Namaste,
Does the lord relish anything in particular on Ekadashi days for his naivedyam?
For instance, as a Srivaishnava (formerly), I offer seedai, curdled milk sweet, butter, etc to the lord. It is special food for that day.
Also similarly, on Saturdays, I offer Tamarind rice to the Lord (sometimes).
Likewise, I was wondering is there any specific food the Lord is especially fond of to feast on Ekadashi days? :)
Thanks.
Replies
Hare Krishna,
I don't know if Lord loves Butter also. Lord sees only emotions attached to whatever you are offering be it fruit, flower or tamarind rice or butter.
The Butter which Lord loves which people say so actually the meaning of it is different.
Hmm......lemme explain.
If we consider our hearts to be a pot and all desires in the pot as milk.. If we boil the milk it condenses. That it when we boil means ( we are trying to fulfil our desires in this material world ) as we came with some desires into this material world and we have many impurities in our hearts.
Those impurities some of them are ( due to sufferings in the material world) evoporated and milk become condensed ( that is when we get vexed in this material world trying to do fight with our karmic bondages)by boiling boiling..the milk is now condensed.
Now to that condensed milk we add a spoon of curd--> ( initiatior)( which is bhakti/ association/ GURU).
That milk which was full of desires of the material world will change its desires to spiritual desires...!!!.
Now the milk tightens and forms curd/yogurt.
Yogurt when churned churned churned ( that is Japa Japa Japa done) burns all the impurities and what is left is two layers
one which settled down is all impurities ( butter milk) and other which is risen above is Pure soft butter that is how the mind becomes pure soft butter now and that butter is what Lord craves for .. Not that he is likes butter to eat as Lord is not greedy for any food items He is not like us.
Lord loves only that which is offered with Pure love.
This is how previous acharyas have explained about the significance of butter which Lord loves most.
People think Lord loves butter so we offer butter.
But yes, your love for Lord to offer something is greatly appreciated.
Anyways Ignorance is bliss. Simple minded people attain Lord more easily. Maybe Lord loves whatever you have offered. Remember?? that leela of Jaganath ji and Karma bai Kichdi?
Lord goes to that simple hearted devotee Karma bai daily to just partake the humble kichdi offered with love. Lord didn't even see that Karma bai was preparing Kichari without even taking a bath.
Oh Lord Jagannatha!!! Lord Rama also took Shabari's ber which were taste tested and offered. Such simple love I do lack.
Too much knowledge is not really needed maybe. Alas! Wish I never knew all these stories. Now my mind thinks that this.. before offering anything also.
Hare Krishna.
Namaste Gayatri,
That was an interesting read. I enjoyed your reply very much. Made me understand the philosophy behind lord liking butter so much. Thank you for the reply.
Warm regards,
Jayashree
Namaste Radha Rasamayi DD,
Of course I only have the items offered for Bhoga on Dwadasi, after breaking fast. :) I was just wondering if any item is considered especially a favorite to offer to the Lord on Ekadasi. But really, it does not seem so.
I thank you for the kind reply. Much appreciated!
With regards,
Jayashree
Hare Krsna Mataji,
PAMHO.
It is so nice to see your enthusiasm to serve the lord as per His desire.
Ekadasi is a fast for us, not for the deities. So we are free to prepare grains as well and offer to the lord. We cannot partake of the prasadam on ekadasi. So typically we will distribute the grain prasadam to people who are not fasting or keep it for next day, and have on dwadasi.
Regarding what the lord likes - He Himself mentions in Gita - patram pushpam phalam toyam. The essence of this shloka is - what can we possible give the lord. He wants our love and devotion. That is why bhaktya word appears twice in the shloka. The items specified by the lord are not expensive at all - avaialble freely in nature. Fruits, flowers, water, leaf - so simple to offer Him anything and everything.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Radha Rasamayi DD