Abhimanyu’s Assault on Bhīṣma’s Screen; Banner-Felling and Reinforcements (सौभद्र-भीष्म-समरः)
अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत् ।४ स्वाध्याया भ्यसनं चैव वाड्मयं तप उच्यते
arjuna uvāca | anudvegakaraṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priyahitaṁ ca yat | svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ caiva vāṅmayaṁ tapa ucyate ||
பிறரை கலங்கச் செய்யாத, உண்மையான, இனிய, நன்மை தரும் சொற்களும்; தொடர்ந்து சுவாத்யாயப் பயிற்சியும்—இவை வாக்குத் தவம் எனப்படுகிறது.
अजुन उवाच
Verbal austerity consists in disciplined speech that is non-harsh and non-agitating, while remaining truthful, pleasing, and genuinely beneficial, together with the regular practice of svādhyāya (self-study/recitation of sacred learning).
In the Bhīṣma Parva’s ethical instruction, Arjuna articulates a definition of vāṅmaya-tapas (austerity of speech), shifting focus from battlefield force to inner restraint and responsible communication.