At the Tip of the Tongue

Which one is the most important organ in a human body? Opinions may differ. Heart could be one answer, as most death certificates suggest that the life went out because heart stopped functioning. The intellectuals may argue that it is the brain. Lungs are indeed important as well. Hands may compete with other organs as most of the work is done with them. Legs are not far behind as they carry all other organs wherever they go. Medicos use the term vital organs for a collection of various organs. One way to answer this question could be to remove one organ after another till a body dies. Even then what we get is a technical answer which does not address the real question. Mere living is not enough. Life has to be meaningful. There should be some achievement to show at the end of one's life. Otherwise it is a beastly life, say many a valued and revered texts.

Some people are very popular with others. Wherever they go, they are respected. Others flock to them and would like to spend some time with them. There are some others who make people run away from them. Some bosses are loved. There are some other bosses who are feared. There are some more bosses who are simply hated. There are administrators who are loved even after they vacate their chairs. There are other administrators who are feared when they are in power but ignored and treated with contempt when they lose their seats. When in trouble and in need of help, people try to find someone to confide and seek advice. These are persons who are liked by all friends and relatives. There are persons who are hated by all friends and relatives. Some succeed in managing and persuading others even in difficult circumstances. What makes these distinctions? Why there is such difference among people around us? This indeed is an interesting question.

The word "Tongue" has as many as 37 meanings in online dictionary, including 'slip of tongue' and 'tongue in cheek'. It is one of the organs in the body that has multiple functions. It is an important member of the digestive system. Life would never be the same if tongue were not to identify taste of the food items. It is one of the five sensory organs and we realise its value when we lose taste temporarily due to sickness. Tongue is also a tool for communication. It's value is known to those who cannot speak. Salesmen know the best use of tongue for achieving their targets. An ancient text "Subhashita Ratna Bhaandaagara", in one of its verses, proclaims that tongue is the most important organ of the human body. Not just the body, but it is the tongue around which the whole life of a person revolves.  

Accumulation of wealth and its uses stand on the tongue. For earning and building wealth, one needs to interact with people. It is not only for earning but also enjoying the fruits of the wealth that is accumulated over time. Tip of the tongue is the place where Mother Lakshmi, Godess of Wealth resides. Just as the sweet and positive words help in developing relationships and earn wealth, bitter and negative words drive away relationships and wealth. The process of earning, developing, retaining and enjoying wealth stands on the tip of the tongue just as driving away the same wealth also is at the tip of the same tongue. A key opens a lock as well as closes it. Entry and exit of wealth are by the use of the same tip of the tongue that acts as a key.

Saint Purandaradasa says that one should be like jaggery (sugar-like) while dealing with relatives and friends (ಬೆಲ್ಲವಾಗಿರಬೇಕು ಬಂಧುಜನರೊಳಗೆ). Dealing with near and dear ones should be with compassion and aid relationship building; not relation breaking. It does not mean that one should be untruthful; truth can be couched in palatable language. Many people pride themselves as being cut-and-dried in dealing with others. It only drives away others. Purpose of life is not to do this; it is for co-existence. Again, it is the tip of the tongue that ensures that friends and relatives stay with you or desert you.

The tongue is the organ that exposes us and often ends up in our being in undesirable situations. There are innumerable stories and anecdotes where uttering wrong things at the wrong time resulted in persons being arrested and imprisoned. Many a criminals got away from their crimes and might never have been caught but for their boasting of their exploits or blurting out the truth in an unguarded moment. There are many examples of innocent people as well going to jail by speaking unwanted or unnecessary things at wrong times and places. The tip of the tongue can free us or imprison us as well.

Life can come to an abrupt end due to the tip of the tongue. We are witnesses to many a road rage cases where due to some words spoken in the heat of the moment, someone is killed. When getting into arguments with others, real issues take a back seat and a wrong word spoken or interpreted wrongly enhances the tension and may even result in death of someone. Tip of the tongue brings in death as well in such situations.

All this is simplified and explained in this verse from Subhashita Ratna Bhaandaagara:

लक्ष्मिर्वसति जिह्वाग्रे जिह्वाग्रे मित्र बान्धवाः|

जिह्वाग्रे बन्धनं प्राप्तं जिह्वाग्रे मरणं ध्रुवम् ||

Lakshmeervasati Jihvaagre Jihvaagre Mitra Bandhavaah|

Jihvaagre bhandhanam praaptam Jihvaagre Maranam Dhruvam||

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There is an old story about a fight between the tongue and teeth. Teeth threatened the tongue that they will cut it if it does not behave. Tongue is said to have replied thus: "Don't ever threaten me; one wrong word from me will ensure the end of all of you!".

Teeth are safe as long as tongue is in check. When tongue misbehaves, consequences can be disastrous. Tip of the tongue is indeed the most important organ of the human body!