Rama Ekadasi

Yudhisthira Maharaj said, "O Janardana, O protector of all beings, what is the name of the Ekadasi that comes during the dark fortnight (Krishna paksha) of the month of Karttika (October - November)?
Please impart this sacred knowledge to me.

The Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna then spoke as follows, "O lion among kings, please listen as I narrate to you.
The Ekadasi that occurs during the dark part of the month of Karttika is called Ramaa Ekadasi.
It is most auspicious, for it at once eradicates the greatest sins and awards one the passage to the spiritual abode.
I shall now narrate to you its history and glories.

"There once lived a famous king of the name Muchakunda, who was friendly to Lord Indra, the king of the heavenly planets, as well as with Yamaraj, Varuna, and Vibhishana, the pious brother of the demon Ravana.
Muchakunda always spoke the truth and constantly rendered devotional service to Me.
Because he ruled according to religious principles, there were no disturbances in his kingdom.

"Muchakunda's daughter was named Chandrabhaagaa, after a sacred river, and the king gave her in marriage to Shobhana, the son of Chandrasena.
One day, Shobhana visited his father-in-law's palace on the auspicious Ekadasi day.
This visit made Shobhana's wife Chandrabhaagaa quite anxious, for she knew that her husband was physically very weak and unable to bear the austerity of a day-long fast.
She said to him, `My father is very strict about following Ekadasi.
On Dasami, the day before Ekadasi, he strikes a large kettledrum and announces, "Nobody should eat on Ekadasi, the sacred day of Sri Hari!

"When Shobhana heard the sound of the kettledrum, he said to his wife, `O beautiful one, what am I to do now?
Please tell me how I can save my life and obey your father's strictness and at the same time satisfy our guests!

"Chandrabhaagaa then spoke, `My dear husband, in my father's house nobody - not even the elephants or horses, what to speak of consenting human beings - eats on Ekadasi.
Indeed, none of the animals are given their ration of grains, leaves, or straw - or even water ! - on Ekadasi, the sacred day of Sri Hari.
So how can you escape fasting?
My beloved husband, if you must eat something, then you should leave here at once.
Now, with firm conviction decide on what you have to do.'

"Prince Shobhana then said, `I have decided to fast on the sacred Ekadasi day.
Whatever my fate is, it will surely come to pass.'
"Deciding thus, Shobhana attempted to fast on this Ekadasi, but he became unbearably disturbed with excessive hunger and thirst.
Eventually the sun set in the west, and the arrival of the auspicious night made all the Vaishnavas very happy.
O Yudhisthira, all the devotees enjoyed worshipping Me (Sri Hari) and remaining awake all through night, but Prince Shobhana that night became absolutely unbearable.
Indeed, when the Sun rose on the Dwadasi, that Prince Shobhana was dead. "King Muchakunda observed his son-in-law's funeral, ordering a large stack of wood be assembled for the fire, but he instructed his daughter Chandrabhaagaa not to join her husband on the funeral pyre.
Thus Chandrabhaagaa, after performing all the purificatory processes and procedures for honouring her deceased husband, continued to live in her father's house.

Lord Sri Krishna continued, "O best of the kings, Yudhisthira, even though Shobhana died because of observing Ramaa Ekadasi, the merit that he accrued enabled him, after his death, to become the ruler of a kingdom high on the peak of Mandarachala Mountain.
This kingdom was like a city of the demigods; very lustrous, with unlimited jewels set in the walls of its buildings that gave off light.
The pillars were made of rubies, and gold inlaid with diamonds shone everywhere.
As King Shobhana sat upon a throne beneath a pure white canopy, servants fanned him with yak-tail whisks.
A stunning crown rested upon his head, beautiful earrings adorned his ears, a necklace graced his throat, and bejewelled armlets and bracelets encircled his arms.
He was served by Gandharvas (the best of heavenly singers) and Apsaras (celestial dancers).
Verily, he resembled a second Indra.

"One day, a brahmin named Somasharma, who lived in Muchakunda's kingdom, happened upon Shobhana's kingdom while travelling to various places of pilgrimage.
The brahmin saw Shobhana in all his resplendent glory and thought he might be the son-in-law of his own king Muchakunda.
When Shobhana saw the brahmin approaching, he immediately rose up from his seat and welcomed him.
After Shobhana had paid his respectful obeisances he asked the brahmin about his well-being and about the health and welfare of his (Shobhana's) father-in-law, his wife and all the residents of the city. "Somasharma then said, `O king, all the residents and subjects are well in your father-in-law's kingdom, and Chandrabhaagaa and your other family members are also quite well.
Peace and prosperity reign throughout the kingdom.
But there is one thing, I'm quite astonished to find you here! Please tell me about yourself.
Nobody has ever seen such a beautiful city as this! Kindly tell me how you obtained it.'

"King Shobhana then began to tell his story, `Because I observed the Ramaa Ekadasi, I was given this splendid city to rule over.
But for all of its grandeur, it is only temporary.
I beg you to do something to correct this deficiency.
You see, this is only an ephemeral city, a place of this material world.
How may I make its beauties and glories permanent?
Kindly reveal this to me by your instructions.

"The brahmin then asked, `Why is this kingdom unstable and how will it become stable?
Please fully explain this to me, and I shall try to help you.'

"Shobhana then answered, `Because I fasted on the Ramaa Ekadasi without any faith, this kingdom is impermanent.
Now hear how it can become permanent.
Please return to Chandrabhaagaa, the beautiful daughter of king Muchukunda, and tell her what you have seen and understood about this place and about me.
Surely, if you, a pure hearted brahmin, tell her this, my city will soon become permanent.'

"Thus the brahmin returned to his city and related the entire episode to Chandrabhaagaa, who was both surprised and overjoyed to hear this news of her husband.
She said, `O brahmana, is this a dream you have seen, or is it actually a factual thing?'

"Somasharma the brahmin replied, `O Princess, I have seen your late husband face to face in that wonderful kingdom, which resembles a realm of the denizens' of heavens playgrounds.
But you former husband has asked me to relate to you that he says that his kingdom is unstable and could vanish into thin air at any moment.
Therefore he hope you can find a way to make it permanent.'

"Chandrabhaagaa then said, `O sage among the brahmins, please take me to that place where my husband resides at once, for I greatly desire to see him again! Surely I shall make his kingdom permanent with the merit that I have acquired by fasting on every Ekadasi throughout my life.
Please reunite us at once, again.
It is said that one who reunites separated persons also obtains very great merit.'

"The humble brahmin Somasharma then led Chandrabhaagaa to Shobhana's effulgent kingdom.
Before reaching it, however, they stopped at the foot of Mount Mandaracala, at the sacred ashrama of Vamadeva.
Upon hearing their story, Vamadeva chanted hymns from the Vedas and sprinkled holy water from his samanya arghya upon Chandrabhaagaa.
By the influence of that great Rishi's rites, the merit she had accrued by fasting for so many Ekadasis made her body transcendental.
Ecstatic, her eyes beaming in wonder, Chandrabhaagaa continued on her journey.

"When Shobhana saw his wife approaching him high on Mount Mandarachala, he was overwhelmed with joy and called out to her in great happiness and jubilation.
After she arrived , he seated her on his left side and she said to him, `O dearest Patiguru, please listen as I tell you something that will benefit you greatly.
Since I was eight years old I have fasted regularly and with full faith on every Ekadasi.
If I transfer to you all the merit I have accumulated, your kingdom will surely become permanent, and its prosperity will grow and grow until the coming of the great inundation!'

Lord Sri Krishna then continued to address Yudhisthira as follows, "O Yudhisthira, in this way Chandrabhaagaa who was beautifully decorated with the finest ornaments and had an exquisitely transcendental body, at last enjoyed peace and happiness with her husband.
By the potency of Ramaa Ekadasi, Shobhana found his kingdom on the peaks of Mount Mandarachala able to fulfill all his desires and bestow upon him everlasting happiness, like that achieved from the transcendental Kaama-dhenu milch cow.

"O greatest of kings, I have thus narrated to you the glories of Ramaa Ekadasi that falls in the dark fortnight of the month of Karttika.
"Anyone who observes sacred Ekadasi during both the light and the dark fortnight of each month is undoubtedly freed from the reactions to the sin of killing a brahmin.
One should not differentiate between the Ekadasis of the light and dark parts of the month.
As we have seen, both can award pleasure in this world and liberate even the most sinful and fallen souls.
Just as black cows and white cows give equally good quality milk.
So the Ekadasis of the dark fortnight (Krishna paksha) and the light fortnight (shukla or Gaura paksha) award the same high degree of merit and eventually liberate one from the repeated cycle of birth and death.
Anyone who simply hears this narration of the glories of the sacred day of Ramaa Ekadasi, is freed from all kinds of sin and attains the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu.

Thus ends the narration for the glories of the sacred Karttika-krishna Ekadasi, or Ramaa Ekadasi, from the Brahma-Vaivarta Purana of Srila Krishna Dwaipayana Veda Vyaasa.

