Chapter 84

“‘Bhishma said, ‘In this connection, O Yudhishthira, the old account of aconversation between Vrihaspati and Sakra is cited.’

“Sakra said, ‘What is that one act, O regenerate one, by accomplishingwhich with care, a person may become the object of regard with allcreatures and acquire great celebrity?’

“Vrihaspati said, ‘Agreeableness of speech, O Sakra, is the one thing bypractising which a person may become an object of regard with allcreatures and acquire great celebrity. This is the one thing, O Sakra,which gives happiness to all. By practising it, one may always obtain thelove of all creatures. The person who does not speak a word and whoseface is always furrowed with frowns, becomes an object of hatred with allcreatures. Abstention from agreeable speeches makes him so. That personwho, upon beholding others, addresses them first and does so with smilessucceeds in making everyone gratified with him. Even gifts, if not madewith agreeable speeches, do not delight the recipients, like rice withoutcurry. If even the possessions of men, O Sakra, be taken away with sweetspeeches, such sweetness of behaviour succeeds in reconciling the robbed.A king, therefore, that is desirous of even inflicting chastisementshould utter sweet words. Sweetness of speech never fails of its purpose,while, at the same time it never pains any heart. A person of good actsand good, agreeable, and sweet speeches, has no equal.’

“Bhishma continued, ‘Thus addressed by his priest, Sakra began to actaccording to those instructions. Do thou also, O son of Kunti, practisethis virtue.”‘