Purpose Of Observing Ekadashi

[Paramhamsa Vani]

Sree Sree Guru Gaurangau Jayatah!

In Hari-Bhakti-Vilas,  the actual purpose of observing Ekadashi is written: “Giving up all sins, and with all good qualities, one who remains near Krishna, totally relinquishing all enjoyments, has actually observed the vow of Ekadashi.” We are to give up all sinful activity. We are to refrain, to desist from committing all sins. On Ekadashi-tithi this is the very least we should do and, while exhibiting all good qualities, we should remain near the Supreme Lord Who is All-Good, All-Existence, All-Knowledge and All-Bliss. Upavas. Upa means near to, in the vicinity of, or in the proximity of. Vas means to remain, to remain near God. It is generally thought that upavas means to remain without food, to fast. If you remain without food, but you think to yourself, “When shall I eat? My stomach is burning with hunger,” then you are not thinking about Krishna. You are thinking about your stomach. If that should be the case, then you can take food that is allowed by the scriptures, but you should always think about Krishna.

The purpose of observing this vow of Ekadashi is to remember Krishna always. Wherever your mind is, you are there also. You are here now in this temple but you are thinking about your house and your relatives, who may be there experiencing difficulty of some sort. Or, perhaps, you are thinking that there is some work at home that requires your attention. If you are thinking like this, then where are you actually staying? You are physically staying here at the temple, but mentally you are staying at your house. Is it not so? Wherever your mind rests, wherever your mind remains, you will be there also. If you go to Vrindavan but you do not think about Vrindavan, then where are you staying? Physically you are there, but mentally you are somewhere else. The primary factor is the mind. In all the different devotional forms of worship, the target is to engage the mind in the service of Krishna. If you can control the mind all the senses will be controlled automatically, as they are subservient to the mind.  

--His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj