MONDAY MUSINGS SEASON 2 - EPISODE 343
8th December 2025
Austerities of speech
Body, mind and speech are the characteristics of every soul, and everyone should keep their body, mind and speech in good practice. Lord Krishna gave valuable advice on how to keep one’s body, mind, and speech in good condition and practice. These can be seen in #BhagavadGita slokas 17.14 to 17.16.
Let me start with the list of austerities of speech as seen in sloka 17.15
अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत् । स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते ॥ Bhagavad Gita 17.15॥
Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature.
Lord Krishna prescribed a list of five exercises for ‘goodness in speech’, and these need to be practised. They are anudvega karam, satyam, priya, hitam and svadhyaya abhyasanam. Closer translation of these five are Not agitating, truth, pleasing, beneficial (to us as well as others) and practising vedic study. If you like, you can replace vedic study with practising knowledge.
By looking at the translation, you may wonder that many of the attributes in the list are repeated, but they are not. Each one is unique and brings a unique perspective.
Our speech is very powerful. Our words can make or break businesses. Our speech can develop people into great humans if it is pleasing and beneficial, but destroy people if it is agitating. That is why communication skill Is considered a critical and essential skill for leaders.
No harsh truths, no sweet lies
सत्यं ब्रूयात् प्रियं ब्रूयात् न ब्रूयात् सत्यमप्रियम् । नासत्यं च प्रियं ब्रूयात् एष धर्मः सनातनः ॥ (Manusmriti 4:138)
Say what is true, say what is sweet, but do not say what is true but not sweet, nor say what is sweet but not true. This is the perennial wisdom.
As per this sloka, always speak only the truth, in pleasant words. Don’t speak the truth if it cannot be pleasing; similarly, there is no point in speaking pleasing but untruthful words.
Violent, unkind, untruthful, useless and derogatory words are destructive. Words have power. This sloka is the basis for the concept of #MondayMusings, which I created. Our words, verbal or written, should be pleasing, should not hurt anyone, truthful, beneficial to others and should help to enhance others’ knowledge. Monday Musings has been doing that for the past 343 weeks.
Word is sacred. Word is potent. Truth expressed harshly is not actually helping the recipient. Occasional reverse psychology may work, or as some call as 'rude awakening', but that requires compassion as well.
Art of giving negative feedback
When you have to convey a harsh truth, you can deliver it gently, cushioning the blow. Is it possible to find a way to deliver harsh truth sweetly. Does it not depend on the recipient’s maturity? Feel with your heart and you will find a nicer way to communicate. This is the #ArtOfNegativeFeedback.
In her book “Radical candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity”, Kim Scott presents 4 types of feedback personalities, depending on
· How much the giver cares about the receiver ie pleasing
· How much the giver is honest and challenges the receiver ie truthful
If the deliverer does not care about the receiver and does not share honest feedback, this is called MANIPULATIVE INSINCERITY.
If the deliverer cares about the receiver but they do not share what they truly think, this is called RUINUOS EMPATHY. You have to convey what you feel sincerely even if it would not be to the liking of the other party. Keeping quiet is a disservice to the other party and has the potential to ruin the person.
If the deliverer is not tactful, thoughtful, and is too direct in sharing the feedback, this is called OBNOXIOUS AGGRESSION. A good leader cannot be direct and tactless in sharing feedback.
Finally, if you care about the person and you tell them the truth, what they need to hear, this is called RADICAL CANDOR.
That is what the Bhagavad Gita and the Manu Smriti advocate.
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#PositiveNewsPage
"Some People Don't Just Live"
Veena Devi, a 52-year-old woman with disability, works as a Zepto delivery agent in Chandigarh and has become an inspiration for many social media enthusiasts. In a video shared by model Mallika Arora, Devi is seen delivering orders on a scooter while using a walking stick.
Devi is 50% paralysed, but despite her physical condition, she works with full spirit, keeping a beautiful smile on her face. "Today I saw a 52-year-old Zepto delivery lady… 50% paralysed yet smiling and working with full spirit. In that moment I realised—some people don't just live, they fight every day," Arora wrote as the caption of the video which gained significant attention with more than 31,200 likes, and hundreds of comments.
Devi has been working with Zepto since June last year, and as per Arora, her only request to those who want to help her is to "just keep supporting" her.
The video has garnered widespread admiration, with many praising Devi's strength and spirit. Zepto's official Instagram account also responded, saying, "Proud of her".
Veena Devi delivers inspiration.
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