Srila Prabhupad Speaking About Ekadasi - snippets
One has to perform devotional service
in full tapasya, austerity. One should fast on the two Ekädaçé
days, which fall on the eleventh day of the waxing and waning moon, and
on the birthdays of Lord Kåñëa, Lord Räma and Caitanya
Mahäprabhu. There are many such fasting days. Yogena means “by controlling
the senses and mind.” Yoga indriya-saàyamaù. Yogena implies
that one is seriously absorbed in the self and is able, by development
of knowledge, to understand his constitutional position in relationship
with the Superself. In this way one becomes fixed in devotional service,
and his faith cannot be shaken by any material allurement.
(ACBSP. Srimad Bhagavatam 3:27:22.
purport excerpt)
Çréla Jéva Gosvämé
has given quotations from many çästras stating that the çräddha
ceremony of oblations to the forefathers should not be performed on Ekädaçé
tithi. When the tithi of the death anniversary falls on the Ekädaçé
day, the çräddha ceremony should be held not on Ekädaçé
but on the next day, or dvädaçé. In the Brahma-vaivarta
Puräëa it is said:
ye kurvanti mahépäla
çräddhaà caikädaçi-dine
trayas te narakaà yänti
dätä bhoktä ca prerakaù
If one performs the çräddha
ceremony of oblations to the forefathers on the Ekädaçé
tithi, then the performer, the forefathers for whom the çräddha
is observed, and the purohita, or the family priest who encourages the
ceremony, all go to hell.
(ACBSP. Srimad Bhagavatam 7:14:23.
purport excerpt)
To observe Ekädaçé-vrata
and Dvädaçé-vrata means to please the Supreme Personality
of Godhead. Those interested in advancing in Kåñëa consciousness
must observe Ekädaçé-vrata regularly.
(ACBSP. Srimad Bhagavatam 9:4:29.
purport excerpt)
One may study the example of vratäni,
or vows. The injunction that one should fast on Ekädaçé
is a permanent vow for all Vaiñëavas, and one should not conclude
from these verses that one may neglect the Ekädaçé vow.
(Srimad Bhagavatam 11:12:1-2 purport
excerpt)
dvädaçyäm ekädaçyäà
vä
çåëvann äyuñyavän
bhavet
paöhaty anaçnan prayataù
püto bhavati pätakät
One who hears this Bhägavatam on the Ekädaçé or Dvädaçé day is assured of long life, and one who recites it with careful attention while fasting is purified of all sinful reactions. (Srimad Bhagavatam 12:12:60.)
Rämeçvara: On the calendar
it says it is Bhéma-ekädaçé.
Prabhupäda: Bhéma-ekädaçé,
yes.
Rämeçvara: So I’ve been
told that if one fasts on Bhéma-ekädaçé, that
it is like fasting on all the ekädaçés. Is that true?
Prabhupäda: Yes. Ekädaçé
is meant for fasting, either Bhéma or Arjuna. But we cannot fast,
therefore we have to take little fruits and.... Otherwise, ekädaçé
means fasting.
Tamäla Kåñëa:
If it is possible, should we go without eating at all?
Prabhupäda: Yes. But don’t
lie down and sleep.
Mahendra: Eating mahä-prasädam
is also fasting.
Prabhupäda: Who says?
Mahendra: You said that to Paramahaàsa
Swami once.
Prabhupäda: And you heard from
Paramahaàsa.
Mahendra: No, I was in the room.
It was when he was trying to observe Caturmäsya.
Prabhupäda: I never said that.
Mahendra: Oh, okay, I must have
heard wrong.
Prabhupäda: 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 mahä-prasäda,
render service.
(ACBSP. 7th June 1976, Morning Walk.
Los Angeles)
ei dui-ghare prabhu ekädaçé
dine
viñëura naivedya mägi’
khäila äpane
SYNONYMS
ei dui-ghare—in these two houses;
prabhu—the Lord; ekädaçé dine—on the Ekädaçé
day; viñëura—of Lord Viñëu; naivedya—food offered
to Lord Viñëu; mägi’—begging; khäila—ate; äpane—personally.
