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Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra

Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra

by | Jun 30, 2022 | Festivals

The path to Supreme Lord Krishna’s devotion is filled with joy. And when we lose our way to this delightful and blissful path, then Lord Krishna reappears on the earth from his eternal abode. He always wins our hearts with his Divine Play, like his name ‘Krishna’, which means ‘all attractive’.

He always rules our hearts with his divine qualities. With his causeless mercy, Lord wants us to meditate on his lotus feets rather than this materialistic world. This causeless mercy of Lord Krishna is signified in the form of the marvellous event ‘Lord Jagannath Rathyatra’.

About Jagannath Rath Yatra festival

Jagannath Rath Yatra festival is centuries old and celebrated every year. Jagannath Rath Yatra is devoted to Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Baldev and his sister Devi Subhadra. Rath Yatra is a beautiful pastime of the Lord. A few years back, Jagannath Rathyatra was primarily observed in Odisha, West Bengal, and nearby states with great zeal and devotion.

However, it is celebrated worldwide due to the devotional flame of Srila Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of ISKCON. Going beyond the geographical and cultural boundaries, the Rath Yatra festival signifies the meaning of spiritual love and devotion.

The anecdote behind the appearance of great Lord Jagannath is as pleasant as the context of Rath Yatra. In many temples, during Shobha Yatra, all the Deities are brought out of the temple. But downright, the purpose of Lord Jagannath is always different whenever he comes out of his temple.

Lord Jagannath is so merciful that he comes out of the temple to bless the people, especially those beings who are engrossed in material gratification and cannot pay a visit to the temple for Lord darshan. Lord Jagannath’s compassion for devotees is unmatched.

Story Behind Jagannath Rath Yatra festival

Many years after the departure of Supreme Lord Krishna from Vrindavan, the gopis meet Shri Krishna in Kurukshetra.

Many people from far-flung had gathered in Kurukshetra on the occasion of the solar eclipse. Gopis had an intense yearning for Shri Krishna the moment they met him. But gopis wanted Shri Krishna to spend time with them in the Kunj of Vrindavan rather than Kurukshetra. So gopis built a chariot in their minds, and began pulling it by their love and hands rather than by horses.

Thus, there is fervent love of the gopis in the Rath Yatra. The Rath Yatra signifies Kurukshetra as the starting point and the Vrindavan as the destination.

Significance of Rath Yatra 

It is believed that during Rath Yatra, we help the gopis in their love and labor while pulling the chariot of the Lord. The intensity of devotion in our hearts can also be felt while helping the gopis who are full of devotion. Pulling Shri Jagannath’s chariot affectionately signifies taking him to Vrindavan and inviting him again to our hearts.

On the Dwitiya of the month of Ashadh, Lord Jagannath comes out of his main temple in Puri and travels to the house of his mausi (aunt) Gundicha. Thousands of people assemble on the way for his darshan and pull the chariot.

In Puri, Lord Jagannath is worshipped along with his elder brother Baldev and sister Subhadra. All the three brothers and sisters go there to their respective places with great pomp. The Yatra starts with conch, trumpet, dhol, and drums.

How Pilgrims Recognize Chariots of Lords?

Pilgrims recognize each chariot by seeing the various symbols and signs of the three chariots. Lord Jagannath’s chariot is of red and yellow colour consisting of 16 wheels whose deity is Shri Narsingh. This chariot is known as Nandighosh or Garudadhwaja or Kapiladhwaja.

The chariot of Lord Baldev is of red and green colour in which there are 14 wheels whose deity is Sheshnaag. This chariot is known as Taladhwaja or Langaladhwaja. The Subhadra’s chariot is imprinted with red and black lotus marks whose Goddess is Jayadurga. This chariot is known as Darpadalana or Padmadhwaja or Devadalana.

Spending Time in Gundicha Temple 

According to tradition, the king or the high-grade officer of the kingdom starts the chariot after cleaning the road ahead with humility and honour. All three siblings delight in Gundicha temple just like they do in Kunj of Vrindavan. Far away from the hustle and bustle of the city and the countless servants of the temple.

