|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||
Brahma
Vaivarta Puranam describes the glories of Nirjala Ekadashi falls in the month
of Jyeshta. Maharishi Veda Vyasa narrates the glories of Nirjala Ekadashi to
the King Bhima.
King Bhima
requests Maharishi Veda Vyasa to illustrate the method of observance of Nirjala
Ekadashi. Bhima who sincerely desired to lead a righteous way of life reveals
his inability to fast on this auspicious day. He continued to disclose his
helplessness on this situation, while His Brother and righteous King
Yudhishtira, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva, His mother – Kunti Devi and Draupadi
all are strict followers of Ekadashi and observe fast on the auspicious day of
Ekadashi. And they also advise Bhima to follow the same.
He
requests Maharishi Veda Vyasa to explain whether the charity and the worship of
Lord Hari alone could bring any piousness on this day. Bhima
wholeheartedly declared his willingness to do any kind of charity according to
his capacity and worship Lord Keshava as prescribed rules. Maharishi explained
that refrain from consuming grains on this auspicious day only could save from
hellish torture. Bhima continued to expose his failure in observing fast.
After hearing this Maharishi Veda Vyasa continued, during the era of Kali it is
difficult to strictly follow any of the Vedic principles and Sacred Scriptures.
Therefore, one can pursue only the essence of the sacred scriptures without
much difficulty. Maharishi Veda Vyasa advised Bhima the sublime facts which
could bring abundance of pieties that derived out of observing fasting on the
day of Ekadashi on the waning and the waxing period of the moon.
Bhimas
anguish was multiplied after listening to the strict instructions of Maharishi Veda
Vyasa, who explained the glories of Nirjala Ekadashi which falls on the month
of Jyeshta, and observance of Nirjala Ekadashi which is equivalent to the
observance of all the Ekadashis in a year. On this day of Nirjala Ekadashi, one
should refrain from the consumption of food as well as water; Consumption
of water on this day is equal to consumption of intoxicated drinks, Strict fast
and abstain from drinking water on this day brings abundance of merits which
includes all the piousness obtains by observance of all the twenty four Ekadashis
in a year. On the day of Dwadashi Parana, the worshiper should serve food
to a Brahmin and give gold and water as alms.
Maharishi
Veda Vyasa concluded that whoever observes Nirjala Ekadashi with utmost faith
and devotion, abstaining from all pleasures, fasting and engage in the worship
of Lord Vishnu by listening and chanting the glories of Lord Sriman Narayana
would certainly attain the highest of the piousness, get relieved out of the
sins and attains the piousness of observance of all the Ekadashis in a year.
Even though, Kali era had all the negative effects on the life of human
being such as lack of moral values, disbelief in Vedic and spiritual principles
etc.. By observing Nirjala Ekadashi one could attains the Abode of Lord Vishnu. It brings the pieties of performance of
charities, visit of sacred places; it removes all the sins, killing Brahman,
consumption of intoxicated drinks, disrespect towards preceptor etc…ultimately
the worshipper attain the abode of Lord Vishnu.
Whoever listens or recite the glories of Nirjala Ekadashi would be
liberated from the world of Samsara.
|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||