TRANSLATION
In their two houses Lord Caitanya
Mahäprabhu begged food on the Ekädaçé day and personally
ate it.
PURPORT
The injunction to fast on Ekädaçé
is especially meant for devotees; on Ekädaçé there are
no restrictions regarding food that may be offered to the Lord. Lord Çré
Caitanya Mahäprabhu took the food of Lord Viñëu in His
ecstasy as viñëu-tattva.
(ACBSP. Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi-lila
10:71.)
vyädhi-chale jagadéça-hiraëya-sadane
viñëu-naivedya khäila
ekädaçé-dine
SYNONYMS
vyädhi-chale—on the plea of
being diseased; jagadéça-hiraëya—of the names Jagadéça
and Hiraëya; sadane—in the house of; viñëu-naivedya—food
offered to Lord Viñëu; khäila—ate; ekädaçé—of
Ekädaçé; dine—on the day.
TRANSLATION
Pretending to be sick, the Lord
asked some food from the house of Hiraëya and Jagadéça
on the Ekädaçé day.
The Caitanya-bhägavata, Ädi-khaëòa,
Chapter Six, fully describes the Lord’s accepting viñëu-prasädam
on the Ekädaçé day at the house of Jagadéça
and Hiraëya. Regular prasädam is offered to Lord Viñëu
on Ekädaçé because although fasting is recommended for
devotees on Ekädaçé, it is not recommended for Lord
Viñëu. Once on Ekädaçé in the house of Jagadéça
and Hiraëya Paëòita there were arrangements for preparing
special prasädam for Lord Viñëu, and Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu
asked His father to go there to ask for the viñëu-prasädam
because He was feeling sick. The house of Jagadéça and Hiraëya
Paëòita was situated about two miles from the house of Jagannätha
Miçra. Therefore when Jagannätha Miçra, on the request
of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, came to ask Jagadéça
and Hiraëya for the prasädam, they were a little astonished.
How could the boy understand that special prasädam was being prepared
for Lord Viñëu? They immediately concluded that Nimäi
must have supernatural mystic power. Otherwise how could He understand
that they were preparing special prasädam? Therefore they immediately
sent the food to Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu through His father, Jagannätha
Miçra. Nimäi was feeling sick, but immediately after eating
the viñëu-prasädam He was cured, and He also distributed
the prasädam among His playmates.
(ACBSP. Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi-lila
14:39.)
mätä bale,——täi diba,
yä tumi mägibe
prabhu kahe,——ekädaçéte
anna nä khäibe
SYNONYMS
mätä bale—His mother said;
täi diba—I shall give that; yä—whatever; tumi—You; mägibe—should
ask me; prabhu kahe—the Lord said; ekädaçéte—on the
Ekädaçé day; anna—grains; nä—don’t; khäibe—eat.
TRANSLATION
His mother replied, “My dear son,
I will give You whatever You ask.” Then the Lord said, “My dear mother,
please do not eat grains on the Ekädaçé day.”
PURPORT
From the very beginning of His childhood
life Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu introduced the system of
observing a fast on the Ekädaçé day. In the Bhakti-sandarbha,
by Çréla Jéva Gosvämé, there is a quotation
from the Skanda Puräëa admonishing that a person who eats grains
on Ekädaçé becomes a murderer of his mother, father,
brother and spiritual master, and even if he is elevated to a Vaikuëöha
planet, he falls down. On Ekädaçé, everything is cooked
for Viñëu, including regular grains and dhal, but it is enjoined
that a Vaiñëava should not even take viñëu-prasädam
on Ekädaçé. It is said that a Vaiñëava does
not accept anything eatable that is not offered to Lord Viñëu,
but on Ekädaçé a Vaiñëava should not touch
even mahä-prasädam offered to Viñëu, although such
prasädam may be kept for being eaten the next day. It is strictly
forbidden for one to accept any kind of grain on Ekädaçé,
even if it is offered to Lord Viñëu.
(ACBSP. Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi-lila
15:9.)
çacé kahe,——nä
khäiba, bhäla-i kahilä
sei haite ekädaçé
karite lägilä
SYNONYMS
çacé kahe—mother Çacé
said; nä khäiba—I shall not take; bhäla-i kahilä—You
have said very nicely; sei haite—from that day; ekädaçé—Ekädaçé
day; karite lägilä—began to observe.
