Ashada Krishna Yogini Ekadashi / Glories of Yogini Ekadashi !!

|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||

Brahma Vaivarta Puranam describes the glory of Yogini Ekadashi which occurs on the waning period of the moon, Lord Krishna narrates to King Yudhishtira about the glories of  Yogini Ekadashi   which is capable to destroy all the  sins committed in one’s life and capable to liberate from the material bondage and elevate to spiritual world.

The legend has that there was a magnificent city named Alakapuri, which was ruled by Lord Kubera - an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva.  He had a very sincere gardener Hemamali who attentively gathers flowers from the Lake Manasarovar and provide to Lord Kubera for the daily worship of Lord Shiva.  Hemamali had a beautiful wife Visalakshy, both were highly devoted to each other.  As usual, one day Hemamali while returning after gathering flowers from the Lake Manasarovar, instead of visiting the palace he went home.  There he found his beautiful wife, got attracted towards her made him stop thinking about everything.  The beautiful time he had spent with his wife made him to forget his duty to visit the palace.  As a result, Lord Kubera’s worship of Lord Shiva on the day got delayed consequently could not complete his daily rituals.  Lord Kubera was extremely disappointed at the irresponsible act of Hemamali and sent a messenger to find out the reason for his absence. 

The messenger brought the news that Hemamali was having pleasurable time with his wife Vishalakshi.  Lord Kubera ordered his men to produce Hemamali before the assembly.  Hemamali appeared before the assembly with great anguish, trembling feet and ashamed of his lustful act.  In a fury Lord Kubera cursed him for his immoral act that caused obstacle for the daily worship of Lord Shiva.  He cursed Hemamali to afflict leprosy; this would cause him to remain separated from his dearest wife forever. 

Being cursed by Lord Kubera, Hemamali discarded from Alakapuri and moved to Earth.  Hemamali’s life has become miserable with the physical and mental distress; he wandered aimlessly through the dense forest, with all sorts of mental agonies, physical pains, lack of sleep doubled with hunger and thirst Hemamali arrived at Mount Himalaya.  Fortunately, he met with the Sage Markandeya.   Hemamali kept fair distance from the Sage and repeatedly paid obeisance to him.  The most compassionate Sage Markandeya called for him and enquired the reason for his dreadful condition.  Hemamali explained the reason for the curse of Lord Kubera and his pitiable state of living.  After listening to Hemamali, Sage Markandeya advised him to observe the auspicious and the most rewarding Yogini Ekadashi.   Hemamali’s joy has no bounds.  As instructed by the great Sage Markandeya, Hemamali observed  Yogini Ekadashi with utmost faith and devotion.  The piety he has achieved by the observance of  Yogini Ekadashi made him to regain his original form.  Once again, Hemamali reunited with his wife and lived happily ever after.

Lord Krishna concluded, the devoutness attained by observing Yogini Ekadashi would be equal to the piety of feeding eighty eight thousands of Brahmins.  Whoever observes Yogini Ekadashi with utmost faith and devotion would eradicates all their sins and provide highest of the merit known as ‘Salvation’.

|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||

Jyeshta Shukla Nirjala Ekadashi / Glories of Nirjala Ekadashi /Bhimaseni Ekadashi !!

|| 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 ||

Jyeshta Krishna Apara Ekadashi / Glories of Apara Ekadashi !!

|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||

Brahmanda Puranam describes the glory of Apara Ekadashi which falls on the wanning period of moon.  Lord Krishna explains the glory to King Yudhishtira and the piety of worshiping Lord Trivikrama on the day of Apara Ekadashi.

Lord Krishna narrates the sinful activities such as : Brahma Hatya, Killing of cow, Killing an embryo from mother’s womb,  criticize and hurt others by words or action,  illicit relationship with women,  stand as false witness out of greed, spreading lies, improper utilization of Veda and insulting the sacred scriptures, misuse of one’s profession such as Doctors and Astrologers, run away from the responsibilities out of fear and lack of courageousness,  insulting Preceptor/ Acharyas after receiving invaluable knowledge from them, wicked acts, warrior ran out of battlefield with fear, etc.. The above are dreadful sins can be get released by observing Apara Ekadashi.  

