Shukla Paksha Ekadashi of Magh month is known as Jaya Ekadashi. Lord Vishnu is worshipped on this day. Ekadashi Tithi is dear to Lord Vishnu. By observing this fast and performing Puja on this day, the devotee gets the blessings of Lord Vishnu. Jaya Ekadashi will be celebrated on 20 February 2024, Tuesday.
Magh, Shukla Jaya Ekadashi
Jaya Ekadashi starts – 08:49 AM, 19 February
Jaya Ekadashi ends – 09:55 AM, 20 February
Ekadashi is an extremely important day among Hindus. Fasting on this day is considered very virtuous. Narada Purana explains Ekadashi Tithi as the one which helps in absolving a person from all sins. It is one of the simplest means of attaining the blessings of Lord Shri Vishnu.
Jaya Ekadashi Katha
Listening and reading to Jaya Ekadashi Katha is considered highly effective. Half the battle is won just by listening to the Katha mentioned in Padma Purana. So let us learn more about the importance of Jaya Ekadashi Katha.
Yudhishtir requests God Madhusudan (Shri Krishna) to recite the Jaya Ekadashi Vrat story so that he can understand it’s glory and benefit from the same. Yudhishtir wanted to know the alternate name for Magha Shukla Paksha Ekadashi and the procedure for observing the fast. Lord Krishna then narrates the Katha to Yudhishtir.
Yudhishtir says “You are omnipresent. There is no beginning and end, you are the basis of all the creatures. You are the one who produces, abides and destroys the creatures, and frees them from the bondage of the world. So, kindly oblige us by telling us the Ekadashi Katha. We are eager to listen to this story.”
Following Yudhishtir’s kind words, Lord Krishna shares his knowledge on the importance of this Katha. Lord Krishna says, ‘Hey Kunti Putra, Shukla Paksha Ekadasi of Magha month is known as Jaya Ekadashi. Just like its name, a devotee will be victorious in all his/her projects and will have accomplishments.
By observing this fast, the devotee gets freedom from Brahma Hatya. One is absolved of all his/her sins and attains salvation. The devotee is also cured of all diseases. When one observes the Jaya Ekadashi correctly, the devotee becomes capable of attaining not only my blessings but also that of Paramdham.’
The following is the Jaya Ekadashi Katha – Once upon a time, Devraj Indra was strolling with Apsaras and Gandharvas in the Nandanvan. There, Pushpavati, a Gandharva Kanya and Malyavan, a Gandharva boy fell in love with each other. As a result, they lose focus and are not able to pay attention to their singing.
Lord Indra’s meditation gets hampered due to the couple’s poor singing. This angers Lord Indra and he curses them. As per the curse, Pushpavati and Malyavan shall turn into monsters after death. This upsets both of them and they start living in the Himalayas. Their lives become difficult. They become distant from everything and their five senses stop working. They become completely unaware of their surroundings.
Unhappy with their sufferings, they start spending every moment of their life searching for Moksha. Incidentally, on Jaya Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of Magha month, both of them didn’t get food the whole day. They spent the whole day without food. Due to hunger, they were not able to sleep too. Inadvertently they observed the Jaya Ekadashi fast which involves fasting and Jagran at night. As a result they were freed from Lord Indra’s curse.
Thus Shri Krishna concludes the story. He tells Yudhishtir that anyone who observes the Jaya Ekadashi story, listens to its story will benefit. All his/her sins will be destroyed. It is believed that ghosts, demons etc are also driven away. Worship, charity, sacrifice and chanting play a very important role in this fast. Therefore, those who observe Jaya Ekadashi fast attain salvation.
Vrat Vidhi of Jaya Ekadashi
- The devotee should start observing all the rules of the fast from the Dashami Tithi.
- The devotee should follow Brahmacharya and should discard vindictive objects.
- On Ekadashi Tithi the devotee should take a bath, then worship Lord Vishnu with flowers, Dhoop etc.
- Lord Vishnu should be worshipped with a pure heart on this day.
- Fast should be observed the whole day and if staying hungry is not possible, then the devotee can eat only fruits.
- ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya’, this Dwadash Mantra should be recited.
- Different names of Lord Vishnu should be recited.
- Donation should be done as per capability.
Similarly, Jagran should be organised during the night, while observing the fast. On the following day i.e. on Dwadashi Tithi, the devotee can consume food only after serving to a Bharhman. This will mark the completion of the fast.