TRANSLATION
Mother Çacé said,
“You have spoken very nicely. I shall not eat grains on Ekädaçé.”
From that day, she began to observe fasting on Ekädaçé.
PURPORT
It is a prejudice among smärta-brähmaëas
that a widow must observe fasting on Ekädaçé but a woman
who is sa-dhava—who has her husband—should not. It appears that before
Lord Caitanya’s request, Çacémätä, being sa-dhava,
was not observing Ekädaçé. Çré Caitanya
Mahäprabhu, however, introduced the system that a woman, even if not
a widow, must observe the Ekädaçé day and must not touch
any kind of grains, even those offered to the Deity of Viñëu.
(ACBSP. Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi-lila
15:10.)
In the twelfth viläsa, Ekädaçé
is described. In the thirteenth viläsa, fasting is discussed, as well
as observance of the Mahä-dvädaçé ceremony. In
the fourteenth viläsa, different duties for different months are outlined.
In the fifteenth viläsa, there are instructions on how to observe
Ekädaçé fasting without even drinking water.
(ACBSP. Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya-lila
1:35.)
The Cäturmäsya period begins
in the month of Äñäòha (June–July) from the day
of Ekädaçé called Çayanä-ekädaçé,
in the fortnight of the waxing moon. The period ends in the month of Kärttika
(October–November) on the Ekädaçé day known as Utthänä-ekädaçé,
in the fortnight of the waxing moon. This four-month period is known as
Cäturmäsya.
(ACBSP. Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya-lila
4:169 purport excerpt.)
kåñëa-prétye
bhoga-tyäga, kåñëa-térthe väsa
yävan-nirväha-pratigraha,
ekädaçy-upaväsa
SYNONYMS
kåñëa-prétye—for
satisfaction of Kåñëa; bhoga-tyäga—acceptance and
rejection of something; kåñëa-térthe väsa—residence
in a place where Kåñëa is situated; yävat-nirväha—as
much as required to keep the body and soul together; pratigraha—acceptance
of gifts; ekädaçé-upaväsa—observance of fasting
on the Ekädaçé day.
TRANSLATION
“The next steps are as follows:
(6) One should be prepared to give up everything for Kåñëa’s
satisfaction, and one should also accept everything for Kåñëa’s
satisfaction. (7) One must live in a place where Kåñëa
is present—a city like Våndävana or Mathurä or a Kåñëa
temple. (8) One should acquire a livelihood that is just sufficient to
keep body and soul together. (9) One must fast on the Ekädaçé
day.
(ACBSP. Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya-lila
22:116.)
ei sabe viddhä-tyäga, aviddhä-karaëa
akaraëe doña, kaile
bhaktira lambhana
SYNONYMS
ei sabe—all these things; viddhä-tyäga—to
avoid viddha-ekädaçé or mixed Ekädaçé;
aviddhä-karaëa—performing the pure Ekädaçé;
akaraëe doña—the fault of not performing them; kaile—if done
so; bhaktira lambhana—there will be discrepancies in devotional service.
TRANSLATION
“You should recommend the avoidance
of mixed Ekädaçé and the performance of pure Ekädaçé.
You should also describe the fault in not observing Ekädaçé.
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.
(ACBSP. Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya-lila
24:342.)
Observing Fasting on Ekädaçé
In the Brahma-vaivarta Puräëa
it is said that one who observes fasting on Ekädaçé
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 Kåñëa. The real
reason for observing fasting on Ekädaçé 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.
(ACBSP. Nectar of Devotion chapter
7.)
One such occasion for remembrance
is Ekädaçé, 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.
(ACBSP. Nectar of Devotion chapter
26.)
Ecstatic love for Kåñëa
is also aroused on the days of Ekädaçé, which are other
festive days in connection with Kåñëa.
(ACBSP. Nectar of Devotion chapter
26.)
On Ekädaçé day,
one should increase one’s chanting of Hare Kåñëa:
One should generally accept the
following principles to properly execute devotional service: … (9) observe
fasting on Ekädaçé 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 Kåñëa and reading
scriptures are increased.)
