THE EKADASI VRATAM

THE EKADASI VRATAM

Ekadashi or Ekadasi, also known as Gyaars is the eleventh lunar day of the shukla (bright) or krishna (dark) paksha (fortnight) of every lunar month in the Hindu calendar (Panchang). In Hinduism and Jainism, it is considered spiritually beneficial day. Scriptures recommend observing an (ideally waterless) fast from sunset on the day prior to ekadashi to 48 minutes after sunrise on the day following Ekadashi.

Ekadashi is a bimonthly occasion that is mainly observed by Vaishnavas, although its observance is also open to followers of non-Vaishnava traditions. On the Ekadashi day, strict fasting is observed, abstainance from all grains, beans, cereals and certain vegetables and spices.

Bhagavata Purana (sk. IX, adhy. 4) notes the observation of Ekadashi by Ambarisha, a devotee of Vishnu.

Origin of Ekadasi

At the beginning of the material creation, the Supreme Lord created the moving and nonmoving living entities within this world made of five gross material elements. Simultaneously, for the purpose of punishing the humans beings, He created a personality whose form was the embodiment of sin (Papapurusha). The different limbs of this personality were constructed of the various sinful activities.

• His head was made of the sin of murdering a brahmana.
• His two eyes were the form of the sin of drinking intoxicants.
• His mouth was made of the sin of stealing gold.
• His ears were the form of the sin of having illicit connection with the spiritual master's wife.
• His nose was made of the sin of killing one's wife.
• His arms were made from the form of the sin of killing a cow.
• His neck was made of the sin of stealing accumulated wealth. His chest was made of the sin of abortion.
• His lower chest was made of the sin of having sex with another's wife.
• His stomach was made of the sin of killing one's relatives.
• His navel was made of the sin of killing those who are dependent on him.
• His waist was made of the sin of self appraisal.
• His thighs were made of the sin of offending the guru.
• His genital was made of the sin of selling one's daughter.
• His buttocks were made of the sin of telling confidential matters. His feet were made of the sin of killing one's father.
• His hair was made from the form of lesser, less severe sinful activities.

In this way, a horrible personality embodying all the sinful activities and vices was created. His bodily colour is black, and his eyes are yellow. He inflicts extreme misery upon sinful persons.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Vishnu, upon seeing this personality of sin, began to think to Himself as follows: 'I have created this personality of sin, who gives distress to all dishonest, deceitful, and sinful persons. Now I must create someone who will control this personality.' At this time Sri Bhagavan created the personality known as Yamaraj and the different hellish planetary systems. Those living entities that are very sinful will be sent after death to Yamaraj, who will in turn, according to their sins, send them tom a hellish region to suffer.
After these adjustments had been made, the Supreme Lord went to the house of Yamaraj. The latter offered Him the usual obeisance. As the Lord had seated himself on a throne, He heard very loud crying sounds coming from the southern direction. He became surprised by this and thus enquired from Yamaraj, 'From where is this loud crying coming?'
Yamaraj in reply said, 'Oh Deva! The different living entities of the earthly planetary systems have fallen into the hellish regions. They are suffering extremely for their misdeeds. The horrible crying is because of suffering from the inflictions of their past bad karma (actions).'
After hearing this the Supreme Lord, Vishnu, went to the hellish region to the south. When the inhabitants saw who had come they began to cry even louder. The heart of the Supreme Lord, Vishnu, became filled with compassion. Lord Vishnu thought to Himself, 'I have created all this progeny, and it is because of Me thatthey are suffering.'

He suddenly manifested from His own form the deity of the lunar day Ekadasi. Afterwards the different sinful living entities began to follow the vow of Ekadasi and were then elevated quickly to the abode of Vaikuntha.

