'ACTUAL' MEANING OF EKADASI FASTING!

Many devotees observe fast for ekadasi and other festivals without knowing the real meaning of fasting.

This Post is intended to clarify this aspect clearly.

In one angle, fasting is intended to  sacrifice our comforts and develop detachment from worldly desires including desire to eat variety of foods.

Unless we reduce our attachments to the taste, comforts, etc, we can not advance in the devotion to Krishna.

Detachment from materials and attachment to Krishna = both are the two parallel processes in a devotee's devotional path.

Ekadasi and other fasts help us to detach from the taste.

So, it is a great and bearable way of detaching from the taste and control the tongue.

Ok, let us now know the actual meaning with which these Fasts are recommended by the scriptures like Padma Purana.

Fasting is called UPAVASA in sanskrit and Hindi.

Upavasa has a great meaning.

UPA means "CLOSELY WITH".

VASA means "LIVING"

So, UPAVASA means, LIVING CLOSELY WITH THE GOD.

What it shows?

Whenever you observe fast, you should involve only in the activities and thoughts related to the God, ie, Krishna, Narasimha deva, Lord Rama, etc.

If you are watching mundane acts like chatting with others, watching sense indusing movies on Television, etc, we will be FAR AWAY from the God while fasting.

So, we should involve in devotional sadhanas during fasting.

Eg:  Chanting, not chatting, Reading the scriptures, not the novels, Watching the deities and pictures of God, not the movie actors, decorating the pictures or deities of God, not yourself.

By doing so, we will feel closer to the God during fasting.

Hereafter, Be and FEEL CLOSER TO GOD during ekadasi and other fasting.