Goddess Lakshmi Gets Angry  

On the Panchami of Ashadh Shukla Paksha (known as Hera Panchami), Goddess Lakshmi visits Gundicha temple to meet Lord Jagannath. But due to not getting darshan, she breaks a part of the chariot out of anger and comes back to the main temple. The Lord returns on the ninth day of the Rath Yatra, and Goddess Lakshmi meets the Lord with her servants. To appease the goddess, Lord Jagannath presents his garland to her.  

Eventually, Lord Jagannath returns on the day of Dwadashi. Showing her anger, Goddess Lakshmi shuts the door. But she opens the door after Lord accepts his defeat.

First Rath Yatra Held Outside India in 1967

In this way, Puri’s custom Rath Yatra is executed which is meant for bringing people close to Supreme Lord. This Rath Yatra takes out the divine love of the Supreme Lord from the temple and sprinkles it not only in the whole town but in the entire world. It gives us an opportunity to take our devotional love from separation to union.

It’s all because of the deep devotion His Divine Grace Abhay Charanarvinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, founder-acharya of ISKCON, that this festival has become worldwide. ISKCON held the first Ratha-yatra festival abroad in 1967 along the streets of San Francisco and sanctified its soil.

Celebration of Rath Yatra Worldwide

Today, other than India, the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath is taken out in every corner of the world, including London, France, Germany, Boston, and Australia. Due to which many people are moving on the path of devotion to the Supreme Lord. Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra is organized in all the temples of ISKCON with great enthusiasm.

After the Rath Yatra, the mahaprasad of Lord Jagannath is also distributed to the devotees. If they receive it with reverence, the devotees will indeed receive his blessings. Therefore, all of us should be a part of this event and invite the very kind and pious Lord Jagannath into our hearts.

Rath Yatra Procession at Delhi

A special Rath Yatra Festival is organized at ISKCON Delhi every year. A huge procession is carried out on the streets of Delhi amid the roaring kirtan. 

Devotees perform the sacred maha-mantra and dance. Then, thousands of devotees pull the rath of the Lords to get mercy. It is an intriguing sight and a joyful experience.

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Story Behind Panihati Cida Dahi Festival

Story Behind Panihati Cida Dahi Festival

by | Jun 11, 2022 | Festivals

Panihati Cida Dahi festival

Panihati cida dahi festival, also known as chippad rice festival or Danda Mahotsav (festival of punishment) is celebrated yearly on thirteen days of the full moon in the month of Jyestha (May-June). 

Behind this festival of punishment, there is an intriguing story of Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami and lord Nityanand Prabhu. This story narrates the ecstatic love of God and his benevolence toward his devotees and religious maniac. The votary’s devotion and ecstasy of loving god are transcendental. 

The Godly ‘Raghunath Dasa’

Srila Raghunatha Dasa was born 1495 in Krishnapur near Saptagram. His father was a wealthy opulent Zamindar Govardhan Mazumdar whose family’s affluence and prosperity were equivalent to that of Deva Indra. 

Raghunath Dasa was one of the six Goswamis of Vrindavana who was not interested in the mundane and materialistic world. He always found himself detached from this materialistic world and wanted to abandon all the material pleasure of this world at a very early age. He was looking for a life full of spirituality. 

First meeting of Nityanand Prabhu and Raghunatha dasa

Then the time arrived when Raghunath Dasa ran to meet the lord Nityanand Prabhu for the first time when he came to stay in Santipura after renunciation. 

Raghunath Dasa expressed his desire to leave home and devote his life to the serve lord in front of Nityanand Prabhu but he denied him to do so and said, “Within your heart, you should keep yourself very faithful, but externally you may behave like an ordinary man. Thus Krishna will soon be very pleased and deliver you from the clutches of Maya. You may see Me at Nilacala, Jagannatha Puri when I return after visiting Vrindavana. By that time you can think of some trick to escape. What kind of means you will have to use at that time will be revealed by Krishna. If one has Krishna’s mercy, no one can check him.” (By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda. Madhya-līlā Chapter 16, Text 236-239)

By hearing this, he gave up the idea of renunciation and engaged himself in his routine without any interest. 

