satyaṁ priya-hitaṁ ca yat

Let me speak to illuminate and appreciate,

Never use the truth as a tool to dominate.

May kind words become my daily charity,

Uplifting hearts by revealing your proximity.

(Bhagavad Gita 17.15, Part 2)

My dear Lord, help me realize that speech is meant not just to convey truths but also to build truly loving bonds. Let me remember that love cannot be built on lies, and yet love cannot be built on truth alone. Love also requires affection and compassion. May my words integrate all these ingredients of love.

O Lord of truth, you know the truth about all my mistakes and misdeeds, yet you never use that truth to beat me down with guilt. Let me similarly never weaponize truth to shame others into submission or compliance. Let me speak truth to illuminate and elevate.

O Lord of affection, you have blessed me, and indeed all human beings, with the power to speak kind words at no cost. Let me never be stingy in sharing what you have empowered me to give so freely: pleasing words that empathize, encourage, and appreciate.

O sublimely uplifting Lord, help me speak words that uplift others—not just in terms of their morale, but also in terms of their morality, their humanity, and their spirituality. Guide me to speak in a mood of service, helping others improve by accessing your uplifting presence within their own hearts.

O all-harmonizing Lord, may my speech become a harmony of words that are both truthful and helpful: truthful by being based in reality and helpful by being encouraging and uplifting.

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17.15 Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature.