Thousands of auspicious events like the eclipses
and lakhs of amavAsyAs (the New Moon day) cannot equal even one=sixteenth part
of the merit of EkAdashi. The power of Ekadashi to destroy sins is unmatched.
The worship of Vishnu
is fruitful of the attainment of all desires and wealth if performed on Wednesdays
Dvadasi (12th day) or in the Naksahtras of Sharvana
in the months of Jyestha and Bhadrapad.
The same worship of Vishnu
in the month of Sravana yields all desires
and good health.
Ekadashi has social function as well, just like Sankranti. Even if one does not keep the fast, it is a day for doing charitable
deeds.
If Ekadashi is observed as a vrat,
it can be "nitya" (compulsory) or "kamya"
(motivated by desires). In the first case only Shukla
Paksha need to be observed. As a kamya- vrat,
it can be observed on the both Ekadashi.
Whenever it is undertaken as Vrat, apart
form fasting, and Sankalpa (resolve) worship of Lord
Vishnu and jagarana (worshipping in the night).
Fasting as a spiritual discipline whether as an
expiation for sins committed or for gaining self-control has been an age-old
practice.
The eleventh day
after a new Moon or full Moon the Vrat observed on this day is called the
Ekadashi.
In all 24 Ekadashi
fasts are observed in a year. It is believed that
Lord Vishnu transformed himself into Ekadashi to alleviate the mankind from
sins. It is the day - looked upon Lord Hari himself.
According to the Puranas, a demon named called
Mura, who had 7,000 sons, harassed the gods. The gods asked Vishnu for
protection against Mura; Vishnu sent his Yog Maya
(Indriyas)
to kill the demon and his sons, which was done successfully.
Lord Hari granted Yoga Maya
a boon, and said "Those who observe Ekadashi will be
freed from all sins, and you will be called by the name Ekadashi."
Since the demon was created from the sweat that
fell down from the head of Brahma it assumed the from of a demon and said to the
Lord, "O Lord! Now give me an abode to dwell".
Brahma replied, "O
demon! Go and dwell in the rice particles and cereals eaten by men on Ekadashi
day and become worms in their stomach." This is a short story as
narrated in our Holy Scriptures.
All Hindus between eight and eighty years should
fast on the Ekadashi days.
On Ekadashi day, one must not let
anger; lust and enjoyment come in the way of this fast.
Those who observe the Ekadashi
fast should avoid sexual acts on the dasami day, the day proceeding Ekadashi.
In this Kali Yuga, even if
one Ekadashi is observed with dispassion, faith and devotion, and if the
mind is wholly fixed on Hari, one is freed from the rounds
of birth and death.
The puranas and dharmasastras, though prohibit
the par taking of cooked meals on Ekadashi days, have made many concessions to
the general people towards their weakness towards food.
If one eats only once in the day
around noon, it is called "ekabhukta", if only in the night
it is called "nakta", when food is taken once
a day, it is called "ayacita".
Devotees fast on this day, do Japa, Hari kirtan
and meditation. Some even, do not take even a drop of water. Those who are
unable to fast completely can take some light fruits and
milk.
Fasting controls passion. It checks the emotions
and controls the senses.
It is a great penance and purifies the mind and
the heart. Fasting overhauls the respiratory, circulatory,
digestive and urinary systems.
If one can not fast for the
full 24hrs, at least fast for 10-12 hrs and
then take some milk and fruit. And the gradually increase the fast to 15
hrs and then to 24hrs.
Fasting makes a person strong, both mentally and
spiritually. For those who are ill and are not able bodied certain foods known
as the farari foods are allowed. These include tubers
(potatoes, cassava, carrots, turnips, dairy products, fruits,
nuts, and semolina. Foods made from cereals are forbidden.
On the preceding day that is on the 10th
tithi; Sandhya is performed and then only one
meal is taken.
In the evening Vishnu is worshipped, holding some
durva grass in the hand. One has to approach religion and the scriptures with great
faith, reverence and purity of heart.
The period that combines with Ekadashi
with Dvadasi (12th day) is Harivasara
because of the Vishnu in this tithi. This is good
time to do sacred yajnas.
If Dvadasi touches
the days of the Ekadashi and Trayodhesi Tithis,
fasting should be kept on the day which is wholly Dvadasi,
and the Paranan on the Trayodhasi day, when Dvadasi ends.
WHEN the duration of
Ekadashi be less then that of Dvadasi,
fasting should be done on the Dvadasi.
The day which combines with Dvadasi
into 13th is the best day for breaking the fast.
When an Ekadashi comes on a
Pushya day in the Shukla Paksha, this day
should be observed. The wise extols this day as one promising
crores of good effects upon the person.
On observing the Ekadashi
day you should do Vishnu Puja which is productive of universal happiness.
It is said the people will
acquire good children and wealth in this world and attain Vishnuloka upon death.
A person physically unable to fast may ask his
spouse or one of his family members to observe Ekadashi
for his sake.