Lord Krishna continued, all the above said sins would be eradicated by observing Apara Ekadashi with utmost faith and devotion.  The piousness accumulates by observing this Ekadashi includes the holy dip in the sacred rivers Pushkar thrice in a day in the month Karthika, holy dip in Ganga and offering homage to ancestors in the month Magh and worship of Lord Vishwanantha during Mahashivarathri in Varanasi, offering homage to ancestors in Gaya/ Prayag, holy dip in river Gautami and worship of Lord Kedarnath and Lord Badrinath.  It provides the merits of observance of Shivaratri at the sacrosanct place Kashi and performance of ritual bath to Lord Vishnu at Gaya.  It also brings the merits equivalent to dip in the holy rivers at Kurukshetra – The Land of righteousness during solar eclipse and performance of charity of cow, elephants and gold in abundance.   Fasting on this day and worship of Lord Hari brings the piousness equivalent to giving away Elephant, cow, Gold, and Land as charity.   The observance of Apara Ekadashi brings the devoutness equal to witnessing the grand festival Kumbhamela in Kedarnath. 

Whoever worships Lord Trivikrama on this day and whoever listens or read the glory of Apara Ekadashi would attain abundance of virtues and it eradicates all their sins committed thereby attain the Abode of Lord Vishnu.

 || Jai Sriman Narayana ||

Vaishakha Shukla Mohini Ekadashi / Glories of Mohini Ekadashi !!

|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||

Surya Puranam describes the glory of 'Mohini Ekadashi' which falls on the waxing period of the moon in the month Vaishakh.  Lord Krishna explains to King Yudhishitira about the glory of the Mohini Ekadashi that was earlier described by Sage Vashishta to Lord Rama and the merits observed by fasting and worship of Lord Hari on this auspicious day.

Lord Rama while living a most unpleasant life without Sita Devi in the forest met Sage Vashishta and enquired a means to overcome distress and miseries in his life.  Sage Vashishta was overwhelmed at the request of Lord Rama and replied that chanting holy names of Lord Hari that make one's life blissful.  Sage Vashishta explained the significance of  Mohini Ekadashi for the benefit of mankind.  Sage continued, worship of Lord Sri Hari on this day eradicates all the sins, miseries and 'Maya' (illusion) in one's life. 

The legend has that there was a city named 'Bhadravati' on the sacred river banks of Saraswati, ruled by the righteous King Dyuthimana of moon dynasty.   There was a wealthiest merchant Dhanapala lived in this city, who was an ardent devotee of Lord Sri Hari.  He spent his wealth appropriately on building Dharmashalas (Guest House), Pond, Well, Garden, Schools, Charitable institutions, Construction of Temples and renovating the same, Construction of Roads and Market Places, Charity of food and clothing etc... He engaged himself in pious activities and spending money wisely for all types of charitable work.  He led a peaceful life engaged in worshipping Lord Hari.   He had five sons, they were: Samana, Dyutimana, Medhavi , Sukriti and Dhristabuddhi .   Dhrishtabuddhi was a wicked one engaged in all immoral activities.  He was extremely ill natured had illicit relationship with unchaste women, drinking and gambling, killing and torturing living entities, association of bad people etc.  He was leading a miserable life; he had no faith in rituals and prayers or any respect towards elders, forefathers, Gurus, guests or Brahmins.  Soon he proved himself to be the most disgraceful son to his pious father.  He abundantly spent his father's wealth on sinful deeds.   His father Dhanapal was terribly hurt at his depraved son and his activities, finally threw him out of the home.  Soon Dhrishtabuddhi turned out an object of hatred by everyone in the family. 