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The reason calling it ‘Dand Festival’ or ‘Festival of Punishment’

In this way, two years passed, and one day, Raghunath Dasa heard that Nityanand Prabhu had come back again and stayed in a nearby village named Panihati. Raghunath took the permission of his father and went to see him. 

He reached Panihati village and saw that Nityanand Prabhu was sitting on a rock under a Banyan tree which is next to river Ganga and was surrounded by his devotees, many kirtana performers and followers. Raghunath Dasa was surprised to see the magnificence of Nityanand Prabhu.

 He was hesitating to go forward to see him as he thought himself to be unqualified and paid his obeisances from a distance. Some of the devotees noticed Raghunath Dasa and informed Nityanand Prabhu about him. Lord Nityanand called him and said, “You are a thief. Now you have come to see Me. Come here, come here. Today I shall punish you!” (CC Antya 6.47) 

Raghunath Dasa was hesitating to go near the lord. Nityananda Prabhu ordered his servant to catch him and present Raghunath Dasa in front of him. The gracious lord put his lotus feet on the head of Raghunath Dasa and said, “You are just like a thief, for instead of coming near, you stay away at a distant place. Now that I have captured you, I shall punish you”.( CC Antya 6.50) 

“Make a festival and feed all My associates yoghurt and chipped rice.” Hearing this, Raghunath Dasa was immensely pleased by heart. (CC Antya 6.51) 

Arrangements did for the celebration.

Raghunath Dasa instantly sent his men to bring all the ingredients and eatable items and made arrangements for the celebration. Chipped rice, Bananas, Milk, sweet dishes, yoghurt and many more edible items were brought.

As the people heard that a fabulous festival would be celebrated, all the Brahmans and villagers started coming to enjoy this festival. A great number of people arrived from the village itself and also from nearby villages too. Seeing the crowd, Raghunath Dasa ordered more items and large earthen pots to put those items. 

At one place, chipped rice was soaked in hot milk in large earthen pots. Half of the rice was mixed with yoghurt, sugar and bananas, and the remaining half of them got mixed with condensed milk flavoured with camphor and butter. 

 A blissful festival scene

After all this delicious food was ready to eat, lord Nityanand returned wearing new clothes and sat down on a raised platform. Seven Large pots with chipped rice were brought and placed in front of him. On that platform, other prominent associates gathered him with succulent chipped rice. Lord Nityanand honoured other learned scholars, Brahmans and priests and invited them to sit with him on that raised platform. 

Two earthen pots served with two kinds of chipped rice given to all other devotees and associates who were present there. Other devotees sat on the ground around a raised platform surrounding lord Nityanand. When the place became full, and people did not get to sit, they went to the bank of river Ganga with their two pots. When the river bank also got filled, and there was no vacant place to sit and eat, people got down into the Ganga water and began eating their chipped rice. Twenty men were employed to serve food. Such was the scene of the festival celebration. 

Divine pastime of Nityanand Prabhu with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

When chipped rice was served to all, Nityananda Prabhu meditated and brought Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. As Chaitanya Mahaprabhu arrives, lord Nityanand stood up. They were both standing together and watching how the people were enjoying the festival with chipped rice. Then, experiencing transcendental bliss, they both moved around among the devotees. 

Nityanand Prabhu took morsels of chipped rice from each devotee’s pot and fed Chaitanya Mahaprabhu with his own hand. In the same way, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also pushed some morsels of chipped rice in the mouth of Nityananda Prabhu. People could not understand what Nityananda Prabhu was doing because no one could see the Chaitnaya Mahaprabhu. Only some fortunate could see the presence of lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu there. 

