View source for This Taste of Wine is Kṛṣṇa

Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly warns against the dangers of intoxication, explaining how it degrades human consciousness and ruins spiritual purity. However, he also provides a remarkably compassionate solution for those who are heavily conditioned by the material world. By studying his instructions, we understand both the severe consequences of drinking and the extraordinary power of Kṛṣṇa consciousness to purify even the most fallen souls.

<div class="toc-right">__TOC__</div>

=== The Impurity of Intoxication ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that wine carries a deep, contaminating impurity that ruins whatever it touches. He frequently uses the example of pure milk being completely spoiled by a single drop of liquor to illustrate how intoxication destroys one's spiritual and physical cleanliness. According to Vedic standards, once an object or a person is contaminated by such abominable substances, their original purity is forever lost.

* [[Vaniquotes:Surakrtam means things becoming impure simply by touching liquor. Liquor is so impure. Just like you have got a very big pot of milk, but if you put one drop of wine in it, it becomes immediately impure. You can analyze chemically - immediately impure|Surakrtam means things becoming impure simply by touching liquor. Liquor is so impure. Just like you have got a very big pot of milk, but if you put one drop of wine in it, it becomes immediately impure. You can analyze chemically - immediately impure.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:According to Vedic civilization, a pot in which wine was kept, it is impure forever. It is impure forever. You cannot use for any other purpose, it is so abominable|According to Vedic civilization, a pot in which wine was kept, it is impure forever. It is impure forever. You cannot use for any other purpose, it is so abominable.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In our country milk is considered to be very nice, nutritious food; but if there is a drop of wine mixed with milk, it is no more pure; it is finished. If it is touched by the lip of the serpent, it is finished - no more|In our country milk is considered to be very nice, nutritious food; but if there is a drop of wine mixed with milk, it is no more pure; it is finished. If it is touched by the lip of the serpent, it is finished - no more.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:As it is not possible to filter muddy water through mud, or purify a wine-stained pot with wine, it is not possible to counteract the killing of men by sacrificing animals|As it is not possible to filter muddy water through mud, or purify a wine-stained pot with wine, it is not possible to counteract the killing of men by sacrificing animals.]]

=== The Root Cause of Irreligiosity ===

The habit of drinking wine does not exist in isolation; it is a gateway to further sinful activities. Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies this as ''ugra-karma'', or terrible work, noting that drinking naturally leads to meat-eating and illicit sex. He asserts that modern civilization's promotion of these vices is the very root of societal corruption and irreligion in the age of Kali.

* [[Vaniquotes:All sinful activity. Ugra-karma. And if you drink wine, then you must require meat. Otherwise your liver function will be bad. There must be lump of meat. And as soon as wine and meat combine, then you require illicit sex|All sinful activity. Ugra-karma. And if you drink wine, then you must require meat. Otherwise your liver function will be bad. There must be lump of meat. And as soon as wine and meat combine, then you require illicit sex.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:All these habits (drinking wine, smoking, drinking tea, chewing tobacco), or so-called advancement of civilization, are the root causes of all irreligiosities, and therefore it is not possible to check corruption, bribery and nepotism|All these habits (drinking wine, smoking, drinking tea, chewing tobacco), or so-called advancement of civilization, are the root causes of all irreligiosities, and therefore it is not possible to check corruption, bribery and nepotism.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:By the influence of the age of Kali, even a pauper is proud of his penny, the women are always dressed in an overly attractive fashion to victimize the minds of men, and the man is addicted to drinking wine, smoking, drinking tea and chewing tobacco, etc|By the influence of the age of Kali, even a pauper is proud of his penny, the women are always dressed in an overly attractive fashion to victimize the minds of men, and the man is addicted to drinking wine, smoking, drinking tea and chewing tobacco, etc.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If a man is rich, three things, four things will be at his command: wine, woman, gold and gambling. Yes. So therefore these are the places, I mean to say, allotted to Kali by Pariksit Maharaja|If a man is rich, three things, four things will be at his command: wine, woman, gold and gambling. Yes. So therefore these are the places, I mean to say, allotted to Kali by Pariksit Maharaja.]]

=== Modern Leaders and Misguided Civilization ===

Instead of guiding the populace toward spiritual perfection, modern leaders actively encourage degradation. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that administrators issue licenses for wine shops and brothels to collect taxes, thereby fostering a hellish society. Rather than protecting the original Vedic culture, they promote a completely materialistic standard of living.

