bhagavad-gitagitakrishnaausterity-of-speech

Bhagavad Gita 17.15 — Anudvega-karam Vakyam

श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १७.१५ — अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यम् in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Morning, especially before a day of meetings, conversations or teaching·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Verse 15

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

In the chapter on the threefold faith, Krishna defines the austerity (tapas) of speech. True discipline of the tongue means speaking words that do not disturb others, that are truthful, agreeable and genuinely beneficial — together with the regular study and recitation of scripture. This single verse is one of the Gita's most practical guides to right speech, a discipline as purifying as any physical penance.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Verse 15 · Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva) · Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)

In the seventeenth chapter, Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga, Krishna explains how faith and conduct are colored by the three gunas. Describing austerity of body, speech and mind, he gives this definition of the austerity of speech: words that are non-agitating, truthful, pleasant and beneficial, joined with the study of scripture.

✦ As told in scripture

Sages who perfected the austerity of speech are said to have gained 'vak-siddhi' — the power by which their gentle, truthful words always came true and brought blessing — showing the spiritual potency that disciplined speech can attain.

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The Mantra

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anudvega-karaṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priya-hitaṁ cha yat svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ chaiva vāṅ-mayaṁ tapa uchyate

Meaning:Speech that causes no agitation, that is truthful, pleasant and beneficial, along with the regular practice of scriptural study (recitation of the Vedas) — this is called the austerity of speech.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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anudvega-karam🔊not causing agitation or distress

vākyam🔊speech, words

satyam🔊truthful

priya-hitam🔊pleasant and beneficial

cha🔊and

yat🔊which

svādhyāya🔊study of scriptures / recitation of the Vedas

abhyasanam🔊the practice, regular cultivation

cha eva🔊and also

vāṅ-mayam🔊of speech, pertaining to the tongue

tapaḥ🔊austerity, penance

uchyate🔊is called, is said to be

Benefits of Chanting श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १७.१५ — अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यम्

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Teaches the discipline of kind, truthful and beneficial speech

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Helps avoid harsh, hurtful or agitating words that create conflict

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Purifies the tongue and mind through right speech as a spiritual austerity

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Encourages the regular study and recitation of sacred texts

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Improves relationships and brings harmony to family and society

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Builds the higher virtue of speaking truth that is also gentle and useful

How to Chant श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १७.१५ — अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यम्

Repetitions11times

Best TimeMorning, especially before a day of meetings, conversations or teaching

Recite this verse in the morning and take its four-fold test for your words throughout the day — are they non-agitating, truthful, pleasant and beneficial? Pair it with a little daily scriptural study (svadhyaya) as the verse advises. Whenever you are tempted to speak in anger or carelessness, recall it to transform speech itself into a purifying austerity.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १७.१५ — अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यम् written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

It is the discipline of speaking words that do not disturb others, that are truthful, pleasant and beneficial, together with the regular practice of scriptural study. Krishna calls this the tapas (austerity) of the tongue.

Right speech has four marks here: anudvega-karam (non-agitating, not hurtful), satyam (truthful), priya (pleasant and agreeable), and hitam (beneficial). Together these ensure one's words are both true and kind, and genuinely helpful.

The verse asks that speech be truthful, pleasant and beneficial together. The ideal is to convey what is true in a way that is kind and constructive. When a hard truth must be told, this teaching guides one to deliver it gently, with care for the listener's welfare.

Svadhyaya — regular recitation and study of sacred texts — trains and sanctifies the tongue, fills the mind with elevating words, and naturally inclines one toward truthful, beneficial speech. So it is counted as part of the discipline of speech.