The 'Vrat' of Ashad Ekadashi -- Part 2

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The 'Vrat' of Ashad Ekadashi -- Part 2

 

By Meera Sashital

There are other reasons also why Ekadashi is held sacred by Hindus.

Some say that the spirit of Ekadashi came out of the body of Krishna

himself on the eleventh day of the light half of Margasirsha.

Another reason is, that Nammalvar, one of the greatest saints of the

Vaishnavas, attained salvation on this day in the presence of the

thirty-three crores (330 millions) of Gods.

 

Fairs are held at Pandharpur, one of the most famous shrines in

Western India, and centre of the worship of Vithoba (the name is

supposed to be corruption of Vishnu) regarded as Krishna. Two great

fairs are held, at the beginning and end of the four months, i.e.

from Ashada Shukla tenth to full moon, and Kartika Shukla tenth to

full moon.

 

It seems it was during Ashad Ekadashi that the miracle about Saint

Sakhubai occurred. A devoted and religious woman Saint Sakhu was the

daughter of a varkari, or pious man, who had vowed to go on foot to

the shrine of Pandharpur for the annual fair. Sakhu's mother-in-law

illtreated her and made her slog the whole day. Once Sakhu desired

to accompany an old couple to Pandharpur but her mother-in-law

caused her to be tied to a pillar to prevent her from going. But,

hearing Sakhu's prayers, Lord Vithal disguised as a woman, came and

untied her to enable her to go to Pandharpur and join her friends.

Sakhu bathed herself in the river Bhima and was taken to the temple

by her divine guide in the crushing crowd. Sakhu gazed at the image

of Lord Vithal, her goal of life, placed her head on the foot of the

image and became unconscious. Sakhu was dead. She was identified by

the old pilgrims and the friends of her parents, and she was

cremated. This took more than a week and yet she was not missed at

home! Lord Vithal disguised Himself as Sakhu had substituted in her

place!

Thus, the importance and sacredness of Ashad Ekadashi prevails.