Brahma Vaivarta Purana Chapter 26:81-90

Brahma Vaivarta Purana

Ekädaçi-vrata-nirüpaëa

Description of the Ekädaçi Vow

Chapter 26: Verse 81-90

ENGLISH TRANSLATION 81.The intelligent devotee following the ekädaçi vow should then offer a handful of flowers with the müla mantra. Then, with folded hands and a devotional spirit, he should recite the following prayer. 82.The devotee said: O Kåñëa, O master of Rädhä, O ocean of mercy, O Lord, please pick me up from this terrible, fearsome ocean of birth and death. 83.O Lord, please release me from the ropes of my past deeds in hundreds of births. 84.Please see how I have surrendered to You, bowing down before Your lotus feet! O shelter of the surrendered souls, please rescue me, for I am afraid of Yamaräja. 85.I have no devotion, no pious deeds, no following of Vedic rules, and no chanting of mantras. O Lord, please remove all my shortcomings. 86.O Lord Kåñëa, even though, out of ignorance of the Vedic rules, one may act imperfectly, calling our Your holy name makes everything perfect. 87.After reciting these prayers, bowing down before the Lord, offering dakñiëä to a brähmaëa, and celebrating a great festival, the devotee following the ekädaçi vow should keep a vigil, staying awake the whole night. 88.If after following the vow and the fast one falls asleep, he attains only half the benefit of the vow and fast. 89.If after breaking the fast on dvädaçi one sleeps or again drinks water, he attains half the benefit of following the vow. 90.O king of brähmaëas, carefully eating one meal of haviñya, one should then remember Lord Kåñëa's feet and recite the following mantra.