Dhristabuddhi continued his sinful deeds and living with morally wrong women; ultimately he had to sell his own valuable clothes and ornaments.  Shortly this also came to an end; he found no means to have any pleasures or food or daily requirements.  His close associates and friends were started abandoning him as he was pauper and worthless.  Dhrishtabuddhi out of hunger and fear of living isolated life, started to steal valuables and get caught many a times by the King's men, finally released by them hearing the piousness of his father.  He was running out of luck, once the King's men caught him for a major crime and produced before the King.  King ordered to banish Dhrishtabuddhi from his Kingdom. 

Dhrishtabuddhi continued his wretched life wandering through the woodlands.    One day he found the Hermitage of Sage Kaundinya, due to the pious deeds in his previous birth.  It was in the month of Vaishakh, Sage Kaundinya was returning after his bath in the holy river Ganga.  Dhrishtabuddhi happened to touch the drops of water falling from the wet clothes of Sage Kaundinya.  Immediately Dhrishtabuddhi relieved out of his ignorance, with folded hands he revealed his pathetic story and identity to the Sage Kaundinya.  He earnestly requested the Sage to instruct him the ways to get rid of sins committed in his life.  After listening to the disheartening stories of Dhrishtabuddhi, Sage Kaundinya advised him to observe 'Mohini Ekadashi' which falls on the waxing period of the moon in the month Vaishakh .  As per the advice of the Sage, Dhrishtabuddhi sincerely observed the Ekadashi and got relieved out of his sins, ultimately he attained the highest of merits in his life 'Salvation'.

Lord Krishna concluded, whoever observe 'Mohini Ekadashi' with utmost faith would attain the merits that could bring abundance of pieties includes  'Punya Theertha Snanam' ( dip in the holy waters).  It removes ignorance and illusion, provides knowledge and Eternal Bliss. 

|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||

Chaithra Shukla Kamada Ekadashi !! Glories of Kamada Ekadashi

|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||

Varaha Puranam describes the glory of Kamada Ekadashi. Lord Krishna narrates the significance of Kamada Ekadashi which occurs on the waxing period of moon to King Yudhishtira which was previously explained by Sage Vashishta to the King Dilipa who was the great grandfather of Lord Rama .

There was a city named Ratnapur/Bhogipur was ruled by the Gandharva King Pundarika. His kingdom was one of the favorite places of the celestial dancers and singers, Kinnaras.   There was lived a gorgeous celestial dancer couple Lalita and her handsome husband, a celestial singer Lalit. Their love for each other were so intense which made them could not bear the separation from each other not even for a second.   They were extremely happy together.  Once there was a grand entertainment program was organized by King Pundarika in his assembly, all the celestial dancers and singers were present except Lalita.   Lalit was not at all happy to be there on this grand occasion without his wife. The program started in a majestic style and went on with the brilliant performance of the celestial dancers and singers. In the meantime Lalit found his voice was cracking, it was of out of tune, miss-spelling the entire lyrics and distracting everyone’s attention.   Soon after, the whole program was ended up in a muddle.   There was a serpent king 'Karkotaka' amongst the audience watching Lalit.   Karkotaka approached the King Pundarika and informed that it was Lalit's irresponsible act caused for the failure of the grand program. The furious King Pundarika cursed Lalit to turn into a cannibal for his excessive lust towards his wife.

Lalit turned out a fierce looking man eater, with long arms, wide and big mouth which spews out fire, his eyes has the resemblance of sun and moon, his enormous nostrils had the resemblance of huge hollow, neck appears colossal Mountain and he had a gigantic body.  His wife Lalita felt deeply depressed at the heinous figure of her husband. They left the beautiful city and its comforts behind, started living as forest dwellers.   They wandered throughout the dense forest and found the hermitage of sage Shringi at the Vidhyachal Mountain.   Lalita paid obeisance to Sage Shringi and narrated her painful story.   She earnestly prayed to him to save her husband from the curse.   After listening to her pathetic story, Sage Shringi advised her to observe the Kamada Ekadashi which falls on the waxing period of moon and instructed her that would provide her merits, with the merits earned would help her husband to regain his original form.

