|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||
Bavishyothara Puranam narrates the glories of Jaya Ekadashi, Lord Krishna explains to King
Yudhishtira about the significance of Ekadashi Vrata which occurs on the waxing
period of moon.
The demigods were lived happily in the heaven ruled
by Lord Indra. Once, Lord Indra arranged a dance performance of
celestial dancers and singers in order to amuse the members in his
assembly. The event was organized
in a beautiful woods of Nandana, packed with various fresh alluring flowers, there were fifty million celestial
dancers/Gandharvas/Apsaras were engaged in performance of dance led by
Pushpadhantha, there were no words to describe their enthralling beauty. There
was Chithrasena, celestial singer of Lord Indra was present with his family,
wife Malini and son Malayavan. There
was an Apsara named Pushpavati who was stunningly beautiful, her
attractive face had the resemblance to moon, her long arms, her thin
waist and beautifully decorated jewels all over her body and her
marvelous garments were mounted her mesmerizing beauty. Malayavan
was fallen at her captivating beauty, ultimately both of them could not
take their eyes off from each other. The grand performance continued for
some time. Her entrancing beauty made Malayavan deeply moved for
her and both stood motionless. The pair troubled the entire program of the celestial
dancers. Lord Indra could sense the situation and got disturbed by the
act of Pushpavati and Malayavan. The enchanted pairs were in a world
of their own. Lord Indra felt it was a great insult to him and cursed the
pairs to be born as Ghosts in the Earth.
Malayavan and Pushpavati turned into spirits due to the
curse of Lord Indra and lived a miserable life in the Mountains of
Himalayas. After receiving the bodies of spirits, they did not feel any
attraction towards each other, they lost senses and smell, instead they
regretted for the sins committed. They lamented at their foolishness,
living in the icy cold region of Himalayas, wandering aimlessly in the harsh
cold, they sat under a Banyan tree and felt miserable of their
heinous act. Sooner they lost their hunger and thirst, spent the
whole day repenting on their fate. Coincidently, the day they were
remained awake without food was Jaya Ekadashi. In the night it was freezing
cold they were in a wretched state and could not sleep in the whole
night. In this way they had observed 'Jaya Ekadashi' on the waxing period
of the moon. The pieties they have accumulated
by observing Jaya Ekadashi made them to regain their original
form as celestial dancers Pushpavati and Malayavan once again. They regained those attractive physical
features, decked in precious ornaments and jewels, soon the celestials appeared
before them and sang praising them. They happily returned to Heaven/
Amaravati, and paid obeisance
to Lord Indra and the deities. Lord Indra was astonished to see the
celestial dancers Pushpavati and Malayavan and enquired about the meritorious
deed they have performed to regain their original form. Malayavan described the
incident, due to the mercy of Lord Krishna and merits of Jaya Ekadashi they
have got relieved from their sins. Lord
Indra concluded whoever observes Jaya Ekadashi and worships Lord Vishnu with
utmost faith and devotion which is highly rewarding act, would remain in
the Lotus feet of Lord. The celestial couple Pushpavati and Malayavan
lived happily ever after.
Lord Krishna describes the merits achievable by fasting on
the day of Jaya Ekadashi to King Yudhishtira. Whoever worships
Lord Vishnu on this day with utmost faith and devotion, follows the
rituals of Ekadashi austerities would get rid of all the sins and lives in
the Abode of Lord Vishnu forever. Moreover, the devotees shall possess
all the virtues which would promote charity, conduct visit to holy places and
performing sacrifices etc... Finally, whoever happens to read the glories of
Jaya Ekadashi would attain the merits of performing Yagna.
|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||
