Ekadasi Vrata
To observe Ekadasi-vrata and Dvadasi-vrata means to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Those interested in advancing in krsna consciousness must observe ekadasi-vrata regularly.
SB 4.28.35-36
We can definitely see that to advance in Krsna consciousness one must control his bodily weight. If one becomes too fat, it is to be assumed that he is not advancing spiritually. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura severely criticized his fat disciples. The idea is that one who intends to advance in Krsna consciousness must not eat very much. Devotees used to go to forests, high hills or mountains on pilgrimages, but such severe austerities are not possible in these days. One should instead eat only prasada and no more than required. ACCORDING TO THE VAISNAVA CALENDAR, THERE ARE MANY FASTS, SUCH AS EKADASI AND THE APPEARANCE AND DISAPPEARANCE DAYS OF GOD AND HIS DEVOTEES. ALL OF THESE ARE MEANT TO DECREASE THE FAT WITHIN THE BODY SO THAT ONE WILL NOT SLEEP MORE THAN DESIRED AND WILL NOT BECOME INACTIVE AND LAZY. Overindulgence in food will cause a man to sleep more than required. This human form of life is meant for austerity, and austerity means controlling sex, food intake, etc. In this way time can be saved for spiritual activity, and one can purify himself both externally and internally. Thus both body and mind can be cleansed.
SB 7.14.20-23
Visuva, or Visuva-sankranti, means Mesa-sankranti, or the day on which the sun enters the sign Aries. Tula-sankranti is the day on which the sun enters the sign Libra. Both of these days occur only once within a year. The word yoga refers to a certain relationship between the sun and moon as they move in the sky. There are twenty-seven different degrees of yoga, of which the seventeenth is called Vyatipata. On the day when this occurs, one should perform the sraddha ceremony. A TITHI, OR LUNAR DAY, CONSISTS OF THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE LONGITUDE OF THE SUN AND THAT OF THE MOON. SOMETIMES A TITHI IS LESS THAN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS. WHEN IT STARTS AFTER SUNRISE ON A CERTAIN DAY AND ENDS BEFORE THE SUNRISE OF THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE PREVIOUS TITHI AND THE FOLLOWING TITHI BOTH “TOUCH” THE TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR DAY BETWEEN THE SUNRISES. THIS IS CALLED TRYAHA-SPARSA, OR A DAY TOUCHED BY SOME PORTION OF THREE TITHIS.
Srila Jiva Gosvami has given quotations from many sastras stating that the sraddha ceremony of oblations to the forefathers should not be performed on Ekadasi tithi. WHEN THE TITHI OF THE DEATH ANNIVERSARY FALLS ON THE EKADASI DAY, THE SRADDHA CEREMONY SHOULD BE HELD NOT ON EKADASI BUT ON THE NEXT DAY, OR DVADASI. In the Brahma-vaivarta purana it is said:
ye kurvanti mahipala
sraddham caikadasi-dine
trayas te narakam yanti
data bhokta ca prerakah
IF ONE PERFORMS THE SRADDHA CEREMONY OF OBLATIONS TO THE FOREFATHERS ON THE EKADASI TITHI, THEN THE PERFORMER, THE FOREFATHERS FOR WHOM THE SRADDHA IS OBSERVED, AND THE PUROHITA, OR THE FAMILY PRIEST WHO ENCOURAGES THE CEREMONY, ALL GO TO HELL.
69-09-30. Letter: Madhudvisa
REGARDING YOU FIRST QUESTION, WE OBSERVE EKADASI FROM SUNRISE TO SUNRISE. THE 12 MIDNIGHT IS WESTERN ASTRONOMICAL CALCULATION, BUT THE VEDIC ASTRONOMICAL CALCULATION BEGINS EITHER FROM THE SUNRISE OR THE MOONRISE. GENERALLY IT IS SUNRISE. OUR CALCULATION IS LIKE THIS: WHEN THE SUNRISE IS THERE, EKADASI TITHI (DATE) MUST BE THERE. IF EKADASI TITHI IS NOT IN THE SUNRISE AND THE TITHI BEGINS, SAY AFTER A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE SUNRISE, THEN WE ACCEPT THAT DAY AS PREVIOUS TO EKADASI. ALL OUR CEREMONIES ARE CALCULATED IN THAT WAY. THIS MEANS WE MUST SEE THE TITHI DURING SUNRISE. THEREFORE, SOMETIMES OUR DATES OF CEREMONIES DO NOT EXACTLY COINCIDE LIKE THE WESTERN CALCULATIONS. JUST LIKE CHRISTMAS DAY THEY HAVE FIXED UP ON THE 25TH DECEMBER, BUT OUR JANMASTAMI TITHI IS NOT FIXED UP LIKE THAT. MY BIRTHDAY IS ON THE 1ST SEPTEMBER, 1896, BUT THIS YEAR THE TITHI OF MY BIRTHDAY WAS FIXED FOR THE 4TH SEPTEMBER. SO IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CALCULATE, THEREFORE WE HAVE TO TAKE HELP FROM THE INDIAN EXPERT ALMANAC ASTRONOMERS.
70-04-29. Letter: Pradyumna
2. WHEN THERE IS AN IMPORTANT DVADASI, THE EKADASI FASTING IS TRANSFERRED ON THE DVADASI, AND THIS IS CALLED MAHADVADASI. THE 26TH OCTOBER, 1970, IS ACTUALLY DVADASI, SO THE FASTING IS OBSERVED TOGETHER, OR EKADASI FASTING IS DISREGARDED, AND THE DVADASI (MAHADVADASI) FASTING IS TAKEN AS IMPORTANT.
You were give this old Panjika just to consult the names and spelling only. The dates are different, so whatever date I have given, that is correct. WHY YOU ARE SEARCHING BYANJALI DVADASI IN THIS LAST YEAR’S PANJIKA? WHAT I HAVE GIVEN IS FROM THIS YEAR’S PANJIKA, SO EVERYTHING WILL NOT COLLABORATE.
5. 7th February, 1971–Varaha-Dvadasi, I have explained the position in regard to #2.
6. SO FAR DETERMINING EKADASI IT IS COUNTED 11 DAYS AFTER THE FULL MOON AND 11 DAYS AFTER THE NEW MOON, BUT SOMETIMES IT SO HAPPENS AS YOU HAVE NOTED ONE DAY LATER. HOWEVER, WHAT I HAVE GIVEN IS CORRECT.
SB 8.16.25
AS WE GENERALLY PERFORM DEVOTIONAL SERVICE ON EKADASI BY NOT EATING GRAINS, IT IS GENERALLY RECOMMENDED THAT ON DVADASI ONE NOT CONSUME ANYTHING BUT MILK.
SB 9.4 Summary Ambarisa Maharaja Offended by Durvasa Muni
Once Maharaja Ambarisa was worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead in Vrndavana, observing the vow of Dvadasi. ON DVADASI, THE DAY AFTER EKADASI, WHEN HE WAS ABOUT TO BREAK HIS EKADASI FAST, the great mystic yogi Durvasa appeared in his house and became his guest. King Ambarisa respectfully received Durvasa Muni, and Durvasa Muni, after accepting his invitation to eat there, went to bathe in the Yamuna River at noontime. Because he was absorbed in samadhi, he did not come back very soon. Maharaja Ambarisa, however, upon SEEING THAT THE TIME TO BREAK THE FAST WAS PASSING, DRANK A LITTLE WATER, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ADVICE OF LEARNED BRAHMANAS, JUST TO OBSERVE THE FORMALITY OF BREAKING THE FAST.