* [[Vaniquotes:Although the present leaders of India are influencing the people not to believe in God, not to believe in a next life and not to believe in a distinction between pious and impious life, and although they are teaching them how to drink wine|Although the present leaders of India are influencing the people not to believe in God, not to believe in a next life and not to believe in a distinction between pious and impious life, and although they are teaching them how to drink wine.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:India's original culture is all right. But unfortunately, our modern leaders, they are killing the original culture. They want to introduce Western culture. Now it is openly there are beef shop, wine shop. So what can be done? It is Kali-yuga|India's original culture is all right. But unfortunately, our modern leaders, they are killing the original culture. They want to introduce Western culture. Now it is openly there are beef shop, wine shop. So what can be done? It is Kali-yuga.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Modern administrators want to issue licenses for gambling houses, wine & other intoxicating drug houses, brothels, hotel prostitution & cinema houses, & falsity in every dealing, even in their own, at the same time to drive out corruption from the state|Modern administrators want to issue licenses for gambling houses, wine & other intoxicating drug houses, brothels, hotel prostitution & cinema houses, & falsity in every dealing, even in their own, at the same time to drive out corruption from the state.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The administrators cannot prevent corrupt activities by allowing wine shops. They must at once close all shops of intoxicating drugs and wine and force punishment even by death for those who indulge in habits of intoxication of all description|The administrators cannot prevent corrupt activities by allowing wine shops. They must at once close all shops of intoxicating drugs and wine and force punishment even by death for those who indulge in habits of intoxication of all description.]]

=== Misused Rituals and Tantric Practices ===

Some pseudo-spiritualists attempt to justify their sinful habits by engaging in contaminated forms of worship. Śrīla Prabhupāda strongly condemns tantric practitioners who offer wine and meat to goddess Bhavānī in crematoriums. These abominable activities are not authorized by pure devotion and only lead the practitioners deeper into hellish conditions.

* [[Vaniquotes:He (Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu) declares that such bhavani-puja for drinking wine and eating meat quickly plunges one into hellish life. The method of worship itself is already hellish, and its results must also be hellish and nothing more|He (Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu) declares that such bhavani-puja for drinking wine and eating meat quickly plunges one into hellish life. The method of worship itself is already hellish, and its results must also be hellish and nothing more.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:There are many tantric followers who, wishing to eat meat and drink wine, practice the black art of worshiping the goddess Bhavani in a crematorium. Such fools also consider this bhavani-puja to be as good as worship of Lord Krsna in devotional service|There are many tantric followers who, wishing to eat meat and drink wine, practice the black art of worshiping the goddess Bhavani in a crematorium. Such fools also consider this bhavani-puja to be as good as worship of Lord Krsna in devotional service.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In that process of worship, wine is needed, or sometimes, in place of wine, palm tree juice which is converted into an intoxicant. This is also offered according to Siva-agama, a scripture on the method of worshiping Lord Siva|In that process of worship, wine is needed, or sometimes, in place of wine, palm tree juice which is converted into an intoxicant. This is also offered according to Siva-agama, a scripture on the method of worshiping Lord Siva.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Such abominable tantric activities (like eating meat and drinking wine, practicing the black art of worshiping the goddess Bhavani in a crematorium) performed by so-called svamis and yogis are herein (CC Adi 17.52) condemned by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu|Such abominable tantric activities (like eating meat and drinking wine, practicing the black art of worshiping the goddess Bhavani in a crematorium) performed by so-called svamis and yogis are herein (CC Adi 17.52) condemned by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.]]

=== Restriction Rather Than Encouragement ===

Conditioned souls naturally possess a strong propensity for intoxication, meat-eating, and sex. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that while certain Vedic rituals or demigod worship may involve offering wine, these are not encouragements to drink. Instead, they are methods on the ''pravṛtti-mārga'' designed to gradually restrict and regulate these dangerous habits for those who cannot immediately give them up.