Papankusha - Ekadasi

Papankusha - Ekadasi

Yudhishthira maharaj said, Oh Madhusudana, what is the name of the Ekadasii that comes during the light fortnight of the month of Ashvina (September - October)? Please be merciful and disclose this truth to me." The Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna replied, "Oh king, please listen as I explain the glories of this Ekadasi- Papankusha Ekadasi - which removes all sins. On this day one should worship the Deity of Padmanabha, the lotus naveled Lord Vishnu, according to the rules of archana viddhi (regulations). By so doing, one achieves whatever heavenly pleasures one may want in this world, and at last attains liberation from this world thereafter. Simply by offering one's humble obeisances unto Lord Vishnu, the rider of Garuda, one can achieve the same merit as is gained by performing great penances for a long time restraining and controlling the senses. Although a person might have committed unlimited and abominable sins, he can still escape hellish punishment just by paying his obeisances to Lord Sri Hari, the taker away of all sin." "The merits gained by going on pilgrimage to the Holy Tirthas of this earthly planet can also be achieved simply by chanting the Holy names of Lord Vishnu. Whosoever chants these sacred names - such as Rama, Vishnu, Janardana or Krishna - especially on Ekadasi, never sees Yamaraj, the king of death's punishing abode. Nor does such a devotee who fasts on Papankusha Ekadasi, which is very dear to Me, see that plutonic abode." "Both the Vaishnava who criticizes Lord Shiva and the Shaivite (Saivite) who criticizes Me certainly go to hell. The merit obtained by performing one hundred horse sacrifices and one hundred Rajasurya sacrifices is not even equal to one sixteenth of the merit a devotee is able to attain by fasting on Ekadasi. There is no higher merit one can achieve than that attained by fasting on Ekadasi. Indeed, nothing in all the three worlds is as pleasing or as able to purify one of accumulated sin as Ekadasi, the day of the lotus-naveled Lord, Padmanabha. "O king, until a person observes a fast on the day of Lord Padmanabha named Papankusha Ekadasi, he remains sinful, and the reactions of his past sinful activities never leave him like a chaste wife. There is no merit in all the three worlds that can match the merit that one gains by observing a fast on this Ekadasi. Whosoever observes it faithfully never has to see death personified, Lord Yamaraj. One who desires liberation, elevation to the heavens, good health, beautiful women, wealth, and food grains should simply fast on this Pashunkusha Ekadasi. O king, neither the Ganges, Gaya, Kashi, nor Pushkara, nor even the Holy site of Kurukshetra, can grant as much auspicious merit as this Papankusha Ekadasi. "O Maharaj Yudhishthira, protector of the earth, after observing Ekadasi during the daytime, the devotee should remain awake through the night, absorbed in hearing, chanting and serving the lord - for by so doing he easily attains to the Supreme abode of Lord Vishnu. Not only that, but ten generations of ancestors on his mother's side, ten generations on his father's side, and ten generations on his wife's side are all liberated by a single observance of a fast on this Ekadasi. All these ancestors attain their original, four armed transcendental Vaikuntha forms. Wearing yellow garments and beautiful garlands, they ride to the spiritual realm on the back of Garuda, the renown great enemy of the snakes. This is the benediction My devotee earns simply by observing one Papankusha Ekadasi properly. "O best of kings, whether one is a child, a youth, or in old age, fasting on Papankusha Ekadasi frees him from all sins and makes him immune to suffering a hellish rebirth. Whosoever observes a fast on the Papankusha Ekadasi becomes free of all his sins and returns to the spiritual abode of Lord Sri Hari. Whosoever donates gold, sesame seeds, fertile land, cows, grain, drinking water, an umbrella, or a pair of shoes on this most auspicious of Holy days will never have to visit the abode of Yamaraj, who always punishes the sinners. But if a resident of earth fails to perform spiritual deeds, especially the observance of a fast on days such as Ekadasi, his breathing is said to be no better, or of as much use as the breathing/puffing of a blacksmith's bellows. "O best of the kings, especially on this Papankusha Ekadasi, even the poor should first bathe and then give some charity according to their means, and perform other auspicious activities in accordance with their ability. "Whosoever performs sacrifices and benefits the people, or builds public ponds, resting places, gardens, or houses does not suffer the punishments of Yamaraj. Indeed, one should understand that a person much have performed such pious activities as these in the past life if he is long lived, wealthy, of high birth, or free from all diseases. But a person who observes Papankusha Ekadasi goes to the abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu. Lord Sri Krishna then concluded, "Thus, Oh saintly Yudhishthira, I have narrated to you the glories of the auspicious Papankusha Ekadasi." Thus ends the narration of the glories of the Papankusha Ekadasi, or Ashwina-shukla Ekadasi, from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.

Indira Ekadasi

Yudhishthira Maharaj said, "Oh MadhusUdana, Oh killer of the Madhu demon, what is the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight (krishna paksha) of the month of Ashwin (September-October)?
Please describe its glories to me."

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna then replied, "This Holy day is called Indira Ekadasi.
If a person fasts on this day, all his sins are eradicated and his forefathers who have fallen into hell are liberated.
Oh best of kings, one who simply hears about this sacred Ekadasi achieves the great merit earned by performing a horse sacrifice.

In the Satya-yuga there lived a king named Indrasena, who was so powerful that he destroyed all his enemies.
His kingdom was called Mahishmati-puri.
The glorious and highly religious King Indrasena took good care of his subjects, and therefore he was rich in gold, grains, sons, and grandsons.
He was greatly devoted to Lord Sri Vishnu as well.
He especially enjoyed chanting My name, calling out 'Govinda! Govinda!'
In this way King Indrasena systematically dedicated himself to pure spiritual life and spent much time meditating on the Absolute Truth.

One day, as King Indrasena happily and peacefully presided over his assembly, the perfect orator, Sri Narada Muni, was seen descending.
White as a conch, shining like the moon, like a jasmine flower, like a lightening bolt, Narada Muni descending from the sky.
He is decorated with matted locks of reddish hair.
The king offered Devarishi Narada, the saint among the devas (demigods), great respect by greeting him with joined palms, inviting him into the palace, offering him a comfortable seat, washing his feet, and speaking sweat words of welcome.
Then Narada Muni said to Maharaj Indrasena, 'Oh king, are the seven limbs of your kingdom prospering?'

The seven limbs of a king's domain being; the king's well being himself, his ministers, his treasury, his military forces, his allies, the brahmanas, the sacrifices performed in his kingdom, and the needs of the king's subjects.
'Is your mind absorbed in thinking of how you can properly perform your occupational duty?
Are you becoming more and more devoted and dedicated to the service of the Supreme Lord, Sri Vishnu?'

"The king replied, 'By your kind grace, Oh greatest of sages, everything is quite well.
Today, just by your presence all the sacrifices in my kingdom are successful !
Please show me mercy and explain the reason for your kind visit here.'

"Sri Narada, the sage among the devas, then said, 'Oh lion among kings, listen to my astonishing words.
When I descended from Brahmaloka to Yamaloka, Lord Yamaraja praised me very graciously and offered me an excellent seat.
As I glorified his truthfulness and wonderful service to the Supreme Lord, I noticed your father in Yamaraja's assembly.
Though he had been very religious, because he broke an Ekadasi fast prematurely, he had to go to the Yamaloka.
Your father gave me a message for you. He said, "In Mahishmati lives a king named Indrasena.
Please tell him about my situation here - that because of my past sinful deeds I have somehow been forced to reside in Yamaraja's kingdom.
Please give him this message from me: 'Oh son, kindly observe the coming Indira Ekadasi and give much in charity so I can go upward to heaven.' "

Philosophically we can understand that every living entity is an individual, and individually everyone has to practice Krishna consciousness to traverse back to home, back to Godhead.
As stated in Garuda Purana, someone who is suffering in hell cannot practice Krishna consciousness, because this requires some mental peace, which the reactionary tortures of hell make impossible.
If a relative of a sinner suffering in hell gives some charity in the name of the sinner, he can leave hell and enter the heavenly planets.
But if the sinner's relative observes this Ekadasi fast for his suffering kinsman, the kinsman goes directly to the spiritual world, as stated in this narration based on Brahma-vaivarta Puranam.

"Narada continued, 'Just to deliver this message, Oh king, have I come to you.
You should help your father by observing the fast of Indira Ekadasi.
By the merit you gain, your father will go to heaven.'

"King Indrasena asked, 'Oh great Naradji, please be merciful and tell me specifically how to observe a fast on Indira Ekadasi, and also tell me during what month and on what day it occurs.'

"Narada Muni replied, 'Oh king, please listen as I describe to you the full process of observing the Indira Ekadasi.
This Ekadasi occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin.
On the Dashami tithi, the day before Ekadasi, rise early in the morning, take bath, and then do some service for God with full faith.
At noon, bathe again in running water and then offer oblations to your forefathers with faith and devotion.
Be sure not to eat more than once on this day and at night sleep on the floor.

"When you awaken on Ekadasii morning, cleanse your mouth and teeth thoroughly and then with deep devotion for the Lord take this sacred vow: 'Today I shall fast completely and give up all kinds of sense enjoyment.
Oh lotus-eyed Supreme Personality of Godhead, Oh infallible one, please give me shelter at Your lotus feet."
At noon, stand before the sacred form of the Sri Shaligram Shila and worship Him faithfully, following all the rules and regulations; then offer oblations of ghee into the sacred fire, and tarpana directed to help your forefathers.
Next, feed qualified Brahmins (obviously non-grain prasadams) and offer them some charity according to your means.
Now take the food pindas you offered to your forefathers, smell it, and then offer it to a cow.
Next, worship Lord Hrishikesha with incense and flowers, and finally, remain awake all night near the Deity of Lord Sri Keshava.

"Early in the morning of the next day, Dvadasi tithi, worship Sri Hari with great devotion and invite Brahmin devotees to a sumptuous feast.
Then feed you relatives, and finally take your meal in silence.
Oh king, if you strictly observe a fast on Indira Ekadasi in this way, with controlled senses, your father will surely be elevated to the abode of lord Vishnu.'
After saying this, Devarishi Narada immediately disappeared from the scene to bless someone else with his presence.

"King Indrasena followed the great saint's instructions perfectly, observing the fast in the association of his relatives and servants.
As he broke his fast on the Dvadasi tithi, flowers fell from the sky.
The merit that Indrasena maharaj earned by observing this fast released his father from the kingdom of Yamaraja and caused him to attain a completely spiritual body.
Indeed, Indrasena saw him rising to the abode of Lord Hari on the back of Garuda Vahan.
Indrasena himself was able to rule his kingdom without any obstacles, and in time when he handed over the kingdom to his son, he also went to the spiritual realm of Vaikuntha.

"Oh Yudhishthira, these are the glories of the Indira Ekadasi, which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin.
Whoever hears or reads this narration certainly enjoys life in this world, is freed of all reactions to his past sins, and at the time of death returns home, back to Godhead, where he lives eternally."

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Ashwin-krishna Ekadasii, or Indira Ekadasi, taken from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.

Parsva Ekadasi

Sri Yudhishthira Maharaja asked of Lord Sri Krishna, "What is the name of that Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight (shukla paksha) of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September "Hrishikesha mase") ? Who is the worshipable Deity for this Ekadasi, and what merit does one attain in observing it? Kindly reveal all of this to me my Lord." The Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Krishna addressed His devoted Yudhishthira as follows, "This Ekadasii, Oh Yudhishthira, is called Vamana Ekadasi, and it bestows upon those who observe it both great merit and ultimate liberation from material bondage. Therefore, because it removes all one's sinful reactions, it is also called Jayanti Ekadasi. Just hearing of its glories frees one from all his past misdeeds. So auspicious is this fast that observing it bestows the same merit as that earned by performing a horse sacrifice. There is no better Ekadasi than this, because it awards liberation so easily. Thus if one truly desires freedom from the punishing material world, one should fast on Vamana Ekadasi. "While observing this holy fast, a Vaishnava should lovingly worship the Supreme Lord in His form as Vamandev, the dwarf incarnation, whose eyes are like lotus petals. By doing so, he worships all other Deities as well, including Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and at death he undoubtedly goes to that abode of Sri Hari. In all the three worlds there is no fast that is more important to observe.

