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The Unknown Pilgrims
inauthentic there corresponds the very positive aspect of self-mastery, moderation, serious-mindedness.
346
So far, despite the solid framework that these considerations provide for this second mahāvrata, we have been speaking in a general way. We must now describe in brief the essence of the teaching imparted to the sadhvis on this subject in numerous texts. The Daśavaikalika-sūtra has a chapter entitled: vākya-śuddhi, purity of speech.39 Before proceeding to a few texts, we must stress this point: satya always implies an element of benevolence, of kindness, goodnaturedness, amiability; words spoken must be priya, friendly. Satya does not mean only to refrain from lying and deceit and to say things as one perceives them to be; it is something deeper, more subtle, with the attainment of sat, neither more or less, as its goal - sat, the essence of being, to which one addresses oneself and which one approaches with respect. One must avoid hurtful words40 As to the rest of the rules and considerations upon this subject, here is the following brief but comprehensive synthesis:
[A muni] must not speak unless he is requested to do so; he must not interrupt another speaking, he must not slander, he must guard himself from deceitful lies. On no occasion should he use hurtful language such as expresses hostility or arouses a reaction of anger in the one to whom he is speaking; [A muni], being master of himself, must speak of what he has himself seen, with moderation, without hesitation or ill-humour, with depth, clarity, conciseness [and] thorough understanding.41
39 Cf. DS VII.
40 Ibid., VI, 11-12; VII, 11-13; cf also AS II, 4, 2, 1-2; US I, 15.
41 appucchio na bhāsejjā bhāsamāṇassa aṁtarā
pitthimamsam na khācjjā, māyāmosaṁ vivajjae. DS VIII, 46. appattiyam jeņa siyā, āsu kuppejja vā paro
savvaso tam na bhāsejjā bhāsaṁ ahiyagāmiņim. DS VIII, 47. dittham miyam asaṁdiddhaṁ paḍipunņam viyam jiyam. ayampira-maṇuvviggam bhāsam nisira attavam. DS VIII, 48; cf. also ADH IV, 36-47; AS II, 4; DS VIII, 49; MA I, 6 V, 93; US I, 8-14; XXIV, 910; SthS 741 enumerates 10 sorts of satya, 10 sorts of mṛṣāvāda and 10 sorts of satyamṛṣă i.e. language in which there is a mixture of truth and falsehood.
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