Sharanagati
Collected words from talks of Swami TirthaApr
9
“O son of Kunti, I am the taste of water, the light of the sun and the moon, the syllable om in the Vedic mantras, I am the sound in ether and the ability in man.”[1]
Question of Yashoda: In this verse there are two meanings. One is literal; the other is indirect, mystical. What is the mystical meaning of the taste of water?
Tirtha Maharaj: The taste of water is very simple thing. But it is such a huge topic! Just to give some little ideas that come to my mind. What is the definition of water? Anybody knows the physical, scientific definition of water?
Actually water is such a liquid, which has no color, no smell and no taste. Why Krishna says “I am the taste of water”, if water is such a thing, that has no taste?!
There is a taste for water. Water has a higher taste! If you can feel Krishna’s presence in water, then this is a higher taste for you. He is talking about creation, in a hidden way, like “I am the sound in ether”; but the sound energizes the creative ocean, the ocean of creation. Usually in the beginning everything is in a fluid consistency; later on it starts to manifest as forms. That water is also coming from Krishna.
The taste we can call the essence of water. This is again Krishna. What you cannot detect, still it is there. You cannot feel, so to say, the taste of water, still you cannot forget the taste of water. Achintya bhedabheda tattva – He is there and not there. “I am the taste of no taste.” Because Krishna is hiding, this is His nature.
Actually water has this capacity to take the quality; with whatever it comes in contact, it can take its quality. Therefore it is possible to purify the body with water. Because it will wash you off. In a physical sense people will think that this is the soap, but no, the water is the purifying element. And not only in physical sense; but if you go to Mother Ganga to take your bath, she can remove your sins also. So, physical and metaphysical purification is there. And still the water itself will not become dirty. She can purify herself. Beautiful characteristic!