Manifestation of Krishna and Balram

Experiencing the pleasure of this scene, a smile came on the face of Nityananda Prabhu. Then he sat down with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and offered him a full pot of chipped rice to eat. They both together were eating the chipped rice as if Krishna and Balram themselves are eating. Then Lord Nityananda Prabhu ordered, “All of you eat, chanting the holy name of Hari.”

Suddenly the whole universe reverberated with ‘Hari Hari’. The remnants left by the lord were distributed among devotees, associates and followers as Prasad. 

In this way, Nityanand Prabhu blessed the Raghunath Dasa and showered his grace upon him. 

Raghunatha Dasa was fortunate that the Lord himself came to eat chipped rice served by him. The leniency and mercy of the lord are enigmatic. Remembering the mercy of Lord Nityanand on Raghunath Dasa, we celebrate this chipped rice festival or festival of punishment every year. Devotees visit the Panihati on this festival, which is today’s West Bengal near Kolkata city. Chipped rice is distributed among visitors and devotees as Prasad on this festival. 

Do visit the Panihati with your family at this coming cida rice festival and enjoy this celebration. Surrender yourself in God’s devotion and experience the pleasure of ecstatic love of God. 

Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi 2022

Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi 2022

by | Jun 6, 2022 | Ekadashi

Ekadashi is one of the beautiful celebrations; it is seen eleven days after the full moon and eleven days after the new moon of every month.

Even in the thirteenth or leap moon, it is called Adhi-masa or Purusottama-masa.

Srila Prabhupada’s summarised study of Bhakti- rasamrta-Sindhu states:

One who sees fasting on Ekadashi day is free from taking wrong actions and becoming religious life advances.

Srila Rupa Goswami tells us in the Bhakti-asamrita Sindhu Granth, which Srila Prabhupada has translated.

Especially this, devotion to please God is being presented, and we should follow these methods; many ways out there.

Observing the fasting

One of the first Ten methods is -Observing the Fast on the day of Ekadashi! Every Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha Ekadashi is performing at Madhav Tithe, is bhakti Janani.

That is why we should try to follow it, Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur, Jetane Palani kori, it is all helpful to devotion, that’s why we should accept it.

Said that Ekadashi maa, who is herself, has appeared from the body of the supreme God, and this date is very dear to our Lord.

By performing the observances of Ekadashi fast, we move to progress very quickly in devotion. On Ekadashi, we should do fasting from food and grains, and Nirjala Ekadashi is considered Maha-Ekadashi, on which we should do fasting from water.

If you cannot do fasting from water, we can consume water; you can take fruit juice if this is also hard for you.

If there is a problem with that too, then it means that you can take fruits. If this is not possible, then fasting with prasad; you can have Sabudana, kuttu, fruits; people choose many things.

We have to follow the purity of Ekadashi. Without any water, one will have to perform rituals like Nirjala.

Prabhupada says about Bhima Ekadashi.

Srila Prabhupada had told this to his Disciple HG Rameshwar Prabhu whether it is Bhima Or Arjuna, is all Nirjala, 

Ekadashi should be performed in the form of Nirjala, yet it is mention in Mahabharat itself.

It says that Bhimsen has expressed his helplessness;

 he told Vyasadeva in desperation that “I can’t perform Ekadashi fasting because, in those days, everyone used to perform Ekadashi fast by keeping themself Nirjala.” Bhimsen said a special gastric fire inside inflames to not keep fast on this Ekadashi; what is it?

Then Vyasadeva Ji said that you could perform the ritual of Jyeshtha Shukl Ekadashi once in the year because Bhimsen had Kept it; all the other Pandavas also kept it. Hence it is called Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi.

Once every year, which is the fasting of Ekadashi, it helps move forward in devotion. Its foremost purpose is not to keep Nirjala Ekadashi and sleep throughout the day.

Srila Prabhupada even said that if you could go taking prasad regularly, and preaching is the primary service, advertising and promotion of Krishna is the highest service.

But while hiding behind the propaganda, we should never do less than our capacity. this is also a service.

Rupa Goswami says, don’t do less than you can; if we can keep fast on Nirjala Ekadashi, we should keep it.

