any lasting effect,
and he often gets ridiculed as untrustworthy.
Lord Krishna talks about three kinds
of Tapa (penance, austerity) in the
Gita – the Tapa of the physical body,
speech, and mind. Why is the Tapa
of speech important? What is its
necessity in our lives? It is essential
because speech is closely connected
with the way we use our vital energy.
There are two ways by which we
spend a lot of our vital energy – first,
in debating/discussing with others,
and second, in eating.
Saint Tulsidas says – ‘Pray to God
leaving aside discussion-debates
and slavery to taste.’ We tend to get
into heated discussions with others
to show off our knowledge, to
gain their respect, and to establish
authority among others of our
intellect, wisdom and superiority.
We also run after taste and eat
different types of savories. We like
sweet, sour, and spicy food and do
not think about what impact such
foods have on our bodies. Such
foods create an imbalance in the
constituent elements of our bodies,
which then make us ill. A lot of
energy in our body gets spent on
fighting such diseases.Which is the organ that gets used the
most in debating and experiencing
taste? Our tongue. Scriptures
describe many weapons used in
ancient times like Varunashtra,
Pashupashtra, and so on. These
don’t exist today anymore, but
there is one weapon that is very
much accessible even today – the
tongue weapon! Speak harsh words
and hurt anyone. The tongue can
sting like a scorpion. This is why it
needs to be restrained.
Lord Krishna, in the Gita (verse 15 of
Chapter 17), says – ‘Speaking only
in a way that doesn’t offend, that
is likable, beneficial and practical,
reciting Vedic scriptures, and
chanting God’s name – constitute the
Tapa of speech.’
The mind doesn’t readily accept the
practice of Tapa. Our memories and
habits tend to disrupt this practice.
So, the focused efforts are required
never to speak harsh words, speaking
the truth, speaking less but sweetly,
and speaking beneficial words.
Restraining the speech helps in the
conservation of vital energy; the
saved energy can be utilized for other
arduous spiritual practices.
Every spoken word, in fact, is a
mantra. Just as mantras are recited on
auspicious occasions, words should
be spoken at the right times and for the good purpose.
Words, which reflect falsehood, which humiliate or
condemn others, or that can re-ignite a settled issue or
provoke others should not be spoken. When a person
expresses the truth and speaks sweet, pleasant, and
meaningful speech, he accumulates more good karma
than what he does by going on pilgrimages.
Speech has more power than swords or bows and
arrows. This is why wise people do not waste this
power of theirs, even in most adverse circumstances.
The speech is also a reflection of personality. It is the
most effective medium to express inner feelings. Our
sweet and straightforward words impress others. When
we speak sweetly, we gift presents to others without
actually giving anything physically. So we must speak
with discretion.
It is said that there are only three real jewels – water,
grains, and sweet speech. We ignorantly call some
pieces of stones as jewels. Just speaking sweetly at
home, with our family members, and our neighbors can
create a heavenly atmosphere.
The discipline of speech also helps us control our inner
weaknesses like anger, ego, greed, attachment, etc. But,
along with the sweetness of speech, our actions and
dealings with others need to be honest too. The excess
of anything is bad. Talking in excess invites trouble.
Proper integration of noble speech and righteous
actions is the definite road to success in life
necessary to exchange thoughts in human society,
and the speech imparts voice to these words. The whole
fabric of interpersonal relationships in this world is
rooted in speech. Just as misuse of wealth is harmful,
abuse of speech is very detrimental as well, though very
little attention is paid by many in this regard. As a result,
many get embroiled in a lot of trouble and spend their
entire lives repenting for their errors.
It is a well-known anecdote of the epic Mahabharata
that Draupadi called Duryodhana, ‘blind son of a blind
father.’ Her harsh words sowed a poisonous seed in
his mind. This seed initiated events that eventually led
to the great war of Mahabharata. So, saying anything
thoughtlessly can even result in the creation of
dangerous situations.
