Kṛṣṇa defines ‘Austerity of Speech’. He gives four strict criteria for any word spoken: it must be truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others. He also includes the regular recitation and study of scriptures as part of this discipline. This is the code of conduct for the tongue. This is one of the most difficult austerities. Often, we speak the truth but it is harsh (not pleasing). Or we speak pleasingly but it is a lie (not truthful). Kṛṣṇa says a wise person balances all four. If a truth is going to cause unnecessary agitation, find a kinder way to say it or stay silent. Using the tongue to chant and study (‘Svādhyāya’) redirects its power from gossip to God. It teaches us the weight of our words. Every word we speak creates a vibration in the world. By following this rule, we stop being a source of stress for others. We become healers through our speech. We should practice ‘Tongue-Yoga’—pausing before we speak to check if our words are truthful, kind, and useful. This austerity alone can transform all our relationships.