Shloka 4
सत्यं ब्रूयात्प्रियं ब्रूयान्न ब्रूयात्सत्यमप्रियम् / प्रियं च नानृतं ब्रूयादेष धर्मः सनातनः
satyaṃ brūyātpriyaṃ brūyānna brūyātsatyamapriyam / priyaṃ ca nānṛtaṃ brūyādeṣa dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ
One should speak the truth and speak what is pleasing; one should not speak a truth that is harsh. And one should not speak a pleasing falsehood—this is the eternal dharma.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Satya with priya: speak truth that is beneficial/pleasing; avoid harsh truth; avoid pleasant untruth—sanatana-dharma of right speech.
Vedantic Theme: Vak-shuddhi as part of antahkarana-shuddhi; speech aligned with satya supports sattva and inner peace.
Application: Before speaking, apply a threefold filter: true, kind, and timely; if true but harmful, seek a gentler framing or silence; never lie for convenience.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.238.2 (purity of mind/speech/action)
FAQs
This verse defines satya as dharmic only when aligned with beneficence—truth should be spoken, but not in a way that becomes needlessly hurtful; dharma integrates truth with non-harm.
While not describing afterlife geography directly, it lays the ethical foundation that shapes karma: speech rooted in truth and compassion supports merit (puṇya), whereas harsh truth or pleasing deceit creates binding karmic consequences.
Speak truthfully with timing and kindness; avoid weaponizing “truth” to injure, and avoid lying to gain approval—choose words that are both honest and beneficial.