Controlling The Tongue With Kṛṣṇa's Prasādam
In the science of bhakti-yoga, the tongue is identified as the most voracious and difficult sense to conquer, yet it holds the key to spiritual perfection. Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently teaches that by engaging the tongue in the service of the Lord—specifically by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and eating only kṛṣṇa-prasādam—one can easily control the mind and other senses. This article explores the philosophy behind spiritualized eating, illustrating how the simple act of honoring the Lord's remnants purifies the heart and liberates the devotee from the cycle of material contamination.
The Tongue as the Gateway to Spiritual Life
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that devotional service actually begins with the tongue. The Vedic principle sevonmukhe hi jihvādau states that by utilizing the tongue to vibrate the holy names and taste the food offered to the Deity, one initiates a process of self-realization that eventually reveals the form and nature of Kṛṣṇa Himself.
- By the tongue you can begin. Simply by eating krsna-prasadam, without reading any Vedic literature, without reading even Bhagavad-gita, if you simply think of Krsna, "How nicely Krsna has tasted this foodstuff," you become Krsna conscious.
- Jihvadau: this (devotional) service begins with the tongue, with chanting and with taking the prasada of Krsna.
- Tongue has got two functions, namely to vibrate to speak something, and to taste something. So you engage. You simply engage your tongue for chanting and glorifying Krsna, and eat prasadam, then the two tongue's business will be finished.
Purification Through Spiritual Food
Eating is not merely a physical necessity but a spiritual activity when the food is sanctified. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that just as eating in an infected area brings disease, eating kṛṣṇa-prasādam "infects" one with Kṛṣṇa consciousness, curing the material disease and neutralizing the sinful reactions inherent in food preparation.
- As you take foodstuff from a infected area, you become infected with some disease, so this is Krsna infected, prasadam. You take it, and one day you'll be diseased with Krsna consciousness. And that is a fact.
- If you take Krsna prasadam, then if there is any sin, it goes to Krsna; you take pure prasadam.
- As soon as Krsna accepts, your life is sanctified immediately. Therefore we should eat krsna-prasada, nothing more. Not in the hotel, not in the restaurant. Simply krsna-prasada. That will keep me purified always.
The Standard of the "Prasadarian"
A devotee is distinct from a vegetarian; the goal is not simply to avoid meat but to accept only what Kṛṣṇa eats. Śrīla Prabhupāda humorously but philosophically notes that "vegetarians" who do not offer their food to the Lord are still liable for the sin of killing plants, whereas a "prasadarian" is free from all karma because they accept the Lord's remnants.
- We are not vegetarian, neither non-vegetarian. We eat Krsna prasada. Rather, "prasadarian." We are neither vegetarian, nor non-vegetarian. Because we don't eat which is not offered to Krsna.
- Even the so-called vegetarians who do not take Krishna prasadam are as much sinful as the non-vegetarians. Our propaganda is different, to make people Krishna Conscious, which automatically makes them sympathetic against any kind of animal slaughter.
- If you simply cook for your sense gratification, then you have to take responsibility of all the killing business. But if you offer to Krsna and take the prasadam, you become free from the contamination.
Practical Discipline and Sense Control
Controlling the tongue involves a determined vow to refuse any food not offered to Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that eating palatable foods in restaurants or for mere sense enjoyment leads to a loss of spiritual standing, whereas accepting simple, regulated prasādam keeps the body fit and the mind fixed on the Supreme.
- Generally we should not allow the tongue to eat according to its choice, but should control the tongue by supplying prasada. The devotee's attitude is that he will eat only when Krsna gives him prasada. That is the way to control the urge of the tongue.
- Strictly speaking, if a devotee ignores the regulative principles and acts according to his whims - if, for example, he does not eat krsna-prasadam but eats anywhere and everywhere, such as in restaurants - there is every possibility of his falling down.
- Bhaktivinoda Thakura said, "Out of all the senses, the tongue is very difficult to control, formidable enemy." So in order to control the tongue, He has given nice prasadam.
Conclusion
The process of controlling the tongue with kṛṣṇa-prasādam is both a discipline and a joyful engagement. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that we do not have to artificially stop eating or starve to make spiritual advancement; rather, we must change the quality of our eating by linking it to Kṛṣṇa. By adhering to the vow of eating only food offered to the Lord, the devotee purifies their existence, conquers the formidable material senses, and rapidly advances toward a face-to-face meeting with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
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 Krsna's Prasadam. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.