|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||
Skandhapuranam describes the glories of
Padmini Ekadashi which occurs on shukla
Paksha in the leap year, Lord
Krishna describes the grandeur of Padmini Ekadashi to King Yudhishtira, that
was earlier described by Lord Bhrama to Maharishi Narada, whoever observe this
Ekadashi would attain abundance of meritorious rewards, it has the capabilities
to destroys all the sins of the worshiper and provide liberty from the cycles
of birth and death.
Lord Krishna narrates the method of
observance of Padmini Ekadashi, the austerities begins on the previous day, the
worshiper should consume meal once on Dashami day without adding chickpea, dal,
spinach, honey or salt etc.. food should
not be consumed in metal bowl or from somebody’s home and the worshiper should strictly avoid sensual pleasure. On the day of Ekadashi worshiper should take
bath in the holy river or pond during the early hours of dawn, reciting sacred
hymns and smearing the paste of cow dung mixed with the mud and sesame seeds,
Kushagrass, and Amlaki and undergo ablation with the sacred prayer “ Oh! Mother Earth, you
have been created by Lord Bhrama and purified by Sage Kashyapa and elevated by
Lord Varaha, I shall offer humble obeisance to you and I shall earnestly pray
to purify my body, mind and soul to worship supreme Lord Hari.” Homage to
forefathers and reciting the sacred Gayathri hymns and veneration of Lord
Vishnu are part of the austerities, strict observance of fast and keeping awake
on the first part and second part and third part of the Ekadashi nights would
provide the merit of Agnisthoma Yagna,
Vachapeya Yagna and Ashwamedha Yagna respectively. Whoever keeps awake the whole part of the
night of Ekadashi would obtain the merit of Rajasooya Yagna. Whoever observes Padmini Ekadashi would
receive the merit of holy dip in all sacred rivers, and it provides the pieties
which is equivalent to the observance of all the Ekadashis in a year. Sage Pulasthya described an interesting myth
about the demon Ravana who was rescued from the prison of Karthaveerya by the
Sage to Maharishi Narada. Karthaveerya
was born in the famous dynasty of Haihaya and he was the ruler of the city
Mahishmathi. He had thousand wives, he
underwent severe austerities, performed Yagnas and Yagas, offered homage to
forefathers etc.. unfortunately due to
the curse of Sages he had no offspring for quite some time. Finally, King Karthaveerya left his Kingdom,
discarded all the luxuries and underwent severe austerities, soon his dearest
wife Padmini , daughter of King Harishchandra who was born in the Ikshvaku clan
also joined with her husband to wood.
The couple arrived in Mount Gandhamadhana and Karthaveerya underwent
severe penance for ten thousand years meditating upon Lord Vishnu, year’s
passes by Padmini could see the worsening health of her husband. Padmini met the chaste woman Anasooya wife of
Sage Athri, and described her pathetic state.
Ansooya narrated the glories of Padmini and Parama Ekadashi which falls
on the leap year and advised to follow strict austerities on this propitious
day which could provide virtuous offspring.
Padmini sincerely followed the advice of Anasooya, daughter of Kardhma
Prajapathi and Lord Vishnu was pleased at the devotion of her and offered boon
for a valorous child, eventually Padmini gave birth to the mighty Karthveerya,
he remained unconquerable to the world even to demon Ravana.
|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||