The reason this Ekadasi is so auspicious is that it celebrates the day when the sleeping Lord Vishnu turns over on His other side; thus it is also known as Parivartinii Ekadasi." Maharaja Yudhishthira then asked of the Lord, "Oh Janardana, please clear up a question I have. How is it that the Supreme Lord sleeps and then turns over on His side? Oh Lord, when You are asleep what happens to all the other living entities? Please also tell me how You bound the king of the demons, Bali Daityaraj (Bali Maharaja), as well as how one may please the brahmanas. How does one observe Chaturmasya, which You mention in the Chaturmasya-mahatmya of the Bhavishya Purana? Kindly be merciful to me and answer these questions." The Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna replied, "Oh Yudhishthira, lion among Kings, I will gladly narrate to you an historical event that, simply by hearing, eradicates all one's sinful reactions. "In the TretA-yuga there once was a king of the name Bali. Though born in a family dynasty of demons (daityas), he was very devoted to Me. He sang many Vedic hymns to Me and performed the homa rituals (fire sacrifices) just to satisfy Me. He respected the twice-born brahmins and engaged them in performing sacrifices daily. This great soul had a quarrel with Indra, however, and eventually defeated him in battle. Bali took over his entire celestial kingdom, which I Myself had given to Indra. Therefore Indra and all the other devas (demigods), along with many great sages, approached Me and complained about Bali Maharaja. Bowing their heads to the ground and offering many sacred prayers from the Vedas, they worshipped Me along with their spiritual master, Brihaspati. Thus I agreed to appear on their behalf as a dwarf Vamanadev, My fifth incarnation." King Yudhishthira further enquired, "Oh Lord, how was it possible for You to conquer such a powerful demon, and only by coming in the form of a dwarf brahmin? Please explain this clearly, for I am Your faithful devotee." The Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna replied, "Though a dwarf, I was a brahmana, and I approached that pious king Bali to ask him for alms in the form of land. I said, 'Oh Daityraj Bali, please give Me just three steps of land in charity. Such a small piece of land will be good as all the three worlds for Me.' Bali agreed to grant My request without lengthy consideration. But as soon as he vowed to give Me the land, My body began to expand into a gigantic transcendental form. I covered the entire Earth with My feet, all the Bhuvarloka with My thighs, the Swarga heavens with My waist, Maharloka with My stomach, Janaloka with My chest, Tapoloka with My neck, and Satyaloka with My head and face. I covered the entire material creation. Indeed, all the planets of the universe, including the Sun and the Moon, were encompassed by My gigantic form." "Seeing this astonishing pastime of Mine, all the demigods, including Indra and Shesha, the king of the snakes, began to sing Vedic hymns and offer prayers to Me. Then I took Bali by the hand and said to him, 'Oh sinless one, I have covered the whole Earth with one step and all the heavenly planets with the second. Now where shall I place My foot to measure the third step of land you promised Me?' "Upon hearing this, Bali Maharaja bowed down in humility and offered Me his head to place My third step. Oh Yudhishthira, I placed My foot on his head and sent him all the way to Patalaloka. Seeing him thus humbled, I became very pleased and told Bali that henceforth I would permanently reside in his palace. Thereafter, on Parivartinii Ekadasi, which occurs during the light part of the month of Bhadra (August-September), Bali, the son of Virochana, grandson of Prahlad, installed a Deity form of Me in his residence. "Oh king, until Haribodhinii Ekadasi, which occurs during the light part of the month of Karttika, I continue to sleep in the ocean of milk. The merit one accumulates during this period is particularly powerful.

One should therefore observe Parivartinii EkAdasii carefully. Indeed, it is especially purifying and thus cleanses one of all sinful reactions. On this day the faithful devotee should worship Lord Trivikrama, Vamanadeva, who is the supreme father, because on this day I turn over to sleep on My other side. "If possible, on this day one should give a qualified person some yogurt mixed with rice, as well as some silver, and then remain awake throughout the night. This simple observance will free one of all material conditioning. One who observes this sacred Parivartinii Ekadasi in the way I have described will surely attain all kinds of happiness in this world and the kingdom of God in the hereafter. One who simply hears this narration with devotion will go to the abode of the demigods and shine there like the Moon itself, so powerful is observance of this Ekadasi. Indeed, this observance is as powerful as the performance of a thousand horse sacrifices." Thus ends the narration of the glories of Parivartinii Ekadasi, or Vamana Ekadasi, which occurs during the light part of the month of Bhadrapada, from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.

NOTE: The next day after Ekadashi is Sri Vamana Dvadashi: Appearance day of Lord Vamanadev. Ekadashi fast is observed till noon. The fast is broken after noon with Ekadashi prasadam. Next day (Sri Vamana Dvadashi), observe Lord Vamanadev's appearance by again fasting till noon and by chanting extra Mahamantra japa praying to the Lord for His shelter. Break this fast with joyful feasting of Lord Vamanadev's appearance day mahaprasadam!

Aja - Annada Ekadasi

Aja - Annada Ekadasi Sri Yudhisthira Maharaja said, "Oh Janardana, protector of all living entities, please tell me the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September)." The Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, then replied, "Oh King, hear Me attentively. The name of this sin-removing, sacred Ekadasi is Aja. Any person who fasts completely on this day and worships Hrishikesha, the master of the senses, becomes free of all reactions to his sins. Even one who simply hears about this Ekadasi is freed from his past sins. Oh King, there is no better day than this in all the earthly and heavenly worlds. This is true without a doubt. "There once lived a famous king named Harishchandra, who was the emperor of the world and a person of great truth and integrity. His wife's name was Chandramati, and he had a son named Lohitashva. By the force of destiny, however, Harishchandra lost his great kingdom and sold his wife and son. The pious king himself became a menial servant of a dog-eater, who made him guard a crematorium. Yet even while doing such menial service, he did not forsake his truthfulness and good character, just as soma-rasa, even when mixed with some other liquid, does not lose its ability to bestow immortality. "The king passed many years in this condition. Then one day he sadly thought, 'What shall I do? Where shall I go? How can I be delivered from this plight?' In this way he drowned in an ocean of anxiety and sorrow. "One day a great sage happened by, and when the king saw him he happily thought, 'Ah, Lord Brahma has created brahmins just to help others.' Harishchandra paid his respectful obeisances to the sage, whose name was Gautama Muni. With joined palms the king stood before Gautama Muni and narrated his pitiful story. Gautama Muni was astonished to hear the king's tale of woe. He thought, 'How has this mighty king been reduced to collecting clothes from the dead?' Gautama Muni became very much compassionate toward Harishchandra and instructed him on the process of fasting for purification. "Gautama Muni said, 'Oh king, during the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada there occurs an especially meritorious Ekadasi named Aja (Annada), which removes all sins. Indeed, this Ekadasi is so auspicious that if you simply fast on that day and perform no other austerity, all your sins will be nullified. By your good fortune it is coming in just seven days. So I urge you to fast on this day and remain awake through the night. If you do so, all the reactions of your past sins will come to an end. Oh Harishchandra, I have come here because of your past pious deeds. Now, all good fortune to you in the future!' So saying, the great sage Sri Gautama Muni immediately disappeared from his vision. "King Harishchandra followed Gautama Muni's instructions concerning fasting on the sacred day of Aja Ekadasi. Oh Maharaja Yudhisthira, because the king fasted on that day, the reactions to his previous sins were completely destroyed at once. Oh lion among kings, just see the influence of this Ekadasi fast! It immediately vanquishes whatever miseries one may be suffering as a result of past karmic sinful activities. Thus all Harishchandra's miseries were relieved. Just by the power of this wonderful Ekadasi, he was reunited with his wife and son, who had died but were now revived. In the heavenly regions the devas (demigods) began beating on their celestial kettledrums and showering down flowers upon Harishchandra, his queen, and their son. By the blessings of the Ekadasi fast, he regained his kingdom without difficulty. Moreover, when King Harishchandra left the planet, his relatives and all his subjects too, went with him to the spiritual world. "Oh Pandava, whoever fasts on Aja Ekadasi is surely freed from all his sins and ascends to the spiritual world. And whosoever hears and studies the glories of this Ekadasi achieves the merit gained by performing a horse sacrifice." Thus ends the narration of the glories of Bhadrapada-krishna Ekadasi, or Aja Ekadasi, from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.

Pavitropana Ekadasi

Shri Yudhisthira Maharaja said, "Oh Madhusudana, Oh killer of the Madhu demon, please be merciful to me and describe to me the Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Shravana (July-August)."
The Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, replied, "Yes, Oh king, I shall happily narrate its glories to you, for just by hearing about this sacred Ekadasi one attains the merit of performing a horse sacrifice.
"At the dawn of Dvarpara-yuga there lived a king by the name of Mahijita, who ruled the kingdom of Mahismati-puri.
Because he had no son, his entire kingdom seemed utterly cheerless to him.
A married man who has no son gains no happiness in this life or the next.
The Sanskrit word for 'son' is putra.
Pu is the name of a particular hell, and tra means 'to deliver.'
Thus the word putra means 'a person who delivers one from the hell named Pu.'
Therefore every married man should produce at least one son and train him properly; then the father will be delivered from a hellish condition of life.
But this injunction does not apply to the serious devotees of Lord Vishnu or Krishna, for the Lord becomes their son, father, and mother.

Furthermore, Chanakya Pandita says,

satyam mata pita jnanam
dharmo bhrata daya sakha
santih patni ksama putrah
sadete mama vandhavah

"Truth is my mother, knowledge is my father, my occupational duty is my brother, kindness is my friend, tranquility is my wife, and forgiveness is my son.
These six are my family members."
Among the twenty-six leading qualities of a devotee of the Lord, forgiveness is the topmost.
Therefore devotees should make an extra endeavor to develop this quality.
Here Chanakya says "forgiveness is my son," and thus a devotee of the Lord, even though he may be on the path of renunciation, may observe this Ekadasi and pray to attain this kind of "son."
For a long time this king tried very hard to obtain an heir, but to no avail.
Seeing his years advancing ever onwards, King Mahijita became increasingly anxious.

One day he told an assembly of his advisers: 'I have committed no sin in this life, and there is no ill-gotten wealth in my treasury.
I have never usurped the offerings to the demigods or brahmanas.
When I waged war and conquered kingdoms, I followed the rules and regulations of the military art, and I have protected my subjects as if they were my own children.
I punished even my own relatives if they broke the law, and if my enemy was gentle and religious I welcomed him.
Oh twice-born souls, although I am a religious and faithful follower of the Vedic standards, still my home is without a son.
Kindly tell me the reason for this.'
"Hearing this, the king's brahmana advisers discussed the subject among themselves, and with the aim of benefiting the king they visited the various ashrams of the great sages.
At last they came upon a sage who was austere, pure, and self-satisfied, and who was strictly observing a vow of fasting.
His senses were completely under control, he had conquered his anger, and he was expert at performing his occupational duty.
Indeed, this great sage was expert in all the conclusions of the Vedas, and he had extended his life span to that of Lord Brahma himself.
His name was Lomasa Rishi, and he knew part, present, and future.
After each kalpa passed, one hair would fall out of his body (One kalpa, or twelve hours of Lord Brahma, equals 4,320,000,000 years).
All the king's brahmana advisers very happily approached him one by one to offer their humble respects.