Lalitha strictly observed the Kamada Ekadashi, engaged in worshipping and chanting the names of Lord Hari, fasting, keep awakening the whole night etc... as per the advises of the sage Shringi.   On the day of Dwadashi, she sincerely prayed to Lord to release her husband from the curse with the merits she had gained through observing the Kamada Ekadashi. Soon after her prayers were answered, she turned back and witnessed her handsome husband once again, their joy had no bounds, and they happily proceeded to celestial world and lived happily ever after.

Lord Krishna continued whoever listens or narrates the glories of Kamada Ekadashi and observes the same at one's own capacity would attain the merits. Whoever observes this Ekadashi with utmost faith and devotion would attain the highest of merits, virtuous offspring and gets rid of all the sins including Brahma Hathya.

|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||

Chaithra Krishna Papamochani Ekadashi !! Glories of Papamochani Ekadashi

|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||

In Bavishyothara Purana Lord Krishna describes to King Yudhishtira about the glories of Papamochani Ekadashi falls on the wanning period of moon, on the day of Chaitra Krishna Paksha Ekadashi. King Yudhishtira earnestly prayed to Lord Krishna to explain the splendor of Papamochani Ekadashi, which was earlier described by Sage Lomaharshana to Emperor Mandata. 

During the regime of Lord Kubera - Lord of Wealth, there was a afforest Chithraratha which used to bear all array of flowers of alluring beauty and aroma in all the seasons. This was one of most favorite enthralling place of Lord Indra and His celestial dancers and singers and Kinnaras, a perfect place for amusement.  It was the dwelling place for several sages who perform sacrificial rite, there lived Sage Medhavi who was the son of Chyavana Rishi an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva.  Sage Medhavi followed severe austerities to please Lord Shiva.   As per the instruction of Lord Indra, the celestial dancers and singers tried hard to put an obstacle to his austerity. Manju Ghosa, one of the celestial dancers built a cottage near the sage's hermitage and started to live there.  She distracted Sage Medhavi’s meditation by all means; she started to sing in a heavenly voice to capture the attention of the Sage. She continued her pastimes and came out of the cottage smearing sandal paste all over her gorgeous body and wearing alluring flower garlands around her neck and continued to play all tricks to capture the attention of the Sage.  Sage Medhavi, who was in the hermitage of Chvyana Rishi happened to come out and was overwhelmed at the stunning features of Manju Ghosa. He forgot the austerities and worship of Lord instantly and engaged in the lustful company of Manju Ghosa for several years.

Manju Ghosa realized that the Sage has lost his austerities and devotion to Lord completely and she had won over Sage Medhavi’ and his devotion to Lord.  She started to abandon him. One day she asked the permission to return heaven. Since then, Sage and Manju Ghosa lived together for fifty seven years, nine months and three days seemed a few moments to him. The attraction towards Manju Ghosa made him unaware of the time he had spent and the urge to be with her made him to beg her to stay with him. She spent few more years with him and engaged him in all depraved acts.  Once again, Manju Ghosa pleaded Sage’s permission to leave Earth. He asked her to wait at least for a day to finish his rituals. In return she advised sage Medhavi to reconsider the time he had already spent with her without following any austerities and devotion to Lord.  After listening to Manju Ghosa, Sage Medhavi was terribly shocked and ashamed, tears of guilt started to run down his cheeks, he realized her as destroyer of his spiritual life.  In a sudden rage, he cursed Manju Ghosa to become a witch.