Maha Daan on Nirjala Ekadashi.

About ISKCON Ekadashi

In ISKCON, we do not impose such strict rules because it formed to expand and spread the practice of Bhakti Yoga. It is not possible for everyone sitting on fasting, and there is no one to spread the message of our Lord Krishna.

Therefore, at least sunrise from the next day till the time of Parana, everyone should observe a fast of Nirjala.

Learning and preaching about Krishna

This day, many devotees chant 64 rounds and more; you can do self-study or listen to discourses.

One can spend more time with the deity of the Lord, whose main objective is to overcome the body’s needs and pay attention to the needs of the soul.

Regarding Nirjala Ekadashi, the priest who is a priest does not have any inconvenience to perform achaman. He can do it.

You can also consume Charanamirt; take only as much charanamirt as a mustard seed that can be immersed in it. It is not that the grain of mustard put in; it is food.

 But keep in mind if there are any rules and regulations, it must obey the purpose of all this.

“Smartavyah satatam visnur vismartavyo na jatucit sarve vidhi-nisedhah syur etayor eva kinkarah”

This verse is a quotation from Padma Purana, which says Krishna is the origin of Lord Vishnu. Therefore, he should always be remembered and never forgotten at any time. All the rules and prohibition mentioned in the sastra should be their servants of these two principles.” this is the supreme instruction.

On this Jyeshtha Shukl Ekadashi, our aim should increase maximum listening and chant on Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi. 

Join the devotees and stay in the correct consciousness because we can keep whatever decisions.

 We can go on the day of Ekadashi. So it is very beneficial for us for and for our devotion.

Srila Vishwanatha Chakravarti Thakur says that this is the perfect time to overview what we had done in the last 15 days.

On the day of Nirjala Ekadashi, we can think about what we had done for the whole last year in devotion and evaluation about it can do more.

Keep in mind that it is Ekadashi; if you can Nirjala, that is perfect for keeping it. but the main aim should be to remember Krishna as much as possible

It is the true meaning of Ekadashi.

The legend behind this special Ekadashi

Once the Pandav Bhima requested Shree Krishna to solve his difficulty, Shree Krishna asked him what Bhima, the insatiable eater, explained to Shree Krishna despite his serious struggles, and it was challenging for him to follow.

According to the manuscripts, one should obey Ekadashi with great respect by not eating or drinking anything the entire day. And altogether, engaging yourself functions in the different parts of Bhakti.

Fast of all food and water on the perfect day of Ekadashi and eat only once on Dwadashi Tithi, the next day of Ekadashi.

However, fasting from all food and water on Ekadashi showed to be tough and challenging for Bhima. 

Hence he requested Shree Krishna to find an answer to his situation.

Understanding the situation to his and Shree Krishna being accommodating towards Bhima, 

The Supreme Lord Krishna allow him to eat fruits and flowers on all the Ekadashi except one; he told Bhima to follow the Shukla paksha Ekadashi in the month of Jyeshta,

Without eating or drinking anything at all, in this way he was allowed to eat phalahar, fruit on all other Ekadahis except this one, Ekadashi later becomes Famous as Pandav Nirjala Ekadashi.

What should you do if you unexpectedly break Ekadashi?

Srila Prabhupada suggested that if we unintentionally eat some grain on Ekadashi, we should keep the Ekadashi Fast for the rest day and the next day in Dvadasi; if even that is impossible, we should go on with our activities in ISKCON and pray for forgiveness.

Seeks the Blessings of Krishna by donating on the occasion of Ekadashi.

Frequently Asked Questions-

Q- When will be the Nirjala Ekadashi in 2022?
A- Nirjala Ekadashi will be celebrated on 11th June 2022 in ISKCON (India).

Q- What is the Nirjala Ekadashi fast breaking time?
A- Fast breaking time is 12th June 2022 between 5.22 AM to 10.01 AM.

