*Ekadasi* is a spiritually significant day in the Hindu calendar, observed twice a month on the 11th day of each lunar fortnight—once during the *waxing moon (Shukla Paksha)* and once during the *waning moon (Krishna Paksha)*. It holds both *religious* and *scientific* importance. Here's a detailed explanation of its *significance*: ------------------------------
* Religious Significance of Ekadasi* 1. *Dedicated to Lord Vishnu* Ekadasi is especially sacred to followers of *Lord Vishnu*. Devotees observe fasting, prayer, and meditation to seek His blessings. It's believed that observing Ekadasi helps one attain *spiritual purity*, *freedom from sins*, and *moksha* (liberation). 2. *Spiritual Discipline* Fasting on Ekadasi is considered a form of *self-control* and *detachment*. It is a way to purify the body and mind, reduce negative karma, and elevate one’s consciousness. 3. *Stories from Scriptures* Ancient texts like the *Padma Purana* and *Bhagavata Purana* describe many tales emphasizing the power of Ekadasi fasts. For example, observing *Vaikunta Ekadasi* is believed to open the gates of Lord Vishnu’s eternal abode— *Vaikuntha*. ------------------------------ * Scientific and Health Significance* 1. *Digestive System Rest* Fasting on Ekadasi is said to give the *digestive system a break*, as the lunar influence can affect body fluids and metabolism. By avoiding grains and heavy foods, the body detoxifies and feels lighter. 2. *Mental Clarity* Reduced food intake and a spiritual mindset often lead to increased *focus, clarity, and emotional balance*. It aligns with the lunar cycle, which is believed to influence the human mind and emotions. 3. *Boosts Willpower* Regular fasting instills *self-discipline*, an important trait for spiritual and personal growth. ------------------------------ * Types of Ekadasis* There are over *24 Ekadasis* in a year, each with its own unique significance. Some important ones include: - *Vaikunta Ekadasi* – Opens the spiritual gateway to Vaikuntha - *Nirjala Ekadasi* – A strict fast without water; considered equal to observing all 24 Ekadasis - *Devutthana Ekadasi* – Celebrates the symbolic awakening of Lord Vishnu from cosmic sleep ------------------------------ * How It’s Observed* - *Fasting* – Complete, partial, or water-only fasts depending on the individual - *Prayer and Chanting* – Devotees often recite *Vishnu Sahasranama*, perform pujas, or read scriptures - *Avoidance of Grains and Beans* – Symbolizes purity and sattvic living - *Charity and Kindness* – Helping others and engaging in good deeds is encouraged ------------------------------ * In Summary* *Ekadasi* is much more than a religious observance—it's a blend of *spiritual upliftment*, *physical discipline*, and *mental clarity*. Whether practiced for faith, health, or inner growth, Ekadasi continues to hold deep significance in the lives of millions across generations. II The Story of Ekādaśī skanda puranam chap 11 *Brahmā said**:* 1. O creator of living beings, O Lord, kindly narrate fully to me the greatness of Ekādaśī <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ekadashi#purana> and the procedure pertaining to the idols. *Śrī Bhagavān said**:* 3-4a. There was a king in the city of Kāmpilya <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kampilya#purana> known by the name Vīrabāhu <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/virabahu#purana>. He was truthful in speech, had conquered anger. He had realized Brahman <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/brahman#purana> and was devoted to me. He was of good disposition. He was merciful. He was a strong handsome man. 4b-5a. He was ever devoted to the devotees of the Lord (Viṣṇu <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vishnu#purana>) and was always interested in stories about me and was always engaged in listening to the episodes about me. 5b-8. He was always fond of *Jāgaraṇas* (sacred vigils at night). He was a donor and a learned man. He had forbearance and valour. He had conquered his sense-organs. He was victorious and was fond of fighting battles. In prosperity he was on a par with Kubera <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kubera#purana>. He was endowed with sons, cattle and wealth. He was devoted to his own wife. His wife Kāntimatī <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kantimati#hinduism> was unrivalled on the earth in beauty. She was a highly chaste and faithful lady and was a great devotee of mine. The young king of large eyes enjoyed the earth in her company. Excepting me, O mighty one, he did not recognise another deity. 9. One day, O son, the great sage Bhāradvāja <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/bharadvaja#purana> (? Bharadvāja <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/bharadvaja#purana>) came to the abode of that noble-souled Vīrabāhu. 10-11. On seeing Bharadvāja, the great sage, who had come from far, the king himself welcomed him by offering *Arghya <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/arghya#purana>* duly. He himself offered him a seat. After bowing down to him with great devotion he stood in front of the excellent sage. *The king said**:* *adya me saphalaṃ janma adya me saphalaṃ dinam* * | adya me saphalaṃ rājyamadya me saphalaṃ gṛham || 12 ||* 12. Today my life has become fruitful. This is my most fruitful day. Today my kingdom has become fruitful. Today my abode has become fruitful. 