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 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 (Apara 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 in getting the devotion service and mercy of the lotus feet of the Lord, Shri Hari.

Once Yudhisthira asked Lord Krishna, “O Krishna! 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.

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 ||

There are many practices and activities in the path of devotional service which assist and strengthen bhakti. Bhakti means the way to achieve Krishna’s Prema. Whatever helps one to develop the love for Krishna, one should accept. The basic principle is that whatever is favourable for bhakti, one should accept that and reject the unfavourable. The most profitable activity for bhakti is to observe fasts. Observing fast on special occasions like Ram Navami, Janmashthami, Gaur Purnima, and Ekadashi is of more importance.  

Glories of Varuthini Ekadashi

As per Vedic calculation, there are a couple of pakshas, Krishna Paksha and Shukla paksha, every month. So there would be an Ekadashi in every paksha, which means there are a couple of Ekadashi every month. So the Ekadashi, which occurs on the Krishna paksha of Vaishakha month, is known as Varuthini Ekadashi. Usually, Varuthini Ekadashi occurs in the month of Chaitra or Vaishakha. This is the most auspicious Ekadashi. One who observes fast on Varuthini Ekadashi is delivered from all sins, one who remains happy always and gets good fortunes. By giving charity to needy people on Varuthini Ekadashi, one gets the result equivalent to doing austerities for years.  

By observing fast on Varuthini Ekadashi, one gets relief from all distress. One gets the result equivalent to donating gold during the Solar eclipse. As per scriptures, by observing fast on Varuthini Ekadashi, one gets more fortune than donating land or an elephant. The donation of mustard seeds is said to be the best of all the offerings, but the donation of gold is even better than the donation of mustard seeds. Food donation is of more importance than the donation of gold, but the most promising of all donations is the Varuthini Ekadashi fast.

What Krishna says about Varuthini Ekadashi

Lord Shri Krishna also said, “Those who fix up their mind on the lotus feet of Shri Hari and faithfully observe fast on Varuthini Ekadashi will get the equivalent of performing austerities for 10,000 years. Chitragupta, who keeps an account of the deeds of human beings, is also unable to write down the merit of fasting on this Ekadashi. Even if the most sinful person observes fast on Varuthini Ekadashi, his sinful thoughts will gradually fade away, and he will attain a higher planetary system.” 

Liberation of King Mandhata and King Dhundhumara

Emperor Mandhata observed fast on Varuthini Ekadashi, and as a result, he was liberated. King Dhundhumara, who appeared in the lineage of Ikshvaku in treta yuga, was cursed by Lord Shiva. Dhundhumara observed fast on Varuthini Ekadashi and was liberated from the curse, thus attaining a higher planet.

It is not possible to write and tell the glories of Varuthini Ekadashi. Lord Shri Krishna said, “One who reads and hears the glories of Varuthini Ekadashi gets the result equivalent to donating 1000 cows. After leaving his body on the material world will certainly attain the Vaikuntha planet.”

Let’s take advantage of this great occasion and observe fast on Varuthini Ekadashi, which gives liberation from all distress, fears, and problems. Thus, in the end, he attains the love of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, which is the goal of everyone’s life.

Hare Krishna!

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We all had heard a lot about Ekadashi, but very few people know its real significance. People do not know the benefits of Ekadashi fasting.

MEANING OF EKADASHI

Ekadashi falls on every eleventh day after Krishna paksha and Shukla paksha. Ekadashi means observing fast without the intake of grains and vegetables. The literal meaning of Ekadashi is eleven, and the meaning of upwas is- up means close and was means staying. So the real meaning of Ekadashi fasting is to be engaged in the service of God with all eleven indriyas or senses. Out of eleven indriyas, five are karmendriya (hands, feet, mouth, anus, genitals), and the other five are gyanendriya (eyes, nose, ears, tongue, and skin) and the last one in mind. So in Ekadashi, fasting or upwas, a person should lessen the essential needs of the body such as food and sleep and engage all eleven senses and consciousness at the lotus feet of the lord.