Teachings of Lord Caitanya
So one should execute Kåñëa
consciousness, dharmataù, in right path, and vrataiù. Bhajante
mäà dåòha-vratäù. Just like today,
ekädaçé-vrata. Vrataiù. This ekädaçé-vrata
is required. Just see. Here it is that “You have performed all the vratas.”
The purpose of ekädaçé-vrata is that today we should
not eat much usual food, grains. The actual prescription is fasting. Nirjala-ekädaçé.
Nirjala means there are many devotees who does not take even water. Water,
drinking water, according to çästra, 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 upaväsa also. But there are many devotees who
even..., drink even a drop of water. Whole day and night they fast and
observe ekädaçé-vrata. And the night is called hariväsara.
Hariväsara means the whole night they would chant Hare Kåñëa,
Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa,
Hare Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare Räma... This is called vrata. Dåòha-vrata.
Dåòha-vrata.
(ACBSP. Srimad Bhagavatam lecture
1:5:1-8. 23rd May 1969. New Vrindavan.)
Just like... The, everything is described
in the Bhagavad-gétä. Just like in hospital. In hospital there
are many patients, they are not eating anything on the Ekädaçé
day. Does it mean that is observing Ekädaçé? 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
paraà dåñövä 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. So here is Kåñëa consciousness, this better engagement,
better life, better philosophy, better consciousness, everything better.
Therefore they can give up the sinful activities of life and that will
promote to Kåñëa consciousness.
(ACBSP. Srimad Bhagavatam lecture
1:8:30. 22nd April 1973. Los Angeles)
Absolute, then you must agree to
certain type of tapasya. Otherwise it is not possible. The preliminary
little tapasya. Just like ekädaçé. That is also item
of the tapasya. Actually on the ekädaçé days we shall
not take any food, even drink water. But in our society we are not doing
so much strictly. We say, “Ekädaçé, you don’t take food
grains. Take little fruit, milk.” This is tapasya.
(ACBSP. Srimad Bhagavatam lecture
3:12:19. 3rd March 1975. Dallas TX USA)
The Ekädaçé, why
we observe? To become pure.
(ACBSP. Srimad Bhagavatam lecture
7:9:8. 21st October 1968. Seatle.)
So any way, you can help this movement
and do the welfare activities for India and outside India. So that is my
request. I welcome you. Of course, today is ekädaçé.
We are, mostly we are fasting. Some prasädam will be given. So it
is not the question of prasädam; it is the question of the important
work we are taking in hand, how to spread a God consciousness movement.
Otherwise, you will never be happy.
(ACBSP. Cornerstone laying 23rd
January 1975. Bombay.)
This is called tapasya. Just like
Ekädaçé 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 ekädaçé. 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. These are different
methods of tapasya.
(ACBSP. Pandal program Bombay 7th
April 1971.)
Devotee: On ekädaçé,
we can offer the Deity grains?
Prabhupäda: Oh yes. But not
guru. Ekädaçé observed by jéva-tattva, not by
Viñëu-tattva. We are fasting for clearing our material disease,
but Rädhä-Kåñëa, Caitanya Mahäprabhu...
Caitanya Mahäprabhu also may not be offered grains because He is playing
the part of a devotee. Only Rädhä-Kåñëa, Jagannätha
can be offered grains. Otherwise, Guru-Gauräìga, no. And the
prasädam should not be taken by anyone. It should be kept for next
day.
(ACBSP. Room Conversation 22nd April
1972. Japan.)
Guest: (Sanskrit or Hindi: Kåñëa
is offered tämbüla in the temple.)
Prabhupäda: No, Kåñëa
can take.
Guest: Yes. And that prasäda
of Bhagavän Çré Kåñëa...
Prabhupäda: Yes.
Guest: ...the devotees can take
also...
Prabhupäda: No, prasädam,
according to our principle... Just like on Ekädaçé day,
we do not accept even prasädam. Anna. We keep it. So prasädam...
Just like on Ekädaçé anna is prohibited, but not the
Deity. Deity’s offered anna, but we cannot take the prasädam even.
