Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 47
गङ्गामाहात्म्य — The Greatness of the Gaṅgā
पिशुना जिह्वया पूर्वं परुषं प्रवदन्ति च । अतीव करुणं वाक्यं वदन्त्येव तथाबलाः ॥ ४७ ॥
piśunā jihvayā pūrvaṃ paruṣaṃ pravadanti ca | atīva karuṇaṃ vākyaṃ vadantyeva tathābalāḥ || 47 ||
பழிசொல்லும் நாவால் முதலில் கடுமையாகப் பேசுவோர், பின்னர் பலவீன குணத்தால் மிகக் கருணை நிறைந்ததுபோல் தோன்றும் சொற்களையும் பேசுவார்கள்।
Nārada (teaching the Sanatkumāra brothers in an ethical instruction context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It exposes hypocrisy in speech—harshness followed by feigned compassion—and teaches that true dharma requires purity and consistency of intention, not merely sweet-sounding words.
Bhakti is sustained by humility and non-injury; controlling slander and harsh speech protects devotion from aparādha (offenses) and keeps one’s mind fit for nāma-japa and remembrance of the Lord.
It aligns with Śikṣā (discipline of sound/speech) in a practical sense: speech must be disciplined, measured, and truthful—avoiding pāruṣya (cruel speech) and paiśunya (slander).