"Captivated by this great soul, King Mahijita's advisers offered obeisances to him and said very respectfully, 'Only because of our great good fortune, Oh sage, have we been allowed to see you.'
"Lomasa Rishi saw them bowing down to him and replied, 'Kindly let me know why you have come here. Why are you praising me?
I must do all I can to solve your problems, for sages like me have only one interest: to help others. Do not doubt this.'

Lomasa Rishi had all good qualities because he was a devotee of the Lord.
As stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (5:18:12),

yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akinchana
sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah
harav abhaktasya kuto mahad-guna
manorathenasati dhavato bahih

"In one who has unflinching devotional service to Krishna, all the good qualities of Krishna and the demigods are consistently manifest.
However, he who has no devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead has no good qualifications because he is engaged by mental concoction in material existence, which is the external feature of the Lord."

"The king's representatives said, 'We have come to you, Oh exalted sage, to ask for your help in solving a very serious problem.
Oh sage, you are like Lord Brahma.
Indeed, there is no better sage in the entire world.
Our king, Mahijita, is without a son, though he has sustained and protected us as if we were his sons.
Seeing him so unhappy on account of being sonless, we have become very sad, Oh sage, and therefore we have entered the forest to perform severe austerities.
By our good fortune we happened upon you.
Everyone's desires and activities become successful just by your darshan.
Thus we humbly ask that you tell us how our kind king can obtain a son.'

"Hearing their sincere plea, Lomasa Rishi absorbed himself in deep meditation for a moment and at once understood the king's previous life.
Then he said, 'Your ruler was a merchant in his past life, and feeling his wealth insufficient, he committed sinful deeds.
He traveled to many villages to trade his goods.
Once, at noon on the day after the Ekadasi that comes during the light fortnight of the month of Jyeshtha (Trivikrama - May-June), he became thirsty while traveling from place to place.
He came upon a beautiful pond on the outskirts of a village, but just as he was about to drink at the pond a cow arrived there with her new-born calf.
These two creatures were also very thirsty because of the heat, but when the cow and calf started to drink, the merchant rudely shoved them aside and selfishly slaked his own thirst.
This offense against a cow and her calf has resulted in your king's being without a son now.
But the good deeds he performed in his previous life have given him rulership over an undisturbed kingdom.'

"Hearing this, the king's advisers replied, 'Oh renowned rishi, we have heard that the Vedas say one can nullify the effects of one's past sins by acquiring merit.
Be so kind as to give us some instruction by which our king's sins can be destroyed; please give him your mercy so that a prince will take birth in his family.'

"Lomasa Rishi said, 'There is an Ekadasi called Putrada, which comes during the light fortnight of the month of Shravana.
On this day all of you, including your king, should fast and stay awake all night, strictly following the rules and regulations.
Then you should give the king whatever merit you gain by this fast.
If you follow these instructions of mine, he will surely be blessed with a fine son.'

"All the king's advisers became very pleased to hear these words from Lomasa Rishi, and they all offered him their grateful obeisances.
Then, their eyes bright with happiness, they returned home.

"When the month of Shravana arrived, the king's advisers remembered the advice of Lomasa Rishi, and under their direction all the citizens of Mahismati-puri, as well as the king, fasted on Ekadasi.
And on the next day, Dvadasi, the citizens dutifully offered their accrued merit to him.
By the strength of all this merit, the queen became pregnant and eventually gave birth to a most beautiful son.

"O Yudhisthira," Lord Krishna concluded, "the Ekadasi that comes during the light fortnight of the month of Shravana has thus rightfully become famous as Putrada ["bestower of a son"].
Whoever desires happiness in this world and the next should certainly fast from all grains and legumes on this holy day.
Indeed, whoever simply hears the glories of Putrada Ekadasi becomes completely free of all sins, is blessed with a good son, and surely ascends to heaven after death."

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Shravana-sukla Ekadasi, or Putrada Ekadasi, from the Bhavishya Purana.

Kamika Ekadasi

The saintly king Yudhisthira maharaj said, "Oh Supreme Lord, I have heard from You the glories of fasting on Deva-sayani Ekadasi, which occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Ashadha.
Now I would like to hear from You the glories of the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight (krishna paksha) of the month of Shravana (July -August).
Oh Govindadeva, please be merciful to me and explain its glories.
Oh Supreme Vasudeva, I offer my most humble obeisances unto You.

The Supreme Lord, Shri Krishna, replied, "Oh King, please listen attentively as I describe the auspicious influence of this Holy fast (vrata) day, which removes all sins.
Narada Muni once asked Lord Brahma about this same topic.
'Oh regent of all beings,' said Naradji, 'Oh you who sit upon a water born lotus throne, please tell me the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the sacred month of Shravana.
Please also tell me which Deity is to be worshipped on that Holy day, the process one must follow to observe it, and the merit it awards.'

Lord Brahma replied, 'My dear son Narada, for the benefit of all humanity I shall happily tell you everything you wish to know, for just hearing the glories of the Kamika Ekadasi bestows merit equal to that obtained by one who performs a horse sacrifice.
Certainly, great merit is attained by one who worships, and who also meditates on the lotus feet of the four-armed Lord Gadadhara, who holds conchshell, disc, club and lotus in His hands and who is also known as Shridhara, Hari, Vishnu, Madhava, and Madhusudana.
And the blessings achieved by such a person / devotee, who worships Lord Vishnu exclusively are far greater than those achieved by one who takes a sacred bath in the Ganges at Kashi (Varanasi), in the forest of Naimisharanya, or at Pushkara, which is the only place on the planet where I am formally worshipped.
But one who observes this Kamika Ekadasi and also worships Lord Shri Krishna achieves greater merit than one who has darshan of Lord Kedaranatha in the Himalayas, or one who bathes at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse, or one who donates the whole Earth in charity, including its forests and oceans, or one who bathes in the Gandaki River (where the sacred Shaligrams are found) or the Godavari River on a full moon (purnima) day that falls on a Monday when Leo (Simha) and Jupiter (Guru) are conjoined (conjunct).

'Observing Kamika Ekadasi bestows the same merit as donating a milk-cow and her auspicious calf, along with their feed.
On this all auspicious day, whosoever worships Lord Sri Shridhara-deva, Vishnu, is glorified by all the devas, Gandharvas, Pannagas, and Nagas.
'Those who are afraid of their past sins and completely immersed in sinful materialistic life should at least observe this best of Ekadasis according to their ability and thus attain liberation.
This Ekadasi is the purest of all days and the most powerful for removing sins of the native.
Oh Narad ji, Lord Shri Hari Himself once said about this Ekadasi, "One who fasts on Kamika Ekadasi attains much more merit than one who studies all the spiritual literatures.
'Anyone who fasts on this particular day remains awake throughout the night will never experience the anger of Yamaraja, the king of death personified.
It has been seen that whoever observes Kamika Ekadasi will not have to suffer future births, and in the past too, many Yogis of devotion who fasted on this day went to the spiritual world.

One should therefore follow in their auspicious footsteps and strictly observe a fast on this most auspicious of Ekadasis.
'Whosoever worships Lord Shri Hari with Tulsi leaves is freed from all implication of sin.
Indeed, he lives untouched by sin, as the lotus leaf, although in the water, is untouched by it.
Whosoever offers Lord Shri Hari but a single leaf from the sacred Tulsi tree (occillium basilcum sanctum) attains as much merit as one who gives away in charity two hundred grams of gold and eight hundred grams of silver.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is more pleased by one who offers Him a single Tulsi leaf than by one who worships Him with pearls, rubies, topaz, diamonds, lapis lazuli, sapphires, gomeda stones (gomaz), cat's eye gems, and coral.
One who offers Lord Keshava newly grown manjari buds from the Tulsi plant gets rid of all the sins he has committed during this or any other lifetime.
Indeed, mere darshana of Tulsi on Kamika Ekadasi removes all sins, and merely touching her and praying to her removes all kinds of disease.
One who waters Tulsi devi need never fear the Lord of death, Yamaraja.
One who plants or transplants Tulsi on this days will eventually reside with Lord Shri Krishna in His own abode.
To Srimati Tulsi devi, who awards liberation in devotional service, one should therefore daily offer one's full obeisances.

'Even Chitragupta, Yamaraja's secretary, cannot calculate the merit obtained by one who offers Shrimati Tulsi-devi a perpetually burning ghee lamp.
So dear is this sacred Ekadasi to the Supreme Personality of Godhead that all the forefathers of one who offers a bright ghee lamp to Lord Shri Krishna on this day ascend to the heavenly planets and drink the celestial nectar there.
Whoever offers a ghee or sesame oil lamp to Shri Krishna on this day is freed from all his sins and enters the abode of Surya, the Sun-god, with a body as bright as ten million lamps.
This Ekadasi is so powerful that if one who is unable to fast simply follows the practices as mentioned herein, s/he is elevated to the heavenly planets, along with all their forefathers.

'Oh Maharaj Yudhisthira,Lord Shri Krishna concluded, "...these were the words of prajapathi Brahma to his son Narad Muni concerning the incalculable glories of this Kamika Ekadasi, which removes all sins.
This sacred day nullifies even the sin of killing a brahmana or the sin of killing an unborn child in the womb, and it promotes one to the spiritual world by making one supremely meritorious.
One who kills the innocent, i.e., a brahmin (brahmana), a child in the womb, a pious and spotless woman, etc., and then later hears about the glories of Kamika Ekadasi will be relieved of the reaction to one's sins.
However, one should NOT think beforehand that one can kill a Brahmin or other innocent folk and then go unpunished simply by hearing of this Ekadasi.
Such knowing commission of sin is an abomination.

Whosoever hears these glories of the Kamika Ekadasi with faith becomes free of all sins and returns home, back to Godhead - Vishnu-loka, Vaikuntha.
Thus ends the narration of the glories of the Shravana-krshna Ekadasi, or Kamika Ekadasi, from the Brahma-Vaivarta Purana.

Yogini Ekadasi

Yudhisthira Maharaj said, "Oh Supreme Lord, I have heard the glories of the Nirjala Ekadasi, which occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Jyeshtha (May - June).
Now I wish to hear from You about the suddha Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Ashadha (June - July).
Kindly describe to me all about it in detail, Oh killer of the Madhu demon (Madhusudana)."

The Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, then replied, "Oh king, I shall indeed tell you about the best of all fasting days, the Ekadasi that comes during the dark part of the month of Ashadha.
Famous as Yogini Ekadasi, it removes all kinds of sinful reactions and awards supreme liberation.
"Oh best of kings, this Ekadasi delivers people who are drowning in the vast ocean of material existence and transports them to the shore of the spiritual world.
In all the three worlds, it is the chief of all sacred fasting days.
I shall now reveal this truth to you by narrating a history recounted in the Puranas.

