Yoga for the Tongue - Becoming Purified through Sound and Taste
In the pursuit of spiritual perfection, the most critical sensory organ to master is the tongue. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that our material contamination is often maintained through our eating habits and our speech. However, in the process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the tongue is turned into a powerful tool for becoming purified. By changing our taste and our vibration, we can overturn years of material conditioning and awaken our original spiritual identity.
The Science of Spiritualized Taste
A significant portion of the purification process involves what we eat. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that by performance of yajña (sacrifice), one's eatables become sanctified. When we honor these foodstuffs as prasāda, our very existence becomes purified. This is not merely a ritual; it is a spiritualizing of the body's chemistry. Even the finer tissues of the memory become sanctified, allowing the devotee to think of the path of liberation. This method is so effective that Śrīla Prabhupāda suggests that if institutions would provide their staff with prasāda, the entire atmosphere would gradually become purified.
- All these combined together (eating sanctified food from yajna, existence becomes purified; finer tissues in the memory become sanctified, then one can think of the path of liberation) lead to Krsna consciousness, the great necessity of present-day society.
- By performance of yajna, one's eatables become sanctified, and by eating sanctified foodstuffs, one's very existence becomes purified.
- If we can change the materialistic nature of the tongue, by changing of taste and vibration, then automatically the other senses become purified. And we can render service to Krishna with purified senses.
Purification through Submissive Hearing
The other function of the tongue—speech—is purified through the vibration of the holy name. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that becoming purified begins with giving an aural reception to transcendental sounds. Even if a person does not understand the meaning of the words, simply sitting silently and hearing the mahā-mantra causes the mind to become purified. This constant association with the transcendental sound acts as a link to Kṛṣṇa, and as soon as that link is established, the heart is cleansed of all "dirty things" and material designations.
- Even if you do not understand anything, if you simply sit down silently and give aural reception to the sound vibration of Hare Krsna maha-mantra, you become purified.
- This hearing is very important for progressing in Krsna consciousness. When one links his ears to give aural reception to the transcendental vibrations he can quickly become purified and cleansed in the heart.
- Simply you come in this temple and try to hear about Krsna, sthane sthitah sruti-gatam tanu-van. That will purify. Krsna-kirtana, Krsna's name is so powerful, simply if you hear "Krsna, Krsna, Krsna, Krsna, Krsna," you become purified.
Sensory Leader and the Goal of Life
Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, which explains that when the tongue is utilized in the service of the Lord, the other senses follow. The eyes, ears, and hands become purified because they are all subordinate to the tongue. This "yoga for the tongue" is the most practical solution for a society plagued by degradation. By rejecting illicit activities and accepting the discipline of spiritual vibration and taste, the living entity becomes a "fit candidate" for returning home, back to Godhead.
- Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau: (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.234) when one utilizes the tongue in the service of the Lord, the other senses can become purified.
- The desire to satisfy the material senses will automatically diminish, and the senses will become so purified that they will be able to engage in bhakti - devotional service to the Lord.
- By constantly chanting and hearing the holy names and pastimes of the Supreme Lord, one certainly becomes purified and becomes a fit candidate for liberation.
Conclusion
The process of becoming purified through the tongue is a matchless gift for suffering humanity. Śrīla Prabhupāda shows that we do not need to perform impossible austerities or complex arguments to reach the Absolute. Instead, by the simple acts of chanting and honoring prasāda, we can liquidate all our sinful reactions and change the very quality of our existence. As our taste shifts from material sense gratification to transcendental service, the mirror of the heart is cleansed, and we finally perceive our true identity as eternal servants 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 Becoming Purified. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.