Gateway of the Tongue – Engaging Our Senses in Kṛṣṇa's Service
In the material world, we are often victims of our own sensory demands, laboring as servants to the very instruments meant for our elevation. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the "material disease" is essentially the misuse of the senses for personal gratification. The cure is the process of bhakti, which redirects these senses to their original proprietor—Hṛṣīkeśa, the Master of the senses. Among all the senses, the tongue occupies a unique and pivotal role; it is the leader that, when properly engaged, brings all other senses into harmony with the Divine.
The Scientific Definition of Bhakti
Bhakti is not an abstract sentiment or a vague emotion; it is a practical science defined as hṛṣīkeṇa hṛṣīkeśa-sevanam. This means using our senses (hṛṣīka) to serve the master of the senses (Hṛṣīkeśa). Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that because we are part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa, our senses are also His. When we use them for our own pleasure, we are in an abnormal, diseased condition. However, the moment we use them for Kṛṣṇa’s purpose, we return to our normal, healthy stage. This engagement is the very definition of liberation.
- Hrsikena hrsikesa-sevanam bhaktir ucyate: (CC Madhya 19.170) when by our senses (hrsikena) we serve Hrsikesa, the real master of the senses, that service is called bhakti. This is a very simple definition of bhakti.
- Everyone is part and parcel of Krsna (mamaivamso jiva-loke jiva-bhutah (BG 15.7)), and therefore everyone's senses are also Krsna's. When we use the senses for Krsna's service, we attain the perfection of life.
- If anyone is reestablished in his original, constitutional position as part and parcel of the Supreme and engages his energy in that way, he is liberated. This is the definition of liberation.
The Tongue as the Leading Sense
Among the ten senses and the mind, the tongue is the most critical gateway. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that our material senses are currently "blunt" and cannot perceive the Supreme Personality of Godhead. However, the spiritual process begins with the tongue. By vibrating the holy names of Kṛṣṇa and tasting Kṛṣṇa-prasāda with a spirit of service, the tongue is purified. Because all other senses are led by the tongue, their purification and engagement in the Lord’s service follow naturally. This makes Kṛṣṇa consciousness a sublime and practical method for sanctifying one's life.
- The only process for perceiving Krishna and His name, qualities, form is our sincere service attitude with our senses. Beginning from the tongue, all our senses are practically led by the tongue sense, whose business is to vibrate and to taste.
- When one engages his senses in the service of the Lord - specifically, when one engages the tongue in chanting the Hare Krsna mantra and tasting only Krsna prasada with a spirit of service - the Supreme Personality of Godhead is revealed.
- This Krsna consciousness movement is the process by which you can purify, sanctify your senses. And then, when your senses are engaged in Krsna's service, beginning with the tongue, then your life becomes perfect.
Automatic Control through Total Engagement
A person in Kṛṣṇa consciousness does not need to practice artificial or forced sense control. While materialistic persons are entangled by the dictations of material intelligence, the devotee’s senses are "locked up" in service. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the example of Ambarīṣa Mahārāja, who used his legs to go to the temple, his head to offer obeisances, and his sense of smell to relish the fragrance of flowers offered to Kṛṣṇa. When the mind is fixed at the lotus feet of the Lord, the senses have no opportunity to be otherwise engaged. This total absorption automatically makes one a master of the senses (gosvāmī).
- Ambarisa engaged his sense of smell by relishing the fragrance of flowers offered to Krsna, his tongue in tasting the tulasi leaves offered to the lotus feet of Krsna, his legs in going to the temple of Krsna, and his head in offering obeisances to Krsna.
- A Krsna consciousness person being always situated in the transcendental loving service of God, automatically becomes the controller of the senses. His senses, being always engaged in the service of Krsna, have no chance of becoming otherwise engaged.
- When the senses are engaged only for the service of Krsna, Hrsikesa, then there is no need of practicing yoga. Automatically they are locked up in the service of Krsna. They have no other engagement. That is the highest.
- Actually the whole world is serving the senses, servant of the senses. Godasa. But if we engage the senses in the service of Krsna, then we shall no longer remain the servant of the senses. We shall be the master of the senses.
Transcending the Platform of Material Nature
Engagement in Kṛṣṇa’s service is synonymous with transcending the material world. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that when our senses, mind, speech, and energies are thus engaged, we are no longer existing within material nature. We become situated in bhakti-rasa—the eternal, spiritual mellow of life. This process frees the devotee from the contaminations of the three material modes of nature. Whether in the preliminary stage of physical engagement or the advanced stage of constant internal remembrance, the goal is to develop the eyes to see Kṛṣṇa in all things and to remain saved from "nonsense activities."
- If our mind, senses, speech, money and energies are thus engaged in the service of Krsna, then we are no longer in material nature. By virtue of spiritual consciousness, or Krsna consciousness, we transcend the platform of material nature.
- The senses can then become uncontaminated, being constantly in touch with bhakti-rasa. When the purified senses are employed in the service of the Lord, one becomes situated in bhakti-rasa life.
- All his (Dhrtarastra's) senses were being engaged in the service of the Lord. This process directly helps the devotee to get freedom from the contaminations of the three material modes of nature.
- When we have the strength to refuse to allow our senses to be engaged other than in the service of Krsna, then we shall be saved.
Conclusion
Properly engaging the senses in Kṛṣṇa’s service is the definitive path to spiritual mastery and happiness. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions illuminate how the fickle mind and the unruly senses can be harnessed and spiritualized. By beginning with the gateway of the tongue—vibrating the holy name and honoring remnants—the practitioner sets in motion a chain reaction of purification that affects the entire being. This active dedication transforms the living entity from a servant of the senses into a master of the senses, eternally situated on the transcendental platform of bhakti, free from the diseased condition of material existence and firmly anchored in their original relationship with Kṛṣṇa.
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 Engaging Our Senses in Kṛṣṇa's Service. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.