VANI SANYAM DIWAS

The fourth day of the Paryushana Parva was celebrated as “Vani Sanyam Diwas” i.e. the day dedicated for practicing silence. On the eve of “Vani Sanyam Diwas” Samani Bhavit Pragya ji said that the speaking is the way of expressing your own thoughts and the way you put your thoughts before others makes a lot of difference. “Vaani” in Hindi and Speaking in English is the power given to human beings by which one can communicate one-selve’s views, feelings and emotions. One should learn how to speak effectively.

Can you notice the difference between human beings and animals? There are two main differences that can easily be observed:

• Living creature can think and analyze whereas animal can’t
• Human beings can express them selves in their own words whereas animals can’t

But when to speak, where to speak and how to speak is an art that one must learn. As such we all understand “Maun” as keeping mum but in Jainology, “Maun” means art of speaking. Practicing the art of speaking on a routine basis, keep ourselves away from anger and keeps us cool in adverse situation.

In words of Acharya Shri Mahapragyaji, maun does not mean keeping mum at the moment but expressing all you are thinking through your body language. According to him maun means the art of speaking. It is correctly said that THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK. We all should learn this art. Here are few tips on art of speaking:

• Speak only when it is necessary to speak
• Practice 10 minutes of silence after every hour of speaking
• Take your meals silently
• Don’t speak when you are angry
• Keep mum when your partner gets excited
• Don’t speak continuously, take a break

It is well said that a person impresses once though his/her appearance but makes his/her last impression when he/she speaks. Speaking effectively makes a lot of difference in one’s personality. We should learn to express our selves in a balanced manner. Neither speak too much nor too less.

People who has the power of tolerance can adopt silence. Silence controls fights and increase the coordination among the person. The person who is having the power of converting revenge in to cordial relationship can observe silence. Some one may keep mum but his mind may speak much to cause more damage to others. So it is preached that do not speak when not necessary, speak little and calculated words to be effective