"The king of Alakapuri - Kuvera, the treasurer of the devas (demigods) - was a steadfast devotee of lord Shiva.
He employed a servant named Hemamali as his personal gardener.
Hemamali, a Yaksha like Kuvera, was very lustfully attracted to his gorgeous wife, Swarupavatii, who had large, enchanting eyes.
"Hemamali's daily duty was to visit Manasarovara Lake and bring back flowers for his master, Kuvera, with which he would use them in the puja offerings to lord Shiva.
One day, after picking the flowers, Hemamali went to his wife instead of returning directly to his master and fulfilling his duty by bringing the flowers for the puja.
Absorbed in loving affairs of a bodily nature with his wife, he forgot to return to the abode of Kuvera.
"Oh king, while Hemamali was enjoying with his wife, Kuvera had begun the worship of lord Shiva as normal in his palace and soon discovered that there were no flowers ready to be offered in the midday puja.
The lack of such an important item (upachara) angered the great Koshad-yaksha (treasurer of the devas) even more, and he asked a Yaksha messenger, 'Why has dirty-hearted Hemamali not come with the daily offering of flowers?
Go find out the exact reason and report back to me in person with your findings.'
The Yaksha returned and told Kuvera, 'Oh dear lord, Hemamali has become lost in freely enjoying coitus with his wife.'

"Kuvera became extremely angry when he heard this and at once summoned lowly Hemamali before him.
Knowing that he had been remiss and dawdling in his duty and exposed as meditating on his wife's body, Hemamali approached his master in great fear.
The gardener first paid his obeisances and then stood before his lord, whose eyes had become red with anger and whose lips trembled in rage.
So enraged, Kuvera cried out to Hemamali, 'Oh you sinful rascal! Oh destroyer of religious principles! You are a walking offense to the devas!
I therefore curse you to suffer from white leprosy and to become separated from your beloved wife! Only great suffering is deservedly yours!
Oh lowborn fool, leave this place immediately and betake yourself to the lower planets to suffer!'

"And so Hemamali fell at once from grace in Alakapuri and became ill with the terrible affliction of white leprosy.
He awoke in a dense and fearful forest, where there was nothing to eat or drink.
Thus he passed his days in misery, unable to sleep at night due to pain.
He suffered in both winter and summer season, but because he continued to worship lord Shiva himself with faith, his consciousness remained purely fixed and steady.
Although implicated by great sin and its attendant reactions, he remembered his past life because of his piety.

"After wandering for some time here and there, over mountains and across plains, Hemamali eventually came upon the vast expanse of the Himalayan mountain ranges.
There he had the wonderful good fortune to come in contact with the great saintly soul Markandeya Rishi, the best of ascetics, whose duration of life it is said, extends to seven of the days of Brahma.

"Markandeya Rishi was seated peacefully at his Ashrama, looking as effulgent as a second Brahma.
Hemamali, feeling very sinful, stood at a distance from the magnificent sage and offered his humble obeisances and choice prayers.
Always interested in the welfare of others, Markandeya Rishi saw the leper and called him near, "Oh you, what sort of sinful deeds have you done to earn this dreadful affliction?'

"Hearing this, Hemamali painfully and ashamed replied, 'Dear sir, I am a Yaksha servant of lord Kuvera, and my name is Hemamali.
It was my daily service to pick the flowers from the Manasarovara lake for my master's worship of lord Shiva, but one day I was negligent and was late in returning with the offering because I had become overwhelmed with lusty passion for enjoying bodily pleasures with my wife.
When my master discovered why I was late, he cursed me in great anger to be as I am before you.
Thus I am now bereft of my home, my wife, and my service.
But fortunately I have come upon you, and now I hope to receive from you an auspicious benediction, for I know that devotees such as you are as merciful as the Supreme Lord (Bhakta Vatsala) and always carry the interest of others uppermost in their hearts.
That is their - your nature. Oh best of sages, please help me!'

"Softhearted Markandeya Rishi replied, 'Because you have told me the truth, I shall tell you about a fast day that will benefit you greatly.
If you fast on the Ekadasi that comes during the dark fortnight of the month of Ashadha, you will surely be freed of this terrible curse.'

Hemamali fell to the ground in complete gratitude and offered him his humble obeisances again and again.
But Markandeya Rishi stood there and lifted poor Hemamali to his feet, filling him with inexpressible happiness.

"Thus, as the sage had instructed him, Hemamali dutifully observed the Ekadasi fast, and by its influence he again became a handsome Yaksha.
Then he returned home, where he lived very happily with his wife."

Lord Sri Krishna concluded, "So, you can readily see, Oh Yudhishthira that fasting on Yogini Ekadasi is very powerful and auspicious.
Whatever merit one obtains by feeding eighty-eight thousand brahmins is also obtained simply by observing a strict fast on Yogini Ekadasi.
For one who fasts on this sacred Ekadasi, she (Ekadasi Devi), destroys heaps of past sinful reactions and makes him most pious.
Oh King, thus I have explained to you the purity of Yogini Ekadasi."

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Ashadha-krishna Ekadasii, or Yogini Ekadasi, from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.

Sayana Ekadasi

The saintly king Yudhishthira Maharaj said, "Oh Keshava, what is the name of that Ekadasii that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Ashadha (June - July)?
Who is the worshipable Deity for the auspicious day, and what is the process for observing this event?
Lord Sri Krishna replied, "Oh caretaker of this Earthly planet, I shall gladly tell you a wonderful historical event that the deva lord Brahma once narrated to his son Narad Muni.
"One day Narad Muni asked his father, 'What is the name of the Ekadasii that comes during the light part of the month of Ashadha', much as you did?
Kindly tell me how I should observe this Ekadasi and thus please the Supreme Lord, Sri Vishnu.'
"Lord Brahma replied, 'Oh great saintly orator, O best of all sages, Oh purest devotee of Lord Vishnu, your question is as usual excellent for all mankind.
There is nothing better than Ekadasi, the day of Lord Sri Hari, in this or any other world.
It nullifies even the worst sins if observed properly.
For this reason I shall tell you about this Ashadha-shukla Ekadasi.

'Fasting on this Ekadasi purifies one of all sins and fulfills all ones desires.
Therefore, whoever neglects to observe this sacred fast day is a good candidate for entering into hell. Ashadha-shukla Ekadasi is also famous as Padma Ekadasi.
Just to please the Supreme Lord Hrishikesha, the master of the senses, one should fast on this day.
Listen carefully, Oh Narad, as I relate to you a wonderful historical event that was recorded in the scriptures regarding this Ekadasi.
Just hearing this account destroys all kinds of sins, along with all obstacles on the path to spiritual perfection.

'Oh son, there was once a saintly king in the Surya Vamsha (Sun dynasty) whose name was Mandhata.
Because he always stood up for the truth, he was appointed emperor.
He took care of his subjects as though they were his very own family members and children.
On account of his piety and great religiosity, there was no pestilence, drought, or disease of any kind in his entire kingdom.
All his subjects were not only free of all kinds of disturbances but also were very wealthy.
The king's own treasury was free of any ill-gotten moneys, and thus he ruled happily for many years.

'Once, however, because of some sin in his kingdom, there was a drought for three years.
The subjects found themselves beset by famine also.
The lack of food grains made it impossible for them to perform the prescribed Vedic sacrifices, offer oblations of grita (ghee) to their forefathers and to the devas, engage in any ritualistic worship, or even study the Vedic literatures.
Finally, they all came before their beloved king in a great assembly and addressed him thus, 'Oh king, you always see to our welfare, so we humbly beg your assistance now.
Everyone and everything in this world needs water.
Without water, almost everything is rendered useless or dead.
The Vedas call water nara, and because the Supreme Personality of Godhead sleeps upon water, His another name is Narayana.
God makes His own abode on water and takes His rest there.

It is said that three things cannot exist without water; pearls, human beings, and flour.
The essential quality of a pearl is its luster, and that is due to water.
The essence of a man is his semen, whose main constituent is water.
And without water, flour cannot be made into dough and then be cooked into various forms of bread, offered and eaten.
Sometimes water is called jala-narayaaa, the Supreme Lord in the form of this life sustaining substance - water.

In His form as the clouds, the Supreme Lord is present throughout the sky and pours forth rains, from which grow the grains that maintain every living entity.
' "Oh king, the severe drought has caused a great lack of valuable grains; thus we are all miserable, and the population is decreasing as people die off or leave your kingdom.
Oh best ruler on Earth, please find some solutions to this problem and bring us to peace and prosperity once again.

'The king replied, "You speak the truth, for grains are like Brahman, the Absolute Truth, who lives within grains and thereby sustains all beings.
Indeed, it is because of grains that the entire world lives.
Now, why is there a terrible drought in our kingdom?
The Holy Scriptures discuss this subject very thoroughly.
If a king (or head of the country) is irreligious, both he and his subjects suffer.
I have meditated upon the cause of our problem for a long time, but after searching my past and present character I can honestly say that I find no sin.
Still, for the good of all you subjects, I shall try to remedy the situation.
Thinking in this way, King Mandhata assembled his army and entourage.
Paid his obeisances to me, and then entered the forest.
He wandered here and there, seeking great sages in their Ashrams and inquiring about how to resolve the crisis in his kingdom.
At last he came upon the ashram of one of my other sons, Angira Muni, whose effulgence lit up all directions.
Seated in his hermitage, Angira looked like a second Brahma.
King Mandhata was very pleased to see that exalted sages, whose senses were completely under control. The king immediately dismounted his horse and offered his respectful obeisances at the lotus feet of Angira Muni.
Then the king joined his palms and prayed for the Muni's blessings.
That saintly person reciprocated by blessing the king with sacred mantras; then he asked him about the welfare of the seven limbs of his kingdom.
The seven limbs of a king's domain are
1. the king himself;
2. the ministers;
3. his treasury;
4. his military forces;
5. his allies;
6. the brahmins;
7. the sacrificial performances performed in the kingdom and the needs of the subjects under his care.

'After telling the sage how the seven limbs of his kingdom were situated, King Mandhata asked the sage about his own situation, and if he was happy.
Then Angira Muni asked the king why he had undertaken such a difficult journey into the forest, and the king told him of the affliction his kingdom was suffering.
The king said, "Oh great sage, I am ruling and maintaining my kingdom while following the Vedic injunctions, and thus I do not know the reason for the drought.
To solve this mystery, I have approached you for help.
Please help me relieve the suffering of my subjects.

