How Does He How Does He Speak?Speak?

Bhaktivedanta Leadership CentreBhaktivedanta Leadership Centre

Arjuna said: O Krsna, what are the Arjuna said: O Krsna, what are the symptoms of one whose symptoms of one whose

consciousness is thus merged in consciousness is thus merged in transcendence? transcendence?

How does he speak, and what is How does he speak, and what is his language? How does he sit, and his language? How does he sit, and

how does he walk?how does he walk?

Bg 2.54Bg 2.54

Nimi Maharaja is humbly inquiring, Nimi Maharaja is humbly inquiring,

"What are the character, behavior "What are the character, behavior and speech of devotees?"and speech of devotees?"

SB 11.2.44 PurportSB 11.2.44 Purport

Most important is how Most important is how the man in Krishna the man in Krishna consciousness speaks; for consciousness speaks; for speech is the most important speech is the most important quality of any man.quality of any man.

Bg 2.54 PurportBg 2.54 Purport

One should speak only of essentials, One should speak only of essentials, and the most essential speech for the and the most essential speech for the

devotee is to speak for the sake of devotee is to speak for the sake of the Supreme Lord. the Supreme Lord.

Bg 12.18-19 PurportBg 12.18-19 Purport

In spite of my inability, whatever I In spite of my inability, whatever I have been able to hear [from the have been able to hear [from the spiritual master] and whatever I could spiritual master] and whatever I could assimilate I am now describing in assimilate I am now describing in glorification of the Lord by pure glorification of the Lord by pure speech, for otherwise my power of speech, for otherwise my power of speaking would remain unchaste.speaking would remain unchaste.

Maitreya, SB 3.6.36Maitreya, SB 3.6.36

Why Improve Why Improve Our Speech?Our Speech?

The existence of the conditioned The existence of the conditioned soul can be purified only by the soul can be purified only by the method of engaging mind and method of engaging mind and speech in the service of the Lord. speech in the service of the Lord.

SB 3.6.36SB 3.6.36

Harsh SpeechHarsh Speech

Maitreya told Vidura: O great soul, Maitreya told Vidura: O great soul, from Dambha and Maya were born from Dambha and Maya were born Greed and Nikrti, or Cunning. From Greed and Nikrti, or Cunning. From their combination came children their combination came children named Krodha (Anger) and Himsa named Krodha (Anger) and Himsa (Envy), and from their combination (Envy), and from their combination were born Kali and his sister Durukti were born Kali and his sister Durukti (Harsh Speech). (Harsh Speech).

SB 4.8.3SB 4.8.3

The descendants of Irreligion and The descendants of Irreligion and Falsity, born one after another, Falsity, born one after another, are Bluffing, Cheating, Greed, are Bluffing, Cheating, Greed, Cunning, Anger, Envy, Quarrel, Cunning, Anger, Envy, Quarrel, Harsh Speech, Death, Fear, Harsh Speech, Death, Fear, Severe Pain and Hell. All these Severe Pain and Hell. All these descendants are described as descendants are described as signs of devastation. signs of devastation.

SB 4.8.5SB 4.8.5

Maitreya has … described the Maitreya has … described the descendants of impious activities, descendants of impious activities,

representing anger, envy, representing anger, envy, unpalatable speech, quarrel, fear unpalatable speech, quarrel, fear

and death.and death.

SB 4.8.6 PurportSB 4.8.6 Purport

When one becomes too angry at the When one becomes too angry at the other party, offensive and abominable other party, offensive and abominable speech occurs, and this anger is speech occurs, and this anger is called rosa.called rosa.

Madhya 2.63 PurportMadhya 2.63 Purport

When we speak in anger, we When we speak in anger, we speak so many nonsense things. speak so many nonsense things.

Lecture, Los Angeles, May 15, 1970Lecture, Los Angeles, May 15, 1970

It is said that an offense can be committed It is said that an offense can be committed either with the body, with the mind or by either with the body, with the mind or by speech. Bhrgu Muni's first offense, speech. Bhrgu Muni's first offense, committed toward Lord Brahma, was an committed toward Lord Brahma, was an offense with the mind. His second offense, offense with the mind. His second offense, committed toward Lord Siva by insulting committed toward Lord Siva by insulting him, criticizing him for unclean habits, was him, criticizing him for unclean habits, was an offense by speech. an offense by speech.

