The measure of good speech

*nānr̥gvēdavinītasya nāyajurvēddhāriṇaḥ.
nāsāmavēdaviduṣaśśakyamēvaṁ vibhāṣitum*

None but one steeped in Rig, Yajur, and Sama veda
Could speak with such shining clarity and grace.

*nūnaṁ vyākaraṇaṁ kr̥tsnamanēna bahudhā śrutam.
bahu vyāharatānēna na kiñcidapaśabditam*

Surely he's mastered all of grammar's rules
Not a word slips, not a sound falls apart.

*na mukhē nētrayōrvāpi lalāṭē ca bhruvōstathā.
anyēṣvapi ca gātrēṣu dōṣassaṁviditaḥ kvacit*

Not on his face, nor in his gaze,
Nor brow, nor limb, does fault find place.

*avistaramasandigdhamavilambitamadrutam.
urasthaṁ kaṇṭhagaṁ vākyaṁ vartatē madhyamē svarē*

His speech, clear and measured, neither rushed nor slow—
Steady in tone, from chest to throat it flows.

*saṁskārakramasampannāmadrutāmavilambitām.
uccārayati kalyāṇīṁ vācaṁ hr̥dayahāriṇīm*

His words are gentle, polished, pure and bright—
Not too quick, not too slow, yet they land just right.

*anayā citrayā vācā tristhānavyañjanasthayā.
kasya nārādhyatē cittamudyatāsērarērapi*

His vibrant words rise from heart, throat, and head—
Even a foe with a sword would pause instead.