SB 9.4.29
TO OBSERVE EKADASI-VRATA AND DVADASI-VRATA MEANS TO PLEASE THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD. THOSE INTERESTED IN ADVANCING IN KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS MUST OBSERVE EKADASI-VRATA REGULARLY.
Adi 10.71
In their two houses Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu begged food on the Ekadasi day and personally ate it.
Adi 10.71
THE INJUNCTION TO FAST ON EKADASI IS ESPECIALLY MEANT FOR DEVOTEES; ON EKADASI THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS REGARDING FOOD THAT MAY BE OFFERED TO THE LORD. LORD SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU TOOK THE FOOD OF LORD VISNU IN HIS ECSTASY AS VISNU-TATTVA.
Adi 14.39
The Caitanya-bhagavata, Adi-lila, Chapter Six, fully describes the Lord’s accepting visnu-prasada on the Ekadasi day at the house of Jagadisa and Hiranya. REGULAR PRASADA IS OFFERED TO LORD VISNU ON EKADASI BECAUSE, WHILE FASTING IS RECOMMENDED FOR DEVOTEES ON EKADASI, IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR LORD VISNU.
Adi 15.9
From the very beginning of His childhood life Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu introduced the system of observing a fast on the Ekadasi day. IN THE BHAKTI-SANDARBHA, BY SRILA JIVA GOSVAMI, THERE IS A QUOTATION FROM THE SKANDA PURANA ADMONISHING THAT A PERSON WHO EATS GRAINS ON EKADASI BECOMES A MURDERER OF HIS MOTHER, FATHER, BROTHER AND SPIRITUAL MASTER, AND EVEN IF HE IS ELEVATED TO A VAIKUNTHA PLANET, HE FALLS DOWN. ON EKADASI, EVERYTHING IS COOKED FOR VISNU, INCLUDING REGULAR GRAINS AND DAHI, BUT IT IS ENJOINED THAT A VAISNAVA SHOULD NOT EVEN TAKE VISNU-PRASADA ON EKADASI. IT IS SAID THAT A VAISNAVA DOES NOT ACCEPT ANYTHING EATABLE THAT IS NOT OFFERED TO LORD VISNU, BUT ON EKADASI A VAISNAVA SHOULD NOT TOUCH EVEN MAHA-PRASADA OFFERED TO VISNU, ALTHOUGH SUCH PRASADA MAY BE KEPT FOR BEING EATEN THE NEXT DAY. IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN FOR ONE TO ACCEPT ANY KIND OF GRAIN ON EKADASI, EVEN IF IT IS OFFERED TO LORD VISNU.
Adi 15.10
It is a PREJUDICE AMONGST SMARTA-BRAHMANAS that a widow must observe fasting on Ekadasi but a woman who has her husband should not. It appears that before the request of Lord Caitanya Sacimata was not observing Ekadasi because of her being sa-dhava, which means that her husband was living. SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU, HOWEVER, INTRODUCED THE SYSTEM THAT A WOMAN, EVEN IF NOT A WIDOW, MUST OBSERVE THE EKADASI DAY AND MUST NOT TOUCH ANY KIND OF GRAINS, EVEN THOSE OFFERED TO THE DEITY OF VISNU.
Adi 15.16
BETEL NUTS ARE AN INTOXICANT, and therefore the regulative principles prohibit eating them. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s pastime of fainting after eating betel nuts is a solid instruction to all of us that ONE SHOULD NOT TOUCH BETEL NUTS, EVEN THOSE OFFERED TO VISNU, JUST AS ONE SHOULD NOT TOUCH GRAINS ON THE EKADASI DAY.
Madhya 4.169
THE CATURMASYA PERIOD BEGINS IN THE MONTH OF ASADHA (JUNE-JULY) FROM THE DAY OF EKADASI CALLED SAYANA-EKADASI, IN THE FORTNIGHT OF THE WAXING MOON. THE PERIOD ENDS IN THE MONTH OF KARTIKA (OCTOBER-NOVEMBER) ON THE EKADASI DAY KNOWN AS UTTHANA-EKADASI, IN THE FORTNIGHT OF THE WAXING MOON. THIS FOUR-MONTH PERIOD IS KNOWN AS CATURMASYA. Some Vaisnavas also observe it from the full-moon day of Asadha until the full-moon day of Kartika. That is also a period of four months. This period, calculated by the lunar months, is called Caturmasya, but others also observe Caturmasya according to the solar month from Sravana to Kartika. The whole period, either lunar or solar, takes place during the rainy season. Caturmasya should be observed by all sections of the population. It does not matter whether one is a grhastha or a sannyasi. The observance is obligatory for all asramas. The real purpose behind the vow taken during these four months is to minimize the quantity of sense gratification. This is not very difficult. In the month of Sravana one should not eat spinach, in the month of Bhadra one should not eat yogurt, and in the month of Asvina one should not drink milk. One should not eat fish or other nonvegetarian food during the month of Kartika. A nonvegetarian diet means fish and meat. Similarly, masura dal and urad dal are also considered nonvegetarian. These two dals contain a great amount of protein, and food rich in protein is considered nonvegetarian. On the whole, during the four-month period of Caturmasya one should practice giving up all food intended for sense enjoyment.
Madhya 24.342
“YOU SHOULD RECOMMEND THE AVOIDANCE OF MIXED EKADASI AND THE PERFORMANCE OF PURE EKADASI. YOU SHOULD ALSO DESCRIBE THE FAULT IN NOT OBSERVING THIS. One should be very careful as far as these items are concerned. If one is not careful, one will be negligent in executing devotional service.
CAITANYA-CARITAMRTA CONCLUDING WORDS
TODAY, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1974–CORRESPONDING TO THE 10TH OF KARTIKKA, CAITANYA ERA 488, THE ELEVENTH DAY OF THE DARK FORTNIGHT, THE RAMA-EKADASI–we have now finished the English translation of Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami’ s Sri Caitanya-caritamrta in accordance with the authorised order of His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur Gosvami Maharaja, my beloved eternal spiritual master, guide and friend.
TLC12
However, one should generally accept the following principles to properly execute devotional service: (1) take shelter of a bona fide spiritual master, (2) receive initiation from the spiritual master, (3) serve the spiritual master, (4) inquire and learn love from the spiritual master, (5) follow in the footsteps of holy persons devoted to the transcendental loving service of the Lord, (6) prepare to give up all kinds of enjoyment and miseries for the satisfaction of Krsna, (7) live in a place where Krsna had His pastimes, (8) be satisfied by whatever is sent by Krsna for the maintenance of the body and hanker for no more, (9) OBSERVE FASTING ON EKADASI DAY (THIS OCCURS ON THE ELEVENTH DAY AFTER THE FULL MOON AND THE ELEVENTH DAY AFTER THE NEW MOON. ON SUCH DAYS NO GRAINS, CEREALS OR BEANS ARE EATEN; SIMPLY VEGETABLES AND MILK ARE MODERATELY TAKEN, AND CHANTING HARE KRSNA AND READING SCRIPTURES ARE INCREASED.),
TLC 16
Lord Caitanya also explained the symptoms of a holy man and the process of satisfying the sage and rejecting the society of undesirable persons. The Lord also advised that one should hear Srimad-Bhagavatam constantly. Also to be followed are duties of the day and duties of the fortnight, as well as fasting on Ekadasi day. ONE MUST ALSO FOLLOW THE DUTIES OF THE MONTH AND OBSERVE CEREMONIES LIKE THE BIRTHDAY OF THE LORD, THE THREE SPECIFIC DATES OF FASTING EKADASI, JANMASTAMI, VAMANADVADASI, SRI RAMANAVAMI AND NRSIMHACATURDASI. WHEN THE FAST DAYS OVERLAP WITH OTHER DAYS (VIDDHA), THEY ARE HELPFUL IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF DEVOTIONAL SERVICE.
