The document discusses the importance and benefits of silence based on ancient scriptures and teachings. It explains that speech can cause stress and influence people in helpful or harmful ways. Certain activities like eating, defecating, and sex are best done in silence according to scriptures to avoid distractions and maintain focus. Observing periods of silence allows observation of one's thoughts and connection to the universe. Overall, the document advocates for learning to achieve real inner silence through practices like stress management and remembrance of God.

1. STRESS
AND
MAUNA
(SILENCE)
DR.
SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR

2. One of the causes of STRESS; for one who uses it; whom
it is addressed to and with whom it is shared; is speech!
Inadvertent use of words; their quantity, frequency, tone,
pitch, loudness, expressions, in our speech (talk, writing,
letters, articles, books, mails, SMS etc) can cause
widespread STRESS!
The study and practice of Total Stress Management
includes appropriate comprehension and expression of
written and spoken and even unspoken speech (which
has healing and rejuvenating characteristics)!
It is interesting to see how speech reflects the mind of a
person; and in turn how it can influence us; beneficially
or detrimentally!
One of the shlokas (verses in Sanskrut) says,

3. PAPENAIVA NRUNAANAM VAANEE BHAVET
KATUKABHASHINEE
DAINYA MAATSARYA PARAMAA
SHUBHAASHUBHAVIVARJITA
Meaning:
It is because of diseased mind with utmost lowliness and
jealousy that the speech becomes scalding with no
concern whatsoever for about the welfare or otherwise of
the listener.
In Geeta it is said,
ANUDVEGAKARAM VAAKYAM SAYAM PRIYA
HITAN CHA YAT
SVAADHYAAYAABHYASAN CHAIVA VANGMAYM
TAPA UCCHYATE
GEETA 17.15
Meaning:
Speech which does not humiliate and thereby hurt the
listener is true and pleasant and beneficial; is really the
product of penance involving the entire
neurophysiological and neuromuscular processes of
speech and articulation respectively.

4. There is another shloka which advocates silence during
certain physiological acts.
UTSARGE MAITHUNE CHAIVA
PRASTRAVE DANTADHAAVNE
SHRAADDHE BHOJANAKALE CHA
SHATSU MAUNAM SAMAACHARET
Meaning:
During defecation, urination, removal of secretions (dirt)
of nose, skin, ear and eyes; during sexual intercourse,
during bleeding, during cleaning of teeth, during
SHRAADDHA (ritual performed to commemorate and
pay homage to the forefathers, on the occasion their
death anniversary); and while eating food one should
observe silence i.e. speechlessness.
During defecation usually there is breath holding and
contraction of abdominal muscles. This is essential for
building adequate pressure in the abdomen so as to move
the feces towards anus. Due to talking the breath holding
ceases and the abdominal muscles also relax and
distraction is caused creating difficulty in defecation.

5. Urination also involves increase in pressure in the
abdomen and also in the urinary bladder. Talking can
alter these pressures and hence the urinary flow can be
disturbed.
When we are removing the secretions from nose
[respiratory secretions], skin, ears and eyes we should be
careful to remove the dirt carefully so as to avoid trauma
to theses structures
In general, all the excretory processes, viz. defecation,
urination, respiratory secretions, sweating, secretions in
the ear and eye involve autonomic nervous activity linked
with reticular formation in the brain. Talking can alter
activity of respiration, reticular formation, and mind,
autonomic nerves, endocrine system, metabolism and
excretion.
Sexual intercourse invariably involves autonomic activity
and hence it is strongly recommended that silence is
observed during sexual intercourse. It is important
because the intensity of the emotional integration and
depth of ecstasy are apparently hindered due to talking
during sexual intercourse.

6. Bleeding can either be physiological bleeding as in case of
menstrual bleeding or trauma [injury].
The process of bleeding and arrest of bleeding are
tremendously influenced by cardiovascular activity,
which in turn is influenced by autonomic nervous
activity. Hence talking that disturbs autonomic activity is
recommended to be avoided.
During cleaning of the teeth there is a prayerful attitude
with respect to the plants or herbs used in the process. So
talking is avoided. But from practical point of view,
talking during cleaning of teeth and gums can cause
inadvertent biting of fingers or injury to the oral cavity.
During SHRAADDHA silence is probably advised solely
for maintaining pious atmosphere, which is
understandable.
During eating the silence advised to avoid vulgar and
even mundane thoughts being articulated [thereby
hindering the sanctity of the eating] on the one hand and
to avoid accidental regurgitation of food in the trachea
on the other.

7. It can be seen how thoughtful our ancestors were; with
respect to understanding of life! It has to be appreciated
these are relatively superficial aspects of keeping silence.
There may be more explanations as well.
Learning to keep silence in terms of avoiding talk is a
very preliminary process of achieving real silence, which
is called KARMANI AKARMA in Geeta [4.18], and
which is full of peace and activity. It is very real and
deepest personal experience and also the cosmic
phenomenon that links one with the universe.
MANAHPRASAADAH SAAUMYATVAM MAAUNAM
AATMAVINIGRAH
BHAAVASAUNSHUDDHIRITYETAT TAPO
MAANASAMUCCHYATE
GEETA 17.16
Inner harmony associated with vocal silence; that
emanates life-giving joy; is indicator of inner purification
or evolution and referred to as MANASAM TAPA.
If we keep quiet for sometime, then we can easily observe
the turbulence of thoughts, which keep on crowding our
minds. This observation tells us that the thoughts are
neither our creation nor are restricted to our body. They

8. are the results of the interactions between cosmos and us
and illustrate the continuity between an individual and
the universe.
Keeping silence has a humorous and practical
implication also.
AATMANO MUKHADOSHENA BADHYANTE
SHUKA SAARIKA
BAKASTATRA NA BDHYANTE MAUNAM
SARVAARTHA SAADHANAM
Meaning:
Inappropriate [too long, too harsh, stupid, meaningless,
too enticing] speech is a cause of slavery, imprisonment
or other type of losses. Ability to remain silent is
extremely beneficial. This is clear from the examples of
SAARIKA and parrot that are caught and kept in cage
whereas crane is left free! Hence while negotiating in
business or in politics or even playing cards, silence can
play a pivotal role!
Let us appreciate that; the nature of our speech as well as
our response to others’ speech; is determined by; how
well; the holistic perspective, policies, plans, programs
and actions are effectively implemented in our social and

9. personal life; at all the levels; right from individual to
global, which is determined by our study and practice
Total Stress Management and NAMASMARAN.
We should not however; merely believe, disbelieve,
imagine, conjecture, or theorize anything written here;
casually; and go in uncertainty, dilemma, indecision,
wavering, and vacillations! In stead; we should; though
provisionally; accept and actually study and practice
Total Stress Management and NAMASMARAN and
verify.