Krsna Book, 89Krsna Book, 89

Just as the barking of a dog may be considered Just as the barking of a dog may be considered unlawful, offensive speech may also be unlawful, offensive speech may also be considered sinful, for it is just like barking. The considered sinful, for it is just like barking. The point is that sinful activities can be committed in point is that sinful activities can be committed in so many ways - one may think of them, or one so many ways - one may think of them, or one may speak sinfully, or one may actually commit may speak sinfully, or one may actually commit a sin. In any case, they are all considered sinful a sin. In any case, they are all considered sinful activities. Dhruvam sa vai pretya narakan upaiti: activities. Dhruvam sa vai pretya narakan upaiti: One has to suffer punishment for such activities. One has to suffer punishment for such activities.

Matchless Gift, 2Matchless Gift, 2

Maharaja PrthuMaharaja Prthu

Maharaja Prthu's speech was Maharaja Prthu's speech was very beautiful, full of metaphorical very beautiful, full of metaphorical language, clearly understandable language, clearly understandable and very pleasing to hear. His and very pleasing to hear. His words were all grave and certain.words were all grave and certain.

SB 4.21.20SB 4.21.20

Maharaja Prthu’s … speech was Maharaja Prthu’s … speech was … glorious in all respects. His … glorious in all respects. His words, which were nicely words, which were nicely composed in highly metaphorical composed in highly metaphorical ornamental language, were ornamental language, were pleasing to hear and were not pleasing to hear and were not only mellow but also very clearly only mellow but also very clearly understandable and without doubt understandable and without doubt or ambiguity. or ambiguity.

SB 4.21.20 PurportSB 4.21.20 Purport

A speech should be composed of A speech should be composed of selected words, very sweet to selected words, very sweet to hear and appropriate to the hear and appropriate to the situation. Such speech is called situation. Such speech is called meaningful.meaningful.

SB 4.22.17 PurportSB 4.22.17 Purport

A so-called Vaisnava who whimsically A so-called Vaisnava who whimsically neglects the strict control of the body, neglects the strict control of the body, mind and speech cannot actually achieve mind and speech cannot actually achieve shelter at the lotus feet of a bona fide shelter at the lotus feet of a bona fide spiritual master. spiritual master.

SB 11.3.22SB 11.3.22

Speech ControlSpeech Control

One should rigidly control his mind, One should rigidly control his mind, speech and bodily activities, always speak speech and bodily activities, always speak the truth, and bring the mind and senses the truth, and bring the mind and senses under full control.under full control.

SB 11.3.26SB 11.3.26

… … one should care for the material body in one should care for the material body in such a way that one's higher knowledge is such a way that one's higher knowledge is not destroyed and so that one's speech not destroyed and so that one's speech and mind are not deviated from self-and mind are not deviated from self-realization. realization.

SB 11.7.39SB 11.7.39

… … if one eats food that is excessively fatty if one eats food that is excessively fatty or rich there will be an unwanted increase or rich there will be an unwanted increase in sleep and semen, and thus the mind in sleep and semen, and thus the mind and speech will be overwhelmed by the and speech will be overwhelmed by the modes of passion and ignorance. modes of passion and ignorance.

SB 11.7.39 PurportSB 11.7.39 Purport

Therefore, control your speaking, subdue Therefore, control your speaking, subdue the mind, conquer the life air, regulate the the mind, conquer the life air, regulate the senses and through purified intelligence senses and through purified intelligence bring your rational faculties under control. bring your rational faculties under control. In this way you will never again fall onto In this way you will never again fall onto the path of material existence. the path of material existence.

Lord Krishna to Uddhava, SB 11.16.42 Lord Krishna to Uddhava, SB 11.16.42

Being surrendered to Me, one should Being surrendered to Me, one should control the speech, mind and life air, and control the speech, mind and life air, and then through loving devotional intelligence then through loving devotional intelligence one will completely fulfill the mission of life.one will completely fulfill the mission of life.

SB 11.16.44SB 11.16.44

Although the false ego has no factual Although the false ego has no factual basis, it is perceived in many forms - as basis, it is perceived in many forms - as the functions of the mind, speech, life air the functions of the mind, speech, life air and bodily faculties. and bodily faculties.

SB 11.28.17SB 11.28.17

"Essential truth spoken "Essential truth spoken concisely is true eloquence.“concisely is true eloquence.“

Cc Adi 1.106Cc Adi 1.106

One has to practice sense control as well One has to practice sense control as well as mind control and subdue the six forces as mind control and subdue the six forces of speech, mind, anger, tongue, belly and of speech, mind, anger, tongue, belly and genitals. genitals.