* [[Vaniquotes:The propensities for eating flesh, drinking wine and enjoying sex are all natural to the conditioned soul. The path of such enjoyment is called pravrtti-marga|The propensities for eating flesh, drinking wine and enjoying sex are all natural to the conditioned soul. The path of such enjoyment is called pravrtti-marga.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:They (the animal-eaters) are recommended to drink wine by worshiping the goddess Candika. The purpose is restriction. People have given up all this restriction. Now they are regularly opening wine distilleries and slaughterhouses|They (the animal-eaters) are recommended to drink wine by worshiping the goddess Candika. The purpose is restriction. People have given up all this restriction. Now they are regularly opening wine distilleries and slaughterhouses.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The sudras, they can take a goat and sacrifice before the deity, goddess Kali, and then eat. Nobody should be given unrestricted freedom to eat meat. Or wine. If one is adamant to drink wine, then there is Candi-puja, Durga-puja. That means restriction|The sudras, they can take a goat and sacrifice before the deity, goddess Kali, and then eat. Nobody should be given unrestricted freedom to eat meat. Or wine. If one is adamant to drink wine, then there is Candi-puja, Durga-puja. That means restriction.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:There is restriction of sex life, there is restriction of drinking wine, there is restriction of meat-eating, and there is restriction of gambling. Because these things are bad. You cannot become good by indulging in bad things. That is not possible|There is restriction of sex life, there is restriction of drinking wine, there is restriction of meat-eating, and there is restriction of gambling. Because these things are bad. You cannot become good by indulging in bad things. That is not possible.]]

=== Transforming Consciousness ===

Despite the heavily condemning nature of intoxication, Kṛṣṇa consciousness offers a practical and sublime escape. Śrīla Prabhupāda displays immense compassion by advising that even a habitual drunkard can practice ''bhakti-yoga''. By simply shifting one's consciousness and meditating on Kṛṣṇa as the taste of the wine, an addicted person can gradually transform into a saintly devotee.

* [[Vaniquotes:Even you are a drunkard, you are fond of tasting wine, I should recommend that you simply think that "This taste of wine is Krsna." That will make a yogi of you. That will make you the greatest yogi|Even you are a drunkard, you are fond of tasting wine, I should recommend that you simply think that "This taste of wine is Krsna." That will make a yogi of you. That will make you the greatest yogi.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:When drinking wine, kindly remember that the taste of this drink is Krsna. Just begin in this way, and one day you will become a saintly, Krsna conscious person - So Krsna is available under any circumstances, if we want to catch Him|When drinking wine, kindly remember that the taste of this drink is Krsna. Just begin in this way, and one day you will become a saintly, Krsna conscious person - So Krsna is available under any circumstances, if we want to catch Him.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Krsna consciousness movement with its centers all over the world, gives such fallen and condemned persons (those who like listen to political activities of demons and nondevotees and who enjoys sex, wine and meat) an opportunity to hear about Krsna|The Krsna consciousness movement with its centers all over the world, gives such fallen and condemned persons (those who like listen to political activities of demons and nondevotees and who enjoys sex, wine and meat) an opportunity to hear about Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:This is a hall. It can be utilized for selling wine and it can be utilized for speaking about God. So the place is the same, but when it is utilized for God's purpose, then it is spiritual, and it is utilized for my sense gratification, that is material|This is a hall. It can be utilized for selling wine and it can be utilized for speaking about God. So the place is the same, but when it is utilized for God's purpose, then it is spiritual, and it is utilized for my sense gratification, that is material.]]

=== Conclusion ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda firmly establishes that wine and intoxication are fundamental obstacles to spiritual life, acting as the root cause of societal degradation and irreligiosity. While the conditioned soul has a natural inclination toward these impurities, the Vedic system provides gradual restrictions. Ultimately, the supreme remedy is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. By remembering the Supreme Lord even in the midst of a fallen condition, or by engaging one's resources in His service, one can invoke His purifying presence and break free from the dark illusions of material addiction.

=== 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 [[Vaniquotes:Category:Wine|Wine]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])
[[Category:Vanipedia Gemini - Articles]]
[[Category:Vanipedia Articles - Kṛṣṇa The Supreme Personality of Godhead]]

<div id="vani-provenance" style="display:none;" data-source="Vanipedia" data-author="Srila Prabhupada Vani Temple" data-license="CC BY-NC-SA 4.0" data-origin-url="{{fullurl:{{PAGENAME}}}}">This content is a part of Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani Temple. Source: https://vanipedia.org</div>