So following strictly the principle, even tämbüla is offered
to Kåñëa, it is not for us. Yes. Strictly following the
principle. The same example... Just like on Ekädaçé
day, anna is offered to Kåñëa, but we don’t take.
Guest: The devotees are not allowed.
Prabhupäda: Not allowed, yes.
Guest: Äcchä.
(ACBSP. Room Conversation 11th July
1973. London.)
Tamäla Kåñëa:
Sometimes we have heard that ekädaçé is a inauspicious
alignment of the planets and therefore one has to counteract this inauspiciousness
by more chanting.
Prabhupäda: (laughs) No, no.
It is the most auspicious. And chanting is more effective. [break] Yes.
Tamäla Kåñëa:
I remember you were instructing once that all of your initiated disciples
should chant twenty-five rounds...
Prabhupäda: Minimum.
Tamäla Kåñëa:
Minimum on this day. Is that a rule that we should all follow in our temples?
Prabhupäda: We are sixteen
rounds.
Tamäla Kåñëa:
No, I mean on ekädaçé.
Prabhupäda: Oh yes. Ekädaçé,
simply you should chant. No other business. Nirjala.
Tamäla Kåñëa:
No preaching work? Should they go out for preaching?
Prabhupäda: 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 Mahäräja, that the... That
Mädhava Mahäräja, when he was a brahmacäré,
his name was Hayagréva. So he was to go somewhere. So but he was
sick. Guru Mahäräja was informed that he was sick and “Today
is ekädaçé. He cannot take his regular meals.” So Guru
Mahäräja said, “No. Let him take immediately meals and go.”
Revaténandana: For preaching.
[break]
Tamäla Kåñëa:
...Mahäräja would sacrifice everything for preaching.
Prabhupäda: Oh yes. [break]
He was not pleased with Bon Mahäräja, He could not do anything.
[break]
(ACBSP. Morning Walk. 5th July 1975.
Chichago)
Tamäla Kåñëa:
We should always chant twenty-five rounds on ekädaçé
if initiated.
Prabhupäda: Initiated? Everyone.
Why initiated?
Tamäla Kåñëa:
So that should be standard for our movement on ekädaçé
day?
Prabhupäda: Standard is sixteen,
but if one can chant more, then he is welcome.
Tamäla Kåñëa:
It’s not mandatory for ekädaçé.
Jayapatäkä: Recommended.
Prabhupäda: No. Ekädaçé
means that, fasting and chanting.
Tamäla Kåñëa:
Sometimes I’m wondering, because our men have to go out on book distribution.
Prabhupäda: 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.
(ACBSP. Morning Walk. 11th February
1976. Mayapur.)
Rämeçvara: On the calendar
it says it is Bhéma-ekädaçé.
Prabhupäda: Bhéma-ekädaçé,
yes.
Rämeçvara: So I’ve been
told that if one fasts on Bhéma-ekädaçé, that
it is like fasting on all the ekädaçés. Is that true?
Prabhupäda: Yes. Ekädaçé
is meant for fasting, either Bhéma or Arjuna. But we cannot fast,
therefore we have to take little fruits and.... Otherwise, ekädaçé
means fasting.
Tamäla Kåñëa:
If it is possible, should we go without eating at all?
Prabhupäda: Yes. But don’t
lie down and sleep.
(ACBSP. Morning Walk. 7th June 1976.
Los Angeles.)
But if they develop Kåñëa
consciousness, this will be automatically “no.” So don’t bring many “no’s,”
but give them positive life. Then it will be automatically “no.” And if
you say “no,” that will be a struggle. This is the psychology. Positive
engagement is devotional service. So if they are attracted by devotional
service, other things will be automatically “no.” Paraà dåñövä
nivartate. Just like Ekädaçé day. Ekädaçé
day, we observe fasting. And there are many patients in the hospital, they
are also fasting. But they’ll “No, no.” They’ll, within heart, “If I get,
I shall eat, I shall eat.” But those who are devotee, they voluntarily
“no.” The same fasting is going on for the devotees and the hospital patient.