NoD 7
IN THE BRAHMA-VAIVARTA PURANA IT IS SAID THAT ONE WHO OBSERVES FASTING ON EKADASI 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 EKADASI IS TO MINIMIZE THE DEMANDS 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.
NoD 26 Stimulation for Ecstatic Love
Some things which give impetus or stimulation to ecstatic love of Krsna are His transcendental qualities, His uncommon activities, His smiling features, His apparel and garlands, His flute, His buffalo horn, His leg bells, His conchshell, His footprints, His places of pastimes (such as Vrndavana), His favorite plant (tulasi), His devotee and the periodical occasions for remembering Him. ONE SUCH OCCASION FOR REMEMBRANCE IS EKADASI, WHICH COMES TWICE A MONTH ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF THE MOON, BOTH WANING AND WAXING. ON THAT DAY ALL THE DEVOTEES REMAIN FASTING THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT AND CONTINUOUSLY CHANT THE GLORIES OF THE LORD.
KB 28
The Govardhana ceremony took place on the new-moon day. After this, there were torrents of rain and hailstorms imposed by King Indra for seven days. Nine days of the waxing moon having passed, on the tenth day King Indra worshiped Lord Krsna, and thus the matter was satisfactorily settled. After this, on the eleventh day of the full moon, there was Ekadasi. MAHARAJA NANDA OBSERVED FASTING FOR THE WHOLE DAY, AND JUST EARLY IN THE MORNING OF THE DVADASI, THE DAY AFTER EKADASI, HE WENT TO TAKE BATH IN THE RIVER YAMUNA. HE ENTERED DEEP INTO THE WATER OF THE RIVER, BUT HE WAS ARRESTED IMMEDIATELY BY ONE OF THE SERVANTS OF VARUNADEVA. THIS SERVANT BROUGHT NANDA MAHARAJA BEFORE THE DEMIGOD VARUNA AND ACCUSED HIM OF TAKING A BATH IN THE RIVER AT THE WRONG TIME. ACCORDING TO ASTRONOMICAL CALCULATIONS, THE TIME IN WHICH HE TOOK BATH WAS CONSIDERED DEMONIAC. THE FACT WAS, NANDA MAHARAJA WANTED TO TAKE A BATH IN THE RIVER YAMUNA EARLY IN THE MORNING BEFORE THE SUNRISE, BUT SOMEHOW OR OTHER HE WAS A LITTLE TOO EARLY, AND HE BATHED AT AN INAUSPICIOUS TIME. CONSEQUENTLY HE WAS ARRESTED.
690523SB.NV
So, paravare brahmani dharmato vrataih. So one should execute Krsna consciousness, dharmatah, in right path, and vrataih. Bhajante mam drdha-vratah. Just like today, ekadasi-vrata. Vrataih. This ekadasi-vrata is required. Just see. Here it is that “You have performed all the vratas.” The purpose of ekadasi-vrata is that today we should not eat much usual food, grains. The actual prescription is fasting. Nirjala-ekadasi. Nirjala means there are many devotees who does not take even water. Water, drinking water, according to sastra, it is taking food… It is drinking of food or no food. We can take both ways. So sometimes drinking of water is excused as upavasa also. BUT THERE ARE MANY DEVOTEES WHO EVEN…, DRINK EVEN A DROP OF WATER. WHOLE DAY AND NIGHT THEY FAST AND OBSERVE EKADASI-VRATA. AND THE NIGHT IS CALLED HARIVASARA. HARIVASARA MEANS THE WHOLE NIGHT THEY WOULD CHANT HARE KRSNA, HARE KRSNA, KRSNA KRSNA, HARE HARE. HARE RAMA, HARE RAMA… THIS IS CALLED VRATA. DRDHA-VRATA. DRDHA-VRATA. DRDHA MEANS VERY FIRM, STEADY.
730422SB.LA
Just like… The, everything is described in the Bhagavad-gita. Just like in hospital. IN HOSPITAL THERE ARE MANY PATIENTS, THEY ARE NOT EATING ANYTHING ON THE EKADASI DAY. DOES IT MEAN THAT IS OBSERVING EKADASI? HE IS SIMPLY HANKERING AFTER, “WHEN I SHALL EAT, WHEN I SHALL EAT, WHEN I SHALL EAT?.” BUT THESE STUDENTS, THEY VOLUNTARILY DON’T EAT ANYTHING. WE, WE DON’T SAY THAT YOU DON’T EAT ANYTHING. SOME FRUITS, SOME FLOWERS. THAT’S ALL. SO PARAM DRSTVA NIVARTATE. JUST LIKE A CHILD. HE HAS GOT IN HIS HAND SOMETHING HE’S EATING. AND IF YOU GIVE HIM BETTER THING, HE WILL THROW AWAY THE INFERIOR THING AND WILL TAKE THAT BETTER THING.
750303SB.DAL
But if you want to realize God, as it is said here, tapasaiva, only by tapasya, only by penance, one can realize. Otherwise not. Otherwise it is not possible. Therefore this word is used, tapasaiva. Tapasa eva: “only by tapasya.” There is no other means. Tapasa eva param. Param means the Supreme. If you want to realize the Supreme, the Absolute, then you must agree to certain type of tapasya. Otherwise it is not possible. THE PRELIMINARY LITTLE TAPASYA. JUST LIKE EKADASI. THAT IS ALSO ITEM OF THE TAPASYA. ACTUALLY ON THE EKADASI DAYS WE SHALL NOT TAKE ANY FOOD, EVEN DRINK WATER. BUT IN OUR SOCIETY WE ARE NOT DOING SO MUCH STRICTLY. WE SAY, “EKADASI, YOU DON’T TAKE FOOD GRAINS. TAKE LITTLE FRUIT, MILK.” THIS IS TAPASYA.
750913SB.VRN
So one day he came to Ambarisa Maharaja on the dvadasi day with sixty thousand disciples and ordered the Maharaja, “Maharaja, today we have come to take prasadam in your palace. Please arrange for this.” SO THAT WAS DVADASI DAY. YOU KNOW, ON THE DVADASI THERE WAS… THAT IS A REGULATIVE PRINCIPLE, THAT IN THE MORNING AT ABOUT NINE O’CLOCK ONE HAS TO TAKE SOMETHING, PRASADAM, TO BREAK THE VOWS, BREAK FAST. So this Durvasa Muni along with disciples, they went to the river Ganges to take bath, but they were willfully not coming back. So Ambarisa Maharaja asked the priest that “Durvasa Muni is my guest. I cannot take anything without offering him. So what shall I do? Now I have to observe the dvadasi breakfast.” SO THE BRAHMANA PRIEST ORDERED HIM THAT “MAHARAJA, YOU CAN TAKE LITTLE CARANAMRTA,” THE WATER. SO ACCORDING TO SASTRA, DRINKING LITTLE WATER IS NOT BREAKING FAST, SO IT WILL BE NOT TAKEN VERY… SO WITH THE ADVICE OF THE BRAHMANA… FORMERLY THE KINGS, THEY WERE GUIDED BY THE INSTRUCTION OF THE BRAHMANAS AND GREAT SAINTLY PERSONS. THEY WERE NOT DOING ANYTHING WHIMSICALLY. THAT IS NOT THE FACT. SO WITH THE INSTRUCTION OF THE BRAHMANAS, HE TOOK LITTLE CARANAMRTA.
