View source for However, if we observe fasting days like Ekadasi and Janmastami, we can restrain the demands of the belly

<div id="compilation">
<div id="facts">
{{terms|"However, if we observe fasting days like Ekādaśī and Janmāṣṭamī, we can restrain the demands of the belly"}}
{{notes|}}
{{compiler|undefined}}
{{complete|ALL}}
{{first|2017-05-12T16:31:17Z}}
{{last|2017-05-12T16:31:17Z}}
{{totals_by_section|BG=0|SB=0|CC=0|OB=1|Lec=0|Con=0|Let=0}}
{{total|1}}
{{toc right}}
[[Category:However]]
[[Category:Observe]]
[[Category:Fasting]]
[[Category:Day]]
[[Category:Ekadasi]]
[[Category:Janmastami]]
[[Category:We Can]]
[[Category:Restrain]]
[[Category:Demand]]
[[Category:Belly]]
[[Category:The Nectar of Instruction - Text 01]]
</div>
<div id="section">
<h2>Other Books by Srila Prabhupada</h2>
</div>
<div id="sub_section">
<h3>Nectar of Instruction</h3>
</div>
<div class="quote">
<div class="quote_heading">
Those who suffer from diseases of the stomach must be unable to control the urges of the belly, at least according to this analysis. When we desire to eat more than necessary we automatically create many inconveniences in life. However, if we observe fasting days like Ekādaśī and Janmāṣṭamī, we can restrain the demands of the belly.
</div>

<div class="quote_link">
[[Vanisource:NOI 1|Nectar of Instruction 1, Translation and Purport]]
</div>
<div class="quote_translation">
TRANSLATION

A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the mind's demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world.
</div>
<div class="text">
That person who runs here and there seeking to gratify his palate and who is always attached to the desires of his stomach and genitals is unable to attain Kṛṣṇa."

As stated before, the tongue, belly and genitals are all situated in a straight line, and they fall in the same category. Lord Caitanya has said, bhāla nā khāibe āra bhāla nā paribe: "Do not dress luxuriously and do not eat delicious foodstuffs." ([[Vanisource:CC Antya 6.236|CC Antya 6.236]])

Those who suffer from diseases of the stomach must be unable to control the urges of the belly, at least according to this analysis. When we desire to eat more than necessary we automatically create many inconveniences in life. However, if we observe fasting days like Ekādaśī and Janmāṣṭamī, we can restrain the demands of the belly.

As far as the urges of the genitals are concerned, there are two—proper and improper, or legal and illicit sex. When a man is properly mature, he can marry according to the rules and regulations of the śāstras and use his genitals for begetting nice children. That is legal and religious. Otherwise, he may adopt many artificial means to satisfy the demands of the genitals, and he may not use any restraint. When one indulges in illicit sex life, as defined by the śāstras, either by thinking, planning, talking about or actually having sexual intercourse, or by satisfying the genitals by artificial means, he is caught in the clutches of māyā. These instructions apply not only to householders but also to tyāgīs, or those who are in the renounced order of life. In his book Prema-vivarta, Chapter Seven, Śrī Jagadānanda Paṇḍita says:

<div class="quote_verse">
:vairāgī bhāi grāmya-kathā nā śunibe kāne
:grāmya-vārtā nā kahibe yabe milibe āne
:svapane o nā kara bhāi strī-sambhāṣaṇa
:gṛhe strī chāḍiyā bhāi āsiyācha vana
</div>

<div class="quote_verse">
:yadi cāha praṇaya rākhite gaurāṅgera sane
:choṭa haridāsera kathā thāke yena mane
:bhāla nā khāibe āra bhāla nā paribe
:hṛdayete rādhā-kṛṣṇa sarvadā sevibe
</div>

"My dear brother, you are in the renounced order of life and should not listen to talk about ordinary worldly things, nor should you talk about worldly things when you meet with others. Do not think of women even in dreams. You have accepted the renounced order of life with a vow that forbids you to associate with women. If you wish to associate with Caitanya Mahāprabhu, you must always remember the incident of Choṭa Haridāsa and how he was rejected by the Lord. Do not eat luxurious dishes or dress in fine garments, but always remain humble and serve Their Lordships Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa in your heart of hearts."

The conclusion is that one who can control these six items—speech, mind, anger, tongue, belly and genitals—is to be called a svāmī or gosvāmī. Svāmī means master, and gosvāmī means master of the go, or senses. When one accepts the renounced order of life, he automatically assumes the title of svāmī. This does not mean that he is the master of his family, community or society; he must be master of his senses. Unless one is master of his senses, he should not be called gosvāmī, but go-dāsa, servant of the senses. Following in the footsteps of the six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana, all svāmīs and gosvāmīs should fully engage in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. As opposed to this, the go-dāsas engage in the service of the senses or in the service of the material world. They have no other engagement. Prahlāda Mahārāja has further described the go-dāsa as adānta-go, which refers to one whose senses are not controlled. An adānta-go cannot become a servant of Kṛṣṇa.
</div>
</div>
</div>