'Angira Rishi said to the king, 'The present age, Satya yuga, is the best of all ages, for in this age Dharma stands on all four legs (Truthfulness, Austerity, Mercy, and Cleanliness).
In this age everyone respects Brahmins as the topmost members of society.
Also, everyone fulfills his occupational duties, and only twice-born Brahmins are allowed to perform Vedic austerities and penances.
Although this is a standard, Oh lion among kings, there is one shudra (uninitiated, untrained person) who is unlawfully performing the rites of austerity and penance in your kingdom.
This is why there is no rain in your land.
You should therefore punish this laborer with death, for by so doing you will remove the contamination inflicted by his actions and restore peace to your subjects.

'The king then replied, "How can I kill an offense-less performer of austerity and sacrifice?
Please give me some spiritual solution.
'The great sage Angira Muni then said, "Oh king, you should observe a fast on the Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Ashadha.
This auspicious day is named Padma Ekadasi, and by its influence plentiful rains and thus grains and other foodstuffs will surely return to your kingdom.
This Ekadasi bestows perfection upon its faithful observers, removes all kinds of bad elements, and destroys all obstacles on the path to perfection.
Oh king, you, your relatives, and your subjects should all observe this sacred Ekadasi fast.
Then everything in your kingdom will undoubtedly return to normal.
Upon hearing these words, the king offered his obeisances and then returned to his palace.
When the Padma Ekadasi arrived, King Mandhata assembled all the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and shudras in his kingdom and instructed them to strictly observe this important fast day.
After they had observed it, the rains fell, just as the sage had predicted, and in due course of time there were abundant crops and a rich harvest of grain.
By the mercy of the Supreme Lord Hrishikesha, the master of the senses, all the subjects of King Mandhata became extremely happy and prosperous.

Therefore, Oh Narada, everyone should observe this Ekadasi fast very strictly, for it bestows all kinds of happiness, as well as ultimate liberation, upon the faithful devotee.'
Lord Sri Krishna concluded, "My dear Yudhishthira, Padma Ekadasi is so powerful that one who simply reads or hears its glories becomes completely sinless.
Oh Pandava, one who wishes to please Me should strictly observe this Ekadasi, which is also known as Deva-sayani Ekadasi.
Deva-sayani, or Vishnu-sayani, indicates the day when Lord Vishnu goes to sleep with all the devas (demigods).
It is said that after this day one should not perform any new auspicious ceremonies until Devotthani Ekadasi (Haribodhini (Probodhini) Devotthaani (Utthana) Ekadasi), which occurs during the month of Kartika (October - November), because the devas (demigods), being asleep, cannot be invited to the sacrificial arena and because the Sun is traveling along its Southern course (Dakshinayanam).
"Lord Sri Krishna continued, "Oh lion among kings, Yudhishthira Maharaj, whoever wants liberation should regularly observe a fast on this Ekadasi which is also the day when the Chaturmasya fast begins.

Thus ends the narration of the glories of the Ashadha-shukla Ekadasi - also known as PadmA Ekadasi or Deva-sayani Ekadasi - from the Bhavishya-uttara Purana.

Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi

 

Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi
During the hottest season (northern hemisphere), if one can perform upavasa without water one is performing a great feat.
One may take only caranamrta and acamana water.
Bhima requested one vrata day by which he could obtain the fruits of all the other days of vrata that he was incapable of observing.
Vyasadeva advised him to follow this difficult vrata.

One should worship the Lord in the evening by bathing him in milk.
On the dvadasi one should give full pots of water to brahmanas and feed them before breaking one's fast.
SAMVATSARASYA YA MADHYE EKADASYO BHAVANTI HI TASAM PHALAM AVAPNOTI PUTRA ME NA ATRA SAMSAYAH ITI MAM KESAVAH PRAHA SANKHA CAKRA GADADHARAH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/25 from PADMA PURANA Vyasadeva speaks to Bhimasena)

Oh son, Lord Keshava, Who holds the club, disk, conch and lotus flower in His hand, personally told me that all of the merit achieved by fasting on whatever Ekadasis fall in one year can be attained by fasting on this one Ekadasi (nirjala Ekadasi).
Of this, there is no doubt.

ATMADROHAH KRTASTES TU YAIR ESA NA HY UPOSITA PAPATMANO DURACARA DUSTAS TE NA ATRA SAMSAYAH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/33 from PADMA PURANA Vyasadeva speaks to Bhimasena)
Anyone who does not fast on this particular Ekadasi (nirjala Ekadasi), they should be understood to be sinful, corrupted and suicidal person without a doubt.

The Story of Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi:

Once Bhimasena, the younger brother of Maharaja Yudhisthira, asked the great sage Shrila Vyasadeva, the grandfather of the Pandavas, if it is possible to return to the spiritual world without having observed all the rules and regulations of the Ekadasi fasts.
Bhimasena then spoke as follows, "Oh greatly intelligent and learned grandfather, my brother Yudhisthira, my dear mother Kunti, and my beloved wife Draupadi, as well as Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva, fast completely on each Ekadasi and strictly follow all the rules, guidelines and regulative injunctions of that sacred day.
Being very religious, they always tell me that I should also fast on that day too.
But, Oh learned grandfather, I tell them that I cannot live without eating, because as the son of Vayudeva - Samanaprana, (the digestive air) hunger is unbearable to me.
I can give widely in charity and worship Lord Keshava properly with all manner of wonderful upacharas (items), but I cannot be asked to fast on Ekadasi.
Please tell me how I can obtain the same merits result without fasting."

Hearing these words, the grandsire of Bhima, Srila Vyasadeva said, "If you want to go to the heavenly planets and avoid the hellish planets, you should indeed observe a fast on both the light and dark Ekadasis."

Bhima replied, "Oh great saintly intelligent grandfather, please listen to my plea.
Oh greatest of munis, since I cannot live if I eat only once in a day, how can I possibly live if I fast completely?
Within my stomach burns a special fire named Vrika, the fire of digestion.
Agni the fire-god, descends from Lord Vishnu through Brahma, from Brahma to Angirasa, from Angirasa to Brihaspathi, and from Brihaspathi to Samyu, who was Agni's father.
He is the gatekeeper in charge of Nairritti, the south-eastern direction.
He is one of the eight material elements, and Parikshit Maharaja, he is very expert at examining things.
He examined Maharaja Shibi once by turning into a dove. (for further information on this incident see Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's Srimad Bhagavatam commentary to 1:12:20. Purport.)

Agni is divided into three categories; Davagni, the fire in wood, Jatharagni, the fire in the digestion in the stomach, and Vadavagni, the fire that creates fog when hot and cold streams mix in for example the ocean.
Another name for the fire of digestion is Vrika.
It is this powerful fire that resided in Bhima's stomach.
Only when I eat to my full satisfaction does the fire in my stomach become satisfied.
Oh great sage, I might possibly be able to fast only once, so I beg that you tell me of an Ekadasi that is worthy of my fasting and that includes all other Ekadasis.
I shall faithfully observe that fast and hopefully still become eligible for liberation's release."

Shrila Vyasadeva replied, Oh king, you have heard from me about the various kinds of occupational duties, such as elaborate Vedic ceremonies and pujas.
In the Kali-yuga, however, no one will be able to observe all these occupational & functional duties properly.
I shall therefore tell you how, at practically no expense, one can endure some small austerity and achieve the greatest benefit and resultant happiness.
The essence of what is written in the Vedic literatures known as the Puranas is that one should not eat on either the dark or light fortnight Ekadasis."

As stated in Srimad Bhagavatam (Mahabhagavat Puranam) 12:13:12 and 15, the Bhagavat Puranam is itself the essence or cream of all Vedanta philosophy (sara-vedanta-saram), and the Srimad Bhagavatam's unequivocal message is that of full surrender to Lord Sri Krishna and the rendering of loving devotional service to Him.
Observing Ekadasi strictly is a great aid in that process, and here Shrila Vyasadeva is simply stressing to Bhima the importance of the Ekadasi vratam.

"One who fasts on Ekadasis saved from going to the hellish planets."
Hearing Shrila Vyasadeva's words, the son of Vayu, Bhimasena, the strongest of all warriors, became frightened and began to shake like a leaf on a banyan tree in a strong wind.
The frightened Bhimasena then said, "Oh grandfather, what should I do? I am completely unable and ill equipped to fast twice in a month throughout the year!
Please tell me of the one fasting day that will bestow the greatest benefit upon me!"

Vyasadeva replied, "Without drinking even water, you should fast on the Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Jyeshtha (May-June) when the sun travels in the sign of Taurus (Vrishabh) and Gemini (Mithun),
According to learned personalities, on this day one may bathe and perform Achamana for pratiprokshana purification.
But while performing Achamana one may drink only that amount of water equal to a drop of gold, or that amount it takes to immerse a single mustard seed.
Only this amount of water should be placed in the right palm for sipping, which one should form to resemble a cow's ear.
If one drinks more water than this, he might as well have drunk wine despite the soaring heat of summer (in the northern hemisphere and cold in the southern hemisphere).

One must certainly not eat anything, for if he does so he breaks his fast.
This rigid fast is in effect from sunrise on the Ekadasi day to sunrise on the Dwadashi day.
If a person endeavours to observe this great fast very strictly, he easily achieves the result of observing all twenty-four other Ekadasi fasts throughout the entire year.

On Dwadashi the devotee should bathe early in the morning.
Then, according to the prescribed rules, guidelines and regulative injunctions, and of course depending on his ability, he should give some gold and water to worthy brahmanas.
Finally, he should cheerfully honour prasadam with a branmana.

Oh Bhimasena, one who can fast on this special Ekadasi in this manner reaps the benefit of having fasted on every Ekadasi during the year.
There is no doubt of this, nor should there be.

Oh Bhima, now hear the specific merit one gets by fasting on this Ekadasi.
The Supreme Lord Keshava, who holds a conch, discus, club and lotus, personally told me, `Everyone should take shelter of Me and follow My instructions.'
Then He told me that one who fasts on this Ekadasi, without taking even drinking water or eating, becomes free of all sinful reactions, and that one who observes the difficult nirjalafast on Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadasi truly reaps the benefit of all other Ekadasi fasts.

"Oh Bhimasena, in the Kali-yuga, the age of quarrel and hypocrisy, when all the principles of the Vedas will have been destroyed or greatly minimised, and when there will be no proper charity or observance of the ancient Vedik principles and ceremonies, how will there be any means of purifying the self?
But there is the opportunity to fast on Ekadasi and become free of all one's past sins.

"Oh son of Vayu, what more can I say to you?
You should not eat during the Ekadasis that occur during the dark and light fortnights, and you should even give up drinking water (nir = no jala= water) on the particularly auspicious Ekadasi day of Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadasi.
Oh Vrikodara (voracious eater), whoever fasts on this Ekadasi receives the merits of bathing in all the places of pilgrimage, giving all kinds of charities to worthy persons, and fasting on all the dark and light Ekadasis throughout the year, in one go.
Of this there is no doubt.

