Vaani (Speech) is a divine gift given by God to humans. Indian scriptures consider it to be the seat of Goddess Saraswati. They have described it as a potent power. Voice is even denoted as shabda brahma – the omnipresent vibration in the universe. The power of mantras is nothing but an expression of the subtle form of speech. Scriptures are filled with anecdotes of spoken boons and curses, which are demonstrations of the power of speech. At the worldly level, speech has its own importance as it forms the basis of success in social life and leads to inner happiness and contentment. Speech expressed as spoken word is known as vaikhari, whereas para, pashyanti, and madhyama are the inner being’s subtle voices. Scriptures go even further and equate sound with the subtle vibrations that permeate the whole universe and extol its great potential.
Whenever we speak, our words affect not only the subconscious mind of a listener but also the entire human society because sound never disappears completely. The sound of every spoken word keeps reverberating in the atmosphere, and whenever it finds a like-headed person, it resonates with his subconscious mind and casts its desired effect.
It is a proven fact that whenever we express our good feelings towards a person in words, he develops affection towards us and becomes our well-wisher unknowingly. On the other hand, if we harbor or express ill feelings towards a person, he unknowingly becomes hostile to us and turns into an adversary. Auspicious speech with goodwill for all propagates propitiousness in everyone, and the entire social environment becomes cheerful and joyous. Every word we speak also leaves an everlasting, subtle impression on our inner being, contributing to forming our nature and character. Because words have such tremendous power, our sages and seers of yore have suggested that we should be careful about every word we speak; and have also instructed that our speech should always be sweet, pious, and kind. Goswami Tulsidas has written in Ramacharitamanas – ‘Tulasi meethe vachan te, sukh upajat chahun or, vashikaran ek mantra hai, taj de vachan kathor.’ (meaning: Happiness begins to grow everywhere with sweet words. If you want to enchant others, use this simple mantra – never speak harsh words). In the same way, ‘Kaga kako dhan harai, koel kako deya, meethi vani bolkar jag bas mein kar leya.’ (meaning – what does a crow steal and what does a cuckoo give to anyone? Yet by its melodious voice, cuckoo steals everyone’s heart). With sweet and kind words, the entire world can be endeared, everyone can be made ours, and we can make a place in other people’s hearts.
Scriptures have prescribed truthfulness and goodwill as essential qualities of speech. Maharshi Vyasa says – truth must be used to benefit all beings and not harm them. If they hurt others, such words, despite being true, would be called false and sinful. Truth, spoken without discretion and concern for others, creates problems for others, and the speaker sins by doing so. We must carefully analyze a situation and then, using our prudence, speak words that are good for everyone. Speech can work both as an elixir as well as poison. A proper speech that encourages and creates joy, that is honest, sweet, and beneficial, is like an elixir of life. On the other hand, harsh, vile, egoistic words that ridicule and are spoken out of jealousy and hatred would cause harm to self and others and are no less than poison.
Our speech can help in uplifting our own selves as well as the whole society. By continuously addressing our mind with positive resolve, it can be persuaded to follow the righteous path. In a focused and quiet state, we should speak to our mind words that give it new energy, inspiration, and encouragement. By expressing such instructive words to ourselves, we can significantly enhance our mental power and inner strength, and by doing so, make our life purified, happy, and prosperous.
The practice of ‘maun’ (maintaining silence) can be adopted to make our words more effective and potent. Mahatma Gandhi used to say – ‘Silence is the best way to converse. If you need to speak, be as concise as possible. If one word is sufficient, don’t speak two.’ Benjamin Franklin has said – ‘None preaches better than an ant, and she says nothing.’ In Carlyle’s words, ‘Silence has more strength than words during any conversation. Misuse of speech results in enormous wastage of our energies.’ Just as abstinence is crucial for control of our senses, adopting silence is especially important for learning control over our speech.
Even otherwise, talking unnecessarily and excessively is harmful. For one, it leads to wastage of our energy. Second, it exposes weakness and superficialness of personality. It becomes difficult to know when the tongue may slip in a constant flow of words, leading to speaking what was better left unsaid and causing us to repent gravely in the future. Undoubtedly, silence is golden. Control over our speech and adopting silence greatly enhances our energy. Practice silence for a day in a month or a week and focus entirely on self contemplation and positive and righteous thoughts that day. Speak only what is essential. Wise people speak in very few words. Just as a sieve separates husk from grains, such people process words through the sieve of their minds and say only what is essential. Good usage of speech is no less than all other methods for spiritual upliftment, and everyone must learn it.