[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021) › c5.s7.4 # Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c5.s7.4 Vāda in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c5.s7.4 - **Language:** English ### [c5.s7.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c5.s7.4) The law books of Manu, Yājñavalkya, Nārada and others define \*vāk-pāruṣya\* (harshness of speech) as one of the sins and also prescribe punishment for it. The concept of \*vāk-pāruṣya\* involves shouting, calling names and throwing abuses. According to Nārada, a statement made out of malice towards a country, a nation or a kin makes a person inflicted with the sin of \*vāk-pāruṣya\*. Both Manu³⁹ and Yājñavalkya⁴⁰ prescribe penalty for a man who uses humiliating terms for physically disabled persons (Manu prescribes only less than a \*kārṣāpaṇa\* but Yājñavalkya makes it thirteen and a half \*paṇas\*).⁴¹ There are severe penalties for a man who speaks dirty words for anyone’s mother, sister or wife. Kauṭilya defines the following categories of \*vāk-pāruṣya\* — attributing physical deficiency (calling someone blind, deaf, etc.), use of filthy language and condemnation.⁴² - [Previous: c5.s7.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c5.s7.3) - [Next: c5.s7.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c5.s7.5) - [Up: c5.s7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c5.s7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c5.s7.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c5.s7.4) · Pramāṇa