PANDAVA NIRJALA EKADASHI

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PANDAVA NIRJALA EKADASHI

 

During the hottest season (northern hemisphere), if one can perform upavasa

without water one is performing a great feat. One may take only caranamrta and

acamana water. Bhima requested one vrata day by which he could obtain the

fruits of all the other days of vrata that he was incapable of observing.

Vyasadeva advised him to follow this difficult vrata.

One should worship the Lord in the evening by bathing him in milk. On the

dvadasi one should give full pots of water to brahmanas and feed them before

breaking one's fast.

 

SAMVATSARASYA YA MADHYE EKADASYO BHAVANTI HI

TASAM PHALAM AVAPNOTI PUTRA ME NA ATRA SAMSAYAH

ITI MAM KESAVAH PRAHA SANKHA CAKRA GADADHARAH

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/25 from PADMA PURANA Vyasadeva speaks to Bhimasena)

 

Oh son, Lord Keshava, Who holds the club, disk, conch and lotus flower in His

hand, personally told me that all of the merit achieved by fasting on whatever

EkAdasis fall in one year can be attained by fasting on this one EkAdasii

(nirjalA EkAdasii). Of this, there is no doubt.

 

ATMADROHAH KRTASTES TU YAIR ESA NA HY UPOSITA

PAPATMANO DURACARA DUSTAS TE NA ATRA SAMSAYAH

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/33 from PADMA PURANA Vyasadeva speaks to Bhimasena)

 

Anyone who does not fast on this particular EkAdasii (nirjalA EkAdasii), they

should be understood to be sinful, corrupted and suicidal person without a

doubt.

 

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The Story of PANDava NirjalA EkAdasii:

PANDava NirjalA EkAdasii - Jyeshtha-shukla EkAdasii - from Brahma-vaivarta

PurANam.

 

Once Bhimasena, the younger brother of Maharaja Yudhisthira, asked the great

sage Shrila VyAsadeva, the grandfather of the PANDavas, if it is possible to

return to the spiritual world without having observed all the rules and

regulations of the EkAdasii fasts.

 

Bhimasena then spoke as follows, “Oh greatly intelligent and learned

grandfather, my brother Yudhisthira, my dear mother Kunti, and my beloved wife

Draupadi, as well as Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva, fast completely on each

EkAdasii and strictly follow all the rules, guidelines and regulative

injunctions of that sacred day. Bring very religious, they always tell me that

I should also fast on that day too. But, Oh learned grandfather, I tell them

that I cannot live without eating, because as the son of VAyudeva –

Samanaprana, (the digestive air) hunger is unbearable to me. I can give widely

in charity and worship Lord Keshava properly with all manner of wonderful

upacharas (items), but I cannot be asked to fast on EkAdasii. Please tell me

how I can obtain the same merits result without fasting.”

 

Hearing these words, the grandsire of Bhima, Srila VyAsadeva said, “If you want

to go to the heavenly planets and avoid the hellish planets, you should indeed

observe a fast on both the light and dark EkAdasiis.”

 

Bhima replied, “Oh great saintly intelligent grandfather, please listen to my

plea. Oh greatest of munis, since I cannot live if I eat only once in a day,

how can I possibly live if I fast completely? Within my stomach burns a special

fire named Vrika, the fire of digestion. Agni the fire-god, descends from Lord

Vishnu through BrahmA, from BrahmA to Angirasa, from Angirasa to Brihaspathi,

and from Brihaspathi to Samyu, who was Agni'’ father. He is the gatekeeper in

charge of Nairritti, the south-eastern direction. He is one of the eight

material elements, and Parikshit MahArAja, he is very expert at examining

things. He examined MahArAja Shibi once by turning into a dove (for further

information on this incident see Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s

Srimad Bhagavatam commentary to 1:12:20. Purport.)

Agni is divided into three categories; DavAgni, the fire in wood, JatharAgni,

the fire in the digestion in the stomach, and VadavAgni, the fire that creates

fog when hot and cold streams mix in for example the ocean. Another name for

the fire of digestion is Vrika. It is this powerful fire that resided in

Bhima’s stomach.

 

Only when I eat to my full satisfaction does the fire in my stomach become

satisfied. Oh great sage, I might possibly be able to fast only once, so I beg

that you tell me of an EkAdasii that is worthy of my fasting and that includes

all other EkAdasiis. I shall faithfully observe that fast and hopefully still

become eligible for liberation’s release.”

