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.

FAST OPENING TIME:13th May, Friday
TIMING: 5:31 am to 10:02 am (New Delhi)

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!

Fast opening on 27th April, Wednesday in between 06:44 AM – 10:07 AM

WHAT IS EKADASHI

The word Ekadashi means the eleventh day of the waxing and waning of the moon as per Hindu month. It is considered very auspicious in Vedic culture. Ekadashi comes twice every month on both sides, Shukla paksha and Krishna paksha. The 15 days from the full moon to the new moon are called Krishna paksha, and the 15 days after that are known as Shukla paksha. The eleventh day of both pakshas is called Ekadashi. This day is also called Haripriya tithi because it is very dear to God.

IMPORTANCE OF EKADASHI

According to Padma Purana, Ekadashi originated from the body of Lord Vishnu when He was resting. When the demon named Mura came and attacked the Lord. Then a goddess appeared from the body of Lord Vishnu and started fighting with the devil and eventually killed him. Seeing this, the Lord was very pleased and gave a boon to the goddess that those who observed fast on Ekadashi would be free from all sins and attain the abode of God. Since then, anyone who wants to please Shri Vishnu has observed this fast with great devotion.

SIGNIFICANCE OF KAMADA EKADASHI

Kamada Ekadashi is the first Ekadashi of the Vedic calendar. By observing this fast, one can be saved from even the biggest sins like that of killing a brahman. Also, one frees himself or any other family member from all curses.

In Narada Purana, sage Vashishtha that anything like Ganga, Gaya, Kashi, Pushkar, Yamuna, and Chandrabhaga is not equal to observing fast on Ekadashi. O, king! If one keeps this fast by mistake, all of his sins are burnt to ashes.

THE STORY OF MOST HOLY EKADASHI IS AS FOLLOWS

King Yudhishthira once asked Lord Krishna, “O Lord! Please tell me the description of the Ekadashi that comes in the Shukla paksha of Chaitra month. What is it called? What are the benefits of observing fast on it?” 

Lord Krishna replied, “Once upon a time, the forefather of Shri Ram, King Dilip, has asked the same question to his spiritual master, Sage Vashishtha. So listen carefully to that description of what he told at that time.”

“Ekadashi, which falls in the Shukla paksha of Chaitra month, is called Kamada Ekadashi. By observing this fast, all sins are destroyed, and the one who observes fast will get a son.” Then Lord Krishna started telling the whole story.

“Many years ago, king Pundrik ruled the kingdom of Gandharvas and Kinnaras, named Ratanpur. This entire kingdom was adorned with gold, diamonds and pearls. A Gandharva named Lalit lived happily with his wife Lalita in that kingdom. Lalit was a singer, and his wife was a dancer.

There was so much love and intensity in their relationship. They could not stay apart from each other even for a moment. Once all the Gandharvas and dancers presented their performances at the king’s meeting. But Lalita was not present there, due to which Lalit’s mind was a little disturbed. He remembered her repeatedly because some of his song’s notes didn’t sound right. At that time, a snake Nagarkotak, who was also present, informed the king of all of Lalit’s mistakes. The king felt insulted on hearing this and cursed Lalit to become a cannibal.” 

“After that, Lalit’s body turned up into a frightening monster, his arms were 8 miles long, and his face looked like a huge cave. His full body height was 64 miles. When Lalita saw her husband’s condition, she became mournful and started wandering in the forests with him.”

“One day, when she was wandering in the forest with her husband, she saw the ashram of sage Shringi. She immediately ran to that ashram and bowed down before the sage. Seeing her, the sage asked who she was and who was her father? Hearing this, Lalita introduced herself that her name was Lalita and her father’s name was Vrindavan Gandharva. She also told him about the curse of King Pundrik and begged that he should suggest some remedy so that her husband could be freed from the curse. So the sage suggested she observe fast on Kamada Ekadashi of Shukla paksha in Chaitra month and give its benefits to her husband. Lalita expressed her gratitude towards the sage and returned.”

