Purified Speech
Austerity at the physical level is necessary and useful, beneficial, but most benefit is derived when we are austere in our speech. Purified speech.
On Time
Those, who are getting together and doing “varta”, discussions or maybe studying on their own remembering the past times of the Lord, that person is not losing the time. He is on time, he is with the time. He is with the Lord. The Lord is the time. Those who do not make the best use of the time, they are left behind, they lag behind.
Upavasa
Stay close to the Lord. That is the meaning of upavasa. Remember this throughout your life.
Kick The Temptation
When we are attracted by Krishna, or Krishna’s holy name via chanting, then we could kick the temptation to break the regulative principles.
With austerity comes the purification
There are varieties of austerities to be performed by body, some by tongue “vacha”, some by mind, austerities one must perform.
Purifying Ourselves
With austerity comes the purification.
The Big Austerity
One of the big austerities in this world these days is to stay together.
The Water Drop to Survive
The BACE is like an oasis. In desert, where there is no drop of water, oasis is a place where you can get water. Similarly in this contaminated world, there is some mangal, auspiciousness at the BACE.
Developing a link with the Lord.
It is easier to develop a link with Krishna while chanting in Brahmamuhurt , the most favourable time. This is bhakti yoga, the top most thing.
Real meaning of Upavasa.
By mere refraining from food, upavasa is not done. Upavasa means close to the Lord. This is called upavasa . Vasa or Nivasa means place of stay, place to reside, this nivasa, that nivasa, so Nivasa with Krsna is upavasa. Stay close to the Lord. That is the meaning of upavasa.