 

Shrila VyAsadeva replied, Oh king, you have heard from me about the various

kinds of occupational duties, such as elaborate Vedik ceremonies and pujas. In

the Kali-yuga, however, no one will be able to observe all these occupational,

functional duties properly. I shall therefore tell you how, at practically no

expense, one can endure some small austerity and achieve the greatest benefit

and resultant happiness. The essence of what is written in the Vedic

literatures known as the PurANas is that one should not eat on either the dark

or light fortnight EkAdasiis.” As stated in Srimad Bhagavatam (Mahabhagavat

PurANam) 12:13:12 and 15.) the Bhagavat PurANam is itself the essence or cream

of all VedAnta philosophy (sara-vedAnta-sAram), and the Srimad Bhagavatam’s

unequivocal message is that of full surrender to Lord Sri Krishna and the

rendering of loving devotional service to Him. Observing EkAdasii strictly is a

great aid in that process, and here Shrila VyAsadeva is simply stressing to

Bhima the importance of the EkAdasii vratam. “…One who fasts on EkAdasiis saved

from going to the hellish planets.”

 

Hearing Shrila VyAsadeva’s words, the son of VAyu, Bhimasena, the strongest of

all warriors, became frightened and began to shake like a leaf on a banyan tree

in a strong wind. The frightened Bhimasena then said, “Oh grandfather, what

should I do? I am completely unable and ill equipped to fast twice in a month

throughout the year! Please tell me of the one fasting day that will bestow the

greatest benefit upon me!”

 

VyAsadeva replied, “Without drinking even water, you should fast on the

EkAdasii that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Jyeshtha

(May-June) when the sun travels in the sign of Taurus (Vrishabh) and Gemini

(Mithun), According to learned personalities, on this day one may bathe and

perform Achamana for pratiprokshana purification. But while performing Achamana

one may drink only that amount of water equal to a drop of gold, or that amount

it takes to immerse a single mustard seed. Only this amount of water should be

placed in the right palm for sipping, which one should form to resemble a cow’s

ear. If one drinks more water than this, he might as well have drunk wine –

despite the soaring heat of summer (in the northern hemisphere and cold in the

southern hemisphere).

 

“One must certainly not eat anything, for if he does so he breaks his fast.

This rigid fast is in effect from sunrise on the EkAdasii day to sunrise on the

DwAdashii day. If a person endeavours to observe this great fast very strictly,

he easily achieves the result of observing all twenty-four other EkAdasii fasts

throughout the entire year.

 

“On DwAdashii the devotee should bathe early in the morning. Then, according to

the prescribed rules, guidelines and regulative injunctions, and of course

depending on his ability, he should give some gold and water to worthy

brAhmaNas. Finally, he should cheerfully honour prasAdam with a brAhmaNa.

 

“Oh Bhimasena, one who can fast on this special EkAdasii in this manner reaps

the benefit of having fasted on every EkAdasii during the year. There is no

doubt of this, nor should there be. Oh Bhima, now hear the specific merit one

gets by fasting on this EkAdasii. The Supreme Lord Keshava, who holds a conch,

discus, club and lotus, personally told me, ‘Everyone should take shelter of Me

and follow My instructions.’ Then He told me that one who fasts on this

EkAdasii, without taking even drinking water or eating, becomes free of all

sinful reactions, and that one who observes the difficult nirjalA fast on

Jyeshtha-shukla EkAdasii truly reaps the benefit of all other EkAdasii fasts.

 

“Oh Bhimasena, in the Kali-yuga, the age of quarrel and hypocrisy, when all the

principles of the Vedas will have been destroyed or greatly minimised, and when

there will be no proper charity or observance of the ancient Vedik principles

and ceremonies, how will there be any means of purifying the self? But there is

the opportunity to fast on EkAdasii and become free of all one’s past sins.

 

“Oh son of VAyu, what more can I say to you? You should not eat during the

EkAdasiis that occur during the dark and light fortnights, and you should even

give up drinking water (nir = no jalaa= water) on the particularly auspicious

EkAdasii day of Jyeshtha-shukla EkAdasii. Oh Vrikodara (veracious eater),

whoever fasts on this EkAdasii receives the merits of bathing in all the places

of pilgrimage, giving all kinds of charities to worthy persons, and fasting on

all the dark and light EkAdasiis throughout the year, in one go. Of this there

is no doubt.

 

Oh tiger among men, whoever fasts on this EkAdasii truly becomes a great

person and achieves all manner of opulence and wealth, grains, strength, and

health. And at the fearful moment of death, the terrible YamadUtas, whose

complexions are yellow and black and who brandish huge maces and twirl mystic

pAsha ropes in the air for binding their victims, will refuse to approach him.

Rather, such a faithful soul will at once be taken to the supreme abode of Lord

Vishnu by the Vishnu-dUtas, whose transcendentally beautiful forms are clothed

in gorgeous yellowish garments and who each hold a disk, club, conch and lotus

in their four hands, resembling Lord Vishnu. It is to gain all these benefits

that one should certainly fast on this very auspicious and important EkAdasii,

even from water.”