“A few days later, Kamada Ekadashi day came, and Lalita observed fast with great strictness and devotion. Then, on Dwadashi, she prayed to Shri Hari, in front of all Brahmins, that her husband should get all the benefits of her Ekadashi fast and he should be freed from the curse. Soon after that, her husband renounced the body of the cannibal and became Gandharva Lalit again. 

Finally, they both expressed their gratitude to God and returned happily back to their kingdom.”

In this way, Lord Krishna stopped the story and said to Yudhishthira that the sins of even killing a brahman could be destroyed by listening to this story.

Therefore, all of us should also try to observe this fast very keenly to get the happiness and pure devotion of Lord Krishna.

Hare Krishna!

One day, King Yudhisthira told to Krishna,  Hey Madhav please tell us about the Ekadashi of Chaitra mass of Krishna paksha. Lord Krishna stated the story of the Papamocani Ekadashi. After that Lord Krishna revealed the whole Pastime, that Once upon a time there was a king, named Mandhata, who asked about Papamocani  Ekadashi to sage Lomas. Then Lomas sage told the story to Mandhata king. He said.

A long time ago, Kubera, the treasurer of the gods, had a beautiful garden named “chaityaratha”. Spring season used to prevail throughout the year in that garden, due to which the apsaras,  Gandharva and demigods keep roaming.

Sage Medhavi, a great devotee of Shiva, was also doing penances there. Many times Apsaras want to disturb his penances but they failed. An Apsara named Manjughosha decided to break the penance of the sage.

So she started living thereby making a hut near the sage’s ashram. For many times she tried to disturb the sage with her beautiful dance and singing. Then one day, Kaamdev appeared and started attacking sage with his cupid arrows. This happened Because Lord Shiva after sacrificing his wife Sati, slit the throat of his father-in-law, Prajapati Daksha.  After that Shiva gave him the head of a goat. Then lord Shiva went on the austerity of sixty thousand years. At that time,  Lord Brahma sent Kaamdev to bring him out of Samadhi.

Then lord Shiva got angry and opened his third eye and destroyed Kaamdev. So at that time, kaamdev’s physical body was demise but his spiritual body was saved. Therefore, when Kaamdev came to know that the medhavi Sage was a devotee of Shiva, he want to disturb his penance by entering into his body. At the same time, Manjughosha arrived. By entering Kaamdev, Sage Medhavi looked more attractive and sage dropped all his weapons and surrounded Manjughosha. And the fall down was started for sage because of the woman’s Company. After a long period Manjughosha just realized that the sage had fully fallen, she asked for permission to return back to heaven. But Sage asked Manjunghosha to stay more and So she agreed to stay for 56 years, 9 months and 3 days. After that, she asked again to go back.

The sage again denied. At that time Manjughosha felt some fear, that if the sage got to know the reality of her cheating,  then sage will become angry and gave a curse to her. But in due course of time, Medhavi realised about all these cheatings. After that, he got angry and cursed Manjughosha to become a demon. Manjughosha fell at Sage’s feet for forgiveness and started crying. After that sage told the remedy that when she fasts on Papamocani Ekadashi of Krishna paksha of Chaitra mass, then she will be able to get rid of his curse.

After saying all this, he went to his father sage Chyawan. After reaching, he told the whole story to him, and his father also subjected him that, you just do perform, Papamocani Ekadashi, then all your Sins will get eradicated.

In this way, a person, who observes this fast all his sins will be eradicated and he will get the Pure devotion of Lord Krishna.

Why is this Ekadashi fasting is special?

The speciality of Papamocani Ekadashi is that by observing this fast all the sins get eradicated. The Sin in a living being is like a mirror  Covered with dust and one cannot see his real face in it. Similarly, when the living being has the sins of many lives with him, then he too cannot know the reality of this world and his life remains trapped in a cycle of birth and death. That’s why this Papamocani Ekadashi is so special.

By observing this fast, all the sins get destroyed and the person attains pure devotion unto the lotus feet of Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna.

What is the significance of Papamocani Ekadashi?

