The title “Festival of the Heart” captures the essence of the Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy. It was used by Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj to describe the heart-centered path of devotion taught by his guru, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur. Before leaving his mortal body, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur asked Sridhar Maharaj to sing “Rupa Manjari Pada”, and then remarked, “Now I am fully satisfied, because the Gaudiya Vaishnava siddhanta is in safe hands.” That one moment—rooted in heart-felt devotion—encapsulates the entire spirit of Ekadashi.
The Real Meaning of Ekadashi
Ekadashi is not merely a date on the lunar calendar—it is a spiritual opportunity to center the entire being on Krishna. The Sanskrit word “Ekadashi” combines eka (one, or focus) and dashi (ten, referring to the ten senses). When all ten senses are harmonized and focused on Krishna, that is true Ekadashi.
Two Levels of Observance
There are two ways to observe Ekadashi:
- External observance – Fasting from grains, following the lunar tithi, attending temple gatherings.
- Internal observance – Deepening devotion, purifying the heart, and absorbing the mind in Krishna.
Fasting is beneficial, but it is a means, not the end. The true purpose of Ekadashi is to elevate our consciousness. Without sincerity, even worship on a sacred day loses its meaning. But if one offers pure devotion on any day, it holds the power of Ekadashi.
Why We Hold Special Programs
People often ask: “Is God more pleased if we worship Him only on Ekadashi?” That logic falls short. God is not impressed by dates—He responds to consciousness. Still, temples organize special programs on Ekadashi to provide spiritual nourishment, especially for newcomers or irregular practitioners. These gatherings—filled with kirtan, prasadam, and spiritual discussions—can inspire transformation. If someone becomes more sincere even for the next fortnight because of one Ekadashi experience, it has fulfilled its purpose.
Tradition vs Confusion
In Vrindavan, one might encounter traditions where Ekadashi is not emphasized. This does not diminish its importance. Gaudiya acharyas such as Rupa Goswami, Sanatan Goswami, and Jiva Goswami—who lived in Vrindavan—strictly observed Ekadashi. Temples like Radha-Damodar and Radha-Raman continue that legacy. There are regional and sectarian differences. For instance, Jagannath Puri priests are permitted to eat grains on Ekadashi due to a divine dispensation from Lord Jagannath Himself. But this does not extend to all traditions. Srila Prabhupada cautioned against living in Vrindavan without proper guidance, as unfiltered exposure to divergent customs can create confusion.
Tithi vs Spirit
Scripture distinguishes between the letter and the spirit of the law. Our acharyas consistently prioritized the spirit. Interestingly, none of the great Gaudiya teachers wrote commentaries on the Ekadashi Mahatmya tales in the Padma Purana. When Srila Prabhupada was asked which text he would translate next, he chose the Bhagavad Gita—again—and then the Mahabharata, and commentaries from Madhvacharya and Ramanujacharya. Ekadashi Mahatmya was not his focus.
This underscores the Gaudiya priority: inner transformation over ritual formalism.
Ekadashi: The Mother of Devotion
The scriptures call Ekadashi bhakti-janani—the mother of devotion. Observing it sincerely nourishes our spiritual growth. Krishna Himself gave her a boon:
“Whoever observes you with sincerity will receive My special blessings.” A beloved story says that every lunar tithi had some associated pastime—except Ekadashi. Saddened, she approached Krishna. Touched by her devotion, He declared:
“From today, you will be the most beloved of all tithis.”
Thus, Ekadashi was given a unique spiritual stature.
What It Means to Celebrate
The word celebrate comes from the Latin celebrare—to glorify. To celebrate Ekadashi is to glorify bhakti. And how is bhakti glorified? Not through noise, ritual, or numbers—but through sincere, surrendered practice.
When King Solomon danced before God in minimal clothing, it was an act of humility and surrender. When the gopis came unclothed to Krishna, it symbolized total vulnerability—no ego, no pretensions. Celebration, in the truest sense, is an inner offering.
The True Goal
Ekadashi is not about checking a box. It’s about resetting our focus—renewing our commitment to Krishna. For newcomers, it’s an entry point. For seasoned practitioners, it’s a chance to go deeper. For the realized, every day becomes Ekadashi.
As Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur said:
“Ekadashi is a reminder for non-serious devotees to become serious.”
Final Thoughts
Yes, Ekadashi is special—but not because of a date on a calendar. It is special because of what it invites us to become.
When Krishna sees that your ten senses are fully offered to Him—not just on Ekadashi, but every day—He says, “Now this person has truly celebrated Ekadashi.”
Let us not just attend Ekadashi. Let us live it—as a true Festival of the Heart.