1. How Does He Speak? Bhaktivedanta Leadership Centre

2. Arjuna said: O Krsna, what are the symptoms of one whose consciousness is thus merged in transcendence? How does he speak, and what is his language? How does he sit, and how does he walk? Bg 2.54

3. Nimi Maharaja is humbly inquiring, Nimi Maharaja is humbly inquiring, "What are the character, behavior and speech of devotees?" "What are the character, behavior and speech of devotees?" SB 11.2.44 Purport SB 11.2.44 Purport

4. Most important is how the man in Krishna consciousness speaks; for speech is the most important quality of any man. Bg 2.54 Purport

5. One should speak only of essentials, and the most essential speech for the devotee is to speak for the sake of the Supreme Lord. One should speak only of essentials, and the most essential speech for the devotee is to speak for the sake of the Supreme Lord. Bg 12.18-19 Purport

6. In spite of my inability, whatever I have been able to hear [from the spiritual master] and whatever I could assimilate I am now describing in glorification of the Lord by pure speech, for otherwise my power of speaking would remain unchaste. In spite of my inability, whatever I have been able to hear [from the spiritual master] and whatever I could assimilate I am now describing in glorification of the Lord by pure speech, for otherwise my power of speaking would remain unchaste. Maitreya, SB 3.6.36

7. Why Improve Our Speech?

8. The existence of the conditioned soul can be purified only by the method of engaging mind and speech in the service of the Lord. The existence of the conditioned soul can be purified only by the method of engaging mind and speech in the service of the Lord. SB 3.6.36

9. Harsh Speech

10. Maitreya told Vidura: O great soul, from Dambha and Maya were born Greed and Nikrti, or Cunning. From their combination came children named Krodha (Anger) and Himsa (Envy), and from their combination were born Kali and his sister Durukti (Harsh Speech). Maitreya told Vidura: O great soul, from Dambha and Maya were born Greed and Nikrti, or Cunning. From their combination came children named Krodha (Anger) and Himsa (Envy), and from their combination were born Kali and his sister Durukti (Harsh Speech). SB 4.8.3

11. The descendants of Irreligion and Falsity, born one after another, are Bluffing, Cheating, Greed, Cunning, Anger, Envy, Quarrel, Harsh Speech, Death, Fear, Severe Pain and Hell. All these descendants are described as signs of devastation. The descendants of Irreligion and Falsity, born one after another, are Bluffing, Cheating, Greed, Cunning, Anger, Envy, Quarrel, Harsh Speech, Death, Fear, Severe Pain and Hell. All these descendants are described as signs of devastation. SB 4.8.5

12. Maitreya has … described the descendants of impious activities, representing anger, envy, unpalatable speech, quarrel, fear and death. Maitreya has … described the descendants of impious activities, representing anger, envy, unpalatable speech, quarrel, fear and death. SB 4.8.6 Purport

13. When one becomes too angry at the other party, offensive and abominable speech occurs, and this anger is called rosa. When one becomes too angry at the other party, offensive and abominable speech occurs, and this anger is called rosa. Madhya 2.63 Purport

14. When we speak in anger, we speak so many nonsense things. When we speak in anger, we speak so many nonsense things. Lecture, Los Angeles, May 15, 1970

15. It is said that an offense can be committed either with the body, with the mind or by speech. Bhrgu Muni's first offense, committed toward Lord Brahma, was an offense with the mind. His second offense, committed toward Lord Siva by insulting him, criticizing him for unclean habits, was an offense by speech. It is said that an offense can be committed either with the body, with the mind or by speech. Bhrgu Muni's first offense, committed toward Lord Brahma, was an offense with the mind. His second offense, committed toward Lord Siva by insulting him, criticizing him for unclean habits, was an offense by speech. Krsna Book, 89

16. Just as the barking of a dog may be considered unlawful, offensive speech may also be considered sinful, for it is just like barking. The point is that sinful activities can be committed in so many ways - one may think of them, or one may speak sinfully, or one may actually commit a sin. In any case, they are all considered sinful activities. Dhruvam sa vai pretya narakan upaiti: One has to suffer punishment for such activities. Just as the barking of a dog may be considered unlawful, offensive speech may also be considered sinful, for it is just like barking. The point is that sinful activities can be committed in so many ways - one may think of them, or one may speak sinfully, or one may actually commit a sin. In any case, they are all considered sinful activities. Dhruvam sa vai pretya narakan upaiti: One has to suffer punishment for such activities. Matchless Gift, 2

17. Maharaja Prthu

18. Maharaja Prthu's speech was very beautiful, full of metaphorical language, clearly understandable and very pleasing to hear. His words were all grave and certain. Maharaja Prthu's speech was very beautiful, full of metaphorical language, clearly understandable and very pleasing to hear. His words were all grave and certain. SB 4.21.20

19. Maharaja Prthus … speech was … glorious in all respects. His words, which were nicely composed in highly metaphorical ornamental language, were pleasing to hear and were not only mellow but also very clearly understandable and without doubt or ambiguity. Maharaja Prthus … speech was … glorious in all respects. His words, which were nicely composed in highly metaphorical ornamental language, were pleasing to hear and were not only mellow but also very clearly understandable and without doubt or ambiguity. SB 4.21.20 Purport

20. A speech should be composed of selected words, very sweet to hear and appropriate to the situation. Such speech is called meaningful. A speech should be composed of selected words, very sweet to hear and appropriate to the situation. Such speech is called meaningful. SB 4.22.17 Purport

21. A so-called Vaisnava who whimsically neglects the strict control of the body, mind and speech cannot actually achieve shelter at the lotus feet of a bona fide spiritual master. A so-called Vaisnava who whimsically neglects the strict control of the body, mind and speech cannot actually achieve shelter at the lotus feet of a bona fide spiritual master. SB 11.3.22

