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Chapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith · 28 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Character & ethicsChapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith
17.1417.16

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 17.15

Austerities of body, speech and mind

Prakṛti · Material nature

अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत् ।

स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्‍मयं तप उच्यते ॥ १५ ॥

anudvega-karaṁ vākyaṁ

satyaṁ priya-hitaṁ ca yat

svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ caiva

vāṅ-mayaṁ tapa ucyate

Translation

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

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Austerity of Speech

  1. 1

    Speak truthful, pleasing, helpful words that do not disturb others, and regularly recite Vedic literature.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that spiritual talk should be supported by scripture and pleasant to hear. Such discussion can uplift society.

  3. 3

    Avoid nonsense talk, support spiritual statements with scripture, and study Vedic literature regularly.

Key points from the purport

Austerity of speech (5 points)

Speaking truthful words

Process of speaking in spiritual circles is to say something upheld by the scriptures

Pleasing

Beneficial

Not agitating to others

e.g. Teacher can correct only his students (even if it is agitating) but not others who are not his students

Also regularly reciting Vedic literatures

One should study the limitless stock of Vedic literatures available

Further reading

Austerity In The Modes

Austerities can be of the body, speech and mind

Each of these can be performed in goodness, passion and ignorance

Chapter 17, section IV: Austerity In The Modes
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. anudvega-karamnot agitating
  2. vākyamwords
  3. satyamtruthful
  4. priyadear
  5. hitambeneficial
  6. caalso
  7. yatwhich
  8. svādhyāyaof Vedic study
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: daivī-sampat, dharma.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 17.15 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to character & ethics?

Practice

Choose one virtue to practice consciously today.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 17 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 17.14Austerities of body, speech and mindBG 17.16Austerities of body, speech and mindBG 12.13Qualities of a devotee dear to KrishnaBG 16.21Lust, anger and greed lead toward degradation.
Live this todayThe Austerity of SpeechOne practice from this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction