(Ekadashi) Ekadashi mystery and importance –

Ekadashi meaning “eleven”, is the eleventh lunar day (tithi) of each of the two lunar phases occurring in a Hindu calendar month – Shukla Paksha (bright moon period) and Krishna Paksha (waning moon period).

In the Vedic culture since ancient times, yogis and sages have been giving importance to turning sense activities from materialism towards divinity. Fasting on Ekadashi is one of those sadhanas. According to the scriptures, there are two words in Ekadashi, Ek (1) and Dasha (10). The separation of the ten senses and the ten activities of the mind from worldly things is the true Ekadashi for God.

It is said that the importance of Ekadashi was told by Lord Krishna to Yudhishthir, the eldest among the Pandava brothers. Devotees fast to seek prosperity, and attain salvation in later life.

In the Brahma-Vaivarta Purana it is said that one who fasts on the day of Ekadashi becomes free from all kinds of sinful deeds and progresses in a holy life. There are different stories behind different Ekadashi. In the first chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna “If a person observes Ekadashi fast, I will burn away all his sins and grant him my divine abode…

In fact, Ekadashi is the most virtuous day for destroying all kinds of sins, and it has appeared to benefit everyone. , According to the scriptures, Ekadashi and the movement of the moon have a direct relation with the human mind. It is believed that during Ekadashi, our mind achieves maximum efficiency giving the brain better ability to concentrate.

Spiritual seekers are said to devote the two monthly days of Ekadashi to intense worship and meditation because of its favorable effects on the mind. Devotees observe fast on this day, perform puja and meditation and stay awake the whole night. Some do not even take a drop of water. Those who cannot fast completely can take some light fruits and milk. By fasting we will become alert and concentrated and devotion towards God will develop and deepen. It also examines emotions and senses.

Story of Ekadashi

In Satyayuga there lived a demon named Murdanava. He terrorized all the good people and devotees on earth and also he frightened all the gods. So the gods left heaven and took refuge in Lord Vishnu. He prayed to Lord Vishnu to protect him. God’s mercy towards his devotees is limitless. So he immediately boarded his fastest vehicle “Garuda”. He fought continuously for 1000 years with Murdanava of incredible power and yet he was fighting with full energy and power. So Lord Vishnu decided to change his strategy. Lord, Vishnu acted as if he was tired of the war and hid in a cave in the Himalayas. He decided to take a nap in this huge cave. Lord Vishnu was resting with all his ten senses and inner mind. Murdanava chased Lord Vishnu and reached the cave. He saw him sleeping inside the cave and followed him. He raised his sword to kill Lord Vishnu. Just as he was about to wield the sword, suddenly an extremely beautiful and shining woman emerged from Lord Vishnu’s body playing with the sword.

Murdanava was lured by her beauty and asked her to marry him. She said, “I will marry the one who can defeat me in battle” Murdanav agreed to her proposal. He started fighting with that divine woman. Ultimately during the fight the divine woman defeated Murdanava and killed him.

Hearing the noise of the fight, Lord Vishnu woke up and saw the woman who had killed Murdanava. Lord Vishnu called the woman who appeared from himself by the name Ekadashi. It was the eleventh day of the full moon. Lord Vishnu was pleased with his work and asked him to ask for a boon. Ekadashi told Lord Vishnu that ‘As I have evolved from your Ekadash Indriyas (eleven senses of the body), I will be known as Ekadashi. I am full of penance so I wish that people observe Ekadashi fast on this day and control their eleventh senses (indriyas). On the day of my fast one should not consume grains like rice, beans etc.

Lord Vishnu agreed and since then all Sanatani observe Ekadashi fast by fasting or eating non-vegetarian foods on the 11th day of the bright half of the moon and the 11th day of the dark half of the moon. Also Lord Vishnu said that the devotees who observe the day of Ekadashi with fasting and prayers get his best blessings!

This story is based on a religious scripture, Padma Purana. In Hinduism and Jainism, Ekadashi is considered a spiritual day and is usually observed by fasting from legumes and grains, as they are considered contaminated with sin. Instead, only fruits, vegetables and milk products are eaten.

This period of abstinence starts from sunrise on the day of Ekadashi till sunset the next day. The rules state that anyone between the ages of eight and eighty must fast, which includes giving up water. However, people who are sick, have health issues, or are pregnant are exempted from the rule and can consume light meals, including milk and fruits.

List of Ekadashis Generally there are 24 Ekadashi in a calendar year. Sometimes, there are two additional Ekadashis in leap years. A leap year in the Indian calendar is a year in which there is an extra lunar month (Adhik Maas), it occurs every third year. Each Ekadashi has a different name, significance and is associated with either some incarnation of God or some pastime of God or some specific event/person/deity from the Puranas or history. The names of 24 Ekadashis of the year are as follows:-

chaitra month

Krishna Paksha –

Papavimochani Ekadashi

Shukla Paksha – Kamada Ekadashi

Vaisakh month

Krishna Paksha – Varuthini Ekadashi

Shukla Paksha – Mohini Ekadashi

jyestha month

Krishna Paksha – Apara Ekadashi

Shukla Paksha – Nirjala and Bhim Ekadashi

Bhadrapada month

Krishna Paksha – Anand Ekadashi

Shukla Paksha – Parsva Ekadashi

Ashwin month

Krishna Paksha – Indira Ekadashi

Shukla Paksha – Papakunsha Ekadashi

Kartik month

Krishna Paksha – Rama Ekadashi

Shukla Paksha – Prabodhini or Devuthani Ekadashi

Margashirsha month

Krishna Paksha – Vaikuntha or Trikoti Ekadashi

Shukla Paksha – Mokshada Ekadashi

Paush month

Krishna Paksha – Saphala Ekadashi

Shukla Paksha – Putrada Ekadashi

Magha month

Krishna Paksha – Shat Til Ekadashi

Shukla Paksha – Bhimi or Jaya Ekadashi

phalgun month

Krishna Paksha – Utpanna Ekadashi

Shukla Paksha – Amalaki Ekadashi

In a leap year, in which there is an extra month:- Adhik or Purushottam month

Krishna Paksha – Parma Ekadashi

Shukla Paksha – Padmini Ekadashi