81021SB.SEA
Tamala Krsna: How do we enter into the modes of goodness?
Prabhupada: Just try to follow the four principles as we have prescribed: no intoxication, no gambling, no illicit sex, and no meat-eating. That’s all. This is goodness. This is goodness. These prohibitions are there. Why? Just to keep you in goodness. In every religion… Now, in the Ten Commandments also, I see that “Thou shall not kill.” The same thing is there, but people are not obeying. That is a different thing. No religious person… Nobody can be religious unless he is situated in the modes of goodness. A passionate person or a person in ignorance, they cannot be elevated to the religious platform. Religious platform means in goodness. Then you can understand. On the platform of goodness, you can understand the All-good. If you are in ignorance platform, if you are in the passionate platform, how you can understand the All-good? That is not possible. So one has to keep himself in goodness, and that goodness means one should follow the prohibitions. Either you follow the Ten Commandments or these four commandments, the same thing. That means you have to keep yourself in goodness. The balance must be in goodness. In the Bhagavad-gita it is stated, param brahma param dhama pavitram paramam bhavan. Arjuna accepted Krsna as the supermost pure. How you can approach the supermost pure without becoming yourself pure? So this is the steppingstone to become pure, because we are contaminated. So to become pure… THE EKADASI, WHY WE OBSERVE? TO BECOME PURE. BRAHMACARYA TAPASYA, AUSTERITY, PENANCE, CELIBACY, KEEPING THE MIND ALWAYS IN KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS, KEEPING THE BODY ALWAYS CLEANSED–THESE THINGS WILL HELP US TO KEEP US IN GOODNESS. Without goodness, it is not possible. But Krsna consciousness is so nice that even one is in the modes of passion and ignorance, at once he’ll be elevated on the platform of goodness, provided he agrees to follow the rules and regulations and chants Hare Krsna. This chanting of Hare Krsna and following the rules and regulation will keep you intact in goodness. Rest assured. Without failure.
710407LE.BOM
So this process should be adopted, how to become sukrtina. Sukrti means yajna-dana-tapa-kriya. One must perform sacrifices as prescribed in the sastras, and they must give in charity their hard-earned money for Krsna’s cause. That is called dana. Yajna, dana, and tapasya. Tapasya. Just like tomorrow is Sri Rama-navami. The tapasya will be that all the devotees will observe fasting from morning till evening. This is called tapasya. JUST LIKE EKADASI DAY–THERE IS NO EATING SUMPTUOUSLY. SIMPLY YOU TAKE LITTLE FRUITS AND FLOWERS. TRY TO AVOID THAT ALSO. YOU DON’T TAKE EVEN WATER. THAT IS REALLY EKADASI. BUT BECAUSE WE CANNOT DO IT–IN THE KALI-YUGA THE TIME IS DIFFERENT–THEREFORE WE ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE LITTLE FRUIT AND MILK, WHICH IS CALLED ANUKALPA.
55-01-01.spl BROTHERS
(21) Initiated members shall observe the “Ekadasi Brata” twice in a month and on that day he will be allowed to take only fruits & none of the cereals.
68-02-01 Letter: Madhusudana
Ekadasi is observed for increasing the strength of devotion.
68-04-21 Letter: Malati
Yes, here everything is very joyous, because so many nice boys and girls have joined the society, and they are joyfully dancing and chanting. You can let Syamasundara. know that the calculation of Rathayatra was made one month ahead. The actual date is the 28th of June; beginning of Rathayatra is on the 28th, and it will continue till 8 days, and the general festival may be observed on the 7th of July, Sunday (BECAUSE SATURDAY IS EKADASI).
69-10-27 Letter: Govinda
I have duly received the bananas you sent, and you can send me these dried bananas tons and tons. It is very useful and can be nicely used for OUR EKADASI FOODSTUFFS. AFTER DRYING THE BANANAS YOU CAN MAKE POWDER, JUST LIKE FLOUR, AND OUT OF THIS YOU CAN PREPARE PURIS, HALAVA, PAKORAS AND OTHER FRUIT PRODUCTS.
69-11-11 Letter: Rudra
Regarding the vows and chanting method you have adopted, it is very nice. BUT DO NOT IMPOSE SOMETHING WHICH WILL BE DIFFICULT TO EXECUTE. THERE IS NO NEED OF FASTING ONCE VERY WEEK. TWO DAYS FASTING PER MONTH ON EKADASI IS SUFFICIENT. BESIDES THAT THERE ARE OTHER SPECIAL FASTING DAYS. SPIRITUAL REALIZATION DEPENDS ON AUSTERITIES AND VOWS, BUT IN THIS AGE, BY THE MERCY OF KRISHNA AND LORD CAITANYA, WE NEED NOT UNDERGO VERY SEVERE PENANCES, AS WE ARE UNABLE TO DO IT. THE RULES AND REGULATIONS WHICH WE HAVE ALREADY PRESCRIBED, THAT IS SUFFICIENT FOR ORDINARY MEN. But as you have increased the chanting of beads to 25 rounds daily, that is very nice
69-11-20. Letter: Gaurasundara
Srimati Jayasri Dasi sent me SOME DRIED BANANA CHIPS AND THEY ARE VERY NICE FOR MY EKADASI FOOD. Is it possible to send us in large quantity this foodstuff? If not, please try to send me at least one small packet like that every fortnight.
71-07-09 Letter: Jadurani
Why just 25 rounds? You should chant as many as possible. Real Ekadasi means fasting and chanting and no other business. When one observes fasting, the chanting becomes easier. SO ON EKADASI OTHER BUSINESS CAN BE SUSPENDED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE UNLESS THERE IS SOME URGENT BUSINESS.
76-11-26. Letter: Ramesvara
Because there is a little leniency, immediately faulty things are creeping in. So we should be known as shaven-headed, not hair-headed. This is discrepancy. AT LEAST ONCE IN A MONTH YOU MUST BE CLEARLY SHAVEN-HEADED. ON THE BRIGHT FORTNIGHT, ON THE DAY OF PURNIMA, FOUR DAYS AFTER EKADASI. ONCE IN A MONTH, IN THE BRIGHT FORTNIGHT we must be shaven-headed. It is not desirable that in grown up age also, you be chastised. that is not desirable-that is also difficult because when the disciple or son is grown up, if he is chastised, then he breaks. So before being chastised we should be conscious that this is our rules and regulations, we must observe. Therefore it is advised by Canakya Pandit (Sanskrit) After the 16th year of the disciple or son, he should be treated as friend because if you chastise when he is grown up then he will break up- that is also another risk. So our request is that instead of chastising, with folded hands I request you, don’t you become hippies again by growing hair. Keep your head cleansed at least once in a month.
720422r2.tok
Devotee: On ekadasi, we can offer the Deity grains?
Prabhupada: Oh yes. BUT NOT GURU. EKADASI OBSERVED BY JIVA-TATTVA, NOT BY VISNU-TATTVA. WE ARE FASTING FOR CLEARING OUR MATERIAL DISEASE, BUT RADHA-KRSNA, CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU… CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU ALSO MAY NOT BE OFFERED GRAINS BECAUSE HE IS PLAYING THE PART OF A DEVOTEE. ONLY RADHA-KRSNA, JAGANNATHA CAN BE OFFERED GRAINS. OTHERWISE, GURU-GAURANGA, NO. AND THE PRASADAM SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN BY ANYONE. IT SHOULD BE KEPT FOR NEXT DAY.
