Question: What is the best way we should observe this Ekadasi? What should we do?

Jayapataka Swami: Some people observe the Ekadasi doing nirjala. Staying up all night, chanting Hare Krsna, breaking the fast the next day. But generally we observe the Ekadasi by not taking any grains, cereals or pulses. And in this way we observe Ekadasi. So we like to observe Ekadasi but we also preach on the holy day. So for us the preaching is more important. So we observe no cereals, no grains and no pulses and we try to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books or get people to observe, we can get everyone to bow down to the Lord tomorrow. So in Mayapur we have morning to night kirtan. Different groups come and chant all through the day and night. Sometimes, vaisnavis, sometimes vaisnavas, sometimes brahmacaris. I don’t know how you observe it here. See what the local authorities tell you. I personally never saw Srila Prabhupada do a nirjala Ekadasi. When he was preaching in the west, he observed no grain, no pulse, no cereal. But sometimes he said that you can do Ekadasi full fast. I cannot do that! Because I take medicines and to take medicine I take water. So I observe no grain, no pulse, no cereal. And also, Srila Prabhupada said that try to chant extra Hare Krsna. Now tomorrow especially, get the people to bow down. I once asked Srila Prabhupada what do we do for the special days like Ekadasi, Damodara month? He said that these special days are especially to attract new customers. Just like a store has a sale to attract new clients. But you are regular customers. You get all the regular deals so for you sale or ordinary day every day is the same. You don’t have to worry! So I assume most of the devotees here are very good customers. So they can get all the special offers naturally, because they are regular customers. But especially the new customers, the new people are here, they get 100 times or 1000 times if they be inclined to do! But you do it anyway, so don’t worry, you are regular customers! Haribol!
08-OCTOBER-2019 ISKCON TIRUPATI, INDIA