One Should Observe Ekadashi Only for Krishna’s Satisfaction

This is the translation of initial part of Srila Gurudev’s harikatha spoken in 2007 in Bengali language on one of the Ekadashi tithi. He strongly emphasizes on observing Ekadashi tithi for the satisfaction of Sri Krishna only.

Staying Near the Lord

What is the real purpose of Ekadashi? Our smriti-grantha, or Vaishnava smriti book, is called Hari-Bhakti-Vilasa. In this, there are laws or rules stipulating how to properly perform all the vows that have devotion to the Supreme Lord as their goal. Those who are pure devotees like to act in accordance with the injunctions of the devotional literature, especially Hari-Bhakti-Vilasa.

Chaturmasya-vrata

This article describes the rules and regulations for observing chaturmasya-vrata and its importance.

Observe Ekadashi-vrata to Please the Supreme Lord Only

Srila Gurudev narrates the benefits of observing Ekadashi and adds that observing Ekadashi-vrata in Dhama or in the association of devotees gives the highest benefit. He reasons that in scriptures materialistic benefits are mentioned for observing Ekadashi-vrata, is only to attract general class of people who are attached to worldly things to somehow or the other observe Ekadashi-vrata and attain real eternal benefit which is to get the loving service of Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. Later, Srila Gurudev sings the Kirtan, ‘ātmā nivedana tuwā pade kari’, of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur and explains its meaning.