750508mw.per
Prabhupada: Huh? What do you mean by machine. First of all define what is your idea of machine. Just like the other day we saw, we saw the Thompson place, being printed, being collected, and so many things are being done. It is like this. By machine the seasonal changes are going on, the sun is rising, the moon is rising, the water in the ocean, the waves are there. Everything, machine working. It is machine. EVERYTHING BEING SYSTEMATICALLY DONE. Such a big ocean, vast water, it is just on the brink, no more. It is so organized. The sun is rising exactly in time, astronomically. The astronomical watch is one ten-thousandth part of a second. It is so accurate. You’ll find everything is going on. (break) Today is ekadasi, eleventh day of the moon, the moon shall be like this. THERE ONE CAN SEE THE MOON AND HE CAN CALCULATE. “TODAY IS EKADASI.” THIS IS NOT MACHINE? IT IS EXACTLY, MACHINE.
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Tamala Krsna: Sometimes we have heard that ekadasi is a inauspicious alignment of the planets and therefore one has to counteract this inauspiciousness by more chanting.
Prabhupada: (laughs) No, no. IT IS THE MOST AUSPICIOUS. AND CHANTING IS MORE EFFECTIVE. (break) Yes.
Tamala Krsna: I remember you were instructing once that all of your initiated disciples should chant twenty-five rounds…
Prabhupada: MINIMUM.
Tamala Krsna: Minimum on this day. Is that a rule that we should all follow in our temples?
Prabhupada: We are sixteen rounds.
Tamala Krsna: No, I mean on ekadasi.
Prabhupada: OH YES. EKADASI, SIMPLY YOU SHOULD CHANT. NO OTHER BUSINESS. NIRJALA.
Tamala Krsna: No preaching work? Should they go out for preaching?
Prabhupada: NO, THOSE WHO ARE PREACHING, NOT FOR THEM. THOSE WHO ARE SITTING IDLE, OR THEY… (LAUGHTER) (BREAK) …HAS NO OTHER REGULATION, SIMPLY PREACHING. A PREACHER IS SO EXALTED. HE HASN’T GOT TO FOLLOW ANY REGULATION. BUT DON’T TAKE IT. (LAUGHTER) AND ACTUALLY IF ONE IS BUSY IN PREACHING WORK, THAT IS FIRST-CLASS. (BREAK) …NOT MY MANUFACTURED WORD, MY GURU MAHARAJA, THAT THE… THAT MADHAVA MAHARAJA, WHEN HE WAS A BRAHMACARI, HIS NAME WAS HAYAGRIVA. SO HE WAS TO GO SOMEWHERE. SO BUT HE WAS SICK. GURU MAHARAJA WAS INFORMED THAT HE WAS SICK AND “TODAY IS EKADASI. HE CANNOT TAKE HIS REGULAR MEALS.” SO GURU MAHARAJA SAID, “NO. LET HIM TAKE IMMEDIATELY MEALS AND GO.”
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Tamala Krsna: We should always chant twenty-five rounds on ekadasi if initiated.
Prabhupada: INITIATED? EVERYONE. WHY INITIATED?
Tamala Krsna: So that should be standard for our movement on ekadasi day?
Prabhupada: Standard is sixteen, but if one can chant more, then he is welcome.
Tamala Krsna: It’s not mandatory for ekadasi.
Jayapataka: Recommended.
Prabhupada: No. EKADASI MEANS THAT, FASTING AND CHANTING.
Tamala Krsna: Sometimes I’m wondering, because our men have to go out on BOOK DISTRIBUTION.
Prabhupada: NO, NO. THAT IS ALSO PREACHING WORK. FOR THAT PURPOSE YOU CAN STOP THIS, BUT GENERALLY, ONE WHO HAS NO PREACHING WORK, HE CAN CHANT.
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Ramesvara: So I’ve been told that if one fasts on Bhima-ekadasi, that it is like fasting on all the ekadasis. Is that true?
Prabhupada: Yes. Ekadasi is meant for fasting, either Bhima or Arjuna. But we cannot fast, therefore we have to take little fruits and…. Otherwise, ekadasi means fasting.
Tamala Krsna: If it is possible, should we go without eating at all?
Prabhupada: Yes. But don’t lie down and sleep.
Mahendra: Eating maha-prasadam is also fasting.
Prabhupada: Who says?
Mahendra: You said that to Paramahamsa Swami once.
Prabhupada: And you heard from Paramahamsa.
Mahendra: No, I was in the room. It was when he was trying to observe Caturmasya.
Prabhupada: I NEVER SAID THAT.
Mahendra: Oh, okay, I must have heard wrong.
Prabhupada: IF THERE IS SERVICE AND, ON MY FASTING, SERVICE WILL BE STOPPED, THEN I CAN TAKE. FIRST CONSIDERATION, SERVICE. NOW IF SOMEBODY FEELS WEAK, HE CAN TAKE MAHA-PRASADA, RENDER SERVICE.
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To advance in spiritual life these things are essential, tapasya. TAPASYA MEANS VOLUNTARILY ACCEPTING SOMETHING WHICH MAY BE PAINFUL. Just like we are recommending no illicit sex, no gambling, no meat-eating. So those who are accustomed to these bad habits, for them, in he beginning it may be a little difficult. But in spite of becoming difficult, one has to do it. That is called tapasya. To rise early in the morning, those who are not practiced, it is a little painful, but one has to do it. So this is called tapasya. So according to the Vedic injunction, there are some tapasyas that must be done. It is not, “I may do it or not do it.” It must be done. Just like in the Mundaka Upanisad it is ordered that one must go to the spiritual master. Tad-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet. So there is no question of voluntarily, but it must be. And one must carry out by the order of a spiritual master and the order of the sastra. That is called tapasya. JUST LIKE IN OUR LINE EKADASI IS COMPULSORY. ONE MAY FEEL SOME INCONVENIENCE FASTING OR SIMPLY EATING FRUITS. NO. IT MUST BE DONE. THERE ARE SO MANY RULES AND REGULATIONS WHICH IS ESSENTIAL. IT MUST BE DONE. THAT IS CALLED TAPASYA. Without consideration whether it is convenient or inconvenient for you, which is, must be done, that is called tapasya. Tapah, divyam… JUST LIKE RSABHADEVA ORDERS THAT THIS HUMAN LIFE IS MEANT FOR TAPASYA.
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Prabhupada: Yes, that must be. Why Mayapura? Vrndavana, they are accustomed. Ya devi sarva-bhutesu nidra… This sleeping is the maya’s influence. It is stated in the… Ya devi sarva-bhutesu nidra-rupena samsthitah.(?) The Devi, this material energy, has captured everyone, and she is there… The more one sleeps, that means he’s under the control of maya. And the more he is not sleeping, he’s free from maya. Nidrahara-viharakadi-vijitau. THE GOSVAMIS, THEY CONQUERED OVER THREE THINGS: NIDRA, SLEEPING; AHARA, EATING; AND MATING. THESE THINGS ARE THE CLUTCHES OF MAYA. More we have sex, more we have eating, more we have sleeping, that means I am entangled. THE MORE WE CONQUER OVER IT, WE ARE FREE. THAT WE HAVE TO TRY. Whether I am in the clutches of maya or not CAN BE TESTED–whether I am sleeping more, whether I am eating more, whether I am more sexually inclined. He can test himself. And bhakti means vairagya-vidya, to conquer over these three things. So practice this. They are… To rise early in the morning and attend mangala-arati is compulsory. It is part of this education, spiritual education. AND NOT TO EAT MORE THAN NECESSARY. THEN YOU’LL NOT SLEEP MORE. YOU’LL FIND, IF YOU OBSERVE FAST, YOU WON’T FEEL SLEEPY. HAVE YOU TESTED THIS?