Conversation between Yudhisthira and Lord

Once, Yudhisthira Maharaj asked Lord Krishna about the Ekadashi, which occurs on the Shukla paksha of the month of  Vaisakha. In reply, Lord Krishna informed Yudhisthira Maharaja about the sacred Mohini Ekadashi.  

Significance of Mohini Ekadashi

Once, Lord Rama asked Vasishtha muni about a fast through which a person can get rid of all sins. Vasistha Muni replied, “Just by remembering your name, a person becomes pure and can get rid of all sins. But as you have asked me about a fast for the benefit of all humanity and to fulfil everyone’s desire, there is an Ekadashi fast which comes in the month of Vaisakha named Mohini Ekadashi. So fasting on Ekadashi has great importance. So if a person keeps fast on Mohini Ekadashi, they can get rid of all sufferings.”

Tale of Mohini Ekadashi

Once on the bank of river Saraswati, there was a beautiful city named Bhadrawati. There lived a king named Dyutiman. He was very noble and truthful. King was born in the Chandravansh dynasty. In his kingdom, there lived a wealthy merchant named Dhanapala. He was always engaged in righteous and charity works. He always stayed busy in the arrangement of digging well, drinking water, making houses, gardens, sacred places, etc., for the people of Bhadrawati. He was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. He had five sons: Sumana, Dyutiman, Medhavi, Sukriti, and Dhristabuddhi.

About Dhristabuddhi

Dhristabuddhi was the fifth son of the king. He was involved in sinful activities. He relished gambling, illicit sex, meeting prostitutes, and other disgraceful activities. He spent all of his father’s wealth indiscriminately. One day his father kicked him out of the house. After that, he started wandering here and there. Finally, being tired of hunger and thirst, he reached the ashram of Kaundinya muni. Suffering from the grief, he went near Kaundinya muni, joined his hand, and said, “O brahmana! Please have mercy on me. I had committed many sins in my life. Kindly tell me some way to get free from all the sins I had committed previously.”

KAUNDILYA MUNI REPLY

Sage replied, “O Son! In the fortnight of Vaisakha month, the sacred Ekadashi named Mohini Ekadashi occurs. By observing fast on this auspicious day, a person can get rid of all the sins of this birth and previous births. Therefore, Mohini Ekadashi has the power to obliterate sins as vast as mount Meru.”

After hearing Kaundilya muni’s advice, he observed fast on Mohini Ekadashi faithfully. He followed all the instructions and directions and kept the fast accordingly. By fasting on that day, he became sinless.

TRANSFORMATION IN DHRISHTHABUDDHI

After fasting on this sacred day, Dhrishthabuddhi became free from all previously committed sins. He attained a divine body and rode upon Garuda, the carrier of the lord, and went to the Supreme abode of the lord, which is free from all kinds of troubles.

In this way, on hearing or studying the glories of this auspicious Mohini Ekadashi, one acquires merits equal to the charity of a thousand cows. This tithi is very fortunate. By observing fast on this bright day, one can get rid of all material attractions and life obstacles.

So come, let’s observe a fast on this holy day of Mohini Ekadashi, get freedom from all sins, and try to reach our ultimate destination, the Supreme abode of Lord Vishnu.

Let’s chant:
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA, KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE,
HARE RAMA HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA HARE HARE.

The importance of Kartik month is broadly mentioned in Skanda Purana. In terms of fasting and austerity, this month is considered most auspicious, pre-eminent and rare. According to Padam Purana, on keeping fast on Ekadashi, which falls on this bright day, people get saintly, and all his desire come true.

Significance Of Rama Ekadashi

Rama Ekadashi has great importance. Even Brahma Vaivarta Purana’s description of Rama Ekadashi has been discussed between Supreme Lord Shri Krishna and Yudhisthira Maharaj.

Yudhisthira’s Query Regarding Rama Ekadashi

Once Yudhisthira asked Lord Krishna, Hey Janardhan, which Ekadashi falls on Krishna paksha of Kartik month and the importance of this Ekadashi? Kindly elaborate.