14. I am rid of crores of sins, since I have been seen by you. My kingdom, prosperity, glory, elephants and horses have been dedicated to you. 15. You are a Vaīṣṇava, O excellent sage. There is nothing which I cannot give you. Even a Varāṭikā <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/varatika#hinduism> (cowrie, a small conch-shell, the smallest coin) given to a Vaiṣṇava <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vaishnava#purana> becomes as big as Meru <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/meru#purana>. 16. Brāhmaṇas have told me: “If an excellent Brāhmaṇa, a Vaiṣṇava, does not come to anyone’s house on a day, that day is futile unto him.” 17. This has been stated to me by Gārgya <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/gargya#purana>, Gautama <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/gautama#purana> and Sumantu <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sumantu#purana> that Vaiṣṇavas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vaishnava#purana>, whoever they may be, the devotees of Viṣṇu, are all Brāhmaṇas by caste. 18. Men who are not devotees of Hṛṣīkeśa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/hrishikesha#purana> are Piśācas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/pishaca#purana> (ghosts). Those who take food on Hari <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/hari#purana>’s day Ekādaśī are tainted with great sins. *Bhāradvāja said**:* 29. A kingdom without Vaiṣṇavas is like an elephant without tusks or a bird without wings or Dvādaśī overlapped by Daśamī. 30. A kingdom without Vaiṣṇavas is as futile as using the Vedas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vedas#hinduism> etc. for monetary gifts or merit for worldly wealth or like Dvādaśī with Daśamī overlapping it. 31. A kingdom without Vaiṣṇavas is like Sandhyā <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sandhya#purana> (prayer at junctions of night and day) without Darbha <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/darbha#purana> grass, or Śrāddha <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shraddha#purana> without monetary gifts or Dvādaśī with Daśamī overlapping it. 32. A kingdom without Vaiṣṇavas is like a Śūdra <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shudra#purana> with a tuft feeding himself on the milk of a tawny-coloured cow or Dvādaśī with Daśamī overlapping it. 33. A kingdom without Vaiṣṇavas is like a Śūdra who carnally approaches a Brāhmaṇa woman, or a person who destroys gold, or a person who defiles Dharma <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dharma#purana> or Dvādaśī with Daśamī overlapping it. 34. A kingdom without Vaiṣṇavas is like felling of the trees of Han, Sun-god etc., O excellent one among men, or Dvādaśī with Daśamī overlapping it. 35. A kingdom without Vaiṣṇavas is like offering of *Āhuti <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ahuti#purana>* (oblations to gods) without Mantras <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#purana> or like milk of a cow with a dead calf or Dvādaśī with Daśamī overlapping it. 36. A kingdom without Vaiṣṇavas is like a widow with tresses of hair not removed[4] <https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc371690.html#note-e-139529> or like Vrata <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vrata#purana> (without taking) holy bath or like Dvādaśī with Daśamī overlapping it. *The king said**:* 44. O excellent sage, if you are kindly disposed towards me, say everything as to what I have done in the previous birth that my fortune has been large and flourishing? 45. How was this kingdom with all the enemies killed acquired by me? My son is very excellent with decent qualities and my wife is amiable and beautiful. 46. She always thinks about me. She likes me as though I am her very vital air. She meditates on Janārdana. Who am I, O sage? How did she (come to me)? What righteous action was performed by me? *Bhāradvāja said**:* 57. Since you committed evil actions you were forsaken by your friends and relatives. The wealth that had been acquired and accumulated by your ancestors dwindled. 58. When the wealth perished, O king, you expected better resuits (from other sources) but as a result of the previous Karmas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/karma#purana> even agricultural operations became fruitless. 59. Thereafter you were completely abandoned by your kinsmen as the wealth became exhausted. Though your resources dwindled, this chaste and beautiful lady did not leave you. 60. Thus frustrated in your hopes and ambitions you went to a solitary forest. After killing many animals, you sustained yourself. 61. O king, along with your wife you were thus engaged in sinful activities on the earth and many years elapsed in this manner. 66-70. There is a lake full of water and adorned with clusters of lotuses. (The banks) abound in excellent trees laden with nice and luscious fruits and fragrant flowers. Take your bath in the cool water and perform your daily routine of duties. O Brāhmaṇa, you can eat the fruit and drink the cool water. Guarded by me take rest peacefully. O eminent Brāhmaṇa, stay in my hermitage till you are fully contented. Get up, O excellent Brāhmaṇa. It behoves you to do this favour.” On hearing the words of the Śūdra then, the Brāhmaṇa regained his consciousness. He caught hold of the hand of the Śūdra and went to the lake. O mighty one, he sat on the banks under the shade. 72-74. Devaśarmā, an excellent Brāhmaṇa, took rest at the root of a tree. With great devotion, the Śūdra prostrated at the feet of the sage in the company of his wife. He then spoke to the sage: “You have come as our guest to uplift us both. O saintly Brāhmaṇa, by your sight our sin has perished. O my beloved, give this Brāhmaṇa tasty, tender and juicy fruits which are ripe and pleasing.” *The Brāhmaṇa said**:* 75. I do not know you. Tell me about your caste. O son, one should not take food from a completely unknown person even if he be a Brāhmaṇa.