Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 61
Aditi’s Lament and Kaśyapa’s Instruction of the Payo-vrata (Milk Vow) to Please Keśava
त एव नियमा: साक्षात्त एव च यमोत्तमा: । तपो दानं व्रतं यज्ञो येन तुष्यत्यधोक्षज: ॥ ६१ ॥
ta eva niyamāḥ sākṣāt ta eva ca yamottamāḥ tapo dānaṁ vrataṁ yajño yena tuṣyaty adhokṣajaḥ
This is the best process for pleasing the transcendental Supreme Personality of Godhead, known as Adhokṣaja. It is the best of all regulative principles, the best austerity, the best process of giving charity, and the best process of sacrifice.
The Supreme Lord says in Bhagavad-gītā (18.66) :
FAQs
This verse says their true purpose is to please Adhokṣaja—the Supreme Lord beyond material perception—rather than mere ritualism or personal prestige.
Because the vow’s disciplines are not ends in themselves; they become the highest yama-niyama when they are performed as devotion meant to satisfy Lord Vishnu.
Practice discipline (niyama), ethical restraint (yama), charity, and worship with a clear devotional intention—doing them to please God, not for ego, fear, or social approval.