Krishna’s Reply On Yudhistira’s Query

Hey Rajan, Ekadashi, which falls on Krishna paksha of Kartik month, is known as Rama Ekadashi. It is considered as most sacred and fortunate Ekadashi. On keeping fast on this Ekadashi, a person can get rid of all the sins of this material world. So one can attain a spiritual world at the end of his life. Now I will describe to you one story. By saying this, Lord Krishna started telling Rama Ekadashi Katha.

Rama Ekadashi Katha

Many years ago, a great and mighty king named Muchakunda ruled in this world. He was a friend of Indra dev, Varun dev, Yamraj etc. Along with it, he was a great devotee of Supreme Lord Krishna. As he followed Vedic principles, his kingdom was spilling with happiness and prosperity. The people belonging to his empire were happy and satisfied. King Muchakunda had a beautiful daughter named Chandrabhaga. When she grew up, king Mukuchanda’s daughter got married to the son of Chandrasena named Shobhan. They were happily leading their married life. Suddenly a mishap happened.

Misfortune Took Place

Once Chandrabhaga came to her father’s house. Then, after some days, Shobhan came to his in-law’s house on the auspicious day of Ekadashi.

But the problem was on his arrival, Chandrabhaga was worried because she knew that her husband was physically very weak and unable to bear the austerity of a day-long fast. He will not be able to handle the complete fast of Ekadashi as he is physically unwell.

Chandrabhaga conversation with her husband, Shobhana 

Chandrabhaga said to her husband, my father is very stern regarding Ekadashi fast. A day before Ekadashi on Dashami tithi, my father informs people of the complete state that no one will have food on the day of Ekadashi. But by perceiving your condition, I am worried about how you will be able to keep this Ekadashi fast. At the same time, the same announcement was repeated by the king’s men.

Shobhana’s Reply: Hearing this, Shobhana said To His Wife. Hey Priye! Please tell me, how can I save my life and astonish your father?

Chandrabhaga’s reply: Hey, swami! In my father’s house, not only humans, even all the living beings in our place keep Ekadashi fast. On this day, no food is provided even to elephants, horses, or other animals of our kingdom. In this condition, how can you stay here without keeping fast? So if you want to save your life, you have to go from here immediately. Now with complete determination, you decide what you want to do.

Shobhan’s Resolution: Prince Shobhan heard Chandrabhaga with total concentration. In the end, he said I would surely keep fast on this auspicious Ekadashi. Whatever is in my fate, Thus will indeed happen. In this way, Sobhan kept Ekadashi fast the next day. But due to illness, he was unable to bear hunger and thirst. Anyhow he spent the whole day. Devotees of lord stayed awake full night and, with complete devotion and enthusiasm, chanted lord’s name and did kirtan. But that night was very tough for him to pass. His health condition was deteriorating every second.

Consequence Of Fasting on Shobhan’s Life:

At the end of Dwadashi early morning, Shobhan’s soul left his body. The whole kingdom got immersed in grief. King Muchakunda made all arrangements for the last rites of prince Shobhan. He gave mukhagni to his son in law. The king denied his daughter to go along with her husband at the funeral. After her husband’s demise, Chandrabhaga started to live in her father’s house. Even though Shobhana died due to Ekadashi fasting, but after his death, he went abode and became ruler of a kingdom high on the peak of Mandrachal mountain. His kingdom was dazzling like demigods. The walls of his building were made of diamonds and jewels. The king sat upon a throne wearing a gold crown. Gandharva and Apsaras were serving him. By observing his generosity, it was resembling as second Indra.

One day a strange thing happened, a brahmin who lives in Muchakunda’s kingdom named Soma Sharma. While travelling to various places of the yatra, they reached Shobhan’s kingdom. When brahmin saw Shobhan and his prosperity, he was highly shocked. He knew that it was not other than Shobhana, the Chandrabhaga’s husband.

Shobhana’s Response: When Shobhana saw the brahmin there, he immediately rose and greeted him. Later on, he enquired about king Mukuchand and Chandrabhaga’s well-being to Som Sharma.