Madhya 6.75 PurportMadhya 6.75 Purport

When a pure Vaisnava speaks, he speaks When a pure Vaisnava speaks, he speaks perfectly. How is this? His speech is perfectly. How is this? His speech is managed by Krsna Himself from within the managed by Krsna Himself from within the heart. heart.

Cc Madhya, 8.200 PurportCc Madhya, 8.200 Purport

"‘My devotees … engage the power of "‘My devotees … engage the power of speech in the glorification of My qualities speech in the glorification of My qualities and form. and form.

Cc Madhya 11.29–30Cc Madhya 11.29–30

In Vrndavana, the natural speech of the In Vrndavana, the natural speech of the people sounds like music, and their natural people sounds like music, and their natural motion resembles a dance. motion resembles a dance.

Cc Madhya 14.224Cc Madhya 14.224

Srimati Radharani's twenty-five chief Srimati Radharani's twenty-five chief transcendental qualitiestranscendental qualities are: (1) She is are: (1) She is very sweet. (2) She is always freshly very sweet. (2) She is always freshly youthful. (3) Her eyes are restless. (4) She youthful. (3) Her eyes are restless. (4) She smiles brightly. (5) She has beautiful, smiles brightly. (5) She has beautiful, auspicious lines. (6) She makes Krsna auspicious lines. (6) She makes Krsna happy with Her bodily aroma. (7) She is happy with Her bodily aroma. (7) She is very expert in singing. very expert in singing. (8) Her speech is (8) Her speech is charming …charming …

Cc Madhya 23.87–91Cc Madhya 23.87–91

If our minds, senses, speech, money If our minds, senses, speech, money and energies are thus engaged in the and energies are thus engaged in the service of Krsna, we cannot be service of Krsna, we cannot be considered to be existing in material considered to be existing in material nature.nature.

TLC IntroductionTLC Introduction

A sober person who can tolerate the A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the mind's demands, urge to speak, the mind's demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals is the tongue, belly and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the qualified to make disciples all over the world.world.

Nectar of Instruction, 1Nectar of Instruction, 1

First one must control his First one must control his speaking power. speaking power.

Nectar of Instruction, 1 PurportNectar of Instruction, 1 Purport

When death comes, this speaking power When death comes, this speaking power ceases - so who is giving the power of ceases - so who is giving the power of speech? Has the speaking power come speech? Has the speaking power come automatically from stone? As soon as the automatically from stone? As soon as the speaking power is withdrawn by the speaking power is withdrawn by the Supreme Authority, the body is no better Supreme Authority, the body is no better than stone. The very power of speech is than stone. The very power of speech is proof that there is a Supreme Power who proof that there is a Supreme Power who is giving us everything. is giving us everything.

Raja Vidya, 4Raja Vidya, 4

Among women I am fame, fortune, Among women I am fame, fortune, fine speech, memory, intelligence, fine speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness and patience.steadfastness and patience.

Bg 10.34Bg 10.34

Mistakes, illusions, cheating and Mistakes, illusions, cheating and defective perception do not occur in defective perception do not occur in the sayings of the authoritative sages.the sayings of the authoritative sages.

Cc Adi 2.86Cc Adi 2.86

How to Succeed?How to Succeed?

By Him the power of speech and By Him the power of speech and the life airs are set into motion. the life airs are set into motion.

SB 11.28.35SB 11.28.35

Among all things that purify I Among all things that purify I am the wind, fire, the sun, am the wind, fire, the sun, water and speech. water and speech.

SB 11.16.23SB 11.16.23

He energizes the living being's He energizes the living being's senses, as described by the Kena senses, as described by the Kena Upanisad (1.2): srotrasya srotram Upanisad (1.2): srotrasya srotram manaso mano yad vaco ha vacam. manaso mano yad vaco ha vacam. "He is the ear's ear, the mind's mind, "He is the ear's ear, the mind's mind, and the voice's capacity of speech.and the voice's capacity of speech.

SB 10.87.28SB 10.87.28

I am the … ability in man.I am the … ability in man.

Bg 7.8Bg 7.8

PracticePractice

Austerity of speech consists in Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature. regularly reciting Vedic literature.

Bg 17.15Bg 17.15

Bhaktivedanta Leadership CentreBhaktivedanta Leadership Centre