Gargamuni: Yes. I can remember.
Prabhupada: THEREFORE EKADASI. ONE DAY OR TWO DAYS IN THE MONTH HE SHOULD PRACTICE FASTING, AND THEN HE’LL BE ABLE TO CONQUER OVER THESE THINGS. THESE ARE ALL PRACTICAL. SO WE SHOULD PRACTICE OURSELF AND TEACH OTHERS. THIS IS KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT. AND IF HE THINKS THAT HE’S QUITE ALL RIGHT IN THIS MATERIAL ATMOSPHERE, THEN HE’S DOOMED. MUDHAH NABHIJANATI. THAT MEANS APRAPYA MAM–WITHOUT ACHIEVING KRSNA–NIVARTANTE–AGAIN HE GOES BACK–MRTYU-SAMSARA-VARTMANI–THE CYCLE OF BIRTH AND DEATH. TAKE ONE BIRTH, SUFFER, AGAIN TAKE ANOTHER BODY, AGAIN TAKE ANOTHER BODY, ANOTHER BODY.
About the Author
Hare Krishna prabhu
You seem to know quite a lot about the history of the movement and the practices that were followed that time as authorized by Srila Prabhupada himself. Is it the Vedabase from where you got to know all this or do you have some other bonafide source for this? Please tell me prabhu. I really want know
Yours
Aditya Garg
Hare Krishna
My source of knowledge about the history of the Hare Krishna Movement is from Srila Prabhupada. Everything is recorded. Virtually everything Srila Prabhupada ever said is recorded and we have the tapes and I have listened to them all many, many times. And Prabhupada says “everything is in my books.” So I have read all of Prabhupada’s books so many, many times. And we have practically all of Srila Prabhupada’s letters and I have read all of Prabhupada’s letters so many times. And I joined ISKCON in 1986 and travelled to so many temples in USA, Europe, Australia, UK, etc., and I met most of the ‘big devotees’ and had personal practical experience of so many of the ISKCON temples from 1986, which is only nine years after Prabhupada left our material vision, and at that time, the vibrations of Srila Prabhupada and the way he established things was still, to a large part, being followed in ISKCON.
So Prabhupada is the best, most bonafide source of knowledge about ISKCON, and he is my source of knowledge of everything including ISKCON.
Prabhupada is still living, he is with us in his recorded instructions including his books, letters, converstations, morning walks, classes, press conferences, films, vidoes, etc, etc, etc. So you also can learn everything from Srila Prabhupada, if you would just take the time to read all his books, read all his letters, listen to all his audio recordings watch all the videos, etc, and then, when you have finished do it again and again and again and again.
Prabhupada’s vani is mystical. Every time you hear it it is new and fresh and everytime your realizations increase so much more. You can constantly read Prabhupada’s books all the time over and over and over again and constantly find them new and fresh and invigorating and inspiring.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Hare Krishna!
As I’m fasting Nirjala Ekadasi without water today and I feel very thirsty but then I get a thought that today I’m feeling very thirsty but someday because of this I will be drinking the real blissful spiritual water in the Krishnaloka. And then I got another idea as well- let’s spiritualize this world by spreading Krishna bhakti. When this happens, all thirsty people while walking on road will ask for prasadama water and will get it from devotees whom they ask for. Even cows and other animals dying for want of water will get prasadama water and not get discarded, driven away from fields and get beaten, as it is happening in India now as there is ban on cow/bull slaughter in my state and the cows can be seen everywhere walking thirsty being driven away from here and there. Let’s spiritualize this world and everyone will enjoy life millions and millions of times more by serving Krishna and tasting Krishna prasadama than they are in this modern so-called civilization.
I came to know it is a good practice to stay awake during ekadashi at night and chant mantras. I had one doubt regarding it.
What is the timing to stay awake during ekadashi?
Like for previous Ekadashi this is the tithi I found on some website-
Ekadashi Tithi Begins – 01:34 PM on Nov 18, 2018
Ekadashi Tithi Ends – 02:30 PM on Nov 19, 2018
Parana Time -06:52 AM to 08:58 AM 20th Nov 2018
Should devotee stay awake starting from-
a) Stay awake starting from 18nov morning till 19th Nov night ?
or
b)Stay awake from 19th nov morning till 20nov night ?
Please clarify which is correct?
Do we follow tithi and stay awake only during tithi or we stay awake a night before parna ?
We do not do these things. We are interested in preaching. Better to go out on sankirtan and distribute Prabhupada’s books. You will get much better benefit from that than trying to stay awake at night. In Prabhupada’s movement we fast from grains on Ekadasi and go out and preach.
But of course if you are advanced in Krishna consciousness you will automatically not want to sleep and will be always be busy chanting Hare Krishna and reading Srimad-Bhagavatam.
So point is we should not do it artificially. But yes, chant more and read Bhagavatam more on Ekadasi. Yes. Stay awake, yes get together with other devotees and have sankirtan together. Yes. Yes. Yes. Do it all. It is all wonderful.
Realistically you should get out of bed every morning before 4:00 AM, chant the Hare Krishna mantra at least 16 rounds every day, read Srila Prabhupada’s books at least 1-2 hours every day. That should be your first determination. It has to be done every day, not just on ekadasis.
But yes. Do it on ekadasis, stay awake, chant Hare Krishna, have sankirtan, read the Bhagavatam…
Hare Krishna Prabhuji!
Are there any specific Ekadashis from which one should start observing Ekadashi?
No. Observing Ekadasi is easy. Just fast from grains. You can still accept prasadam from all other things like fruits, milk products and vegetables. So you do not really even have to fast to observe ekadasi, just don’t eat grains.
Fasting completely is better, but observing ekadasi just requires you to fast from grains. So there is no excuse to not observe ekadasi.
You should start observing from the next ekadasi and make a vow to observe every ekadasi [by fasting from grains and increasing your chanting of Hare Krishna and reading of Prabhupada’s books] without skipping any for the rest of your life.
The main thing is remembering. So if you get the calendar and mark the ekadasi days in your calendar or set reminders or something, something so you do not forget to fast on the ekadasi days, to just avoid accepting grains is a very simple thing and no excuse at all for not doing it…
Hare Krishna Prabhuji!
I asked this question because some people here say that there are some specific Ekadashi days from which one should begin to observe Ekadashi fast and one mataji in my family wants to observe Ekadashi and she asked me to be sure and I can only be sure when I get the information from our Disciplic Succession.
As far myself I observe Ekadashi although not regularly but from next Ekadashi I will observe every Ekadashi. This is my vow. I will observe Nirjala Ekadashi if I fail to do so. Thank you very much Prabhuji for answering all my questions. I’m very fortunate to have come in touch with you. And I want that I always remain your servant.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Hari bol!
Prabhu can we sleep at night during fasting on ekadasi or should remain awake the whole night?
Even when I try to be awake,I will automatically fall asleep after some time..
Thanks
We can take rest. Very serious devotees stay up on the night of the ekadasi. But it is no use if they are just going to sleep through the next day. So we have to be practical. Some devotees also fast completely, not even drinking water, on the Ekadasi days. So it is nice if we can do it. But I can’t… So I fast from grains and take rest a night as normal on the Ekadasi days.
