Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 14.39
Lord Viṣṇu Receives Offerings on Ekādaśī
“Pretending to be sick, the Lord asked some food from the house of Hiraṇya and Jagadīśa on the Ekādaśī day.”
What the purport teaches
- Fasting is recommended for devotees on Ekādaśī, but not for Lord Viṣṇu. Regular prasādam is therefore offered to Him on that day.
- Pretending to be sick, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu requested the special viṣṇu-prasādam prepared by Jagadīśa and Hiraṇya. They were astonished that He knew about their preparations and concluded that Nimāi had supernatural mystic power.
- They sent the food through His father, Jagannātha Miśra. After eating the viṣṇu-prasādam, Nimāi was immediately cured and distributed it among His playmates.
Try this today
Write a reminder that devotees’ Ekādaśī fasting does not mean withholding food offerings from Lord Viṣṇu.
Ask yourself
What distinction does the purport make between a devotee’s Ekādaśī observance and offerings to Lord Viṣṇu?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.