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The Greatness of Yogini Ekadashi

The Greatness of Yogini Ekadashi

by | May 27, 2023 | Ekadashi

We all experience happiness and sorrows in this life, but no one wants it and also everyone wishes for joy, but do we even know what true pleasure is?

What Are the real sorrows? First, of course, problems are the most significant birth, death, old age and disease of life because no one can escape from them, and it will happen to everyone.

Birth is painful, and we forgot it, that doesn’t mean labour is not painful, as death is unfortunate, old age is not good, diseases are not good, it’s sad, so what pain is not good?

An incredible Story about Yogini Ekadashi 

Once upon a time, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira said,

O Lord, address the of Ashadha Krishna Ekadashi what it is thus?

Lord Krishna Said:

Rajan, Ashadh Krishna Ekadashi, is known as Yogini Ekadashi, observing this fast person’s serious sins and ocean of wins release.

Yogini Ekadashi is the liberator in heaven and the three worlds.

Donate on this Auspicious Yogini Ekadashi

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The Story told by Supreme Lord Krishna.

Hey Rajan, “Now I tell you a beautiful story as described in the Puranas; listen carefully.

A place in heaven called “Alka Puri” was the kingdom, which was the treasurer of the gods.

There was a devotee of Shiva name Kubera. He used to worship Shiva every day; his Gardener was a Yaksha named Hem.

Who brought beautiful flowers from Mansarovar and give them to Kubera and which is for use in the worship of Shiva, used to do the same every day.

Hem Yaksha’s name Vishalakshi and this Gardener towards his wife was very infatuated.  

One day he bought flowers from Mansarovar, but because of his love for his wife, he started laughing with his wife and having fun with her, and here king Kubera kept watching his way till noon.

In the end, king Kubera ordered a soldier to find out why the Gardener was not coming because he had not yet brought flowers.

The soldier’s said that.

Maharaj! Hem Mali is with his wife and must have been doing fun, extreme humour, and pleasure.

Listening to this, Kubera got angry and called him trembling; Hem Mali reached near him, King Kubera got angry and said, ‘ oh sinner Lowly, hypocritical, mischievous. You have disrespected my most respected Shiva Ji. That’s why I curse you, that you will suffer the separation of the woman and go to the world of death and become a leper.

Hem, Mali fell from heaven due to the curse of Kubera, and he fell to earth at that very moment as soon as he came to earth, while got into the body and his woman also become introspective at the same time.

After coming to the world of death, the Gardener suffered great sorrow and wandered without food in the terrible forest, couldn’t even sleep at night. But due to the effect of worshipping Shiva, he must have known about the condition of previous birth.

One day while roaming around, he reached the ashram of ‘Saga Markandeya’, whose age is seven Kalpas. Seeing them, Mali bowed several times from a distance.

Seeing them, the merciful and compassionate Markandeya Rishi asked him, what is the sin you have committed? Due to this condition, has it happened to you? 

Hem Mali narrated the whole story to the sage; after hearing this, the saga said, “indeed you have spoken the truth in front of me, so I tell you a fast for your salvation.

‘If you observe fast on Ekadashi called Yogini Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Ashad month, then all your sins will be destroyed. Hearing this, Hem Mali was delighted and bowed the land to the sage; Markandeya Rishi raised her with affection.

Hem Mali observed this Yogini Ekadashi ritually according to the advice of the sage. 

As the effect of this fast, Hem Mali got freed again in his old form and started living happily with his wife.

As per Markanday Rishi’s guidance, Hem Mali become free from all the sufferings and misfortunes.

Benefits of Yogini Ekadashi 

Lord Krishna said, “O king, Yogini Ekadashi fasting, brings prosperity and joy in life and is popular in all three dimensions.

Observing this fast of Yogini Ekadashi, one gets good virtue equal offering food to 80 thousand Bramins, and a person becomes virtuous by being freed from his all sins.

Ekadashi, therefore we yogis, may one by one destroy our sins and proceed on the path of sweet loving devotion to the Lord.

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

Significance of Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi

Significance of Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi

by | May 6, 2023 | 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 on 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 performing at Madhav Tithe is bhakti Janani.

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

Said that Ekadashi maa, 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 mentioned in Mahabharat itself.

It says that Bhimsen has expressed his helplessness;

 he told Vyasadeva in desperation, “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 not to 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 take 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 was formed to expand and spread the practice of Bhakti Yoga. Everyone can’t sit on fasting, and there is no one to spread the message of our Lord Krishna.

Therefore, at least from sunrise the next day till 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 soul’s needs.

Regarding Nirjala Ekadashi, the priest who is a priest does not have any inconvenience in performing 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 is put in; it is food.