Donate on Ekadashi

Anecdote of Boat Festival in ISKCON

Anecdote of Boat Festival in ISKCON

by | May 28, 2022 | Festivals

Lord Krishna’s pastimes are divine and pleasing, and we cannot understand these great pastimes with tiny material intelligence. Therefore, to understand these great pastimes and follow them in our lives, we need bonafide disciplic succession.

Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad -Gita

जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यमेवं यो वेत्ति तत

janma karma cha me divyam evaṁ yo vetti tattvataḥ
tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti so ’rjuna (BG 4.9)

Hey Arjun, Those who understand the divine nature of my birth and activities upon leaving the body do not have to retake rebirth. Instead, they come to my eternal abode directly.

Chronicle of Boat Festival

In ISKCON (International Society For Krishna Consciousness), many festivals are organized. Thus, we can remember the Lord’s great sacred pastimes and purify our tainted hearts.

Among all these saintly Leela’s of Lord Krishna Nauka Vihar is one of them. This Leela is mentioned in a transcendental scripture named “Gopal Champu”, written by Srila Jiva Goswami. It is also mentioned in other scripture.

About Goloka

Goloka Vrindavan is Lord Krishna’s eternal abode, and there the pastimes go on continuously. So the root of this religious festival is also linked with the land of Krishna- ” Goloka Vrindavan”.

Anecdote of Boat Festival

Once all the gopis, their pots filled with yoghurt and butter, came to the shore of river Mansi. They had a desire to cross this Mansi Ganga. They met with a boatman and asked him to take them on the other side of Mansi Ganga. That boatman agreed. As soon as the boat reached afar, the boatman stopped.

The gopis asked the boatman what happened to you, why you suddenly stopped? The boatman replied I am hungry. I want to eat yoghurt and butter. The gopis gave him all the curd and butter they had with them so that boatman did not stop sailing. After eating, he sailed for a while. After covering some distance, he again stopped. He said I was exhausted, wanted to take a rest. Gopis told if he does not start sailing, they will throw him from the boat.

How Radha Rani spotted Sri Krishna

Suddenly the whole sky got filled with clouds. Winds started blowing, and the boat started shaking and moving. Gopis got scared. At the same time, Radha rani’s eyes fell on the boatman. She noticed a flute with him. She identified, it is no one else other than their beloved Krishna. All the gopis were extremely happy, knowing that this was their Krishna’s wish. It is an example of extreme reciprocating love between Lord Krishna and his devotees.

Bond Between Gopis With Krishna

Gopis are immense devotees of Lord Krishna. Their love for Krishna is of utmost and can not be mentioned in words. Those who reached an enormous level in spirituality can understand the love and bonding between Krishna and gopis and appreciate them. 

About Boat Festival Commemoration

The Boat festival is astonishing which will be celebrated this year at Sri Sri Radha Parthsarthi temple. This year it is also significant because due to covid we had not observed this festival last year. So this is the twelveth boat festival we are commemorating. Kaliya Krishna pond area inside the temple campus is decorated with attractive flowers, fruits, balloons and different colours. And the decoration of this place fills the heart with exhilaration. In this, many decorations and paintings are done inside water using beautiful flowers and colours.

How Boat Festival Will Be Celebrated At ISKCON

Sri Sri Radha Parthsarthi’s festive deity (Utsav Vigraha) is taken in a boat with Sri Lalita Ji and

Sri Visakha Ji. That scene is ineffable. Lord is taken to a boat ride along with kirtan, and many preparations are offered to Lord as Bhoga. Thousands of devotees assemble and do kirtan boomingly. Lord is seated in a decorated beautiful boat and takes a ride that scene is pure bliss for devotees.

We are inviting you all to come and take part in this auspicious occasion. When we participate in such a festival, our hearts thrive with darshan, kirtan, remembrance, and the company of advanced devotees makes us feel ecstatic.

So come, let’s celebrate this festival together and acquire the Lord’s blessings by chanting –

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa

Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare

Hare Rāma Hare Rāma

Rāma Rāma Hare Hare

  • Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi Boat Festival ki Jai
  • Srila Prabhupada ki Jai

Your Smallest act of Charity can make a difference and bring smiles to Needy Faces.

