Evidence Regarding Devotional Principles 63
Observing Fasting on Ekddasi

In the Brahma-vaivarta Purana it is said that one who observes
fasting on Ekddasi day is freed from all kinds of reactions to sinful
activities and advances in pious life. The basic principle is not just to
fast, but to increase one’s faith and love for Govinda, or Krsna. The
real reason for observing fasting on Ekddasi is to minimize the de-
mands of the body and to engage our time in the service of the Lord
by chanting or performing similar service. The best thing to do on
fasting days is to remember the pastimes of Govinda and to hear His
holy name constantly.

To Offer Respect to the Banyan Trees

In the Skanda Purana it is directed that a devotee should offer
water to the tulasi plant and dmalaka trees. He should offer respect
to the cows and to the brahmanas and should serve the Vaisnavas by
offering them respectful obeisances and meditating upon them. All
of these processes will help the devotee to diminish the reactions to
his past sinful activities.

To Give Up the Company of Nondevotees

Lord Caitanya was once asked by one of His householder devotees
what the general behavior of a Vaisnava should be. In this connection,
Lord Caitanya replied that a Vaisnava should always give up the com-
pany of nondevotees. Then He explained that there are two kinds of
nondevotees: one class is against the supremacy of Krsna, and an-
other class is too materialistic. In other words, those who are after
material enjoyment and those who are against the supremacy of the
Lord are called avaisnava, and their company should be strictly
avoided.

In the Katydyana-samhita it is stated that even if one is forced to
live within a cage of iron or in the midst of a blazing fire, he should
