|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||
Bavishyothara Purana describes the glory
of Sat-tila Ekadashi which falls on the waning period of the moon. The most anguish Sage
Dalbhya enquired Sage Pulastya about the fate of the people who were
engaged in the sinful activities of Brahmahathya, illicit relationships and and
people who have no control over their senses/lust,love,anger, pride, jealousy
etc... In order to save the sinners from the hellish
torture Sage Pulastya advises to worship Lord Hari with pure mind and heart
during the day of Ekadasshi which is only way to get relieved from the sinful
deeds and their punishments.
Sage Pulastya explains to Sage Dalbhya
about the method of worship of Lord Hari on the day of Sat-tila Eakadashi, worship of Lord Hari on this auspicious day
with his consort Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi, giving alms to Vedic Brahmins,
donating cloths, Sandals, Umbrella, a steel pitcher of water, giving
away cows and sesame seeds also brings abundance of merits.The very
name 'Sat – Tila Ekadashi ' was derived from the usage of til for bathing, smearing paste, offering til
in the sacrificial fire, donating the same, offering til to forefathers
and consumption of the same on this day of Ekadashi is capable
to destroy all the sins.
Maharishi Narada spoke to Supreme Lord Krishna
“ Oh! Yadhava, Oh! Bhakthavalsala/ most desirable to devotees, kindly accept my humble obeisance to you. Kindly narrate the devout act of Sat-tila
Ekadashi.”
Lord Krishna replied “ Oh! Illustrious Sage
Narada, I shall narrate to you the legend of Sat-tila Ekadashi, listen to me
carefully.”
Lord Krishna continued “There was a
Brahmin woman lived a life abstaining from all sensual pleasures. She
was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Living a life of severe chastity
for long years made her weak. Though she was engaged in all charity
works, she forgot to provide any food grains to the demigods and
ascetics. She was engaged in all the good deeds other than serving food
to the hungry. One day Lord Vishnu took the form of a
mendicant and appeared before her asking for alms in order to test her
devotion. When the Brahmin woman was asked for the
identity of mendicant, he just ignored to answer her. It made the Brahmin
woman angry and irritated, so she put a handful of clay as
alms. The mendicant left the spot immediately. When she
returned home, she was panic struck to find that all her wealth had
disappeared. She prayed to Lord Vishnu, ' I have lived a
life of utmost chastity and devotion, Lord why did you put me in this misery?'.
Instantly, she could hear a divine voice ' The wives of the
demigods will visit your place and explain the glory of Sat- Tila
Ekadashi'. As per the instructions of the wives of demigods, the Brahmin
woman observed Sat-tila Ekadashi and once again she regained all her
wealth and beauty”.
Thus Lord Krishna narrated the
significance of Sat-tila Ekadashi and rules and regulations for observance to
Maharishi Narada. Whoever fast and worships Lord Vishnu with Goddess
Sri Mahalakshmi on this day attains Prosperity and one who donates
Til (Sesame seeds) on this day of Ekadashi would remove all the sins
committed, they would attain spiritual, mental, physical, social and intellectual
well being all through their life.
|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||