The importance of Papamocani Ekadashi is described in the Bhavishyotra Purana. It was first narrated to king Mendhata by sage Lomasa and after that Lord Krishna to king Yudhishthira. This Ekadashi destroys all the sins and also frees one from all sorts of anxiety and miserable conditions of life. This Ekadashi’s observation is equal to donating one thousand cows. The main purpose of observing this Ekadashi fast is to control one’s bodily demands and Spend more time chanting Krishna’s names & Listening to Bhagavad Gita & Srimad Bhagavatam, which is full of Krishna’s transcendental pastimes.

एकादशी क्या है?

एकादशी शब्द संस्कृत भाषा से लिया गया है, जिसका अर्थ ग्यारह होता है। एकादशी को हिंदू संस्कृति में एक अत्यंत शुभ दिन माना जाता है। एकादशी मास में दो बार आती है, कृष्ण पक्ष में एवं शुक्ल पक्ष में। पूर्णिमा से अमावस्या तक की अवधि के 15 दिनों को कृष्णपक्ष एवं अमावस्या से पूर्णिमा तक की अवधि के 15 दिनों को शुक्लपक्ष कहा जाता है। कृष्ण पक्ष एवं शुक्ल पक्ष का ग्यारहवा दिन एकादशी होता है। आध्यात्मिक जीवन में प्रगति के लिए एकादशी के व्रत को महत्वपूर्ण माना जाता है।

एकादशी का महत्व (Importance of Ekadashi)

पुराणों के अनुसार, भगवान विष्णु ने एक देवी की रचना की थी जिनको एकादशी नाम दिया गया। एकादशी की रचना एक दानव मूरा को पराजित करने के लिए की गयी थी। एकादशी के द्वारा उस दानव की मृत्यु के उपरांत भगवान विष्णु ने इस कार्य से प्रसन्न होकर एकादशी को वरदान दिया कि जो भी भक्त एकादशी व्रत का पालन करेंगे तो वह सभी पापों और अशुद्धियों से मुक्त होने में सफल होंगे एवं निश्चित रूप से मोक्ष प्राप्त करेंगे।

एकादशी के व्रत का वास्तविक उद्देश्य सर्वोच्च भगवान श्रीकृष्ण के प्रति आस्था और प्रेम को बढ़ाना है। एकादशी का व्रत भगवान श्रीकृष्ण को प्रसन्न करने के लिए किया जाता है जो एकादशी के दिन उपवास करने वाले व्यक्तियों के पापों का उद्धार करते हैं। एकादशी के व्रत से धार्मिक मनोवृत्ति और आध्यात्मिकता का विकास होता है। सभी व्रतों में से एकादशी भगवान श्रीकृष्ण को सबसे अधिक प्रसन्न करने वाली है। एकादशी का व्रत करके और हरे कृष्ण मंत्र का जप करके और इसके नियमित पालन से भक्तगण कृष्णभावनामृत में उन्नति करते हैं।

एकादशी व्रत पालन का अर्थ अन्न खाने से परहेज करने से कहीं अधिक है। एकादशी व्रत का पालन करने की पारंपरिक प्रणाली उपवास करना और रात्रि जागरण है और भगवान की महिमा का जप करना है। सभी भक्तों को कृष्णभावनामृत में आगे बढ़ने के लिए एकादशी का लाभ उठाने का प्रयास करना चाहिए। ब्रह्म-वैवर्त पुराण के अनुसार जो भक्त एकादशी के दिन उपवास करते हैं, वह सभी प्रकार के पापों से मुक्त हो जाते है और पवित्र जीवन में उन्नति करते है। मूल सिद्धांत केवल उपवास करना नहीं है, बल्कि भगवान श्रीकृष्ण के प्रति अपनी आस्था और प्रेम को बढ़ाना है। श्रील प्रभुपाद के कथनानुसार भक्त पर्याप्त समय के साथ एकादशी पर पच्चीस माला या अधिक बार जप करें। सिर्फ पच्चीस माला ही नहीं, जितना हो सके जप करना चाहिए। असली एकादशी का अर्थ है उपवास और जप। जब कोई उपवास करता है, तो हरे कृष्ण मंत्र का जप सरल हो जाता है। अतः एकादशी के दिन जितना ​​संभव हो अन्य व्यवसाय को स्थगित करें, जब तक कि कोई आवश्यक कार्य न हो।

