Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 22.116
The items of regulative serviceFast on Ekādaśī
“The next steps are as follows: (6) One should be prepared to give up everything for Kṛṣṇa’s satisfaction, and one should also accept everything for Kṛṣṇa’s satisfaction. (7) One must live in a place where Kṛṣṇa is present — a city like Vṛndāvana or Mathurā or a Kṛṣṇa temple. (8) One should acquire a livelihood that is just sufficient to keep body and soul together. (9) One must fast on the Ekādaśī day.
What the purport teaches
- One should be prepared both to give up everything and to accept everything for Kṛṣṇa’s satisfaction.
- One must live where Kṛṣṇa is present, such as Vṛndāvana, Mathurā or a Kṛṣṇa temple.
- One should acquire a livelihood just sufficient to keep body and soul together. One must also fast on Ekādaśī.
Try this today
One of the named vows of the regulative path. Keep today's Ekādaśī as far as you can, and if you cannot keep it fully, begin with one meal.
Ask yourself
Do I fast as a vow, or as a diet?
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.