February 29, 2024
Yogis and sages are individuals who lead lives attuned to divinity by turning away from materialistic pursuits. Peculiar individuals who want to grow to be extra religious of their day-to-day lives typically comply with sure religious practices like fasting and meditation. Ekadashi Vrat/quick is considered one of them.
Ekadashi consists of two phrases – Eka (1) and Dasha (10). Ekadashi is the method of diverting the ten senses and the thoughts away from worldly objects and towards God. It implies management of our 10 senses and 1 thoughts. No vicious ideas like lust, anger avarice, and so forth. ought to be current in our thoughts. Ekadashi is a penance that’s finished to understand and please God.
The Story of Ekadashi
In the course of the Satyuga, there was a demon referred to as Muran. He harassed human beings and even the gods in heaven. So the gods left heaven and sought the assistance of Vishnu and requested him to guard them. Vishnu left on his automobile, Garuda, and engaged the demon in battle. The 2 fought constantly for 1000 years. As Muran had immense power and energy, Vishnu discovered it onerous to defeat him. After some time, he felt exhausted and determined to relaxation awhile. Vishnu took shelter in a cave within the Himalayas and took a nap to recoup his power. Vishnu, together with all his ten senses and thoughts, took relaxation.
Muran additionally reached the collapse scorching pursuit of Vishnu. On seeing him sleeping contained in the cave, Muran raised his sword to kill him. Immediately, a really lovely and luminous lady emerged from Vishnu’s physique, carrying a sword.
Muran was keen about her and requested her to marry him. She replied that she would marry solely the one that might defeat her in battle. Muran agreed. They started combating, however the divine woman lastly killed him.
Listening to the commotion, Vishnu awoke. Happy by the divine maiden’s valor, Vishnu gave her the title Ekadashi. This occurred on the eleventh day of the waxing moon. Vishnu additionally advised her to ask for a boon. Ekadashi replied that as she had advanced from Vishnu’s Ekadashi Indriyas (11 senses of the physique), she can be referred to as Ekadashi. She needed folks to look at Ekadashi Vrat and management their Ekadash Senses(senses) on this present day. They need to additionally keep away from consuming grains like rice, wheat, beans, and so forth.
Vishnu agreed and since then, Hindus observe Ekadashi Vrat by fasting on the eleventh day of shiny half of the moon and darkish half of the moon. Vishnu additionally mentioned that those that noticed the Ekadashi Vrat would obtain his choicest blessings! This story is discovered within the Padma Purana.
Significance of the Story
When the senses and thoughts flip away from materialistic issues, it generates religious energy. Having fun with sensory objects makes us silly, powerless, and depraved.
Nice Rishis and sages like Vasishtha and Vishwamitra have been additionally house owners, but that they had full management of themselves and directed all of the senses and thoughts in direction of God. By controlling the senses and thoughts, they acquired immense religious energy.
Energy of Ekadashi
Ekadashi day has constructive results on the human physique and mind, so fasting on this present day is more practical than on different days.
Ekadashi quick is the same as bathing within the holy river Ganga and donating cows crores of occasions. It’s considered a Maha-vrat (biggest of all fasts). In accordance with the Vedic calendar, every vrat has a particular deity. Ekadashi Vrat is related to Vishnu.
Record of Vrats and Fundamental Deities
∙Ekadashi Vrat – Vishnu
∙Jaya Parvati Vrat – Shiva
∙Saturday quick – Hanuman
∙Navratri – Durga
The three Strategies of Observing Ekadashi
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Nirjala Ekadashi:Not consuming or ingesting something for all the day.
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Sajala Ekadashi:Consumingsolelywater and juice.
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Farali Ekadashi: Consuming solely fruits and milk.
Listed below are some meals objects that may be eaten on Ekadashi
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Badam Ke Ladoo
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Custard Apple Juice
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Mango Kheer
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Farali Idli
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Blended Fruits
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Farali Mohanthal
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Aloo Samba Ki Roti
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Milk Halwa
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Farali biscuit
Advantages of Ekadashi Fasting
∙It purifies the thoughts, physique, and soul.