एकादशी के फायदे

एकादशी व्रत के मुख्य फायदे निम्नलिखित है।

1. एकादशी के दिन उपवास करना किसी भी तीर्थ स्थान पर जाने के बराबर है। इस व्रत का पुण्य प्रसिद्ध अश्वमेध यज्ञ के समान माना जाता है।
2. आध्यात्मिक जीवन में प्रगति होती है।
3. यह मन, शरीर और आत्मा को शुद्ध करता है।
4. इन्द्रियों पर अधिक नियंत्रण और धैर्य प्राप्त होता है।
5. आत्म-अनुशासन और आत्म-नियंत्रण प्राप्त होता है।
6. शरीर के विषाक्त पदार्थो से मुक्ति मिलती है। शरीर हल्का एवं ऊर्जावान महसूस करता है।
7. मानसिक ऊर्जा सही दिशा में निर्देशित होती है।
8. सुखद जीवन की प्राप्ति होती है।
9. सुख समृद्धि एवं शांति प्राप्त होती है।
10. मोह माया के बंधनो से मुक्ति मिलती है।
11. समस्त पापों से मुक्ति मिलती है।
12. एकादशी का व्रत केवल शरीर और आत्मा को शुद्ध करने तक ही सीमित नहीं है, बल्कि चयापचय (Metabolism) और अन्य जैविक क्रियाओं के वैज्ञानिक अनुप्रयोग में इसकी प्रासंगिकता पायी जाती है।

एकादशी व्रत कौन रख सकते हैं 

एकादशी व्रत का पालन किसी भी आयु के व्यक्ति कर सकते हैं। जैसे ब्रह्मचारी, गृहस्थ, वानप्रस्थ, सन्यासी, विधवा, विधुर आदि। बाल्यावस्था से वृद्धावस्था तक कोई भी भक्त इस व्रत को रख सकता है। केवल दुर्लभ मामलों में, यदि आप शारीरिक रूप से उपवास करने में असमर्थ हैं तो यह व्रत मत रखिये।

एकादशी व्रत कैसे करते हैं

1. एकादशी का दिन भक्ति को प्रगाढ़ करने के लिए सुअवसर होता है।
2. एकादशी के दिन ब्रह्ममुहूर्त में उठ कर स्नान करना चाहिए एवं भगवान श्रीकृष्ण की पूजा अर्चना करनी चाहिए।
3. भगवान श्रीकृष्ण तथा उनके विभिन्न अवतारों की लीलाओं का स्मरण करना चाहिए।
4. जितनी बार संभव हो हरे कृष्ण महा–मंत्र का जाप करें।
5. भगवद–गीता और श्रीमद्–भागवतम जैसे शास्त्रों को पढ़ना।
6. भगवान विष्णु / श्रीकृष्ण के मंदिर में जाना चाहिए।
7. इस व्रत को रखने वालों को हिंसा, छल–कपट और झूठ से दूर रहना चाहिए और परोपकारी कार्यों में शामिल होना चाहिए।
8. भक्त को अधिक से अधिक समय आध्यात्मिक गतिविधियों के लिए उपयोग करना चाहिए। इस दिन कीर्तन एवं रात्रि जागरण का भी बहुत महत्व है।

एकादशी व्रत में क्या खाएं क्या न खाएं

एकादशी का व्रत खाद्य पदार्थों के नियमो के साथ किया जाता है जिनका पालन करना अति आवश्यक है।

क्या खाना चाहिए?

