Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.22.17
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDevotion Brings Good Qualities to Speech
“The great sage Maitreya continued: Thus Sanat-kumāra, the best of the celibates, after hearing the speech of Pṛthu Mahārāja, which was meaningful, appropriate, full of precise words and very sweet to hear, smiled with full satisfaction and began to speak as follows.”
What the purport teaches
- Meaningful speech uses carefully selected words that are sweet to hear and appropriate to the situation. Pṛthu Mahārāja’s speech had all these qualities.
- These qualities were present because Pṛthu Mahārāja was a perfect devotee. All good qualities manifest in one with unflinching faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead who engages in His service.
- The Kumāras were very pleased by Pṛthu Mahārāja’s words. Sanat-kumāra smiled with satisfaction and began to reply.
Try this today
Before one conversation today, pause and choose words that are clear, kind, and appropriate.
Ask yourself
Are my words meaningful, gentle to hear, and suitable for the situation?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.