na hi duṣṭavacaḥ kasya nityaṁ mṛdu vacaḥ . tasya vācyavahāreṇa vṛddhireva na durlabhā ॥
“For one whose speech is not harsh and is always soft, success is indeed not difficult to attain by his speech behaviour.”
Structure
na hi duṣṭa-vacaḥ kasya nityaṁ mṛdu vacaḥ tasya vācya-vahāreṇa vṛddhi eva na durlabhā
na (not) hi (indeed) duṣṭa-vacaḥ (harsh speech) kasya (of whom) nityaṁ (always) mṛdu vacaḥ (soft speech) tasya (his) vācya-vahāreṇa (by speech behaviour) vṛddhiḥ (growth) eva (indeed) na (not) durlabhā (difficult to obtain)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| duṣṭa-vacaḥ | duṣṭa-vacaḥ | compound | karmadhāraya · "duṣṭaṃ vacaḥ yasyāḥ sa" | of one who has a wicked speech |
| kasya | kasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of whom, whose |
| nityaṁ | nityaṁ | indeclinable | — | always, constantly |
| mṛdu | mṛdu | adjective | — | soft, gentle |
| vacaḥ | vacaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | speech |
| tasya | tasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of him, his |
| vācya-vahāreṇa | vācya-vahāreṇa | compound | tatpuruṣa · "vācyena vāhāreṇa" | by the usage of speech |
| vṛddhiḥ | vṛddhiḥ | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | growth, increase |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed, only |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| dur-labhā | dur-labhā | adjective | — | not easily obtained, rare |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse highlights the importance of gentle speech in achieving success, which, according to Shankara, is a means to realize the ultimate truth of brahman-ātman identity. As Shankara notes in his commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1.1), 'words have the power to reveal or conceal the nature of reality.' Gentle speech, devoid of harshness, facilitates a deeper understanding of the self and the ultimate reality. By embracing soft speech, one cultivates a sense of inner calm, leading to a clearer perception of the non-dual reality. This verse can be seen as a practical application of the advaitic principle, where the individual self (jiva) merges with the ultimate reality (brahman) through the cultivation of virtuous qualities, including gentle speech. In the context of this verse, Shankara's emphasis on the importance of self-control and the regulation of one's speech is a means to attain liberation, underscoring the idea that the pursuit of knowledge and the pursuit of virtue are intertwined.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse underscores the significance of devotion and surrender to the Lord. Ramanuja, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita (17.14-16), emphasizes the role of gentle speech as a means of cultivating bhakti, or devotion to the Lord. By embracing soft speech, the devotee (jiva) demonstrates their commitment to the path of devotion, which ultimately leads to a deeper understanding of the relationship between the individual self and the supreme Lord (Īśvara). The verse suggests that success, in this context, is not merely worldly achievement but rather the attainment of a profound sense of spiritual connection with the divine. Madhva, in his Anuvyakhyana, further elaborates on the idea that the cultivation of virtuous qualities, including gentle speech, is a manifestation of the Lord's grace, guiding the devotee towards the path of liberation. This verse, therefore, serves as a reminder of the importance of adopting a devotional attitude, characterized by humility, compassion, and gentle speech, in one's spiritual journey.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound insight into the universal and practical application of gentle speech in contemporary life. As Swami Vivekananda emphasizes in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gita, 'the power of words is immense, and their influence on the human mind is incalculable.' By adopting gentle speech, individuals can create a more harmonious and compassionate environment, fostering deeper connections with others. This verse can be seen as a call to action, encouraging individuals to recognize the transformative power of their words and to cultivate a sense of responsibility in their communication. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings on the Upanishads, further highlights the idea that the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom is intimately tied to the cultivation of virtuous qualities, including gentle speech. In the context of modern life, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of adopting a mindful and compassionate approach to communication, recognizing the profound impact that our words can have on ourselves and those around us.