And that “no” and this “no,” there is difference. Paraà dåñövä
nivartate. It is not meant for the mass of people, but at least if we keep
a section of people ideal to the human society, they will be guided. At
the present moment, there is no ideal section. Everyone is rascal, demons,
rogues, everything. There is no ideal character. All politicians, scientists,
leaders, they are all drunkards and woman-hunters. So what they can lead?
There is no ideal man in the society. The politicians are giving big, big
speech in the United Nations. They’ll go to the same hotel where another
debauchee is dancing and drinking. That’s all. That is his character. Is
it not? So what he will do? We can give a very big speech, that’s all.
What is his character? There is no ideal character in the present human
society. Do they appreciate our, these restrictions?
Bhagavän: Our restrictions?
Yes, they are impressed. They sometimes write about the Gurukula that we
are treating roughly the children by making them so austere. But every
time they show the picture, the children are always happy.
(ACBSP. Room Conversation. 31st
July 1976. New Mayapur - French farm.)
Prabhupäda: Oh, yes. Vegetable,
fruits, very innocent, little milk. That’s all. Even if you don’t eat these
foodgrains, that is preferred. Better. Vegetable and fruits and milk, that
is sufficient nutritious. There is no question of disease. But for our
tongue taste we eat so many cooked food, but if we eat vegetables, boiled
vegetables and fruits and milk, ah, it is sufficient. Ekädaçé.
(laughter) Daily ekädaçé.
And these peanuts, a few grains.
Not much. That is also nice. Cashew, peanut. Yes. So thank you very much.
You are working so much for Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s mission. Yäre
dekha täre kaha kåñëa-upadeça [Cc. Madhya
7.128]. Bas. You become a guru. Actually you are doing the guru’s work.
(ACBSP. Room Conversation. 22nd
August 1976. Hyderabad.)
Prabhupäda: I stress on this
cleanliness very much. If they keep unclean, I chastise them like anything.
(laughing) They have learned this art. I always say, “Cleanliness is next
to godliness.”
Mr. Malhotra: About two years back,
two, three of your devotees came to our house here. Naturally we offered
them, “Would you like to have coffee, tea?” They said, “No.” Then we said,
“Would you like to have Coca-cola.” They said, “No.” Then I said, “What
would you like to have, milk?” “Yes.” Lassi, chach?(?) Yes. Fruit. Yes.
It happened so that Giriräja came to us twice, and twice it was this
ekädaçé. Now ekädaçé day they are
not supposed to eat this wheat or flour or anything. So when last we came
to Bangleswara (?), so we brought some paraöäs with this gobi(?)
in it.
Prabhupäda: Ekädaçé.
Mr. Malhotra: We didn’t know about
ekädaçé. When we came to Mahabaleswar, we opened. They
said “No, we can’t eat because it is ekädaçé.” So we
said that “No you won’t eat, so it looks odd that we should eat.” But we
were very hungry, you know. In the morning we didn’t take anything. We
said “All right, we eat, now we will go to the bazaar and see if we could
get something.” Then we went to Mahabaleswar, it was all closed, because
it was raining season. And then there was one shop which had bananas, good
amount of bananas. So we took one dozen or two dozen bananas, and then...
Prabhupäda: Banana is very
good. You can make banana and potato. Potato boil and mixed with banana,
and make nice puri. And then...
Mr. Malhotra: How Giriräja,
I just ask you, how you took to all these good things of life? I mean in
natural form or with some self-discipline or with some coercion or with
some what?
Giriräja: It was Prabhupäda’s
mercy. I was looking for a guru. Actually whenever I heard there was a
swami or a yogi, I would always go, even hundreds of miles. But I was never
satisfied. But Çréla Prabhupäda perfectly satisfied
all of my questions. And I liked the process, chanting, dancing, taking
prasädam, offering ärati, and I liked the devotees. It was very
pleasing. So I immediately decided this is my real life.
Mr. Malhotra: No, but not taking
any wheat, like on ekädaçé day, all such things.
Giriräja: That’s training.
Once we surrender to the spiritual master, then he trains us in the process
of spiritual life.