Oh tiger among men, whoever fasts on this Ekadasi truly becomes a great person and achieves all manner of opulence and wealth, grains, strength, and health.
And at the fearful moment of death, the terrible Yamadutas, whose complexions are yellow and black and who brandish huge maces and twirl mystic pasha ropes in the air for binding their victims, will refuse to approach him.
Rather, such a faithful soul will at once be taken to the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu by the Vishnu-dutas, whose transcendentally beautiful forms are clothed in gorgeous yellowish garments and who each hold a disk, club, conch and lotus in their four hands, resembling Lord Vishnu.
It is to gain all these benefits that one should certainly fast on this very auspicious and important Ekadasi, even from water."

When the other Pandavas heard about the benefits to be gained by following Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadasi, they resolved to observe it exactly as their grandfather Srila Vyasadeva had explained it to their brother, Bhimasena.
All the Pandavas observed it by refraining from eating or drinking anything, and thus this day is also known as Pandava Nirjala Dvadashi (technically it is a Maha-Dvadashi).

Shrila Vyasadeva continued, Oh Bhimasen, therefore you should observe this important fast to remove all your past sinful reactions.
You should pray to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna in this way making your sankalpa declaration, `Oh Lord of all the devas (demigods), Oh Supreme Personality of Godhead, today I shall observe Ekadasi without taking any water.
Oh unlimited Anantadev, I shall break fast on the next day, Dwadashi.'

Thereafter, to remove all his sins, the devotee should honour this Ekadasi fast with full faith in the Lord and with full control over his senses.
Whether his sins are equal in volume to Mount Sumeru or to Mandarachala Hill, if he or she observes this Ekadasi, the sins that have been accumulated all become nullified and are burned to ashes.
Such is the great power of this Ekadasi.

Oh best of human beings, although a person should also give water and cows in charity during this Ekadasi, if for some reason or other he cannot, then he should give a qualified brahmana some cloth or a pot filled with water.
Indeed, the merit achieved by giving water alone equals that gained by giving gold ten million times a day.

"Oh Bhima, Lord Sri Krishna has said that whoever observes this Ekadasi should take a Holy bath, give charity to a worthy person, chant the Lord's Holy names on a japa-mala, and perform some kind of recommended sacrifice, for by doing these things on this day one receives imperishable benefits.
There is no need to perform any other kind of religious duty.
Observance of this Ekadasi fast alone promotes one to the supreme abode of Sri Vishnu.
Oh best of the Kurus, if one donates gold, cloth, or anything else on this day, the merit one obtains is imperishable.

"Remember, whosoever eats any grains on Ekadasi becomes contaminated by sin and verily eats only sin.
In effect, he has already become a dog-eater, and after death he suffers a hellish existence.
But he who observes this sacred Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadasi and gives something in charity certainly achieves liberation from the cycle of repeated birth and death and attains to the supreme abode.
Observing this Ekadasi, which is merged with Dwadashi, frees one from the horrible sin of killing a brahmana, drinking liquor and wine, becoming envious of one's spiritual master and ignoring his instructions, and continually telling lies.

"Furthermore, Oh best of beings (Jivottama), any man or woman who observes this fast properly and worships the Supreme Lord Jalshayi (He who sleeps on the water), and who on the next day satisfies a qualified brahmana with nice sweets and a donation of cows and money - such a person certainly pleases the Supreme Lord Vasudeva, so much so that one hundred previous generations in his family undoubtedly go to the Supreme Lord's abode, even though they may have been very sinful, of bad character, and guilty of suicide, etc.
Indeed, one who observes this amazing Ekadasi rides on a glorious celestial airplane (vimana) to the Lord's abode.

"One who on this day gives a brahmana a waterpot, an umbrella, or shoes surely goes to the heavenly planets.
Indeed, he who simply hears these glories also attains to the transcendental abode of the Supreme Lord, Shri Vishnu.
Whoever performs the Shraddha ceremony to the forefathers on the dark-moon day called amavasya, particularly if it occurs at the time of a solar eclipse undoubtedly achieves great merit.
But this same merit is achieved by him who simply hears this sacred narration - so powerful and so dear to the Lord is this Ekadasi.

One should clean his teeth properly and, without eating or drinking, observe this Ekadasi to please the Supreme Lord, Keshava.
On the day after Ekadasi one should worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His form as Trivikrama by offering Him water, flowers, incense, and a brightly burning lamp.
Then the devotee should pray from the heart, `Oh God of gods, Oh deliverer of everyone, Oh Hrishikesha, master of the senses, kindly bestow upon me the gift of liberation, though I can offer you nothing greater than this humble pot filled with water.'
Then the devotee should donate the waterpot to a brahmana.

"Oh Bhimasena, after this Ekadasi fast and donating the recommended items according to his ability, the devotee should feed brahmanas and thereafter honour prasadam silently."

Shrila Vyasadeva concluded, "I strongly urge you to fast on this auspicious, purifying, sin-devouring Dwadashi in just the way I have outlined.
Thus you will be completely freed of all sins and reach the supreme abode."

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadasi, or Bhimaseni-nirjala Ekadasi, from the Brahma-vaivarta Pura

Apara Ekadasi

Apara Ekadasi
Sri Yudhishthira Maharaj said, "Oh Janardana, what is the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight (krishna paksha) of the month of Jyeshtha (May-June)?
I wish to hear from You the glories of this sacred day of Hari.
Please narrate everything to me"

Lord Sri Krishna said, "Oh king, your inquiry is wonderful because the answer will benefit the whole human society.
This Ekadasi is so sublime and meritorious that even the greatest sins can be erased by its purity.

"Oh great saintly king, the name of this unlimitedly meritorious Ekadasi is Apara Ekadasi.
Whoever fasts on this holy day becomes famous all over the universe.
Even such sins as killing a brahmana, a cow, or an embryo; blasphemy; or having sex with another man's wife are completely eradicated by observing Apara Ekadasi.

Oh king people who bear false witness are most sinful.
A person who falsely or sarcastically glorifies another; one who cheats while weighing something on a scale; one who fails to execute the duties of his varna or Ashrama (an unqualified man's posing as a brahmin, for example, or a person's reciting the Vedas wrongly); one who invents his own scriptures; one who cheats others; one who is a charlatan astrologer, a cheating accountant, or a false Ayurvedic doctor.
All these are surely as bad as persons who bears false witness, and they are all destined for hellish punishments.
But simply by observing Apara Ekadasi, all such sinners become completely free of their sinful reactions.

Warriors who fall from their kshatriya-dharma and flee the battlefield go to a ferocious hell.
But, Oh Yudhishthira, even such a fallen kshatriya, if he observes fasting on the Apara Ekadasi, is freed of that great sinful reaction and goes to heaven.
That disciple is the greatest sinner who, after receiving a proper spiritual education from his spiritual master, turns around and blasphemes him.
Such a so-called disciple suffers unlimitedly.
But even he, rascal though he be, if he simply observes Apara Ekadasi, can attain to the spiritual world.


Listen, Oh king, as I describe to you further glories of this amazing Ekadasi.
The merit attained by one who performs all of the following acts of piety is equal to the merit achieved by one who observes Apara Ekadasi:
bathing three times daily in Pushkara-kshetra during Kartika (October-November); bathing at Prayag in the month of Magh (January-February) when the sun is in the zodiac of Capricorn; rendering service to Lord Shiva at Varanasi (Benares) during Shiva-ratri; offering oblations to one's forefathers at Gaya; bathing in the sacred Gautami River when Jupiter transits Leo (Simha); having darshan of Lord Shiva at Kedarnatha; seeing Lord Badrinath when the Sun transits the sign of Aquarius (Kumbha); and bathing at the time of a solar eclipse at Kurukshetra and giving cows, elephants, and gold there in charity.
All the merit one gets from performing these pious acts is gained by a person who observes the Apara Ekadasi fast.
Also, the merit attained by one who donates a pregnant cow, along with gold and fertile land, is attained by one who fasts on this day.

In other words, Apara Ekadasi is an axe that cuts down the fully matured forest full of trees of sinful deeds, it is a forest fire that burns sins as if they were kindling firewood, it is the sun blazing before one's dark misdeeds, and it is a lion stalking the meek deer of impiety.
Therefore, Oh Yudhishthira, whoever truly fears his past and present sins must observe Apara Ekadasi very strictly.
One who does not observe this fast must be born again in the material world, like one bubble among millions in a huge body of water, or like a small ant among all other species.
Therefore one must faithfully observe the sacred Apara Ekadasi and worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Trivikrama.
One who does so is freed of all his sins and promoted to the abode of Lord Vishnu.

Oh Bharata, for the benefit of all humanity I have thus described to you this the importance of the holy Apara Ekadasi.
Anyone who hears or reads this description is certainly freed from all kinds of sins, oh best of saintly kings, Yudhishthira.
Thus ends the narration of the glories of Jyeshtha-krishna Ekadasi, or Apara Ekadasi, from the Brahmanda Purana.

NOTES:

1. Pushkara-kshetra, in western India, is the only place on Earth where a bonafide temple of Lord Brahma is to be found.
2. The Vedas declare, narah budbuda samah: "The human form of life is like a bubble in water".
In water, many bubbles form and then suddenly burst a few seconds later.
Thus if a person does not utilize his rare human body to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, his life has no more value or permanence than a bubble in water.
Therefore, as the Lord herein recommends, we should serve Him by fasting on Hari-vasara, or Ekadasi.

In this regard, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada writes in the Srimad Bhagavatam (SB 2:1:4 purport) :
"The great ocean of material nature is tossing with the waves of time, and the so-called living conditioned are something like foaming bubbles, which appear before us as bodily self, wife, children, society, countrymen, etc.
Due to a lack of knowledge of self, we become victimized by the force of ignorance and thus spoil the valuable energy of human life in a vain search after permanent living conditions, which are impossible in this material world."

Varuthini Ekadasi

Varuthini Ekadasi
Sri Yudhisthira Maharaj said, "Oh Vasudeva, I offer my most humble obeisances unto You.
Please now describe to me the Ekadasi of the dark fortnight (krishna paksha) of the month of Vaisakha (April-May), including its specific merits and influence."

Lord Sri Krishna replied, "Oh King, in this world and the next, the most auspicious and magnanimous Ekadasi is Varathini Ekadasi, which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Vaisakha.
Whosoever observes a complete fast on this sacred day has his sins completely removed, obtains continuous happiness, and achieves all good fortune.
Fasting on Varathini Ekadasi makes even an unfortunate woman fortunate.
Upon anyone who observes it, this Ekadasi bestows material enjoyment in this life and liberation after the death of this present body.
It destroys the sins of all and saves people from the miseries of repeated rebirth.
By observing this Ekadasi properly, King Mandhata was liberated.
Many other kings also benefited from observing it, kings such as Maharaja Dhundhumara, in the Ikshvaku dynasty, who became free from leprosy resulting from the curse that Lord Shiva had imposed upon him as a punishment.
Whatever merit one obtains by performing austerities and penances for ten thousand years is achieved by a person who observes Varuthinii Ekadasi.