So the main thing on the Ekadasi days is to reduce the eating and sleeping and increase reading and chanting. So Ekadasi is for reducing the bodily activities and for increasing chanting Hare Krishna and reading Prabhupada’s books.
So we should make plans to increase our Hare Krishna chanting and reading of Srila Prabhupada’s books on the Ekadasi days and fast from grains, that is necessary.
If you can fast completely and stay up all night chanting Hare Krishna also that is good, but not necessary if, like me, you can’t do it.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Thanks prabhu!
Hare Krishna Prabhu Dandwat can you please tell if we can have Millett on ekadasi?
Ys
Why should we? Ekadasi is for fasting. So better to fast completely if you can. If not just take something very lite. I am not good at fasting. So on ekadais I have some yogurt and fruit during the day and some hot milk in the evening. So best is just fast completely or if you are weak like me just have something simple like fruit. The point of ekadasi is not to scheme and plan about how we can cook sumptuous feasts without using grains… The point is to fast. If we fast that saves a lot of time and we can use the extra time for chanting Hare Krishna and reading Prabhupada’s books. So ultimate thing is ekadasi is a very auspicious time and it should be used for increased chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra and increased reading of Srila Prabhupada’s books, so if we do not eat on ekadasi then we will not feel sleepy and will not have to waste time cooking and eating food.
And fasting a couple of days a month is also very good for the health of the body…
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
I can’t Thank you enough Prabhu
Please accept my humble obeisances
Ys
Hare Krishna prabhu,
In many camps like ISKCON, Gaudiya mathas and Vedic system I have seen that Ekadasi fast is broken next day in some specific duration of time.
But some people say that Srila Prabhupada did not encourage particular time for breaking of Ekadasi fasting instead just after sunrise is okay.
Could you please throw light on this?
Hare Krishna Girish
Yes. It is true, this breaking of the ekadasi fast at a particular time was not introduced by Srila Prabhupada. It was added into ISKCON later, after Srila Prabhupada left his body. System is to break the ekadasi fast at breakfast time the next day. That is all.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Hare Krishna prabhu,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Please accept my humble obeisances
Regarding Nirjala Ekadasi, is it compulsory for everyone to completely fast from even water too?
Hare Krishna Hrishikesh
No. It is only compulsory to fast from grains on the ekadasis. It is recommended if you have broken the fast on any ekadasi you can fast completely even from water on the nirjala ekadasi and that will counteract the breaking of the fast on the other ekadasis.
The idea of Krishna consciousness is to reduce the demands of the body ultimately to nill. So it is good if you can completely fast even from water on all the ekadasis. But it is not compulsory. Only compulsory thing is to fast from grains on the ekadasis.
Hare Krishna prabhu
After observing fasting on ekadasi one has to break the fast by taking prasadam on the next day.I could chant,read Srila Prabupada’s books but considering my present situation I don’t have any way to obtain prasadam.Is it ok to do fasting alone on Ekadasi?What is the instruction gn by the acharya to break the fast?I searched and couldn’t find it.
As I wrote before. Learn to cook and offer it to Srila Prabhupada and you will always have prasadam.
Yes. You can fast alone on ekadasi, why not?
Ekadasi fast is broken the next morning by taking some prasadam grains.
Hare Krishna prabuji
Sorry for posting two times earlier.When I submitted the first query it didn’t get displayed.So I tried to re-post.The post gets displayed only when u reply.Is that so?
I have an old woodden jagannatha idol in the pooja room.But I don’t have acharya’s photo.Can I offer to the idol asking Srila Prabupada to accept it in my mind?The food has to be offered during ekadasi and kept for the next day or to be offered on the dvadasi day?
Also if the vrata is not broken due to some difficult situations,will it go in vain?Has Srila Prabupada and the scriptures told anything about this prabhu?
Please excuse me for my ques prabhu because I do not want to observe fast in a whimsical way..
Yes. You can offer to Lord Jagannatha. But get a picture of Srila Prabhupada and put that in your puja room also. This is a very simple thing. Get pictures of Srila Prabhupada and Panca-Tattva [Lord Caitanya and His chief associates] in your puja room and chant the Hare Krishna mantra in there and everything will be perfect.
As far as Ekadasi just fast from grains on the ekadasi days and take some prasadam grains around 9-10 am next morning to break the fast. That is all. Very simple thing.
And ekadasi day the purpose is to reduce the bodily demands like eating and sleeping so we have more time to chant Hare Krishna and read Srila Prabhupada’s books. This is the main point. So on the ekadasi days we have to increase our chanting and reading…
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Sir I m student I want to do ekadashi vrat..so which one I have to do pls suggest me..thnku
Hare Krishna Pooja
Ekadasi happens twice every month and the idea of ekadasi is it is a very auspicious time for performing devotional activities. So on the ekadasi days we should reduce our eating, fast completely if that is possible, but at least fast from grains. And we need to increase our chanting of Hare Krishna and reading of Srila Prabhupada’s books. That is the real ekadasi vrata..
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
my mother died on nirjala ekadashi on 29 may 2015 at 6.30 am. she was not devotee of sri krishna but lit lamp & agarbatti to all gods in my house even if she was ill. she prepared 56 bhog on janmashtami & was awake whole night. this she did untill her health detoriated so much that she was even unable to walk.
I & my father are krishna devotee infact the love which i feel i can’t express for krishna. my father loves him verymuch though my family had verybad time throughout life. money prob, elder sis not yet married she is 36, jobless for many years, when got job full of troubles, education delay( i did my colg in my 30, mom never got any jwelery, no own house but my i never blamed god , because i felt he has given me much precious thing & that was my family. my mothers health was detoriting day by day medicines not working. i told my mother to belive in krishna he will definetly come for her rescue. like a small baby even when she is sleeping/ unconsious she constantly told the mantra ” om namo bhagavate vasudevay” even the doctors felt pity that in this severe pain she is calling krishna for her rescue many other doctors laughed they said if krishna does every thing fine there wont b profession of doctors. i had got only my parents in my life. my family is my tapasya which he broke by killing my ma. there are so many unnatural things that have happend we kept calling god he never came.
do you have any reply for this injustice?
There is no injustice. Devotees see like this. Everything is going on according to Krishna and the sufferings that come on us are caused by our sinful activities in the past. Devotees think like this anyhow. They think they are so sinful and Krishna is very merciful by only giving a little suffering.
You have to understand this material world is only for suffering and death. That is what happens here. So we have to transcend the material world by Krishna consciousness. That is the only way. We can not expect anything except suffering and death from the material world. So we should not be surprised when we encounter suffering and death in the material world. That is the nature of the place. It is not injustice. We came here to try and become the lord and master but we are actually not lords or masters. We are servants of Krishna. Anyhow please read Bhagavad-gita as it is and try and get a realistic view of the nature of the material world. You can not expect to live happily forever without any suffering in the material world. That does not happen in the material world. That happens in the spiritual world. So we should stop trying to be comfortable in the material world and concentrate on being Krishna conscious. If we can actually become Krishna conscious we will become transcendental to these things and they will not effect us.
It sounds like your mother did a lot of service for Krishna and that service will never be lost. So she will be taking birth in a very good situation because of her pious activities in this life. So there is no loss. She is in a better situation now that before stuck in an old sick body.
