Swamiji says …
” Speak in a manner that doesn’t hurt anyone …”
” Insaan ko apni ‘jeehva’ par niyantran rakhna chahiye … Achchi vaani bolo.. “
” ‘It’s a boy !’ ‘It’s a girl !’ ‘What a beautiful child ! ‘ ‘ Kitni sundar hai!’ Our birth is welcomed by ‘sounds’ of reactions from people around us – doctors, nurses and all those who love us. As newly borns, we might have wondered about the unfamiliar sounds that were made by some strange looking creatures around us, but gradually our ears grew accustomed to words of endearment, love, care and concern – which we tried to emulate shortly by saying ‘da da’, ‘ma ma’; by making some musical sounds by clicking our tongue, and gurgling delightedly, on succeeding in doing so. We must have realized right from our teething years, about the powerful effect that words said by us had on others, as they magically and invariably, evoked a response from people around us, be it in the form of a smile, a hug or a spank; and, then, as we grew up, we starting speaking, talking, conversing.”
” It is the tongue that had made us aware of the ‘taste’ of various food items that were introduced to us, and how we had hungrily lapped up everything sweet that was placed on our tongue, but outrightly rejected anything and everything, that was sour and bitter. We were able to straightaway detect the difference between the two – sweet and bitter – at that tender young age itself- opted for the sweet dishes with great relish, and turned away from anything bitter in disgust. We must remember that the same rule is applicable when it comes to voicing words with our tongue. Is our manner of speaking and communicating with others sweet, cordial and polite or is it bitter, impolite and nasty?”
” The question arises then – But, do we remember? Do we speak sweetly and softly and follow a certain decorum while conversing with others? ‘Kya hum achchi vaani mein doosron se baat kartein hain? Jeevan ko sundar bannane ke liye apni ‘jeehva’ pe niyantran karna chahiye.” How many of us remember … ‘ ‘Jeehva’ agar niyantran mein rahegi aur tum achcha bologey, toh jeevan apne aap sunder bann jata hai.” Words, when spoken softly and used appropriately by us, have the power to attract people of all ages towards us and we can win them over with our caring, loving and considerate words. People, known and unknown, will gravitate towards us of their own accord, as the words said by us could give them comfort, pleasure and motivation. More than others, it is we who gain and benefit in the long run, as speaking in a becoming manner becomes our habit and we cultivate life long relationships – and our family and friends are ever willing to help and stand by us, through thick and thin.”
“Yet, the same tongue is capable of eliciting a drastically different response from others – the moment it disbelieves in keeping an even-tempered attitude, and instead, chooses to use itself as a whip, to lash out verbally, at people. At times, a peculiar notion of being totally independent, drives a tongue to work at its free will, and makes it feel that its sole purpose is to cane and hurt family members, friends and others, with its knife edged sharpness, and thus uses itself liberally
to humiliate, insult and hurt them. The sadistic pleasure once tasted by it, on seeing another person writhe in pain, emotionally, on receiving words that can strip him of his dignity, instigates it to repeat and replay these words over and over again, on others, just for the sake of seeing their bewildered, nonplussed, shocked reaction. Would anyone want to be anywhere close to a person with a tongue as waspish and acerbic as this? Would anyone want to befriend a person…’ joh itna galat bolta hai …’ After all, nobody wants to be used as a target for darts laced with venom and vitriol. An individual who speaks in a manner as distasteful and unwarranted as this, can be rest assured of living an isolated life, devoid of any smiling faces and helpful hands around him. Remember, words spoken with good intent – appreciating someone, guiding, or advising others – are more valuable than wealth and gold.”
“Use words carefully , judiciously. Be aware of all that is said by you.Think before you speak, as you can never take back words, once they’ve been said by you. Be clear and straightforward as honest words don’t lie. Words said carelessly by you can cause a wound so deep in the other person’s heart, that although he might ‘forgive’ you for what had been said by you, he may never ‘forget’ the hurt and grief that had been caused by you. Words said by you should have the power to touch the soul of a person, to heal him, to cure him and to inspire him. A person with a spiritual bent of mind spends most of his time repeating the name of God over and over again, reciting the ‘guru mantra’ and chanting verses from the scriptures … ‘Aissey insaan ke munnh se, phool jhadte hain ! “