The merit one achieves by donating a great amount of gold during a solar eclipse at Kurukshetra is gained by one who observes this one Ekadasi with love and devotion, and certainly attains his goals in this life and the next.
In short, this Ekadasi is pure and very enlivening and the destroyer of all sins.

Better than giving horses in charity is giving elephants, and better than giving elephants is giving land.
But better still than giving land is the giving of sesame seeds, and better than that is giving of gold.
Still better than giving gold is giving food grains for all the forefathers, demigods (devas), and human beings become satisfied by eating grains.
Thus there is no better gift of charity than this in the past, present or future.

Yet learned scholars have declared that giving away a young maiden in marriage to a worthy person is equal to giving away food grains in charity.
Moreover, Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, has said that giving cows in charity is equal to giving food grains.
Still better than all these charities is teaching spiritual knowledge to the ignorant.
Yet all the merits one can attain by performing all these acts of charity are attained by one who fasts on the Varuthini Ekadasi.

One who lives off the wealth of his daughters suffers a hellish condition until the inundation of the entire universe, Oh Bharata.
Therefore one should be especially careful not to use the wealth of his daughter.
Oh best of kings, any householder who takes his daughter's wealth out of greed, who tries to sell his daughter, or who takes money from the man to whom he has given his daughter in marriage such a householder becomes a lowly cat in his next life.
Therefore it is said that whoever, as a sacred act of charity, gives away in marriage a maiden decorated with various ornaments, and who also gives a dowry with her, obtains merit that cannot be described even by Chitragupta, the chief secretary of Yamaraja in the heavenly planets.
That very same merit, however, can be easily achieved by one who fasts on the Varuthini Ekadasi.

The following things should be given up on the Dashami, (the tenth phase of the Moon), the day before the Ekadasi:
eating on bell-metal plates, eating any kind of urad-dahl, eating red-lentils, eating chick-peas, eating kondo (a grain that is primarily eaten by poor people and that resembles poppy seeds or agarpanthas seeds), eating spinach, eating honey, eating in another person's house/home, eating more than once, and participating in sex of any kind.

On the Ekadasi itself one should give up the following:
gambling, sports, sleeping during the daytime, betal nuts and its leaf, brushing one's teeth, spreading rumours, faultfinding, talking to the spiritually fallen, anger, and lying.

On the Dwadasi the day after Ekadasi (the twelfth phase of the Moon), one should give up the following:
eating on bell-metal plates, eating urad-dahl, red-lentils, or honey, lying, strenuous exercise or labour, eating more than once, any sexual activity, shaving the body, face or head, smearing oils on one's body, and eating in another's home.

Lord Sri Krishna continued, "Whoever observes the Varuthini Ekadasi in this way becomes free from all sinful reactions and returns to the eternal, spiritual abode.
One who worships Lord Janardana (Krishna) on this Ekadasi by staying awake throughout the entire night, also becomes free from all his previous sins and attains to the spiritual abode.
Therefore, Oh king, he who is frightened of his accumulated sins and their attendant reactions, and thus of death itself, must observe Varuthini Ekadasi by fasting very strictly.

"Finally, Oh noble Yudhisthira, he who hears or reads this glorification of the sacred Varuthini Ekadasi obtains the merit earned by donating one thousand cows in charity, and at last he returns home, to the Supreme abode of Lord Vishnu in the Vaikunthas.

Mohini Ekadasi

Mohini Ekadasi
Sri Yudhisthira Maharaja said, "Oh Janardana, what is the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight (sukla paksha) of the month of Vaisakha (April-May) ?
What is the process for observing it properly?
Kindly narrate all of these details to me.

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna replied, "Oh blessed son of Dharma, what Vasishtha Muni once told to Lord Ramachandra I shall now describe to you.
Please hear Me attentively.

"Lord Ramachandra asked Vasishtha Muni, 'Oh great sage, I would like to hear about the best of all fasting days that day which destroys all kinds of sins and sorrows.
I have suffered long enough in separation from My dear Sita, and so I wish to hear from you about how My suffering can be ended.'

"The sage Vasishtha replied, 'Oh Lord Rama, Oh You whose intelligence is so keen, simply by remembering Your name one can cross the ocean of the material world.
You have questioned me in order to benefit all of humanity and fulfill everyone's desires.
I shall now describe that day of fasting which purifies the whole world.

'Oh Rama, that day is known as Vaisakha-sukla Ekadasi, which falls on Dvadasi.
It removes all sins and is famous as Mohini Ekadasi.
Truly, Oh dear Rama, the merit of this Ekadasi frees the fortunate soul who observes it from the network of illusion.
Therefore, if You want to relieve Your suffering(s), observe this auspicious Ekadasi perfectly, for it removes all obstacles from ones path and relieves the greatest miseries.
Kindly listen as I describe its glories, because for one who even just hears about this auspicious Ekadasi, the greatest sins are nullified.

'On the banks of the Sarasvati River there was once a beautiful city named Bhadravati, which was ruled by King Dyutiman.
Oh Rama, that steadfast, truthful, and highly intelligent king was born in the dynasty of the Moon (Chandra-vamsa).
In his kingdom was a merchant named Dhanapala, who possessed a great deal of wealth of food grains and money.
He was also very pious.
Dhanapala arranged for lakes to be dug, sacrificial arenas to be erected, and beautiful gardens to be cultivated for the benefit of all the citizens of Bhadravati.
He was an excellent devotee of Lord Vishnu and had five sons:
Sumana, Dyutiman, Medhavi, Sukriti, and Dhrishthabuddhi.

'Unfortunately, his son Dhrishthabuddhi always engaged in greatly sinful activities, such as sleeping with prostitutes and associating with similar degraded persons.
He enjoyed illicit sex, gambling, and many other varieties of acts aimed at gratifying the senses.
He disrespected the demigods (devas), the brahmins, the forefathers and other elders of the community, as well as his family's guests.
The evil-hearted Dhrishthabuddhi spent up his father's wealth indiscriminately, always feasting on untouchable foods and drinking alcohol to excess.

'One day Dhanapala kicked Dhrishthabuddhi out of the house after he saw him walking along the road arm-in-arm with a known prostitute.
From then on all Dhrishthabuddhi's relatives were highly critical of him and distanced themselves from him also.
After he had sold all of his inherited ornaments and become destitute, the prostitute also abandoned him and insulted him because of his poverty.

'Dhrishthabuddhi was now full of anxiety, and also hungry.
He thought, "What should I do ? Where should I go ? How can I maintain myself ?
He then began to steal.
The king's constables arrested him, but when they learned who it was, and that his father was the famous Dhanapala, they released him.
He was caught and released in this way many times.
But at last, sick of his arrogance and total disrespect for others, and their property, the ill-mannered Dhrishthabuddhi was apprehended, handcuffed, and then beaten.
After whipping him, the king's marshals warned him, "Oh evil minded one, there is no place for you in this kingdom.

'However, Dhrishthabuddhi was freed from his tribulation by his father and immediately thereafter entered the dense forest.
He wandered here and there, hungry and thirsty and suffering greatly.
Eventually he began killing the jungle animals, the lions, deer, boars, and even wolves for food.
Always ready in his hand was his bow, always on his shoulder was his quiver full of arrows.
He also killed many birds, such as chakoras, peacocks, kankas, doves and pigeons.
He unhesitatingly slaughtered many species of birds and animals to maintain his sinful way of life, the sinful results accumulating more and more each day.
On account of his previous sins, he was now immersed in an ocean of great sin that was so relentless that it appeared that he could not get out.

'Dhrishthabuddhi was always miserable and anxious, but one day, during the month of Vaisakha, by the force of some of his past merit he chanced upon the sacred Ashrama of Kaundinya Muni.
The great sage had just finished bathing in the Ganges River, and water was dripping from him still.
Dhrishthabuddhi had the great good fortune to touch some of those droplets of water that were falling from the great sage's wet clothing.
Instantly Dhrishthabuddhi was freed of his ignorance, and his sinful reactions were reduced.
Offering his humble obeisances to Kaundinya Muni, Dhrishthabuddhi prayed to him with joined palms:
"Oh great brahmana, please describe to me some of the atonement I may perform without too much endeavour.
I have committed so many sins in my life, and these have now made me very poor.

'The great rishi replied, "Oh son, listen with great attention, for by hearing me your life will change, and you will become free of all your remaining sins.
In the light fortnight of this very month, Vaisakha (April-May) there occurs the sacred Mohinii Ekadasi, which has the power to nullify sins as vast and weighty as Mount Sumeru.
If you follow my advice and faithfully observe a fast on this Ekadasi, which is so dear to Lord Hari, you will be freed from all the sinful reactions of many, many births.

'Hearing these words with great joy, Dhrishthabuddhi promised to observe a fast on Mohini Ekadasi according to the sage's instructions and direction.
Oh best of kings, Oh Ramachandra Bhagavan, by fasting completely on Mohini Ekadasi, the once sinful Dhrishthabuddhi, the prodigal son of the merchant Dhanapala, became sinless.
Afterwards he achieved a beautiful transcendental form and, free at last of all obstacles, rode upon the carrier of Lord Vishnu, Garuda, to the Supreme abode of the Lord.

'Oh Ramachandra, the fast day of Mohini Ekadasi removes the darkest illusory attachments to material existence.
There is thus no better fast day in all the three worlds than this.'

Lord Sri Krishna concluded, "and so, Oh Yudhishthira, there is no place of pilgrimage, no sacrifice, and no charity that can bestow merit equal to even one sixteenth of the merit a faithful devotee of Mine obtains by observing the Mohini Ekadasi.
And He who hears and studies the glories of Mohini Ekadasi achieves the merit of giving away one thousand cows in charity.

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Vaisakha-sukla Ekadasi, or Mohini Ekadasi, from the Kurma Purana.
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NOTE: If the holy fast falls on Dvadasi, it is still called Ekadasi in the Vedic literature.
Furthermore, in Garuda Purana (1:125.6), Lord Brahma states to Narada Muni:
"Oh brahmana, this fast should be observed when there is a full Ekadasi, a mixture of Ekadasi and Dwadasi, or a mixture of three (Ekadasi, Dwadasi, and Trayodasi) but never on the day when there is a mixture of Dashami and Ekadasi.
This is also upheld in the Hari Bhakti Vilas, Vaishnava smriti shastra, and upheld by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura Prabhupad in his Navadwip Panjika introduction.