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 ||

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.

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 time check here

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.

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.