Prabhupäda: Sädhu-märgänugamanam,
ädau gurväçrayaà sad-dharma-påcchät
sädhu-märgänugamanam.(?) These are the process.
Mr. Malhotra: Sädhu-märga.
Prabhupäda: Sädhu-märga.
Giriräja: We study the çästras
every morning and evening in all of our centers, so we become educated.
[break]
(ACBSP. Room Conversation. 22nd
December 1976. Poona.)
Dr. Patel: (Hindu) But even you get
the same thing by (Hindi). So Vaiñëava cult is easier than
getting the mind blank and then getting all in the... Because here your
mind is engaged to Lord Himself. It is... We call as samädhi.
Prabhupäda: Paraà dåñövä
nivartate. Just like a man is observing Ekädaçé, fasting.
Another, in the hospital, he’s also fasting. So these two fastings, they
are different.
Dr. Patel: Here fasting of all the
senses and applying to God.
Prabhupäda: For satisfaction
of Kåñëa. And there compulsory fasting, but he has got
desire. So paraà dåñövä nivartate. When you
get better taste, when you stop this nonsense for better taste, that is
positive. Artificially, if you do, it will not benefit.
Dr. Patel: Ekädaçé,
according to the Puräëas and the stories, all the eleven senses
should be withdrawn from their sense objects...
Prabhupäda: No, Ekädaçé,
that is automatically... By Ekädaçé is one of the process
for... (Hindi)
Indian (2): (Hindi)
(ACBSP. Room Conversation. 5th January
1977. Bombay.)
Prabhupäda: Therefore ekädaçé.
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 Kåñëa consciousness
movement. And if he thinks that he’s quite all right in this material atmosphere,
then he’s doomed. Müòhaù näbhijänäti.
That means apräpya mäm—without achieving Kåñëa—nivartante—again
he goes back—måtyu-saàsära-vartmani [Bg. 9.3]—the cycle
of birth and death. Take one birth, suffer, again take another body, again
take another body, another body. There are 400..., eight million four hundred...
That’s all. Sometimes so-called happiness, he is born as demigod, sometimes
as dog, sometimes as insect, sometimes as tree. What is this business?
“I am eternal. Why shall I suffer this?” This is sense. They are simply
trying how to become a hog, how to become a dog, or how to become a god.
God you cannot become. You may have some partial happiness just like the
demigods. They have got power. They have got high standard of living.
(ACBSP. Evening Room Conversation.
25th January 1977. Puri.)
So far the Advent Day of Lord Caitanya
is concerned, I have written a full suggestion to Montreal, in which the
main points are that we should all observe strict fasting up till moonrise,
and at that time, an offering is made to Lord Caitanya of Ekadasi foods,
fruits, peanuts, milk, and so forth. Then, on the next day, Friday the
15th, a full-scale feast is held to celebrate His Advent Day. On the 14th,
chanting, reading of Srila Bhaktivinode's book, Life and Precepts and Caitanya
Caritamrta, Introduction to Bhagavatam, may be held all the day in the
Temple.
(ACBSP. Letter to Balai. 12th March
1968. San Francisco)
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.
(ACBSP. Letter to Madhudvisa 30th
September 1969. England.)
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.
(ACBSP. Letter to Govinda. 27th
October 1969. Tittenhurst, John Lennon's place.)
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. It is very nice.
The mango pulp, a sample of which was also sent to me, I don't think it
has come out very nice, so there is no need of sending it.
(ACBSP. Letter to Gaurasundara.
20th November 1969. London.)
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.
(ACBSP. Letter to Jadurani. 9th
July 1971. Los Amgeles.)
Gaura
Purnima instruction:
No feasting in the evening of Caitanya's
birthday. Fasting all day till evening moon rise. Then take Prasadam like
Ekadasi. Next day you can have full swing feasting. On the birthday if
can take a procession of Kirtana on the street it is very nice.
(ACBSP. Letter to Rayaram. September
unknown date or place.)
More Quotes:
From: "Mahesh"
Subject: EKADASI posted on Hindu Priesthood group
To join send mailto:HinduPriesthood-owner@yahoogroups.com
Date: Mon, 9 Dec 2002 15:04:06 -0000
EKADASI
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.
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