Bhagavad GitaBhagavad Gita 17.15
Chapter 17, verse 15: the Sanskrit, the Roman letters, the meaning and what it is used for.
अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत्
स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते
anudvegakaraṃ vākyaṃ satyaṃ priyahitaṃ ca yat
svādhyāyābhyasanaṃ caiva vāṅmayaṃ tapa ucyate
Meaning
Speech that does not cause distress, that is truthful, pleasant and beneficial, and the regular practice of study: this is called austerity of speech.
Explanation
This verse is much used in schools. The four tests it names for speech are: it does not hurt, it is true, it is pleasant and it is beneficial. A sentence that is true but harmful, or pleasant but false, fails the test. It is a good check before sending a message.
Where it fits
This is verse 15 of 28 in chapter 17, "The three kinds of faith" (Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga). previous verse (17.14) · next verse (17.16)
Questions people ask
What does Bhagavad Gita 17.15 mean?
Speech that does not cause distress, that is truthful, pleasant and beneficial, and the regular practice of study: this is called austerity of speech.
Where is this verse?
It is verse 15 of chapter 17 (The three kinds of faith), which has 28 verses.
Meanings and explanations are our own wording, not an authorised translation. Readers of the Gita follow different traditions and teachers; please ask yours about what you read here.