|
|
Ekadashi Vrata
Fasting to keep fit physically &
mentally
.
 Rama Hare Krishna - Devotion is God. |
Hinduism from time immemorial has had unique & scientific
regimen to uplift human beings physically & mentally. Spirituality
& traditional practices were devised to suit the needs of day to day
lives in a manner that is more harmonious with nature.
Ekadashi Vrata is one of the most important rituals or traditional practices when an individual observes fasting on the eleventh day of the moon (twice monthly). Like the Hindus who fast on Ekadashi day, the Muslims fast during Ramzan, the Christians during Lent & the Jains in the week of Paryushana. The Hindu calender is divided into two sections as per the phases of moon in a month - Krishna Paksh & Shukla Paksh. There are 26 Ekadashis according to the hindu calender, including the two Ekadashis in the Adhik Mas. Fasting is very widely popular among Hindus. Its a ritual handed down by our ancestors & now has become an integral part of our life. |
How Does Ekadashi Vrata
Help?
Manyproblems in the world are associated with food & diet. It is
improper eating which has given a plethora of ailments & dieting or not
eating is prescribed even in modern times to control the body mechanism. In
ancient India, even before medicine was recognised as a stream of science,
people observed fasting as a cure to various ailments.
Even the modern naturopathy centers
recommend fasting as a real clensing process to overhaul the body as a
purifactory measure. Fasting, largly helps in cleaning the sapta dhatus (the
seven vital elements of the body) - the lymph, blood, muscles, cartilage, bone
marrow, bones & semen which helps to eliminate the toxins from the body -
the main cause of various diseases.
Ekadashi: Spiritual Regimen for
Well Being:
Lord
Krishna in chapter 10 of Bhagwad Geeta has identified himself with the month of
Margashirsha (November/December). The Ekadashi in the Krishna Paksh (Dark half)
of this month is known as Bhagawati Ekadashi. Bhagawati Ekadashi was said to be
born from the lord's body as his shakti to rid the earth of the demon Mura. This
Ekadashi is referred as Utpanna Ekadashi. The Ekadashis as per Hindu calender
usually begins from the Margashirsha (Krishna) Ekadashi.
The following are the 26 Ekadashis in 12 months as prescribed by Suta Rishi.
Devotees observed Ekadashi vrata
with shraddha & bhakti & each Ekadashi has its virtues explained in the
name itself like in the above chronological order.
| 1.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. |
Utpanna
Mokshada Safala Putrada Shattila Jaya Vijaya Aamlaki Papa Mochani Kamada Varuthini Mohini Apara |
14.
15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. |
Nirjala
Yogini Harishayani Kamika Putrada Aja Jayanthi Indira Pashankusha Rama Prabodhini Padmini parama |
Ekadashi Vrata Brings Glory &
Fortune
The
greatness of each Ekadashi is explained in the various puranas (Scriptures).
Krishna's conversation with Arjuna, Yudhisthira & Narada, Brahma to
narada, Vasishtha to Mandhata, Lomash Rishi to Mandhata, Vasishtha to
Rama, Vyasa to Bhima have all highlighted the glory of Ekadashi vrata on various
ocassions.
The devotee belives that Ekadashi vrata bestows boundless blessings. Each Ekadashi vrata has its own benefits as mentioned in the various Mahatmyams ( Literature on the significance of such rituals). It is regarded that Ekadashi vrata observance helped the devotees in overcoming their sorrows by giving them the willpower as equal to the mountains of Sumern or Mandarachal. Ekadashi vrata also helped people to attain the grace of Lord Vishnu & reached Viakuntha - The Adobe of Vishnu.
The puranas also stated that
observing the Ekadashi vrata was equivalent of visiting all the secred teerthas
(pilgrim centres) & bathing in the sacred rivers, bathing during solar &
lunar eclipse at Kurukshetra, giving alms to cows & Brahmins, performing
yagnas & feeding the brahmins.
So many blessings can be had at one stroke by
observing the Ekadashi vrata.
This vrata also helps in relieving
one from sins commited knowingly or unknowingly in all the earlier births.
Ekadashi vrata liberated a person in a true sense & also bestowed
innumerable honours both material & spiritual. Even listening & reading
Ekadashi Mahatmyams are considered to bestow great honour bringing luck,
prosperity & peace.
Method of Observing Ekadashi
Vrata:
Late Sant
Keshavdasji an exponent in Harikatha, in his talks used to always emphasise the
greatness of Ekadashi vrata especially the Vidhi - the manner in which one
observed the Vrata. One who decides to observe Ekadashi vrata should abstain
from eating cooked food on the 10th day, Dashmi - the night before fasting &
on the 12th day, Dwadashi night. On the 11th day thats the Ekadashi day
the devotee should fully abstain from taking food. One day before Ekadashi vrata
a purificatory process may be initiated by ristricting the diet to simple
vegetarian food, fruits or juices in moderation. Doing morning & evening
pujas, recitation of Gayathri mantras & generally tuning one's mind towards
one's favourite god are considered as a prerequisite for Ekadashi
vrata.
The devotees observing Ekadashi
vrata are supposed to get up at Brahma Muhurtam (dawn) complete the purificatory
rites & should chant & do Puja to Maha Vishnu. Sant Keshavdasji
underlined the significance of absolute focus on Lord Narayana (Lord Vishnu). It
is the mind & physical actions which need to be tuned towards the Lord
on Ekadashi day. All rituals & prayers are aimed to recognise the supreme
bliss through prayers & chanting.
Home