The Art of Speaking Clearly: Insights from Basavanna’s Vachanas

In our fast-paced, digital world, we are surrounded by a constant stream of information—and often, misinformation. Soundbites fill our feeds, and our conversations often resemble a competition for attention rather than a genuine exchange. In this age of “idle chatter,” it is surprising. One of the most powerful and enduring guides to ethical communication is in a 12th-century Kannada poem.

I have the privilege to deliver a presidential address every week. It is at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore’s alumni-only Toastmasters club. The club is called the IIMB Orators Club. The challenge and opportunity lie in finding a new idea or topic to choose for delivering a speech. I had selected ‘Speaking Clearly and Quickly’ as the theme. My search for a good reference to speak on this theme led me to explore various texts. That’s when I stumbled upon one of the gems of Kannada literature, Basavanna’s Vachanas. All my Kannada friends are aware of this, but it was a delightful blessing for me.

ನುಡಿದರೆ ಮುತ್ತಿನ ಹಾರದಂತಿರಬೇಕು |

ನುಡಿದರೆ ಮಾಣಿಕ್ಯದ ದೀಪ್ತಿಯಂತಿರಬೇಕು |

ನುಡಿದರೆ ಸ್ಫಟಿಕದ ಶಲಾಕೆಯಂತಿರಬೇಕು |

ನುಡಿದರೆ ಲಿಂಗ ಮೆಚ್ಚಿ ಅಹುದೆನಬೇಕು |

ನುಡಿಯೊಳಗಾಗಿ ನಡೆಯದಿರ್ದಡೆ ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗಮದೇವನೆಂತು ಮೆಚ್ಚುವನಯ್ಯಾ?

The poet is Basavanna, a revolutionary social reformer from what is now Karnataka, India. He was the central figure of the Vachana movement. This movement uses simple, colloquial language to democratize spiritual and intellectual thought. It challenged the elite monopoly of Sanskrit. His poetic verses, known as Vachanas, were short, prose-like poems that addressed profound truths in a way everyone could understand.

One of his most famous Vachanas serves as a timeless blueprint for how we should speak. It begins with the line “ನುಡಿದರೆ ಮುತ್ತಿನ ಹಾರದಂತಿರಬೇಕು” (Nudidare muttina haradantirabeku), which translates to, “If you speak, it should be like a string of pearls.”

Nudidare muttina haaradantirabeku:
If you speak, it should be like a string of pearls.
Nudidare maanikya da deeptiyantirabeku:
If you speak, it should be like the flash of a ruby
Nudidare sphatikada shalakayanthirabeku:
If you speak, it should be like a bar of crystal.
Nudidare linga mechchi ahudenabeku:
If your words and deeds do not match, how will the Lord be pleased?
Nudiyolagagi nadiyadirde kudaala sangama devanentu mechuvanayya?
If your words and deeds do not match, how will the Lord be pleased?

Let’s unpack this powerful metaphor.

The Pearl Necklace: On Clarity and Coherence

A pearl necklace is defined by its elegant, deliberate arrangement. Each pearl is lovely alone. Its true worth is in how it’s “woven properly” and linked to the next. Together, they form a finished whole. When Basavanna says our words should be like a string of pearls, he is advising against rambling or disconnected speech. Instead, our words should be meaningful and subtle, strung together in a logical and captivating sequence that impacts the listener. This is the foundation of speaking clearly.

The Ruby’s Flash: On Impact and Substance

The Vachana continues with a second, more dynamic metaphor. It states: “If you speak, it should be like the flash of a ruby.” A ruby’s brilliance is bright and far-reaching. It’s not enough for our words to simply be beautiful. They must also possess intellectual substance. Our words should have the power to illuminate the listener. This simile emphasizes that our message should have an impact that extends beyond the immediate moment.

The Crystal Bar: On Precision and Truth

Finally, Basavanna addresses the idea of “quick” speech with the image of a crystal bar. “If you speak, it should be like a bar of crystal.” The term used in Kannada, shalake (ಶಲಾಕೆ), means a rod or tool, suggesting precision and directness. A crystal is sharp and clear, and its light pierces through whatever it encounters. This metaphor shifts the meaning of “quick speech.” It is not about high-speed delivery, but speech that is concise and truthful. It should be “as to the point as possible,” cutting through ambiguity and falsehoods.

The Revolutionary Twist: The Nuḍi-Naḍe Principle

The Vachana’s final lines are arguably its most profound. After defining the ideal qualities of speech, Basavanna delivers a powerful moral conclusion:

“If your words and deeds do not match, how will the Lord of the meeting rivers be pleased?”

This simple couplet introduces the core philosophical concept of the Vachana movement: the Nudi-Nade principle, which means “word-deed” or “speech-conduct.” The elegance of pearls is meaningless without truth in one’s actions. The brilliance of rubies is also meaningless. The sharpness of crystals holds no value without truth. The poem establishes that the lack of alignment between our words and our actions. This misalignment negates the value of the words entirely. The pearls are broken, the ruby’s flash is a lie, and the crystal is opaque.

We live in an age where social media influencers, political figures, and even friends often say one thing and do another. Basavanna’s Vachana remains relevant. This highlights the discrepancy between words and actions. This relevance is as true today as it was in the 12th century. It powerfully reminds us that the true test of communication is in its foundation of sincerity and integrity. It is not in its aesthetic polish or its immediate effect.

In essence, Basavanna’s message is that our words are not just sounds; they are a direct reflection of our character. We should strive to make our speech elegant, impactful, and truthful. We must ensure it is always aligned with our actions. By doing so, we can change communication from a mere tool. It becomes a force for honesty and righteousness in the world.