Ekadashi Vrat
What is Ekadashi?
Ekadashi is the eleventh lunar date of Hindu calendar, it occurs twice in a lunar month. Once during the Shukla Paksha and once during Krishna Paksha. This day is considered pious and spiritual.
Devotees of Lord Vishnu keep fast and seek his blessings. Pulses and grains are not consumed on this day rather fruits, vegetables and milk are taken. Some devotees also abstain from drinking water.
Ekadashi Vrat or fast
On the day of Ekadashi, the period of fasting starts from sunrise to sunset the following day. The timing of Ekadashi will depend on the position of the moon. There are 24 ekadashis in a year and 26 in a leap year.
Ekadashi Vrat is one of the most important fasts. A person can get all possible boons by observing this fast. In fact, the fruits attained are even more than that of a pilgrimage. Apart from this, it is also believed that doors of heaven open for the person observing this fast. The fast enhances the tolerance of power and rewards the person in several ways.
The procedure of Ekadashi Fast
The person observing Ekadashi fast should wake up early in the morning and take a bath and clean the house. Once the house is cleaned Gangajal is drizzled in the house. Yamuna Jal can be used if Gangajal is not available. After that, one must worship Lord Vishnu. It is believed that keeping this fast without drinking water absolves a person of all the sins.
After this, yellow-colored clothes are offered to Lord Vishnu and donated. One should listen to the saga related to the fast. Along with this Lord Vishnu should be worshipped. Incense sticks, lotus flower, Dhoop, and Deep are used to worship Lord Vishnu. Besides this, Vishnu Strota and Vishnu Sahstranama should be recited.
In the end, sweets offered during the Aarti should be distributed. The person observing Ekadashi fast benefits the most, even more than the rewards reaped from Havana and Yajna. One is also blessed with Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. But if a person consumes food during the fast then it may result in inauspicious results.
Significance of Ekadashi
Those who fast on this day and pray to Lord Vishnu get rid of their malefic planetary influences. They gain strength and peace of mind which brings happiness in life. This is the day of Vishti Karana the malefic Yoga which coincides with the Ekadashi Tithi. Vishti Karana starts from the second half of Krishna Dashmi.
Every Ekadashi date is given a specific name according to its purpose and blessings granted by the Lord. For Example, Putrada Ekadashi which is very helpful for those who are childless and specifically seek blessings of the Lord Vishnu.Another Ekadashi which is called Apara Ekadashi because it gives Apar Dhan or financial abundance.
Mantra for Ekadashi
The Vishnu Mantra to be chanted on this day is:
“Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”
The other Mantra is:
“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna,
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare,
Hare Rama Hare Rama,
Rama Rama Hare Hare.”
Don’t Do these things on Ekadashi
- Avoid consuming grains, oil, and salt.
- Avoid Masur and Gram.
- Avoid honey.
- Avoid nonvegetarian food and alcohol.
- Don’t indulge in gambling.
- Don’t accept food or anything from others.
- Abstain from sex.
- Avoid backbiting.
- Don’t speak much.
- Don’t be angry with anyone.
- Use bronze utensils while eating.
Keeping fast on Ekadashi day will get rid of all the sins committed by a person including the ones committed in previous births.
- Apara Ekadashi
This fast is kept for financial success as the name suggests Apar.
- Nirjala Ekadashi
This fast is observed and kept as it washes away all the sins. No water is taken on this day and is one of the toughest amongst all the Ekadashi fasts.
- Yogini Ekadashi
This fast is observed to get rid of all sins and pray to Lord Vishnu for good health.
- Devshayani Ekadashi
This fast is observed to get rid of all sins and seek blessings of Lord Vishnu
- Kamika Ekadashi
This fast is observed as one attains purity equivalent to taking a dip in the Ganga, Kashi and Pushkar rivers and praying to Lord Vishnu.
- Shravan Putrada Ekadashi.
This fast observed by childless couples to pray to Lord Vishnu and seek blessings of a child.
- Aja Ekadashi
This is observed to get rid of all sins and pray to Lord Vishnu for forgiveness.
- Parsva Ekadashi
This is observed to get all desires fulfilled and pray Lord Vishnu for Moksha
- Indira Ekadashi
This is observed to get rid of all sins. It grants Moksha to ancestors (Pitron) and lets them go to heaven (Swarglok).
- Papankusha Ekadashi
This is observed to get rid of all sins and pray to the Lord to attain desired results.
- Rama Ekadashi
This is observed to get rid of all sins and seek forgiveness from Lord Vishnu
- Devutthana Ekadashi
This is marked by the end of Chaturmas when Devas go to sleep, once they wake up all Shub Karyas begin.
- Utpanna Ekadashi
This is observed to get blessings of Lord Vishnu. The punya received on this Ekadashi is far greater than any other Daan or activity.
- Mokshada Ekadashi
This is observed to get rid of all sins and get Moksha.
- Saphala Ekadashi
This is observed to get rid of all sins and lead a blissful life with the blessings of Lord Vishnu.
- Pausha Putrada Ekadashi
This is observed to get blessings of Lord Vishnu especially a boon for childless couple.
- Shattila Ekadashi
This is observed to get rid of bad luck, poverty, and other pains and seek blessings of the Lord Vishnu
- Jaya Ekadashi
This is observed to get rid of evil spirits and live in peace with the blessings of Lord Vishnu
- Vijaya Ekadashi
This is observed to get rid of all old and new sins committed.
- Amalaki Ekadashi
This is observed to seek blessings of Lord Vishnu and get rid of all sins
- Papmochani Ekadashi
This is observed to get rid of all sins and lead a peaceful life with the blessings of Lord Vishnu
- Kamada Ekadashi
This fast is done to get rid of all sins and seek blessings of Lord Vishnu
- Varuthini Ekadashi
This is observed to please the ancestors, Gods and all living entities with the blessings of Lord Vishnu
