29 Nov 2013 - Utpanna Ekadashi
“Austerity does not simply mean abstention from worldly pleasure. One who is pure-hearted and kind to all living entities is actually a great sage, even though he may be situated in household life. One who performs austerities with an impure heart receives only bodily pains as a result, for his endeavors can never free him from sinful reactions. It is purity of heart and godliness that cause austerities to become effective. The acts, in and of themselves, such as taking sannyasa, fasting, etc. cannot give any good result.”
From Prabhupad.
