4. Jihva Mandir(Tongue of Govardhan)
Objectives:
Objective 3: To describe the daily worship (seva-puja) procedures associated with the Jihva Shila.
Objective 1: To explain the concept of the tongue as a temple (Jihva Mandir) in Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy and its relation to bhakti-yoga practices.
In the holy land of Vraja Bhumi, each stone, tree, and pond holds deep spiritual significance. Among these sacred places, Jihva Mandir at Govardhan stands out as a unique site directly connected to the intimate pastimes of Sri Krishna and His dear devotee, Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami. This temple, revered especially by Gaudiya Vaishnavas is a constant reminder of Sri Krishna’s divine mercy and personal reciprocation with His bhaktas.
Jihva Mandir is located near Govardhan Hill, close to Radha Kunda, in Vraja Mandala, Uttar Pradesh. Pilgrims visit this temple during Govardhan Parikrama, offering obeisances and remembering the mercy of Sri Krishna upon His pure devotees.
The term “Jihva Mandir” literally means “temple of the tongue”, and it is often used in Vaishnava bhakti literature and devotional teachings to emphasize that the tongue should be sanctified by chanting the holy names of Sri Krishna and speaking only pure, spiritual topics.
Objective 2: To understand the origin and historical significance of Jihva Mandir and its connection to Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami and Govardhan Hill.
According to ancient tradition and as described in the Gaudiya Vaishnava scriptures, Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, one of the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan, desired to lovingly serve the residents of Vraja. Out of his deep compassion, he planned to dig a well so that the local people would not wash their clothes in the sacred waters of Radha Kunda.
During the digging, the workers struck a unique stone, and to everyone’s astonishment, blood began to flow from it. Witnessing this extraordinary event, Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami immediately stopped the work.
That night, Sri Krishna appeared to him in a dream and revealed:
“This stone is non-different from Me. The rock you have struck is actually the tongue of Giriraj Govardhan.”
Following the Lord’s divine instruction, Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami carefully removed the Govardhan Shila sacred stone and placed it on a special altar. This shila became the central object of worship at Jihva Mandir, the temple that honors the tongue of Govardhan Hill.Following the Lord’s divine instruction, Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami carefully removed the Govardhan Shila sacred stone and placed it on a special altar. This shila became the central object of worship at Jihva Mandir, the temple that honors the tongue of Govardhan Hill.
Objective 3: To describe the daily worship (seva-puja) procedures associated with the Jihva Shila.
Following Gaudiya Vaishnava parampara traditions, the Jihva Shila is worshipped daily with:
- Tulasi leaves
- Water from Radha-Kunda
- Sankirtan (congregational chanting of the Holy Name)
- Bhoga (food offerings made with devotion)
This worship reflects the instruction given by Sri Krishna Himself to Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami.
Objective 4: To analyze Govardhan’s tongue as a symbol of Sri Krishna’s acceptance of devotional service and the tasting of bhakti through offerings and chanting.
According to Vaishnava tattva, Govardhan Hill is non-different from Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna manifested as Govardhan to accept the loving offerings of the Vrajavasis during the Govardhan Puja. The tongue of Govardhan, symbolized by the Jihva Shila, represents Govardhan’s role in tasting the devotion of devotees through their offerings of bhoga and seva.
Objective 5: To identify and interpret key scriptural references that emphasize the use of the tongue in divine service.
Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā 6.227
jihvāra lālase yei iti-uti dhāya
śiśnodara-parāyaṇa kṛṣṇa nāhi pāya”
Translation
“One who is subservient to the tongue and who thus goes here and there, devoted to the genitals and the belly, cannot attain Kṛṣṇa.”
Explanation:
This highlights how improper use of the tongue (in terms of taste and speech) becomes an obstacle to devotional service.
Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 17.133
nāma cintāmaṇiḥ kṛṣṇaś
caitanya-rasa-vigrahaḥ
pūrṇaḥ śuddho nitya-mukto
’bhinnatvān nāma-nāminoḥ
Translation
‘The holy name of Kṛṣṇa is transcendentally blissful. It bestows all spiritual benedictions, for it is Kṛṣṇa Himself, the reservoir of all pleasure. Kṛṣṇa’s name is complete, and it is the form of all transcendental mellows. It is not a material name under any condition, and it is no less powerful than Kṛṣṇa Himself. Since Kṛṣṇa’s name is not contaminated by the material qualities, there is no question of its being involved with māyā. Kṛṣṇa’s name is always liberated and spiritual; it is never conditioned by the laws of material nature. This is because the name of Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa Himself are identical.’
Explanation:
Since the holy name is non-different from Krishna Himself, chanting makes the tongue a place of Sri Krishna’s presence-a temple.
Nectar of Instruction (Upadeśāmṛta) – Verse 1
Sanskrit Verse:
vāco vegaṁ manasaḥ krodha-vegaṁ
jihvā-vegam udaropastha-vegam
etān vegān yo viṣaheta dhīraḥ
sarvām apīmāṁ pṛthivīṁ sa śiṣyāt
Translation
A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the mind’s demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world.
Explanation:
The control of jihvā-vegam (tongue urge) is the first step in spiritual advancement, hinting at the sacred potential of the tongue.
Objective 6: To encourage practical application by guiding devotees to transform their own tongues into Jihva Mandirs.
The saints say:
“Use the tongue to chant, taste prasadam, and speak harikatha – then it becomes a Jihva Mandir, a temple where Sri Krishna resides.”
Objective 7: To recognize the location and importance of Jihva Mandir in Vraja Mandala and its role in Govardhan Parikrama and pilgrim traditions.
Jihva Mandir is not just a historical site—it is a living place of devotion, connecting the pastimes of Sri Krishna, the service mood of Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami and the ongoing bhakti tradition practiced in ISKCON today. By visiting or meditating on this temple, devotees can increase their humility, service attitude, and love for Giriraj Govardhan.
