Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 148
Jyotiṣa-saṅgraha: Varga-vibhāga, Bala-nirṇaya, Garbha-phala, Āyuḥ-gaṇanā
श्रेष्ठं शुभतरं वाच्यं विपरीतगतस्य तु । नेष्टमुत्कटमिष्टं तु स्वल्पं ज्ञात्वा बलं वदेत् ॥ १४८ ॥
śreṣṭhaṃ śubhataraṃ vācyaṃ viparītagatasya tu | neṣṭamutkaṭamiṣṭaṃ tu svalpaṃ jñātvā balaṃ vadet || 148 ||
À celui qui s’est égaré, il faut dire ce qu’il y a de meilleur et de plus propice. Qu’on ne profère ni paroles déplaisantes ni dures; sachant la faiblesse de ses propres forces, qu’on parle avec douceur et retenue.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Moksha-Dharma discourse)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It frames speech as a dharmic discipline: even when correcting someone who has strayed, one should choose auspicious, uplifting words and avoid harmful harshness—purifying the mind and supporting the path toward moksha.
Bhakti is sustained by compassion and non-injury; gentle, auspicious speech reflects a sattvic heart and prevents pride or anger from entering one’s conduct—making one’s counsel an offering rather than a weapon.
It aligns with Shiksha (discipline of proper utterance) and Nīti: speech should be measured, non-harsh, and context-aware—especially when advising others—so that instruction becomes effective and dharmic.