|| 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 ||