एकादशी के व्रत में निम्नलिखित खाद्य पदार्थ खाये जा सकते हैं।

1. आलू
2. कुट्टू का आटा से बने व्यंजन
3. सिंघाड़े का आटा से बने व्यंजन
4. राजगिरा का आटा से बने व्यंजन
5. दूध एवं दूध से बने हुए व्यंजन
6. ताजे फल एवं घर में निकाला हुआ फलो का रस
7. सूखे मेवे
8. सब्जियां जैसे कद्दू/सीताफल, लौकी/घीया, खीरा
9. काली मिर्च और सेंधा नमक
10. शकरकंद
11. जैतून
12. नारियल
13. नारियल का तेल, जैतून का तेल, मूंगफली का तेल

क्या नहीं खाना चाहिए?

एकादशी के व्रत में निम्नलिखित खाद्य पदार्थो का सेवन वर्जित है

1. चावल – एकादशी के व्रत में चावल का सेवन पूर्णतः वर्जित है। इस दिन चावल का सेवन करने से पुण्यों का विनाश हो जाता है।
2. मांस, मदिरा, मछली एवं अण्डा
3. प्याज एवं लहसुन
4. सभी प्रकार के अनाज जैसे गेहूँ, ज्वार, बाजरा,जौ, जई, रागी आदि
5. सभी प्रकार की दालें जैसे मूँग, मसूर, चना, अरहर, उड़द आदि
6. फलियां/बीन्स एवं पत्तेदार सब्जियां
7. सब्जियां जैसे फूलगोभी/बंदगोभी, बैंगन, मटर, गाजर, शलगम, मूली, ब्रोकली, शिमला मिर्च, भिंडी, करेला, गाजर, टमाटर
8. मैदा से बने हुए व्यंजन
9. शहद
10. बेकिंग पाउडर
11. बेकिंग सोडा
12. कस्टर्ड
13. कुछ मसाले जैसे हींग, जायफल, सरसो, सौंफ, मेथी, कलौंजी, अजवाइन,लौंग, इलायची
14. बाजार के पैक फलो का रस
15. दलिया
16. पास्ता
17. मैकरोनी
18. डोसा/इडली

एकादशी व्रत का पारण

एकादशी व्रत का पारण किये बिना इस व्रत को पूरा नहीं माना जाता। एकादशी का व्रत रखने के बाद इस व्रत को खोलने की विधि को पारण कहा जाता है। एकादशी व्रत के अगले दिन सूर्योदय के बाद पारण किया जाता है। एकादशी व्रत का पारण द्वादशी तिथि समाप्त होने से पहले करना अति आवश्यक है। उसी समय अवधि में ही पारण करना होता है। द्वादशी तिथि के भीतर पारण न करना पाप करने के समान होता है। पारण का समय जानने के लिए इस्कॉन द्वारा उपयोग किए जाने वाले वैष्णव कैलेंडर का उपयोग किया जाना चाहिए, क्योंकि एकादशी और महत्वपूर्ण त्योहारों के लिए निर्धारित तिथियां प्रत्येक संप्रदाय में पंडितों द्वारा उपयोग की जाने वाली गणना की प्रणाली के अनुसार भिन्न हो सकती हैं।

द्वादशी के दिन स्नान के बाद भगवान कृष्ण की पूजा करे एवं उसके बाद भोजन ग्रहण करे। पारण का भोजन सात्विक होना चाहिए। जिस वस्तु के त्याग से आपने एकादशी व्रत किया है, उसी वस्तु के सेवन के साथ ही व्रत खोला जाता है। जैसे यदि आपने निर्जला व्रत किया है तो पारण जल ग्रहण करके किया जा सकता है। यदि आपने अन्न का त्याग करके व्रत किया है तो अन्न के सेवन से पारण किया जा सकता है। 

नोट : द्वादशी के दिन तुलसी को नहीं तोड़ना चाहिए ।

The Ekadashi coming in the month of Falgun is known as Amalaki Ekadashi. Amalaki means “Gooseberry”. Gooseberry has a distinctive position in scripture. When Lord Vishnu for the sake of creation gave birth to Brahma Ji at the same time, he also brought Gooseberry tree or Amla tree. Lord Vishnu has described the Gooseberry tree as “Advi-Vrksh”. It is believed that Lord Vishnu dwell in this tree. 