Som Sharma’s reply: Hey Rajan, everything is well in your father-in-law’s kingdom. Chandrabhabha and your other family members are also quite well. Throughout the kingdom, there is happiness and prosperity. But by finding you here, I am pretty astonished. Kindly tell me how you reached here?

Brahmins Query 

On hearing this, Shobhana started to tell the whole story in detail to him. Shobhana said because I followed the Ramaa Ekadasi fasting, I was given this splendid city to rule over. But this entire kingdom is temporary. So I request you to tell me how I can make this permanent.

Som Sharma’s Inquiry

On hearing, this Som Sharma asked why this place is temporary? If you can explain it in detail, then I will surely help you.

Shobhan replied: Hey Brahmin Dev, I followed Rama Ekadashi but without faith. As a result of this, the kingdom which I got is temporary. You see, this is only a transient city, a place of this material world. How may I make its beauties and glories permanent? Kindly reveal this to me by your instructions.

On hearing Sobhanas word Som Sharma’s immediately reached king Muchakunda’s palace. But, on hearing the Brahmins word, Chandrabhaga was unable to believe her fate. So she said, “hey, brahmin dev, Is it true, or is this a dream?”

Bahrain’s reply :O Princess, I have seen your late husband face to face whose opulence is similar to Indra’s heaven. He only asked me to give you this message. Though that kingdom is full of pleasure and wealth, his kingdom is unstable. It can be destroyed anytime. Therefore you find a way to make it permanent.

Chandrabhaga’s Request

Chandrabhaagaa said, O brahmin, please take me to that place. I am highly eager to see him again. All the blessings that I have acquired by fasting on every Ekadasi throughout my life, I will give to him. And as a result, I shall make his kingdom permanent. So please reunite us at once again.

Som Sharma’s Reaction: Later on, the brahmin, Som Sharma, then led Chandrabhaga to Shobhan’s kingdom.

Before reaching there, they stayed at the Mount Mandaracala, at the sacred ashrama of Vamadeva.

Vamadeva’s Response

On hearing Chandrabhaga’s story, Vamadeva chanted mantras from the Vedas and sprinkled holy water on her. Thus, due to the saint’s power, Chandrabhagha’s beauty and body became extremely beautiful.

Meeting Of Chandrabhaga And Shobhana: When Chandrabhagaa reached the kingdom of Shobhan, she was delighted. On seeing his wife Changrabhabhaga, Shobhana was overwhelmed and made his wife sit next to him.

Chandrabhaga Reply To Her Husband “Hey loving husband, now I am going to tell you one secret. Listen carefully. I kept Ekadashi fast with full devotion from the age of 8 yrs. So if I give you all the blessings of my Ekadashi fasting, your kingdom will surely become permanent. It will always be filled with happiness and prosperity until the coming of the great havoc!’.

Chandrabhagas’s Deed For Her Husband

On hearing Chandrabhaga’s statement, king Shobhana became highly cheerful. In this way, Chandrabhaga transferred all her merits of Ekadashi fasting to her husband. As a result, they stayed together, ruled over that kingdom and spent their life with joy and satisfaction for a long time.

Lord Krishna’s Statement Regarding Potency of Rama Ekadashi

After revealing the potency of Rama Ekadashi, Lord Krishna addressed Yudhistira, “hey Rajan, every person should keep fast on Ekadashi, which falls on every month on Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha. The person should keep fast with complete devotion and sincerity. A person should not differentiate both the Ekadashi. Just as black and white cows give equally good quality milk, similarly, the Ekadasis of the Krishna paksha and Shukla paksha award the same merit and lift one in spiritual life. It liberates one from the repeated cycle of birth and death.

Anyone who hears or reads Rama Ekadashi’s narration gets freed from all kinds of sinful reactions and attains the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu at the end of life.

So every person should follow Ekadashi, which is most auspicious and awards fast progress in spiritual life.

On the day of Ekadashi, along with fasting, one should chant this maha-mantra as much as possible.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Ram Hare Ram

Ram Ram Hare Hare

So every person should follow this auspicious Rama Ekadashi of Kartik month and move ahead on the righteous path.

Fast Opening Time: 22 October 2022 6:26 am – 10:12 am (New Delhi)