Two Businesses of the Tongue – Engaging the Tongue in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
The tongue is considered the most difficult sense to control, yet it is also the most important for spiritual progress. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the tongue has two primary "businesses": to vibrate and to taste. In the material condition, these functions are used for mundane talk and sense gratification, leading to further entanglement. However, by redirecting these activities toward Kṛṣṇa, the tongue becomes the gateway to liberation. This article examines the practical rules for engaging the tongue, the dangers of mundane vibration, and the perfection achieved through chanting and prasāda.
Dual Functions: Vibrate and Taste
The science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is remarkably simple in its application. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that because the tongue is the leader of the senses, engaging it automatically brings the other senses under control. The tongue's business is twofold: to speak (vibrate) and to taste. By vibrating the holy name and tasting only remnants offered to the Lord, the functions of the tongue are satisfied and purified. This process is so powerful that it can transform anyone—even those in the lowest conditions of life—into a pure devotee.
- Krsna's service begins from the tongue, because tongue has got two functions, namely to vibrate, to speak something, and to taste something. So you engage.
- 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.
- Engage this tongue for these two business: chant Hare Krsna and take prasadam. He will forget dog-eating. There is no exception. Everyone can become Krsna conscious if he follows, beginning, these two rules: chant Hare Krsna and take prasadam. That's all.
- We first of all must engage the tongue in chanting Hare Krsna and in eating bhagavat-prasada. Nothing else is required. Therefore the Krsna consciousness movement is distributing prasada and engaging people in chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.
The Danger of Mundane Croaking
When the tongue is not engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, it becomes a liability. Śrīla Prabhupāda uses the analogy of a frog in the rainy season. The frog "sings" loudly, but its croaking only serves to notify the serpent of its location, leading to its death. Similarly, mundane talk and the chanting of "nonsense" are compared to the behavior of a prostitute. Such activities waste the human form of body, which is intended for God-realization through the chanting of Vedic hymns and the glorification of the Supreme.
- The frogs ... You have got experience during rainy season. They use their tongue very nicely. They sing ka-ka-kan, ka-ka-kan, ka-ka-kan.. (laughter) Yes. But what is the result of singing.
- The tongue, which is given to the human being for chanting the Vedic hymns, will be considered a prostitute when engaged in chanting some mundane nonsense.
- The real fact is that you cannot stop the tongue working. Engage the tongue in Krsna consciousness. That is wanted. Don't talk material subject matters.
Following the Standard of Ambarīṣa Mahārāja
Ambarīṣa Mahārāja provides the perfect historical example of total sensory engagement. While he used his hands for cleansing the temple and his ears for hearing the Lord's pastimes, his tongue was specifically dedicated to tasting foodstuff offered to the Lord. By ensuring the tongue was occupied with remnants, he effectively anchored all his other senses in devotional service. This technique ensures that even when the tongue is not actively speaking, the consciousness remains in touch with Kṛṣṇa, which is the ultimate success of life.
- He (Ambarisa Maharaja) engaged his hands in cleansing the temple, he engaged his tongue in tasting the foodstuff offered to the Lord, and he engaged his ears for hearing the great pastimes of the Lord. In that way all his senses were engaged.
- Deity of Krsna should be seen. That is the benefit of the eyes. The ears should be engaged hearing about Krsna. The tongue should be engaged for eating Krsna's remnants of foodstuff, prasadam.
- So long the tongue is active we can chant. Even if the tongue is not active we can think of Krishna. Someway or other if we can keep in touch with Krishna that is our success of life.
Repeating the Words of the Spiritual Master
A key aspect of engaging the tongue is the transmission of transcendental knowledge. Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies his own success as being rooted in the simple act of repeating the words of his Spiritual Master without any change. This verbatim repetition is a form of service that purifies the speaker and the listener alike. When a disciple follows the regulative principles and engages the tongue in this authentic vibration, the Lord reveals Himself.
- I tried to give aural reception to the words of my Spiritual Master, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja, and thus I tried to engage my tongue in repeating the same words without any change.
- If it is any credit for me, that is what you have written that I tried to give aural reception to the words of my Spiritual Master, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaj & thus I tried to engage my tongue in repeating the same words without any change.
- I have given you already everything, so you please consult among yourselves if you have questions. It is said "By engaging one's tongue in chanting and taking prasad, simultaneously following the regulative principles, the Lord reveals Himself upon this."
- This human form of body, is a great opportunity, because God realization begins by engaging the tongue.
Conclusion
The human body offers a unique opportunity for God-realization, and that opportunity begins with the tongue. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions clarify that we do not need to silence the tongue, but rather give it its proper engagement. By satisfying its two "businesses"—vibrating the holy name and tasting sanctified remnants—we transform the leader of the senses into a transcendental instrument. This simple yet profound practice protects the devotee from the mundane "croaking" of existence and leads to the ultimate revelation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, ensuring that every moment is spent in the blissful service of 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 the Tongue. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.