ensures

Among 24 Ekadashis (11th day of Lunar Months) in the Hindu calendar, some of them are considered extremely important. Nirjala Ekadashi is one among them. It is observed on the 11th day (Ekadashi) of the Jyeshta Maasa (Month) in the Shukla Paksha (Waxing Phase of the moon). Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Bhimasena Ekadashi, Pandava Ekadashi and Bhima Ekadashi. Like all Ekadashis, this Ekadashi is dedicated to worship of Bhagwan Vishnu.

The Legend

The belief is that observing Nirajala Ekadashi Vrata (Nirjala – Without Water) reaps the benefits of observing all the 24 Ekadashi Vratas. Nirjala Upavasa Vrata is fasting where complete stringent fasting is observed, without consuming Water. This makes it even more taxing on the human body subjecting it to real penance as going waterless duing Jyeshta month (peak summer) is only for the strong-willed and true devotee. The legend has it that Bheemasena, the 2nd among the 5 Pandava brothers, who is a voracious eater, could not resist eating and hence never observe Ekadashi Upavasa while everyone else in the family were religiously going about fasting and other rituals related to it. He feels guilty that he is dishonouring Bhagwan Vishnu by not observing Ekadashi vrata and approaches Maharshi Veda Vyasa. He pleads “Everyone observes Ekadashi Vrata, but please tell me how to do it without fasting” Maharshi Veda Vyasa then advises him – just for a day in the whole year, on Jyeshta Shukla Ekadashi observe Upavasa without any Food and not even having a drop of water. If you do that, I bless you that benefits of observing all 24 Ekadashis will be bestowed on you. This will be true to every devotee who observes Nirajal Ekadashi”

It is pertitnent to note, Upavasa is not just about Fasting. Upavasa according to Charak Samhita, is giving up of anger etc. (grief, greed etc.) and following of truthfulness. It is said that “complete dissociation from sinful acts, association of virtuousness and/or good qualities or person of good qualities should be known as upavasa not just the emaciation of the body

Beliefs

It is believed Tulsi should not be picked on any Ekadashi, but since it is essential part of worship of Bhagwan Vishnu, a necessity on Ekadashi it is usually picked the previous day. Tulsi plants are also not watered on Ekadashi. It is because Tulsi, an ardent devotee of Vishnu will be observing Upavasa and also meditating and we are not to disturb Her during this time.

Vrat and Pooja Vidhana

• Wake up early in the morning and have a water-only bath (no use of any shampoo or soap or any other such cosmetic products).
• Ensure you don’t commit any act hereone that can be considered impure (in deed or thought)
• Offer Puja to Bhagwan Vishnu and also pay your respects to Parents and other Elders, especially Guru
• Chant Vishnu Sahasranama, Shri Rama Raksha Stotra, and Aranya Kanda of Srimad Ramayana
• Do not consume any food, not even a drop of water (except for Achamya during Sandhya Vandane)
• Continue the fasting until next day (Dwadashi) and do the Parana (breaking of fast at sunrise, ensure it is Dwadashi tithi)

Aum Namo Narayanaya

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Gayatri Janmotsav is a very significant festival in India. Since Vedas are central to Hinduism, and Gayatri Janmotsav celebrates the birth of Goddess Gayatri, the mother Vedas, so Gayatri Jayanti has come to acquire a lot of importance. Goddess Gayatri is worshipped as Veda Mata or the mother of Vedas, Dev Mata and Vishwa Mata.

It is believed that the Goddess appeared in the form of knowledge on Shukla Paksha Ekadashi in the month of Jyeshtha. This day is also known as Nirjala Ekadashi. The knowledge which She represented was shared by Sage Vishwamitra to the world, leading to the elimination of ignorance.

According to Atharvaveda, Maa Gayatri has the power of age, life, fame, and wealth. She is also known as Panchmukhi in Sanatana Dharma. It means that the universe is made up of five elements i.e. Earth, Light, Water, Air, and Sky. One can consider Mother Gayatri as a form of life force that exists in every human being. Hence, it is the reason that Goddess Gayatri is considered the core of all power.

Maa Gayatri is characterised by five heads and ten hands with each head representing the Pancha Tattvas i.e. Prithvi, Agni, Jal, Vayu and Akash. When you see Her picture, you will see Her seated on a lotus and holding ten different items in each of Her hand such as Shankha (conch) Chakra (discus), Kamal (lotus), Varada (a mudra), Abhaya (another mudra), Kasha (a whip), Ankush (a sharpened weapon with a pointed hook), Ujjwala (a utensil), Rudraksha Mala and a Gada (mace).

On this day, Sage Vishwamitra first uttered Gayatri Mantra. Some people also believe that Goddess Gayatri, the Mother of Vedas, appeared on the earth on this day. Devi Gayatri bestowed Her devotees with all spiritual and worldly happiness.

It is believed that chanting the Gayatri Mantra relieves the devotees from miseries and hardships of life and frees the individual from all the sins. It is supposed to end all suffering and fill our lives with joy and happiness. On the occasion of Gayatri Janmotsav, devotees celebrate the day by chanting the Gayatri Mantra.

Gayatri Mantra:
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्।