*The Śūdra said:* 76-80. I am a Śūdra, O tiger among Brāhmaṇas. You need not have any suspicion at all, O Brāhmaṇa. I have been abandoned by my own kinsmen who are wicked and vicious. While those two were conversing thus, fruits were offered to the Brāhmaṇa by the wife of the Śūdra. They were eaten by him. After drinking the cool water, the Brāhmaṇa became delighted in his mind. After getting pleasure (thereby), the sage took rest at the foot of the tree. That Śūdra and his wife took their meal and returned (they said): “Welcome, O excellent sage. Where are you coming from? Why did you come to this desolate forest, O excellent Brāhmaṇa, to the forest full of danger from wicked wild animals, devoid of men, full of miseries and extremely terrible both by day and night?” *The Brāhmaṇa said**:* 81. I am a Brāhmaṇa, O noble one, on my way to Prayāga <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/prayaga#purana>. As the way was unknown, I entered this terrible forest. 82-83. Due to the power of my merit, you have become my excellent kinsman. My life has been saved by you. Tell me what shall I do for you. Tell me first how you came to stay in this dreadful and lonely forest. Who are you? What is the reason? Tell me. *The Śūdra replied**:* 84-89. The city of Vidarbha <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vidarbha#purana> is being protected by King Bhīmasena <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/bhimasena#purana>. My residence is in the great realm Mahārāṣṭra <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/maharashtra#purana>. I am a Śūdra of sinful activities. O excellent Brāhmaṇa, duties pertaining to my caste have been abandoned by me. I have been forsaken by my kinsmen. Hence I have come to the forest. I sustain myself along with my wife by killing animals everyday. Now, O great sage, I have become completely disgusted with my sinful deeds. Be kind to me a bit, though I am sinful, O holy lord. O excellent Brāhmaṇa, it is due to my merit that you have come here. It behoves you to favour me with your advice so that my wife and I will not see Yama <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/yama#purana> (the son of the Sun-god). I do not at all desire anything except Lord Janārdana. O excellent sage, bless me. Grant me this favour. *Bhāradvāja said**:* 90. On being requested and asked thus by that Śūdra with great devotion, Devaśarmā, the excellent Brāhmaṇa said these words laughingly: K R IRS 6625 On Thu, 5 Jun 2025 at 21:29, Jambunathan Iyer <[email protected]> wrote: > Nirjala Ekadashi fasting falls during Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month and > currently falls in month of May or June. Nirjala Ekadashi falls just after > Ganga Dussehra but in some years Ganga Dussehra and Nirjala Ekadashi might > fall on the same day. > > Nirjala Ekadashi is the most important and significant Ekadashis out of > all twenty-four Ekadashis in a year. Nirjala means without water and > Nirjala Ekadashi fasting is observed without water and any type of food. > Nirjala Ekadashi Vratam is the toughest among all Ekadashi fasting due to > strict fasting rules. Devotees abstain not only from food but also from > water while observing Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat. Devotees believee that Reading > or listening to the story of Nirjala Ekadashi will get the full benefit of > the fast. > > Further It is also believed that those who observe the Nirjala-Ekadashi > Vrat are received by messengers from Vaikunta Loka (Abode of Lord Vishnu) > after death and not by Yama, the god of death. It is also believed that > Yama, the god of death, does not judge the one who completes the Nirjala > Ekadashi Vrat. Instead, they are taken by messengers of Lord Vishnu to > Vaikunta Loka, the abode of Lord Vishnu, after death. > > This year, this Ekadashi fast is on Friday, June 6th. It is also called > the biggest Ekadashi of the year. On this day, it is customary to worship > Lord Vishnu. > > According to the Mahabharata, once Maharishi Ved Vyasa came to Hastinapur > and told the Pandavas about the importance of Ekadashi and asked them to > observe the fast. All the Pandavas agreed to observe the Ekadashi fast. > Then Bhima told Maharishi Vyasa, ‘O Gurudev, the fire in my stomach burns > continuously, to calm it I have to eat continuously, in such a situation > how can I get the benefit of this virtuous fast.’ > > Hearing Bhima's words, Maharishi Ved Vyasa said, ‘O son of Pandu, if a > person cannot observe Ekadashi fast for the whole year and observes only > the Ekadashi of the Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month, which is called > Nirjala, he also gets the benefit of observing Ekadashi fasts for the whole > year. Therefore, you can get the benefit of observing all Ekadashi fasts by > just observing Nirjala Ekadashi.’ > > Maharishi Ved Vyasa said, ‘There is severe heat in the month of Jyeshtha, > it is very difficult to fast without drinking water at this time. This fast > teaches the mind restraint and gives new energy to the body. Therefore, it > is also called the most difficult Ekadashi fast.’ Bhima accepted Maharishi > Ved Vyasa's words and observed Nirjala Ekadashi fast with rituals. Because > Bhima observed this fast, it is also called Bhimseni Ekadashi. > > > *N Jambunathan , Chennai " What you get by achieving your goals is not as > important as what you become by achieving your goals. If you want to live a > happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things "* > > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZoqzUuNSabg2hr%2BrmptTbozG3hty6V9YiO7kG2uZsS8zuQ%40mail.gmail.com.