Following the ascension of Sri Ekadasi, Papapurusa gradually saw the influence she had. He approached Lord Vishnu with doubts in his heart and began offering many prayers, whereupon Lord Vishnu became very pleased and said, ' I have become very pleased by your nice offerings. What boon is it that you want?'
The Papapurusha replied, 'I am your created progeny, and it is through me that you wanted distress given to the living entities who are very sinful. But now, by the influence of Sri Ekadasi, I have become all but destroyed. Oh Prabhu! After I die all of Your parts andparcels who have accepted material bodies will become liberated and therefore return to the abode of Vaikuntha. If this liberation of all living entities takes place, then who will carry on Your activities? There will be no one to enact the pastimes in the earthly planetary systems! Oh Keshava! If You want these eternal pastimes to carry on, then You please save me from the fear of Ekadasi. No type of pious activity can bind me. But Ekadasi only, being Yourown manifested form, can impede me. Out of fear of Sri Ekadasi I have fled and taken shelter of men; animals; insects; hills; trees; moving and nonmoving living entities; rivers; oceans; forests; heavenly, earthly, and hellish planetary systems; demigods; and the Gandarvas. I cannot find a place where I can be free from fear of Sri Ekadasi. Oh my Master! I am a product of Your creation, so therefore very mercifully direct me to a place where I can reside fearlessly.'"

Lord Vishnu, observing the condition of the Papapurusha with laughter, began to speak thus: 'Oh Papapurusha! Rise up! Don't lament any longer. Just listen, and I'll tell you where you can stay on the auspicious lunar day of Ekadasi. On the day of Ekadasi, which is the benefactor of the three worlds, you can take shelter of foodstuff in the form of grains. There is no reason to worry about this any more, because My form as Sri Ekadasi Devi will no longer impede you.' After giving direction to the Papapurusha, the Supreme Lord, Vishnu, disappeared and the Papapurusha returned to the performance of his own activities.
Therefore those persons who are serious about the ultimate benefit for the soul will never eat grains on the Ekadasi tithi. According to the instructions of Lord Vishnu, every kind of sinful activity that can be found in the material world takes its residence in this place of foodstuff (grain). Whoever follows Ekadasi is freed from all sins and never enters into hellish regions. If one doesn't follow Ekadasi because of illusion, he is still considered the utmost sinner. For every mouthful of grain that is eaten by a resident of the earthly region, one receives the effect of kiling millions of brahmanas. It is definately necessary that one give up eating grains on Ekadasi. I very strongly say again and again, 'On Ekadasi, don't eat grains, don't eat grains, don't eat grains!' Whether one be a ksatriya, vaisya, shudra, or of any family, he should follow the lunar day of Ekadasi. From this the perfection of varna and ashram will be attained. Especially since even if one by trickery follows Ekadasi, all of his sin become destroyed and he very easily attains the supreme goal, the abode of Vaikuntha."

Another story goes to say as follows:

A demon named Mura, after defeating all the demigods, advanced to kill the Supreme Lord Vishnu. At that time the Lord was sleeping. But from his body manifested a young beautiful girl. She was equipped with all weapons and fought Mura to kill him. When the Lord awoke, he found the demon slain in front of him. He was surprised to see the girl and enquired about her. She said, “I am your great Maha-Shakti, Your internal potency.” Pleased with her, the Lord granted her a boon. The maiden said, "O Lord, if You are pleased with me and wish to give me a boon, then give me the power to deliver from the greatest sins that person who fasts of this day. I wish that half the pious credit obtained by one who fasts will accrue to one who eats only in the evening (abstaining from grains and beans), and that half of this pious credit will be earned by one who eats only at midday. Also, may one who strictly observes a complete fast on my appearance day, with controlled senses, go to the abode of Lord Vishnu for one billion kalpas after he has enjoyed all kinds of pleasures in this world. This is the boon I desire to attain by Your mercy, my Lord, whether a person observes complete fasting, eats only in the evening, or eats only at midday, please grant him a religious attitude, wealth, and at last liberation."

Rules for fasting on Ekadashi

1. One should not eat any cereals ("Ann" in hindi) like rice, pulses, wheat etc. & salt.

2. If possible, one should stay on water. Drinking luke warm water or lemon-mishri (crystalized sugar) water is very good as it cleanses the hidden undigested food in the body.

3. If one feels hungry, then one can take milk or fruit. Fruit should not be eaten with milk (therefore no strawberry shake, mango shake, chickoo shake etc.). One should not eat food like "sabudana", potato chips, fried food, etc. Also Banana is not recommended on this day since it is heavy to digest. But it is not forbidden on Ekadasi.

4. One should think that he/she is keeping this vratam to please God & to progress further in "sadhana".

5. One should observe self-control.

6. One should do more of maun-japa (repeating the name of God in mind) in the day time.

7. One should do more of Dhyan & Bhajan by keeping awake for a longer time in the night.

List of Ekadashis

The table below describes the various Ekadashis that falls at different time of the year.

