The Power of Words: Lessons from Gunatitanand Swami

In our day-to-day lives, the words we choose carry a weight that we often overlook. Every interaction, every conversation, holds the potential to uplift or to harm. Gunatitanand Swami, the first spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, shared a profound insight on this subject in Swamini Vat, Section 5, Number 163:

“Speak truthful, beneficial, and affectionate words, and speak without contempt, but do not speak with insistence.”

This simple guidance is a reminder of the impact that our words can have on others and on ourselves. Words, when spoken truthfully and with kindness, have the power to heal and uplift. Gunatitanand Swami emphasizes the importance of speaking in a way that is both gentle and genuine, focusing on the qualities of truthfulness, benefit, and affection. When our words align with these virtues, they can be a source of comfort and encouragement for those around us.

Swami further advises us to avoid negativity or contempt in our speech. Speaking with a negative or disdainful tone only causes harm, not just to others, but to ourselves as well. Contempt-filled words can create distance, hurt feelings, and deepen misunderstandings, making it harder for people to connect on a meaningful level.

Another key aspect of this teaching is the wisdom of not speaking with insistence. In conversations, we often feel the need to be heard or to prove our point. However, Gunatitanand Swami suggests that insistence can sometimes detract from the strength of our message. Instead, gentle words spoken without force can carry immense weight and leave room for understanding and reflection.

This teaching encourages us to reflect on our words and the intentions behind them. By speaking with honesty, kindness, and a lack of insistence, we allow our words to become instruments of positivity and understanding. In a world where words are often used hastily, Swami’s guidance reminds us to choose them with care, recognizing their potential to make a lasting difference in the lives of those we speak to.

Let us all strive to speak with truthfulness, affection, and without insistence, transforming our words into a force for good in the world.

To know more about Gunatitanand Swami: https://www.baps.org/About-BAPS/TheFounder%E2%80%93BhagwanSwaminarayan/TheSpiritualLineage-TheGuruParampara/GunatitanandSwami.aspx 

Swamini Vato Study App: thesatsanglife.com/vato

Anirdesh Section – 5, Number – 163 :- https://www.anirdesh.com/vato/index.php?prakaran=5&beg=161&increment=10