22. Speech Control

23. One should rigidly control his mind, speech and bodily activities, always speak the truth, and bring the mind and senses under full control. One should rigidly control his mind, speech and bodily activities, always speak the truth, and bring the mind and senses under full control. SB 11.3.26

24. … one should care for the material body in such a way that one's higher knowledge is not destroyed and so that one's speech and mind are not deviated from self- realization. … one should care for the material body in such a way that one's higher knowledge is not destroyed and so that one's speech and mind are not deviated from self- realization. SB 11.7.39

25. … if one eats food that is excessively fatty or rich there will be an unwanted increase in sleep and semen, and thus the mind and speech will be overwhelmed by the modes of passion and ignorance. … if one eats food that is excessively fatty or rich there will be an unwanted increase in sleep and semen, and thus the mind and speech will be overwhelmed by the modes of passion and ignorance. SB 11.7.39 Purport

26. Therefore, control your speaking, subdue the mind, conquer the life air, regulate the senses and through purified intelligence bring your rational faculties under control. In this way you will never again fall onto the path of material existence. Therefore, control your speaking, subdue the mind, conquer the life air, regulate the senses and through purified intelligence bring your rational faculties under control. In this way you will never again fall onto the path of material existence. Lord Krishna to Uddhava, SB 11.16.42

27. Being surrendered to Me, one should control the speech, mind and life air, and then through loving devotional intelligence one will completely fulfill the mission of life. Being surrendered to Me, one should control the speech, mind and life air, and then through loving devotional intelligence one will completely fulfill the mission of life. SB 11.16.44

28. Although the false ego has no factual basis, it is perceived in many forms - as the functions of the mind, speech, life air and bodily faculties. Although the false ego has no factual basis, it is perceived in many forms - as the functions of the mind, speech, life air and bodily faculties. SB 11.28.17

29. "Essential truth spoken concisely is true eloquence. Cc Adi 1.106

30. One has to practice sense control as well as mind control and subdue the six forces of speech, mind, anger, tongue, belly and genitals. One has to practice sense control as well as mind control and subdue the six forces of speech, mind, anger, tongue, belly and genitals. Madhya 6.75 Purport

31. When a pure Vaisnava speaks, he speaks perfectly. How is this? His speech is managed by Krsna Himself from within the heart. When a pure Vaisnava speaks, he speaks perfectly. How is this? His speech is managed by Krsna Himself from within the heart. Cc Madhya, 8.200 Purport

32. "My devotees … engage the power of speech in the glorification of My qualities and form. "My devotees … engage the power of speech in the glorification of My qualities and form. Cc Madhya 11.29–30

33. In Vrndavana, the natural speech of the people sounds like music, and their natural motion resembles a dance. In Vrndavana, the natural speech of the people sounds like music, and their natural motion resembles a dance. Cc Madhya 14.224

34. Srimati Radharani's twenty-five chief transcendental qualities are: (1) She is very sweet. (2) She is always freshly youthful. (3) Her eyes are restless. (4) She smiles brightly. (5) She has beautiful, auspicious lines. (6) She makes Krsna happy with Her bodily aroma. (7) She is very expert in singing. (8) Her speech is charming … Srimati Radharani's twenty-five chief transcendental qualities are: (1) She is very sweet. (2) She is always freshly youthful. (3) Her eyes are restless. (4) She smiles brightly. (5) She has beautiful, auspicious lines. (6) She makes Krsna happy with Her bodily aroma. (7) She is very expert in singing. (8) Her speech is charming … Cc Madhya 23.87–91

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

36. A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the mind's demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world. A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the mind's demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world. Nectar of Instruction, 1

37. First one must control his speaking power. First one must control his speaking power. Nectar of Instruction, 1 Purport

38. When death comes, this speaking power ceases - so who is giving the power of speech? Has the speaking power come automatically from stone? As soon as the speaking power is withdrawn by the Supreme Authority, the body is no better than stone. The very power of speech is proof that there is a Supreme Power who is giving us everything. When death comes, this speaking power ceases - so who is giving the power of speech? Has the speaking power come automatically from stone? As soon as the speaking power is withdrawn by the Supreme Authority, the body is no better than stone. The very power of speech is proof that there is a Supreme Power who is giving us everything. Raja Vidya, 4

39. Among women I am fame, fortune, fine speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness and patience. Among women I am fame, fortune, fine speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness and patience. Bg 10.34

40. Mistakes, illusions, cheating and defective perception do not occur in the sayings of the authoritative sages. Mistakes, illusions, cheating and defective perception do not occur in the sayings of the authoritative sages. Cc Adi 2.86

41. How to Succeed?

42. By Him the power of speech and the life airs are set into motion. By Him the power of speech and the life airs are set into motion. SB 11.28.35

43. Among all things that purify I am the wind, fire, the sun, water and speech. Among all things that purify I am the wind, fire, the sun, water and speech. SB 11.16.23

44. He energizes the living being's senses, as described by the Kena Upanisad (1.2): srotrasya srotram manaso mano yad vaco ha vacam. "He is the ear's ear, the mind's mind, and the voice's capacity of speech. He energizes the living being's senses, as described by the Kena Upanisad (1.2): srotrasya srotram manaso mano yad vaco ha vacam. "He is the ear's ear, the mind's mind, and the voice's capacity of speech. SB 10.87.28

45. I am the … ability in man. Bg 7.8

46. Practice

47. Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature. Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature. Bg 17.15

48. Bhaktivedanta Leadership Centre