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
Ce sont là, en vérité, les meilleurs principes régulateurs et les yama les plus élevés. Par eux s’accomplissent austérité, charité, vœu et sacrifice, car Adhokṣaja en est satisfait.
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.