Manju Ghosa turned into an ugly looking witch. She begged to pardon her and relieve her from the curse. She pleaded him that she had spent long and beautiful fifty seven years with him; she deserved to be forgiven. The merciful Sage Medhavi, instructed Manju Ghosa to observe Papamochani Ekadashi with utmost devotion that would help her to regain her real form as celestial dancer. He left to his father Chyavana's hermitage.  Rishi Chyavana was jubilant at his son's return after several years. Sage Medhavi regretted for his sinful deeds and begged for forgiveness. Chyavana Rishi instructed his son to follow Papamochani Ekadashi with utmost faith and devotion to get rid of all the sins he had committed. Sage Medhavi observed Papamochani Ekadashi and got relieved from all his sins committed and once again he turned out dutiful, similarly Manju Ghosa observed Papamochani Ekadashi faithfully and got back her form as a celestial dancer and returned to heaven.

Sage Lomaharshana concluded whoever reads or listens to the glories of Papamochani Ekadashi would attain the merit of one thousand 'Go Dhanam' and relieved from all sins including sin of  Brahmahathya, sin out of killing an embryo, illicit relationship with women and consumption of intoxicated drinks etc...Thus ends the glories of Papamochani Ekadashi described in Bhavishyothara Purana.

|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||

Vaishaka Krishna Varuthini Ekadashi / Glories of Varuthini Ekadashi !!

|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||

Bavishyothara Puranam describes the glory of Varuthini Ekadashi which falls on the wanning period of moon.  Lord Krishna explains to King Yudhishtira about the austerities should be followed on the day of Varuthini Ekadashi. 

Lord Krishna narrates to King Yudhishtira, that the observer should strictly follow the austerities from the previous day of Ekadashi by consuming meal once and abstaining from all the sensual pleasures.  Moreover, the food consumed should be self-cooked in earthen pots, and consumption of meat, chickpeas, honey, spinach, Dal, betel leaf and nuts, should be strictly avoided.  On the day of Varuthini Ekadashi, the observer should not indulge in gambling, sleeping, tattletale or engage in any of the sinful deeds.  The observer should fast on this day, worship Lord Hari and chanting His glories with utmost faith and devotion and keep awake in the night. On the day after Varuthini Ekadashi (Dwadashi) after ablutions and worship of Lord Hari with Bhog,  Dwadashi Parana should be performed within the specified time.

Lord Krishna continued, King Mandata and Dhunthumara were the strict followers of Ekadashi, which brought them the highest of the piety, freed them from the cycles of birth and death.   Observing the Varuthini Ekadashi brings the remarkable piousness known as 'Salvation'.  It also provides good fortune, perpetual happiness and eradicates all the sins committed.   One can achieve the merit that is equivalent to observing austerities for ten thousand years by observing a Varuthini Ekadashi.  The piousness includes, donating 40 kilos of gold during the time of solar eclipse in the righteous land Kurukshetra.

 

Lord Krishna narrates the types of charities,  donating an elephant is superior than donating a horse, donating a land is superior than donating an elephant, donating  sesame seeds are greater than  donating a piece of land, donating gold is greater than donating the sesame seeds, donating food grains is greater than donating gold and donating food grains earns the highest merit in the charities  which is equivalent to donating cows, by this act one can satisfy deities, forefathers and all the living entities,  last but not the least giving knowledge about sacred texts and scriptures to others is one of the most rewarding and highest among all the charities. 

Lord Krishna explains some of the heinous acts that mount up the sins are giving away a girl child in exchange of money out of greed or for livelihood is the highest among the sins, the sinner of the above act will be born as cat in his/her next birth and the latter remains in the hell until the total annihilation to the Universe takes place.  The parents who perform the marriage of a young maiden as per the prescribed rules and rituals would attain the piety which is difficult to count or describe not even by Chitra Gupa, who is the chief in the ministry of Abode of Lord Yama.   Lord Krishna concluded that by following Varuthini Ekadashi with utmost faith and devotion, one could attain all the devoutness and whoever reads or listens to the glories of Varuthini Ekadashi would attain the merit of donating one thousand cow and the worshiper would be freed from all the sins, it brings good fortune and attain the Abode of Lord Sri Hari. 

 ||Jai Sriman Narayana ||