We do not die. We just change bodies. The success of our life will be if we can remember Krishna at the time of death and go back home, back to Godhead.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Hare Krsna Prabhu,
I have a Vaisnava calendar of which I have some doubts. In this calendar there is one additional month Purosottama Masa after Vamana Masa which makes 13 months a year.
The sequence is Visnu,Madhusudana,Trivikarma,Vamana,PUROSOTTAMA,Sridhara,Hrishikesa,Padmanabha,
Damodara,Kesava,Narayana,Madhava and Govinda Masa.
If I follow this than there becomes 13 monts instead of 12 and 26 ekadashi instead of 24.
This Purosottama Masa is not found in ISKCON Bangalore Calendar but is found in ISKCON Mayapura calendar [www.vreminder.tk] and it contains two additional ekadashi Padmini ekadashi-28 June 28, 2015 and Parama ekadashi-12 July 2015.
Prabhu, please see through this where is the mistake.
Hare Krishna Hrishikesh
I am not a big calendar expert but I do know this extra month, Purosottama Masa is added every three or four years [I think] It is needed because after some time the lunar [Vaisnava] calender and the solar calendar gets out of sync too much. So they add in another month every few years to bring it back in sync with the solar calendar. Otherwise the Vaisnava calendar months would gradually loose all relationship with the solar years….
As far as the difference between the Bangalore Calendar and the Mayapur calendar I do not know. You will have to inquire from someone who knows more about this. ISKCON uses a program called Gcal to calculate their calendars and I use this myself. I follow the Mayapur calendar generated by this ISKCON Gcal program wherever I am and according to that this year there is Purusottama-adhika Masa starting on 17 June and ending on 16 July. So we are in it now.
This month is very auspicious and good for performing extra devotional service.
So I suspect the Bangalore calendar you are looking at is wrong. So maybe you can inquire further from them?
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Hare Krishna Prabhu,
I was born in Maharashtra, India, & still live there. Surprisingly, here the ritual of fasting at Ekadashi is very different. One can eat sabudana khichdi (sago with groundnut), varai (ground millet) & other such beans & grains, while vegetables are completely banned. When I asked my parents about this, they said that this has been going on for a very long time now, & that they wouldn’t break it.
If you know why this happens, please inform me of it.
All sorts of crazy things happen.
Best thing is to fast completely on Ekadasi if you can.
The idea is to reduce the bodily demands so you have more time to chant Hare Krishna and read Srila Prabhupada’s books. That is the point of Ekadasi.
We observe it by fasting from grains. So that is what we do. We do not eat any grains on Ekadasi.
What others do that really does not matter. We follow Srila Prabhupada. We follow the Gaudiya Vaisnava Parampara.
Can i shave on ekadashi?
The idea of not shaving on Ekadasi is that the ekadasi day is a very auspicious day and it is better to increase our hearing and chanting on the ekadasi days so the idea is to reduce the bodily activities on these days so we have more time for chanting Hare Krishna. That is why we fast from grains for example. If we eat more then there is the tendency to sleep and we don’t want to sleep very much on the ekadasi days because that is a waste of time that we could use for chanting Hare Krishna or reading Srila Prabhupada’s books. The idea of not shaving on ekadasi is also similar. Shaving is a bodily activity and it takes time and if you don’t shave then you can spend that time chanting Hare Krishna. But it is not so much stressed like fasting from grains on ekadasi. Fasting from grains we must do because this is very much stressed by Srila Prabhupada, it was also very much stressed by Lord Caitanya. His mother was not observing the ekadasi fasting because it was a tradition at the time that the ladies would not observe the ekadasi fast, but Lord Caitanya requested her to please fast on the ekadasi days.
Also if you don’t need to shave on the ekasasi you can avoid it and spent the time that you would have normally spent shaving chanting Hare Krishna. But if you have to go to work and you are expected to arrive clean-shaven it is not a big deal. You can shave on the ekadasi if you need to in your particular circumstances. But we must fast from grains on the ekadasi, that we can do anywhere in any situation without too much effort. And we must increase our hearing and chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra on the ekadsais. That we can all also do without any problem no matter what situation we find ourselves in…
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
what to do in ekadesi vrata
search for it at PrabhuapdaBooks.com and post the answer here…
Respected Sir,
I want to say that:
Previously I observed Nirjala Ekadasi Vrat (2010) for 24 hours i.e., from 12 Midnight to 12 Midnight…I wake up Early in the Morning (Before Sunrise) and Took Bath, Observed the vrat for 24 Hours No Food, No Water but I break the Fast on 12:05 AM By Eating Chapati…I am 16 Now….Is that Ok or I need to do some Pashatap for That and If I need to then How can I do the Pashatap…
But Now I observe the Fast from 12 Midnight to Sunrise (Dwadasi) means fasting for about 32-33 Hours…
I am not a bramachary, just a devotee increasing in love of Yah by chanting and hearing from my krsna pastimes and the spiritual master’s books…however I am in a christian setting attending church and singing in the choir. In order to grow in love .. do I have to shave my head? and do I have to quit smoking herb?
Hare Krishna Emmanuel
If you are seriously interested in advancing in spiritual life then you do not need to shave your head. But you do need to follow the four regulative principles:
– No Illicit Sex Life
– No meat eating
– No gambling
– No intoxication
Otherwise spiritual advancement is not really possible. All these things are great impediments to progress in spiritual life. You need to give them up.
And you need to chant at least 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra daily. Without the chanting you will not be able to follow these four regulative principles. Because as conditioned souls we naturally want to have illicit sex, to take intoxication [smoke the weed], eat meat and gamble. These things constitute what we consider in the material concept of life, “pleasure.”
So the only way to give up these material so-called pleasures is to experience a greater pleasure, a higher taste.
And that is available through chanting the Hare Krishna maha mantra and through serving Krishna.
It is great that you are a Christian and you sing in a choir. These things will help you to come closer to God. And the God Jesus talks about in the Bible is Krishna. God is one, but His sons, or representatives are many.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Can we have boiled vegetables on ekadashi day ??? If yes, which are the ones that are to be avoided ??? Also, can we have boiled kabuli chhola on this day ???
Hare Krishna Dandavats.
Srila Prabhupada Ki jay!
When one worships Krishna through the path of karma, the mind
is purified, and one may obtain material fruits, freedom from disease,
or liberation. But the same worship of Krishna through the path
of bhakti produces only prema for Krishna-näma. When karmis, those
who follow the path of karma, observe Ekädasi, it eradicates their
sins; whereas when bhaktas observe Ekädasi, it enhances their haribhakti.
Just see what a world of difference there is!
The subtle difference between sädhana performed as an aspect
of karma, and sädhana performed as an aspect of bhakti may be
known only by the mercy of Bhagavän. The bhaktas obtain the
primary result, whereas the karmis are caught up in the secondary
results, which may be broadly divided into two categories, namely,
bhukti (material sense enjoyment) and mukti (liberation).
Chant Hare Krishna with love and the Love will never leave you, if you Love The Love them The Love will love you ten times more. Live in the world of Love.
RESPECTED SIR,
I WANT TO KNOW THAT ONLY A WIDOWER CAN PERFORM EKADHASI VRATA?I AM SUGHAGAN CAN I DO THIS VRAT PLEASE SUGGEST ME.
Hare Krishna Subhra
This idea that only a widower can perform ekasasi vrata is not at all correct. Ekadasi can, and should, be observed by everyone. It is very helpful in making advancement in spiritual life. It does not mean just fasting, but also means to increase the hearing and chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra and the pastimes of Krishna on these auspicious days.