Ekadashi	Vedic Month	Significance
Utpanna Ekadashi	Margasirsha Krishna Paksh	This day Sri Ekadasi was born out of MahaVishnu to kill the demon Mura.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi	Margasirsha Shukla Paksh	Special Ekadasi which provides Moksham to the followers. The devotee is united with the Lord in Vaikuntham
Saphala Ekadashi	Pausha(Thai) Krishna Paksh	Deepa Daanam is important during this day.
Putrada Ekadashi	Pausha(Thai) Shukla Paksh	This vratam is done for Santaana Bhaagyam, for begetting a child.
Sat Tila Ekadashi	Magha(Maasi) Krishna Paksh	To get rid of mighty sins committed.
Jaya Ekadashi	Magha(Maasi) Shukla Paksh	It is said that a Gandharva, who was cursed by Indra to wander as a ghost, was relieved from the curse.
Vijaya Ekadasi	Phalgun(Panguni) Krishna Paksh	Lord Rama observed this day to gain power over Ravana.
Amalaki Ekadashi	Phalgun(Panguni) Shukla Paksh	Fast is observed near Amalaka(Gooseberry) tree. It gives fruits of taking many tirtha yatras and Godaanam.
Papamochani Ekadashi	Chaitra Krishna Paksh	Destroys all sins.
Kamada Ekadashi	Chaitra Shukla Paksh	Increases the harmony among married couple.
Varuthini Ekadashi	Vaisaki(Vigasi) Krishna Paksh	Increases the power of Vidya grahanam(Acquisition of knowledge), and also multiplies the rewards of Daanam done on other days.
Mohini Ekadashi	Vaisakh(Vigasi) Shukla Paksh	Removes all miseries and sufferings.
Apara Ekadashi	Jyeshtha(Aani) Krishna Paksh	Fasting and worshiping the Lord as Trivikrama removes all sins.
Pandava/Nirlaja Ekadashi	Jyeshtha(Aani) Shukla Paksh	When Bhima complained to Sage Vyasa that he could not observe Ekadasi vratam, the latter told him to observe only on this day to compensate for all the Ekadasi.
Yogini Ekadashi	Ashaad(Aadi) Krishna Paksh	Kuber once cursed his attendant for failing to bring flowers for worship of Lord Vishnu. So he cursed the attendant to be afflicted with leprosy, which got cured by observing this day’s fast.
Shayani Ekadashi	Ashaad(Aadi) Shukla Paksh	On this day, the Lord lay down on his bed of AdiShesan after dispatching Bali to Paataalam.
Kamika Ekadashi	Shravan Krishna Paksh	Tulasi archana is specifically done on this day. Planting or replanting of Tulasi plant on this day is considered sacred.
Pavitropana/ Putrajaata Ekadashi	Shravan(Aavani) Shukla Paksh	Any sin which interferes with Santaana praapti is neutralized by this vratam.
Ananda/Ajaa Ekadashi	Bhadrapad(Purattasi) Krishna Paksh	King Harishchandras sorrows over losing his wife, son and kingdom were removed by this vratam.
Parsva/Padma Ekadashi	Bhadrapad(Purattasi) Shukla Paksh	King Maandhaanta, a predecessor of Lord Rama, observed this vratam and got rid of famine in his land.
Indira Ekadashi	Ashwin(Iyppasi) Krishna Paksh	Removes Pithru saapam.
Padmini Ekadashi	Purushottam Shukla Paksh (Adhika maasam)	On observing this vratam, the Lord is immensely pleased and grants wishes of the Bhaktas.
Parama Ekadashi	Purushottam Krishna Paksh (Adhika maasam)	Most favorite day of Lord, hence the name Parama. Bestows all necessities of life, such as money and grains, and at last gives liberation. This is usually followed by fasting for five days called Pancharaatrikas. Daanam done on these five days give 1000 times merit as compared to that done on other days.
Pasankusha Ekadashi	Ashwin(Iyppasi) Shukla Paksh	Removes all types of heinous sins.
Ramaa Ekadashi	Kartik Krishna Paksh
Utthana/Prabhodini Ekadashi	Kartik Shukla Paksh	On this day, our Lord awakens from His Yoga Nidraa. Worshiping Him with flowers and Tulsi pleases Him immensely.