Kabirdas has also spoken thus – ‘Boli ek anmol hai, jo
koi bole jani; hiye taraju taul ke, tab mukh bahar aani’
(meaning - the words are priceless. One who knows
how to use them well first carefully weighs them in the
balance of his heart and only then speaks them out.)
Speech is indeed very precious, and every spoken word
has a lot of value. It is, therefore, imperative to weigh
carefully before speaking whether what is being spoken
has substance and truthfulness or not. Wise men say that
any person who influences others does not express the
foul language; he only talks about what sounds morally
correct. However, he, who rarely follows any of what he
says himself, his speech does not have any lasting effect,
and he often gets ridiculed as untrustworthy.
Lord Krishna talks about three kinds
of Tapa (penance, austerity) in the
Gita – the Tapa of the physical body,
speech, and mind. Why is the Tapa
of speech important? What is its
necessity in our lives? It is essential
because speech is closely connected
with the way we use our vital energy.
There are two ways by which we
spend a lot of our vital energy – first,
in debating/discussing with others,
and second, in eating.
Saint Tulsidas says – ‘Pray to God
leaving aside discussion-debates
and slavery to taste.’ We tend to get
into heated discussions with others
to show off our knowledge, to
gain their respect, and to establish
authority among others of our
intellect, wisdom and superiority.
We also run after taste and eat
different types of savories. We like
sweet, sour, and spicy food and do
not think about what impact such
foods have on our bodies. Such
foods create an imbalance in the
constituent elements of our bodies,
which then make us ill. A lot of
energy in our body gets spent on
fighting such diseases.Which is the organ that gets used the
most in debating and experiencing
taste? Our tongue. Scriptures
describe many weapons used in
ancient times like Varunashtra,
Pashupashtra, and so on. These
don’t exist today anymore, but
there is one weapon that is very
much accessible even today – the
tongue weapon! Speak harsh words
and hurt anyone. The tongue can
sting like a scorpion. This is why it
needs to be restrained.
Lord Krishna, in the Gita (verse 15 of
Chapter 17), says – ‘Speaking only
in a way that doesn’t offend, that
is likable, beneficial and practical,
reciting Vedic scriptures, and
chanting God’s name – constitute the
Tapa of speech.’
The mind doesn’t readily accept the
practice of Tapa. Our memories and
habits tend to disrupt this practice.
So, the focused efforts are required
never to speak harsh words, speaking
the truth, speaking less but sweetly,
and speaking beneficial words.
Restraining the speech helps in the
conservation of vital energy; the
saved energy can be utilized for other
arduous spiritual practices.
Every spoken word, in fact, is a
mantra. Just as mantras are recited on
auspicious occasions, words should
be spoken at the right times and for the good purpose.
Words, which reflect falsehood, which humiliate or
condemn others, or that can re-ignite a settled issue or
provoke others should not be spoken. When a person
expresses the truth and speaks sweet, pleasant, and
meaningful speech, he accumulates more good karma
than what he does by going on pilgrimages.
Speech has more power than swords or bows and
arrows. This is why wise people do not waste this
power of theirs, even in most adverse circumstances.
The speech is also a reflection of personality. It is the
most effective medium to express inner feelings. Our
sweet and straightforward words impress others. When
we speak sweetly, we gift presents to others without
actually giving anything physically. So we must speak
with discretion.
It is said that there are only three real jewels – water,
grains, and sweet speech. We ignorantly call some
pieces of stones as jewels. Just speaking sweetly at
home, with our family members, and our neighbors can
create a heavenly atmosphere.
The discipline of speech also helps us control our inner
weaknesses like anger, ego, greed, attachment, etc. But,
along with the sweetness of speech, our actions and
dealings with others need to be honest too. The excess
of anything is bad. Talking in excess invites trouble.
Proper integration of noble speech and righteous
actions is the definite road to success in life
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