Ekadasi in Puri

[Guest guest]

> Apparently there is an idea (which was rejected by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta

> Sarasvati) that in Puri it is acceptable to take maha-prasada of Lord

> Jagannatha, even grains, on Ekadasi. What is the source of this idea? Is

> it based on any sastric statement?

 

I'm not aware of any sastric statement. Certainly it is a common idea there

today and from the below excerpt from Jagadananda Pandit's "Prema Vivarta"

it seems that the question came up during the time of Mahaprabhu.

 

Das anudas,

Madhavananda Das

 

==============

Chapter 18—Sri Ekadasi

 

 

One day, Lord Gaurahari went from Gundica mandira to the Jagannatha-vallabha

gardens and sat amongst the flowers. The day was ekadasi. He celebrated

this auspicious occasion by chanting the holy name incessantly, day and

night. Present with Him were Svarupa Damodara, Ramananda Raya, Vakresvara

Pandita and the other resident Vaisnavas of Sri Purusottama-ksetra, Puri.

 

The Lord said, "Today, all of you should refrain from eating and

sleeping, and constantly chant Krsna's name. Some of you should chant japa,

some of you should circumambulate the temple with prostrated obeisances and

others should discuss the pastimes of Lord Balarama and Lord Krsna."

Everyone became spiritually surcharged by the Lord' instructions and busied

themselves with different activities, chanting, "Govinda, Govinda!" They

felt intoxicated with prema.

 

Suddenly, Sri Gopinatha arrived from Gundica, accompanied by

Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya. They were laden with Lord Jagannatha's

maha-prasadam! They placed the prasadam of cooked rice, a variety of

vegetables, pitha, pana, sweet rice, curd and yoghurt before the Lord. At

the Lord's bidding, devotees offered respectful obeisances to the prasadam

and then continued chanting the Lord's name deep into the night in an

ecstatic mood of devotion , free from all material desires.

 

Early next morning, the devotees, begged permission from Sri

Gaurahari and, went to take bath. On returning, they sat down and

respectfully honoured maha-prasadam, breaking their ekadasi fast. They

experienced ineffable bliss, and falling to the ground they offered

obeisances to the Lord and spoke to Him in great earnestness with folded

hands:

 

Ekadasi in Puri

 

"Sri Harivasara ekadasi, is considered to be the most important

vrata vow of fasting. It is to be observed by maintaining complete fast and

without sleeping at night. We also know that Lord Jagannatha's

maha-prasadam must be respected at all times in Purusottama-ksetra. It

should be honoured by eating it immediately upon receiving it. Therefore,

we find ourselves in a dilemma as to how to honour prasadam on ekadasi.

Please tell us unequivocally the conclusions of the scriptures on this

subject in a manner that would convince even spiritual stalwarts like Lord

Siva and Lord Brahma. This will dispel our disquietude."

 

Lord Caitanya's conclusion

 

Lord Caitanya replied, "To not observe complete fasting on ekadasi

will greatly endanger one's spiritual life. Honour prasadam on ekadasi only

by offering it obeisances and eating it the next day. In this way, one can

easily cross this material ocean. The fast is any way over on the following

day.

 

"All Vaisnavas, beloved associates of the Supreme Lord, are very pleased

when ekadasi is properly observed by simply relishing the nectar of Lord

Krsna's holy name. One should not taste anything nor should any mundane

topics be discussed on Ekadasi. All physical pleasures should be

proscribed. It is a Vaisnava's duty to daily honour and eat only prasadam,

for he never consumes unoffered food. On ekadasi he observes complete

fasting, and the next day he breaks his fast with maha-prasadam. And if, for

some reason, one has to eat on ekadasi, then let the Vaisnavas take

anukalpa, a light meal consisting of merely fruits, roots and milk, without

grains or beans or other prohibited vegetables.

 

"The non-Vaisnavas gormandise without control, offering only lame excuses

that they are honouring maha-prasadam. They do this on ekadasi, because they

are engrossed day and night in sense enjoyment. They enjoy grains and rice

on ekadasi and thereby eat the sins that enter grains on such days,

disregarding the sanctity of ekadasi-vrata. You must diligently execute

devotional service and respect the process of devotion. You will then surely

receive the blessings of Bhakti-devi Herself. Avoid the association of

non-devotees and properly observe the ekadasi-vrata by constantly chanting

the holy name.

 

"Try to realise in your heart that there is no offence or contradiction in

refusing maha-prasadam on ekadasi or any other important fast day. It is

inane to observe certain spiritual disciplines and vows while neglecting

others. Earnestly observe prescribed vows on designated days and timings and

in an appropriate devotional manner. Sri Vrajendra-nandana, Krsna, is the

Lord and ultimate goal of all vows and devotional activities, so observe all

spiritual vows for His pleasure and satisfaction alone. Therefore, remember

to abstain from eating, drinking and sleeping on ekadasi, and so the next

day honour prasadam with full relish."

 

The devotees present, both from Bengal and Orissa were experiencing intense

joy upon hearing the Lord speak. They chanted, "Govinda! Govinda!" in

blissful appreciation. Svarupa Damodara, Ramananda Raya and other stalwarts

felt ineffable exultation.