Conversation Between King Madhata and Shri Vashistha

Once King Mahdhata requested to Vashishta Muni -Shri Vashishta kindly do a favour on me, please narrate the significance of the auspicious fast which is named Amalaki Ekadashi.

Saint Vashishta says: “Dear King I will narrate you the story of the most auspicious propitious fast that is known as Amalaki Ekadashi. This Ekadashi falls in the month of Phagun in Shukla Paksha.

By doing this fast all sins of a person get annihilated.

Benefits of Amalaki Ekadashi

It is believed that the sequel of Amalaki Ekadashi fast is equivalent to the donation of 1000 cows.

Tale of significance of Amalaki Ekadashi-

“There was a town named as Vaidesh, Where Brahmins, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra. All varna used to live joyfully. In that town, Vedic mantras were reverberating everywhere and there was no miscreants, vicious doer and atheist in that town. King Chatarat of the Chandravarshi Dynasty was the ruler of that town who was a very knowledgeable and religious man. No one in that town was found poor or miser. Everyone used to worship Lord Vishnu and keep fast on Ekadashi. Once on the day of Amalaki Ekadashi of Falgun month king along with all the people of the town went to the temple. There everyone worshipped the Gooseberry tree with Incense, Deep, Naivadiya, Panch Ratna, e.t.c. and started chanting the names of Lord Vishnu. Everyone stayed awake In that temple the whole night on that auspicious day. At night a person set foot in that place. that person was a wrongdoer. He was feeling restless in thirst and hunger. He sat in one corner of the temple with a desire to get some food. Sitting at the corner he was listening to the significance of Amalaki Ekadashi. On that day with other people, he also remained awake the whole night. Early morning along with all other people that person also went back to his residence. After a few days, that wrongdoer person died. Although that person had done many sins and due to that he deserves hell but as he had kept the Amalaki Ekadashi fast and stayed awoken the whole night he took birth as King Vidhurath and he was named Vasurath.

King Vidhurath’s Anecdote

King Vidurath after growing up along with his men took care of 10 villages. He also became a very religious, truthful, hardworking and true devotee of Lord Vishnu. He gave equal respect to people and giving charity was his eternal work. Once king Vasurath went to a forest for hunting and lost the route and as he was not having directional knowledge, He slept under a tree, after some time a gang reached there and spotting the king alone, they started screaming Kill Him! Kill Him! And started running toward King Vasurath. They attacked the king saying that “this crooked king had killed our child, mother, father and everyone else and expelled us from the country and now by killing him we will take our revenge.

A Strange Incident Happened

At the same time from the king’s body a divine lady appeared. That lady was extremely beautiful and was dressed in beautiful dress and ornaments, her eyebrows were bent and from her eyes raging flame was coming out. She was Lord Of Death, and all the robbers were killed in a fraction of a second and the king became unconscious after the incident. 

When the king came back in sense

King was stranged to found all the robbers dead and he was thinking that who had killed them in this forest and who is his well-wisher in this forest? While King Vasurath was thinking about all this suddenly a prophecy happened “Dear King in this world other than Lord Vishnu who else can help you” after hearing this prophecy King thanked Lord Vishnu and greeted him. Then he came back to his town and happily ruled there and at the end he went to Vaikuntha Dham” thus Vashishta Muni says to King Mahdhata that “Anyone who will fast on this very scared Amalaki Ekadashi that person without any doubts attains Vaikuntha Dham”

How to keep Amalaki Ekadashi fast

A person who wants to keep Amalaki Ekadashi fast should sleep remembering Lord Vishnu one night prior to the fast and on the day of Amalaki Ekadashi after bathing should pray Lord Vishnu with sesame seed, kush and mudra. And by taking water in hand a person should say to lord that I am doing Amalaki Ekadashi fast for the happiness of Lord Vishnu and with the desire of salvation, I also request Lord Vishnu to take me under his shelter so that I may finish this fast successfully. After worshipping God, a person should worship Gooseberry Tree. The next day a person should feed Brahmins and donate to needy people and after doing all these activities a person can break the fast and have food and water.