For Kṛṣṇa, Ekādaśī is superior even to Janmāṣṭamī. For the benefit of all jīvas, Kṛṣṇa Himself became mādhava-tithi. He thought, “All are forgetting Me, and they are suffering in this world. How can I bring them to Goloka? There is no way for them, as they are so fallen and helpless.” He therefore became Ekādaśī-tithi. How did He become this tithi? All transcendental time is Kṛṣṇa Himself, therefore, this transcendental time is also Him. Ekādaśī-tithi is not only a time, however. For example, Śrīmatī Rādhikā is a manifestation of Kṛṣṇa. She came from the left side of His body and became Rādhikā. Similarly, Kṛṣṇa Himself became Ekādaśī, and that is why we sing “mādhava-tithi, bhakti-jananī…” If anyone follows Ekādaśī, bhakti will come to him. Conversely, if anyone neglects Ekādaśī, he will never attain that rare status.
February 23, 2002 Brisbane (mādhava-tithi)