Lord Ganesha

Lord Ganesha

Thursday 10 March 2016

Bhadrapadha Shukla Parivarthini Ekadashi / Glories of Parsva Ekadashi /Parivarthini Ekadashi /Vamana Ekadashi



|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||











Brahma Vaivarta Puranam describes the glories of Parsva/Parivarthini/Vamana Ekadashi which occurs on the waxing period of moon. Lord Krishna explains to King Yudhishtira about the significance of  Parsva Ekadashi.  King Yudhishtira requests Lord Krishna to shed light on the austerities should be followed on this day and the pieties by observing Parsva Ekadashi.  Lord Krishna narrates, the pieties earned by observing the Parsva Ekadashi will eradicate all the sins committed in one’s life and it also provides ‘Salvation’ to the worshipper.  Listening to the glories of Parsva Ekadashi would makes one sins burn into ashes, faithful observance of Parsva Ekadashi bring the devoutness of Vachapeya Yagna and one thousand horse sacrifice.  Worship of Lord Vishnu and his fifth incarnation as Vamana on this day provides liberation from the cycles of birth and death.   The significance of Parsva Ekadashi is that Lord Vishnu during his cosmic sleep turns from left to right on this day, thus the Ekadashi came to known as ‘Parsva’ Ekadashi.   King Yudhishtira praying to Lord Krishna,  to clarify his doubts regarding the cosmic sleep of Lord Vishnu, observance of Chathurmasya Vratha and the purpose of Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as Vamana .  The compassionate Lord Krishna elaborates the Vamana incarnation of Lord Vishnu to King Yudhishtira.



The legend has that there was a great King Mahabali in Treta Yuga, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu.  Though he was born in the lineage of demons he was leading a righteous life.  He engaged in performing sacrifices, he respected and honored the Brahmins with abundance of alms.  Mahabali had an argument with Lord Indra, which ended in a fierce battle between them; Mahabali defeated Lord Indra in the battle and conquered the three worlds.  All the deities and Rishis along with Sage Bhrihaspathi approached Lord Sriman Narayana, eulogized him and revealed their vulnerable situation.  Lord Vishnu took incarnation as a Dwarf (Vamana), born to Sage Kashyapa and Adithi after severe austerities of Payovratha, immediately  after birth the child assumed the form of a dwarf, the deities assembled to perform the sacred thread ceremony of the child.   Vamana set out to accomplish the purpose of his incarnation; he approached Mahabali in the sacrificial arena. At the sight of a Brahmachari the most pleased Mahabali offered him wealth, land, gold, gems as alms.  But, Vamana graciously refused the above and requested for the three strides of land with his tiny feet as alms.  King Mahabali and his wife Vindyavali proceeded to perform charity to the Brahmachari as requested by him.  To everyone’s amazement, Vamana started to grow bigger in size which was indescribable.  He covered the entire Earth with one foot, and Bhuvarloka with his thigh, Swargaloka with his waist, Maharloka with his stomach, Janaloka with his chest, Thapoloka with his neck and Sathyaloka with his head and face, in this way the celestial world also covered with his second stride.   All the deities eulogized the glories of Lord Vishnu and showered flowers on him, when Vamana asked for the land where to set his third footstep, Mahabali respectfully offered his head with folded hands.  The most compassionate Lord Vamana blessed Mahabali and advised him to rule the netherland/Pathalaloka with his clan. Lord Vamana was pleased at the devotion of King Mahabali and promised his eternal presence in Pathalaloka. Later, King Virochana son of King Mahabali installed the deity ‘Vamana’ in his kingdom on the day of Parsva Ekadashi to worship. 



Lord Krishna concluded worship of Lord Vamana and observance of strict fast on this day would provide abundance of merit includes thousands of Ashwamedha Yaga, offering curd rice and silver to a deserving Brahmin would freed from the material bondage, the worshipper will attain all the happiness and ultimately liberation from the cycles of birth and death.  Whoever listens to the glories of Parsva Ekadashi would attain the celestial world and shine like a moon.



 || Jai Sriman Narayana ||