Ekadashi-significance

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Dear Hari Bhakthas,

 

 

Smt Madhavi of Chicago sent a mail to me asking the significance for

performing the Ekadashi. Here is an article for the benefit of all Haro

Bhakatas.

 

“Prathama Ekadashi Vratha”

 

Kite Festival ( GaaLi patadha Habba):

Prathama Ekadashi is one among the various festivals observed by us.

“SaRvesham Prathama Ekadashi”- falls on 12th July 2000. It is the preface

for the commencement of various festivals,which starts from to day,

 

Krishnashtami in ShravaNa, Gowri Ganesha in Bhadrapada, Navarathri in

Aashweeja, DeepavaLi in kaaRthika.. Just goes the list. In each month

significance is attached to one day in the week . For eg; Friday in Ashada,

Saturday in ShravaN, Mondays in Karthik Masa etc.,

 

Ekadashi is the eleventh day in the Chandramana calendar. So two per month,

24 per year.

Starting from Chaitra Maasa., they are:

Kaamadga, Varoodhani, Mohini, Aparaa, NiRjalaa. Yogini. Devashayani.,

Kaamikaa, Paapanaashini, Ajaa, Padmaa, Indiraa, Paapaamkushaa, Ramaa,

ParaBhodha, Utpanna, Mokshadhaa, SaPhalaa, Putradhaa, Shatthilaa,

Jayaa,Vijayaa, Amaliki, and paapamochani.

 

Among these Ekadashi, “Devashayanee Ekadashi” Vratha falls on Ashada Shukla

paksha. It is called Prathama Ekadashi,

If you see the above list it does not come as the first one. It is only the

Ekadashi, the day on which Chaaturmaasa starts for Sanyaasis from this day.

Hence considered as sacred. Also colloquially called Prathama Ekadashi.

Mahaavishnu Sleeps on Sesha shayana , as his bed and hence termed as Deva

shayani ekadashi.

 

In Smrithi and PuraaNas the significance of Ekadashi has been explained:

 

SamsaaraaKhy Ma haaGhora

DuKhkhaanaam SaRvadhehinaam|

Ekaadashi Samam Kimchith

Paavanam Nahi Vidhyathe ||

 

Man is always under tension, pressure and immersed in difficulties. and

also in a state of sorrow in this “Samsaara Saagara “. It says, to

overcome such difficulties, performing Ekadashi is the best one and there

is no substitute for this Vratha as it is considered to be the Best one.

 

Not only that, it says further:

 

SwaRga, MoKsha Pradha Hyeshaa Raajaputhra Pradhaayini|

 

as such one would achieve Swarga -Moksha etc in observing Ekadashi Vratha.

 

Then How to do to Ekadashi. What are its branches>

 

i) Upavaasa

ii) Performing pooja of Lord

iii) JaagaraNa in the night

 

We forget Pooja and JaagaraNa. The first that comes to our mind about

Ekadashi is Upavaasa. That is all every body knows. JagaraNe means they

think of watching movies to be awake. Where as in Uttaradhi Mutt at

Triplicane, Chennai, the jagaraNe starts from 10pm and Bhajans, Uppanyaasa,

recital of Devaranama, etc goes on till 4 am and then starts the Pooja,

neivedya and paarane.. It is strictly done as per Shastra by devotees

without fail and it is a pleasure to participate in such JagaraNa meet..

 

About Upavasa, it is said in vashita smrithis as follows:

 

Ekaadashyaam, Upavaasoyam

Nirmitham ParamauShaDham|

 

In other words it means, that observing Upavaasa on ekadashi is equivalent

or as good as taking Medicine.

 

Varaaha Purana comes to our rescue in saying that Ekadashi should be

observed once in fifteen days.-

 

“Ekaadashi Sadhoposhyaa Pakshayo “ PuraaNaas are very strict in saying that

Food should be consumed on Ekadashi day. They say it is “ HARIVAARA” that

means , the day of the LORD, and it should be earmarked for “ Bhagawan

Naama smaraNe” only- Bramha PuraNa speaks about Ekadashi and it says that

after taking bath, observing Upavaasa, and with devotion and as per

rituals observe the Ekadashi by performing MahaaVishNu pooja.

 

Ekadashi does not mean, not to take regular food , but alternatively could

take tiffen etc instead. Normally everybody does the second portion.

Switching over to other type of food on Ekadashi does not mean Upavaasa.

Ekadashi is strict in telling that no type of food should be consumed.

Taking food in any form is forbidden. One should have mind to do it- Strong

determiation is required.

 

Bramha VaivaRtha Purana says that Bramha Hathyaadi Papas would enter on

Ekadashi day for those who are consuming Food and therefore consuming Food

in any form should be 100% avoided that day

 

As per the verdict of Shruthi ”Chandra maa Manaso Jaathah,” Chandra is the

centre of controlling mind. It is said that the eleventh ray of the Moon

would fall directly on the ekadashi day. Hence for those who practice

meditation etc, would be able to get the maximum “Phala” in observing

Uapavaasa.

 

Vishayaa VinivaRthanthe Niraahaarasya Dhehinaha-

 

The day on which a man does not consume food, i e said to be Niraahaari-

he would be rid of bad deeds and thought in mind as per Geethacharya.

 

Another meaning for Upavaasa is:

 

Upa sameepe Yo vaasah-

 

That means we would be nearer to God. That means Upaasana of Bhagawantha

 

 

Many aparokshajnaani’s have indicated that:

 

i) To be away from performing Paapa KaaRya, .

 

ii)Praising the Lord in performing stotra, Bhajan or worshipping in any

suitable form

is said to be the True Ekadashi.

 

We have observed people leaving food and Water and always lying down on the

bed, telling people of hunger on account of Ekadashi. and narrating that

they are getting head ache. Such people should not observe Ekadashi at all,

if they do’nt have mind to do it. They should not complain such actions. We

are doing this to get the Phala, It is for our benefit for the present and

future.

 

Such action would not result in observing Ekadashi.

 

Even as per latest scientific research observing Ekadashi once in 15 days is

stated to be advisable,. so any undigested food would get digested and

avoid constipation etc and would set right all organs. So skipping off food

one day would be healthy.

 

Ekadashi could be observed by all above 18 years. Could be observed till

their 80th year.

 

Ekadashi Vratha starts on the night of Dashami. Many do not take dinner on

dashami night.( Very difficult) Also no food on Dwadashi night also!. So

strict they are !! That is why on dshami day only food should be taken only

once. Ekadashi, of course, Full upavasa. On Dwadashi early morning it is

ParaNe Day. That means Lunch. If by chance it is not possible to take food

early, one could drink a cup of water( and not Coffee or Tea) and have food

at the appointed/ desired time,. Those who follow these instructions

contained in the scriptures and observe Ekadashi Vratha, would definitely

get the benefit(Phala) and Punya as enumerated in the PuraaNaas. Then, why

should we not observe Ekadashi from to day onwards itself, being Dodda

Ekadashi?

Information Source- Courtesy- “Dharma Prabha” July 2000

 

 

 

 

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