Apara Ekadashi

Apara Ekadashi

by | May 25, 2022 | Ekadashi

It is said that when God created the material world, He created all beings and at the same time many kinds of sins also took birth. Out of those sins a paap purusha was created. God saw that the souls were very easily inclined towards sin and they were repeatedly sent to hellish worlds for punishment. God took mercy upon the living entities and He expanded Ekadashi from his body. Living entities started observing fast on Ekadashi, and were getting rid of sins. This agitated paap purusha, he went to the Lord and said, “You created me, but by the influence of Ekadashi I am unable to do my duty.” Lord replied, “If that is the case, I order you to enter in grains on every Ekadashi, this will save your existence.”

That’s why, if we observe fast on Ekadashi then we would be saved from all the sins which we could get by consuming grains on Ekadashi. Ekadashi fast not only reduces our sins but also assists us to get the devotion service and mercy of the lotus feet of the Lord, Shri Hari.

Once Yudhisthira asked Lord Krishna, “O Krishna! Kindly please tell me, what is the name of Ekadashi which occurs in the Krishna paksha of Jyestha month and its glories?”

Lord Krishna replied, “O King! This Ekadashi is popularly known by two names – Apara and Achala. As per Vedic injunctions, Ekadashi on the Krishna paksha of Jyestha month is termed as Apara Ekadashi because it bestows unlimited wealth. Those who observe fast on Apara Ekadashi, they will attain fame in the world, get rid of all sins committed due to brahma hatya, and blaspheme and also get freedom from ghostly species of life. By doing this fast, all the sins accumulated due to illicit sex life, giving false testimony, lying, reading or making false scriptures, becoming a false astrologer or becoming a false physician, etc., are all destroyed. The Kshatriya who runs away from the battlefield is certainly to hell, but by the influence of Apara Ekadashi, he will attain heaven.”

“Devotees who accept knowledge from the spiritual master but blaspheme him will certainly go to hell, but by observing fast on Apara Ekadashi, they can also get freedom from such heinous sin. The results of taking bath in Pushkar in the month of Karthik or the results of pind daan on the holy banks of Gang; same results one gets by observing fast on Apara Ekadashi.”

“This fast is like an axe which cuts the tree of sins, it is like fire which burns down all sins, it is like the Sun which destroys the darkness of sins, it is like a Lion who kills deer. That’s why living entities should be careful enough not to commit sins and observe fast on Apara Ekadashi.”

By fast observation on Apara Ekadashi and by the worship of Vishnu, one gets rid of all sins and attains the Vishnu Loka after leaving this material body. As per the popular story, there was a righteous king named Mahidwaja. His younger brother, Vajradwaja, was very cruel, unrighteous, and unfair. He was very envious of his elder brother. One-night Vajradwaja killed his elder brother while he was asleep and buried the body under a peepal tree in the woods. Because of unnatural death, Mahidwaja attained ghostly species of life. He used to live on the peepal tree and created several nuisances.
 

apara ekadashi rishi

One day a great sage, Dhaumya, passed by that forest and he saw the ghost. With his mystic power, he could know the ghost’s past life. He also understood the reason for such nuisances. He brought down the ghost from the peepal tree and instructed about parlok vidhya. Sages are always very kind by nature, and out of his kindness, he observed fast on Apara Ekadashi so that the ghost could be freed. He also donated all the piousness earned by him to the ghost. As a result of which, Mahidwaja got freedom from the ghostly species and attained a transcendental body. He went to the higher planetary system after boarding pushpak vimaan.

Let’s not waste this great occasion of Apara Ekadashi, we all should observe fast to get rid of sins and attain the pure love of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Shri Krishna.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare |

Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare ||

Fast breaking time: 27th May, Friday in between 05:25 AM – 10:00 AM, New Delhi.

Your Smallest act of Charity can make a difference and bring smiles to Needy Faces.