∙Fasting detoxifies the physique and the digestive system.
∙It reduces the possibilities of getting most cancers.
∙The physique feels gentle and energetic.
What’s Saphala Ekadashi?
Hindus have fun Saphala Ekadashi on the Ekadashi day in Krishna Paksha of Pausha month (Dec-Jan). Listening to the story of this, Ekadashi supposedly has the ability to take away all sorrows. Krishna suggested Yudhishthira to look at the Ekadashi quick to do away with all his sorrows.
The Saphala Ekadashi’s significance is talked about within the Brahmanda Purana. It says that individuals who observe a quick on this present day can see their misfortune turning into luck. This quick is believed to have the ability to show one’s desires into actuality and assist one get better all that was misplaced, be it wealth, affection, honor, or well being.
Fasting on Saphala Ekadashi can open doorways to abundance, success, and prosperity. Throughout this quick, one ought to eat solely Sattvik meals and donate to Brahmins and the needy. This quick can cleanse sins and bestow Moksha.
Observing the Saphala Ekadashi vrat is equal to the advantage gained by means of meditation for 1000s of years. Krishna advised Yudhishthira that nothing pleases him greater than a devotee observing this vrat.
Saphala Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Story)
King Mahishmati, who dominated Champavati, had 4 sons. The eldest was Lumpaka, a sinful man who took enjoyment of disrespecting Brahmins, Vaishnavas, and demigods. So, his father exiled him. Lumpaka, who was compelled to stay within the forest, would sneak into the dominion at evening to steal issues, together with meals. However as he was a prince, the residents would launch him. Lumpaka used to eat uncooked meats and fruits to outlive.
Within the forest, there was a much-revered banyan tree. Lumpaka dwelt underneath this tree for some time. It was the Ekadashi of the waning moon in Paush month. Due to fatigue, he misplaced consciousness on the day earlier than Ekadashi. He regained consciousness at noon on the day of Ekadashi.
As he felt very weak, Lumpaka couldn’t hunt any animals that day. He managed to seek out some fruits, however as an alternative of consuming them, he provided them to Vishnu, searching for his mercy. He stayed awake throughout all the Ekadashi evening, thereby observing Saphala Ekadashi unintentionally, by means of fasting and vigil.
Vishnu accepted Lumpaka’s worship and blessed him with the restoration of his kingdom. The following morning, a divine horse appeared earlier than Lumpaka. A voice from the sky mentioned, “Oh Prince, as a result of mercy of Lord Madhusudana and the affect of Saphala Ekadashi, you’ll regain your kingdom. Return to your father now and luxuriate in your rule.”
So, Lumpaka returned to his father and started to rule the dominion. Later, he acquired married to a gorgeous woman and had good sons.
Pooja Vidhi For Saphala Ekadashi
∙On Saphala Ekadashi day, get up early.
∙ Take a vow of fasting after carrying clear apparel and providing water to the Solar.
∙Supply yellow flowers and objects to Vishnu and worship him with incense, lamps, fruits, coconut, amla, betel nut, pomegranate, and Panchamrit.
∙Recite Aarti, Chalisa, Mantra, and Vishnu Sahasranama. Chant “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” 108 occasions.
∙Donate to the needy, based on your functionality.
∙Stay awake all evening, singing bhajans, kirtans, or hymns praising Vishnu.
∙Break the quick on Dwadashi Day. Supply meals and donations to Brahmins and the poor earlier than you eat.
Saphala Ekadashi Dos and Don’ts
Of the:
∙Put on clear garments.
∙Supply donations and meals to Brahmins.
∙Gentle a ghee diya.
∙Supply solely yellow flowers.
∙Supply particular prayers to Vishnu earlier than breaking the quick.
Don’ts:
∙Keep away from consuming non-vegetarian meals or meals containing onions or garlic.
∙Keep away from alcohol or some other intoxicants.
∙Sleep on the ground as an alternative of the mattress.
∙Keep away from plucking flowers, branches, or leaves on this present day.
∙Don’t hurt animals or converse harshly of others.