अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत् ।
स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते ॥ १७.१५ ॥

anudvegakaram vākyam satyam priyahitam ca yat |
svādhyāyābhyasanam caiva vāṅmayam tapa ucyate || 17.15 ||

Now he goes to list the constituents of oral austerity:

Non-irritating, truthful and pleasing speech, reading of Scriptures and performing spiritual practices – these are the constituents of oral austerity.

Human life distinguishes itself by the scope and art of speaking. An individual’s worth and excellence are expressed in the words and language he uses. Character, refinement, elegance and the like are revealed in one’s speech. Good words imply great refinement and development. Bad or wrong words, on the other hand, can bring any extent of havoc.

Right from childhood, one should be trained to speak with restraint, dignity and elegance. Any inclination to hurt or harm others or insinuate another should be carefully avoided. Like many bad habits, urges for wrong words and speech are often deeply ingrained in one’s personality. The seeker should be watchful and discreet to unearth these latent notes in him and eliminate them effectively.

The discipline to be adopted is to avoid all expressions that will be hurting, harmful or insulting. Words and statements should amply represent and reveal the facts every time. No concealment or distortion should be sought or nurtured. At no time should one offend another.

On hearing one’s words, it should not be necessary to hunt for facts. This means one’s words have to be straightforward and self-revealing. Even that is not sufficient. To speak factually is one thing. But to do so without disturbing and displeasing others is another. Both should be ensured. That will constitute the right, noble oral austerity. In other words, the speech should reflect what is in the speaker’s mind. It must also be wholesome and readily serve its purpose.

Reading and learning the Scriptures and such other compositions, practising japa and the like are also part of oral austerity.