Talking about God - Reviving our Original Consciousness
Talking about God is not a sign of craziness or outdated sentiment; it is the fundamental process for purifying the human mind and reviving our original spiritual awareness. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that while modern society is often characterized by nonsense talk and the avoidance of the Divine, the human tongue finds its true perfection when it is engaged in describing the glories and pastimes of the Supreme Lord.
The Cure for the Material Disease
Just as a psychiatrist uses conversation to help a patient regain their mental health, the process of talking about God acts as a clinical treatment for the soul's material conditioning. Constant hearing and speaking about Kṛṣṇa allows the living entity to revive their dormant God consciousness and find their original identity.
- A crazy fellow goes to the psychiatrist and he talks with him; gradually, he cures him - similarly, these living entity, if they associate with devotees and they constantly talk and hear about God, then again he revives his God consciousness.
- Mauna necessitates refraining from nonsensical talking, and engaging the talking facility in the pastimes of the Lord. In that way one can chant and hear about the Lord in order to perfect his life.
- Transcendental subject matter is so nice that no one becomes tired of hearing or speaking. Others, who are not devotees, may think, "How can people devote so much time simply to talks of God.
- There are many students of my ISKCON institution. This institution is open a little over a year; but some of the students, by simply chanting, by the grace of Krsna, have advanced in such a way that they can talk about the science of God.
Distinguishing Human Life from Animal Society
The hallmark of a truly human society is its focus on the Absolute Truth. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that any civilization — whether scientific, secular, or religious — that discourages talk of God descends to the level of animal life, where talk is limited only to bodily maintenance.
- Every state is trying to become secular: "Don't talk of God." "Don't talk of God," then what you are? That is animal society. The animal society has no talk of God. There is only talk of how to fill up the belly. That's all.
- Amongst the scientists this is an etiquette, not to talk of God. Everything science. Means everything nonsense, passing on as scientist.
- The most heinous type of atheist; not gentlemen. Whenever they hold some conference they say, "Don't talk of God. Then you cannot come to the conference." Do they not? What is that principle?
- If we call all the dogs of your country, "Come here. We shall talk about God," no, there is no possibility of understanding. But in the human form of life there is possibility.
Talking as a Form of Kīrtana
While kīrtana is often associated with musical instruments, the act of discussing the Supreme Personality of Godhead is also considered a vital form of chanting. Such talk creates an immediate association with the Lord and transforms any assembly into Vaikuṇṭha, the spiritual world.
- Kirtana does not mean always that we have to chant loudly with drums and kartalas or musical instruments. Kirtana, this kind of talking about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, this kind of talking about our self-realization, that is also kirtana.
- When the pure devotees assemble to chant, hear and talk about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the place where they assemble becomes Vaikuntha. For the devotee there is no need to pray to the Lord for transferal to the Vaikuntha world.
- Either you chant the holy name of Rama or you see the statue of Rama or you talk of His pastimes, transcendental pastimes, everything, that means you are associating with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- You do not forget this business of sravanam kirtanam visnoh (SB 7.5.23). Visnu is of the . . . we should always engage ourselves in hearing and talking. Talking is also chanting.
Halting the Wastage of Time
Śrīla Prabhupāda compares the tongue that does not talk of God to the tongue of a frog, which merely invites death. By engaging in kṛṣṇa-kathā — talking about Kṛṣṇa — the devotee prevents their lifespan from being diminished by the movement of the sun, making their time eternal.
- The frogs, frog's tongue, very busy in croaking. But it, it, it is means inviting death. Similarly, by talking nonsense we allow our span of life being diminished by the sunrise and sunset, but if we talk about the SPG, then our life cannot be taken away.
- This verse is very important. Ayur harati vai pumsam udyann astam ca yann asau tasyarte yat-ksano nita. Simply krsna-katha, chanting. If you have no time, don't sit idly. If there is no facility for reading books or talking about Krsna, chant Hare Krsna.
- It is mentioned here (in SB 3.22.35) visnoh kurvato bruvatah kathah. When he (Manu) talked, he talked only of Krsna and Visnu, the Personality of Godhead; when he heard something, it was about Krsna; when he meditated, it was upon Krsna and His activities.
- With the tongue begins spiritual life. If we restrict our tongue not to talk uselessly, simply talk of Krsna or chant Hare Krsna, read Krsna books, and when you are hungry, take krsna-prasadam, then it will be possible, you can control the tongue.
Conclusion
Talking about God is the most sublime and effective use of human speech. It is not merely a religious ritual but a profound psychological and spiritual science that reinstates the soul in its constitutional position. For a pure devotee, talk of anything other than Kṛṣṇa is seen as a waste of time, while discussion of His pastimes provides inexhaustible spiritual potency. Even a little faith expressed by attending a meeting to talk about God can be the seed for complete self-realization. By talking of Kṛṣṇa, writing about Him, and hearing about Him, we become Kṛṣṇa-ized, transforming our material existence into an eternal life of knowledge and bliss.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Talking about God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.