 

When the other PANDavas heard about the benefits to be gained by following

Jyeshtha-shukla EkAdasii, they resolved to observe it exactly as their

grandfather Srila VyAsadeva had explained it to their brother, Bhimasena. All

the PANDavas observed it by refraining from eating or drinking anything, and

thus this day is also known as PANDava NirjalA DvAdashii (technically it is a

Maha-DvAdashii).

 

Shrila VyAsadeva continued, Oh Bhimasen, therefore you should observe this

important fast to remove all your past sinful reactions. You should pray to the

Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna in this way making your

sankalpa declaration, ‘Oh Lord of all the devas (demigods), Oh Supreme

Personality of Godhead, today I shall observe EkAdasii without taking any

water. Oh unlimited Anantadev, I shall break fast on the next day, DwAdashii.’

Thereafter, to remove all his sins, the devotee should honour this EkAdasii

fast with full faith in the Lord and with full control over his senses. Whether

his sins are equal in volume to Mount Sumeru or to MandarAchala Hill, if he or

she observes this EkAdasii, the sins that have been accumulated all become

nullified and are burned to ashes. Such is the great power of this EkAdasii.

 

“Oh best of human beings, although a person should also give water and cows in

charity during this EkAdasii, if for some reason or other he cannot, then he

should give a qualified brAhmaNa some cloth or a pot filled with water. Indeed,

the merit achieved by giving water alone equals that gained by giving gold ten

million times a day.

 

“Oh Bhima, Lord Sri Krishna has said that whoever observes this EkAdasii should

take a Holy bath, give charity to a worthy person, chant the Lord’s Holy names

on a japa-mAla, and perform some kind of recommended sacrifice, for by doing

these things on this day one receives imperishable benefits. There is no need

to perform any other kind of religious duty. Observance of this EkAdasii fast

alone promotes one to the supreme abode of Sri Vishnu. Oh best of the Kurus, if

one donates gold, cloth, or anything else on this day, the merit one obtains is

imperishable.

 

“Remember, whosoever eats any grains on EkAdasii becomes contaminated by sin

and verily eats only sin. In effect, he has already become a dog-eater, and

after death he suffers a hellish existence. But he who observes this sacred

Jyeshtha-shukla EkAdasii and gives something in charity certainly achieves

liberation from the cycle of repeated birth and death and attains to the

supreme abode. Observing this EkAdasii, which is merged with DwAdashii, frees

one from the horrible sin of killing a brAhmaNa, drinking liquor and wine,

becoming envious of one’s spiritual master and ignoring his instructions, and

continually telling lies.

 

“Furthermore, Oh best of beings (Jivottama), any man or woman who observes this

fast properly and worships the Supreme Lord JalshAyi (He who sleeps on the

water), and who on the next day satisfies a qualified brAhmaNa with nice sweets

and a donation of cows and money – such a person certainly pleases the Supreme

Lord Vasudeva, so much so that one hundred previous generations in his family

undoubtedly go to the Supreme Lord’s abode, even though they may have been very

sinful, of bad character, and guilty of suicide, etc. Indeed, one who observes

this amazing EkAdasii rides on a glorious celestial airplane (vimAna) to the

Lord’s abode.

 

“One who on this day gives a brAhmaNa a waterpot, an umbrella, or shoes surely

goes to the heavenly planets. Indeed, he who simply hears these glories also

attains to the transcendental abode of the Supreme Lord, Shri Vishnu. Whoever

performs the Shraddha ceremony to the forefathers on the dark-moon day called

amAvasya, particularly if it occurs at the time of a solar eclipse undoubtedly

achieves great merit. But this same merit is achieved by him who simply hears

this sacred narration – so powerful and so dear to the Lord is this EkAdasii.

 

“One should clean his teeth properly and, without eating or drinking, observe

this EkAdasii to please the Supreme Lord, Keshava. On the day after EkAdasii

one should worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His form as Trivikrama

by offering Him water, flowers, incense, and a brightly burning lamp. Then the

devotee should pray from the heart, ‘Oh God of gods, Oh deliverer of everyone,

Oh Hrishikesha, master of the senses, kindly bestow upon me the gift of

liberation, though I can offer you nothing greater than this humble pot filled

with water.’ Then the devotee should donate the waterpot to a brAhmaNa.

 

“Oh Bhimasena, after this EkAdasii fast and donating the recommended items

according to his ability, the devotee should feed brAhmaNas and thereafter

honour prasAdam silently.”

 

Shrila VyAsadeva concluded, “I strongly urge you to fast on this auspicious,

purifying, sin-devouring DwAdashii in just the way I have outlined. Thus you

will be completely freed of all sins and reach the supreme abode.”

 

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Jyeshtha-shukla EkAdasii, or

Bhimaseni-nirjalA EkAdasii, from the Brahma-vaivarta PurANa.

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