Tongue is a Powerful Instrument: When Three Friends Turned Their Conversation Towards Lord Krishna

On August 18, 2015, in a casual corner where three friends were chatting freely after their duties, a simple interruption changed the direction of their words—and perhaps their lives. What started as an ordinary exchange became an invitation to replace ordinary talk with the blissful topics of Lord Hari.

I approached them gently during their conversation.

“Does anyone of you have Bhagavad Gita?”

“No, tell us. What happened?”

“An attempt for giving Bhagavad Gita. Please accept.”

“But why?”

“For seeing all of you conversating on topics of Lord Krishna which is blissful. Whatever you are conversating, if that doesn’t relate to the topics of Lord Krishna, then that conversation is like the voice of a frog.
Don’t mind but that is stated in Srimad Bhagavatam very clearly. Since you are now off from your duties, so it’s my humble request to try to conversate on topics of Lord Hari—and that you all can do by reading this book daily. One may read and others may listen and then discuss with each other.”

“So you mean to say that what we were discussing is harmful for us?”

“Yes, if that doesn’t relate to developing love for God and prospering in bhakti.”

“We can’t believe”

“I am repeating scripture verse only—‘jihvasati daardurikeva suta’. It is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 2, Chapter 3, Verse 20. The verse and its purport explain that if we don’t use our voice to chant the glories of Lord Krishna, our speech is compared to the croaking of a frog, which invites the snake of death (Yamaraja/Time) to eat them.”

“Please, it’s my request to start studying.”

A brief silence followed as the three friends looked at each other. Then, with a collective nod: “…..Let’s go for it. Thanks.”

I am thankful to each one of them for accepting Bhagavad Gita and opening their conversations to Krishna-katha!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada, whose clear presentation of scriptures turns even casual warnings into loving invitations to bhakti.

This moment carries one of the most hopeful teachings from shastra: Our tongue is a powerful instrument. When used for mundane gossip, complaints, or idle chatter, it invites kaal (time/death) like a frog’s croak summons a snake. But when directed toward Krishna-katha—reading, chanting, discussing the glories of the Lord—it becomes the source of immortality and bliss.

The three friends didn’t argue or defend their previous talk. They simply looked at each other and said, “Let’s go for it.” That collective decision—to read together, discuss together, grow in bhakti together—is the perfect response to shastra’s call. One person reading aloud while others listen, then sharing thoughts—that small daily practice can transform a group of friends into a sanga of devotees.

To every group of friends, family, or colleagues reading this: Your conversations matter. Make Lord Krishna the center. Start small—read a verse together during a break, share a pastime from Srimad Bhagavatam, discuss a teaching from Srimad Bhagavad Gita. What once invited kaal can now invite eternal life.

Have you ever turned an ordinary chat among friends into Krishna-katha? Or felt the difference when a group begins discussing spiritual topics? Share your experience below—your story may inspire another trio to say “Let’s go for it” today.

More real-life interruptions and beautiful acceptances coming soon, all weaving into a book filled with these merciful calls to redirect our words—and our lives—towards Lord Krishna. Keep speaking of Him—the snake of time has no power there.

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