Brahma Vaivarta Purana Chapter 26:1-10

Brahma Vaivarta Purana

Ekädaçi-vrata-nirüpaëa

Description of the Ekädaçi Vow

Chapter 26: Verse 1-10

ENGLISH TRANSLATION 1.Çri Närada said: O sage, now I have heard froà your moutù the fault of not properly observing dvädaçi and I have also heard how a great sage was defeated and then protected by Lord Kåñëa. 2.Now I wish to hear the proper method of observing the vow of ekädaçi, a vow everyone wishes to follow. Please tell this to me. 3.I have heard something of the message of the Vedas, but because of the many theories described there I could not come to a conclusion. Now my heart yearns to hear the truth from the mouth of You, the author of the Vedas. 4.Çri Näräyaëa Åñi said: Ekädaçi is the best of vows and the best of austerities. It is very pleasing to Lord Kåñëa. 5.As Kåñëa is the best of deities, as Lakñmi is the best of goddesses, as the brähmaëas are the best of äçramas, as Çiva is the best of Vaiñëavas, . . . 6.. . . as Gaëeça is the best of worshipable demigods, as Sarasvati is the best of philosophers, as the Vedas are the best of scriptures, as the Gaìgä is the best of holy rivers, . . . 7.. . . as gold is the best of glittering metals, as a Vaiñëava is the best of living beings, as knowledge is the best of valuable things, as a wife is the best of friends, . . . 8.. . . as life is the best of what is dear, as intelligence is the best of what is loved, as the mind is the best of the fickle senses, . . . 9.. . . as the mother is the best of honored ladies, as the husband is the best for his young wife, as destiny is the best of the strong, as time is the best of subduers, . . . 10.. . . as a person of righteous character is the best of friends, as disease is the best of enemies, as fame is the best thing for the famous, as home is the best thing to one attached to hearth and home, . . .