 But remember that if there are any rules and regulations, they 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 Shukla Ekadashi, our aim should increase maximum listening and chanting 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 and for our devotion.

Srila Vishwanatha Chakravarti Thakur says this is the perfect time to overview what we have 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 and about it can do more.

Remember 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 all day. And altogether, engaging yourself functions in the different parts of Bhakti.

Fast 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 proved tough and challenging for Bhima. 

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

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

The Supreme Lord Krishna allowed 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, 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 2023?
A- Nirjala Ekadashi will be celebrated on 31 May 2023 in ISKCON (India).

Q- What is the Nirjala Ekadashi fast-breaking time?
A- Fast breaking time is 1 June 2023 between 5.23 AM to 10.00 AM.

Ekadashi Mahadaan
Annada Ekadashi – This fasting can immediately ruin all the sins

Annada Ekadashi – This fasting can immediately ruin all the sins

by | Aug 22, 2022 | Ekadashi

Ekadashi Fasting is considered the most fruitful and holy fast. Ekadashi fasting is considered most beloved to Supreme Lord. On observing fast on this day, people can get rid of any sin, among all the donation such as Gold, Anna, Land, Cow, Kanyadaan, Sacrifices, Pilgrimage etc., blessings gained in this day by observing fast greater than all sorts of charity mentioned in scriptures. It is the easiest way to please the Supreme lord.

Description In Brahma Vaivarta Purana

In Brahma Vaivarta Purana, in a conversation between Yudhishthira Maharaj and Supreme Lord Sri Krishna, the importance of Annada Ekadashi has been described.

Yudhisthira Maharaj asked to Lord Krishna- Hey Janardana, what is the name of the Ekadashi which falls in Krishna paksha of Bhadra month?

Kindly describe the importance of this Ekadashi in detail.

Lord Krishna’s Reply – Hey Rajan, the name of this auspicious Ekadashi is Annada Ekadashi. It has the power to ruin all the sins. This Ekadashi is also known as Aja Ekadashi. So whoever follows this Ekadashi by keeping fast and praying Hrishikesh can get rid of an immoral act.

About Harishchandra

Long ago, in the dynasty of Lord Ram Chandra, an emperor born named Harishchandra. He was very truthful. Because of any sin done in the past and to fulfil his words, he lost his kingdom. Not even this, he even sold his wife and son.

Hey Rajan, that purely hearted, the blessed King was forced to stay as Chandal’s servant. Still, he never left the path of truth. On Chandal’s order, the King collected the clothes of dead bodies. In this way, by doing shoddy work of lower caste people, he never left his path of truth.

There was no downfall in his behaviour. In this way, he spent many years. One day the King was thinking about his bad luck. 

King’s thought- The King was cursing his fate and was thinking – What he should do now? Where should he go? And now what he has to do? How can he get rid of all the sin he had done?

The King, in this way, was highly indulged in deep thought. By watching him in the worst condition, one day, Gautam rishi came to him.

On watching rishi, one thought came to King’s mind that Supreme Lord created Brahmanas only for people’s welfare. So after greeting rishi, the King said about his cursed fate and worst condition.

Gautam Rishi’s Suggested Solution

On observing King’s circumstances, Gautam Muni replies – Hey King, because of your good deed Annada Ekadashi is coming very soon. So on this day, keep fast and stay awake at night. By following this, you will get rid of all the sins you had committed. Hey King, I came here only for you. So the King kept this fast with complete devotion and got free from all the sins he committed.

Lord Krishna’s Explanation on Importance of Annada Ekadashi

Lord Krishna said, hey King, this fasting can immediately ruin all the sins of previous birth. Due to the effect of this fast, King Harish Chandra got his wife and dead son alive. He also brought back his kingdom. After few years, King, along with his family and people of his kingdom, went to eternal abode.

Lord said, hey King – whoever will keep this fast will get into the spiritual world. The person who will listen or read the importance of this fast with complete devotion will get resultant equal to Ashwamedh Yagya.

Keeping fast on Ekadashi indeed pleases Lord Sri Krishna a lot. He ruins all misfortune, scarcity of wealth and all kaleshas. If the lord Sri Krishna gets pleased by the devotional service of his devotee, He can completely change the fate as He made Vibhishana king of Lanka, gave the vast kingdom to his bhakta Dhruva, and also give the place to devotees unto His lotus feet.

So in case if Krishna is listening to our prayers. The real question is what a devotee should ask for?

We should ask our lord for unmotivated devotional service. On getting this, not only me, even my whole descendent will be blessed. So let’s keep fast on this auspicious day of Annada Ekadashi this year, chant the lord’s name, engage in the devotional activities the whole day and try to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna.

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