Month: May 2026

Padmini Ekadashi: Blessings During Purushottama Masa

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सशङ्खचक्रं सकिरीटकुण्डलं सपीतवस्त्रं सरसीरुहेक्षणम् ।
सहारवक्ष:स्थलशोभिकौस्तुभश्रियं नमामि विष्णुं शिरसा चतुर्भुजम् ॥

Padmini Ekadashi occurs during Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) of Adhika Masa (intercalary extra month), also known as Purushottama Adhika Masa. Since Adhika Masa comes once in roughly three years, this sacred day carries rare and immense spiritual potency. Devotees dedicate this unique occasion to worship Bhagawan Purushottama form of Bhagawan Vishnu to gain spiritual glory, fulfill desires, wash away heavy karmic sins, and attain place in Vaikuntha Dham.

Meaning and Significance of Padmini Ekadashi

In Sanskrit, Padmini refers to lotus-like pure nature or Queen Padmini who first observed this fast, while Ekadashi means 11th lunar day. Therefore, Padmini Ekadashi translates to 11th day of Adhika Masa that brings divine purity, fame, and spiritual elevation.

Human existence often faces suffering due to lack of spiritual progress, childlessness, and heavy karmic debts. Observing fast on Padmini Ekadashi during Purushottama/Adhika Masa with pure devotion provides spiritual merit greater than performing grand Yagnas or severe penance. Scriptures mention that sincere devotion on this day pleases Shri Hari deeply, granting fame, noble child, wealth, and freedom from cycle of rebirth.

Legend associated with Padmini Ekadashi

Scriptures describe sacred story narrated by Bhagawan Krishna to King Yudhishthira, involving King Kritavirya who ruled kingdom of Mahishmati during Treta Yuga. King Kritavirya was mighty ruler, but despite having many queens, he had no son to carry forward royal lineage. King tried all sacrifices, medicine, and rituals, but failed to get offspring.

Deeply sorrowful, King Kritavirya decided to renounce royal duties, hand over kingdom to ministers, and leave for forest penance. Queen Padmini, daughter of King Harischandra, accompanied her husband to Mandrachala mountain forest to perform intense austerity. King practiced severe penance for thousands of years, becoming extremely weak and frail, yet failed to receive divine darshan of Bhagawan Vishnu.

Seeing condition of king, Queen Padmini approached Maa Anusuya, wife of Sage Atri, seeking guidance. Compassionate Anusuya informed queen that Adhika Masa occurs once in three years, containing two special Ekadashis. Anusuya instructed Queen Padmini to observe strict fast on Shukla Paksha Ekadashi of Adhika Masa with total devotion to Bhagawan Purushottama.

Queen Padmini strictly followed advice of Maa Anusuya and observed fast on Padmini Ekadashi along with night vigil. Pleased with deep faith and sacrifice of Queen Padmini, Shri Hari appeared before couple riding on Garuda. Bhagawan offered boon to queen, but queen humbly requested Bhagawan to grant powerful son to her husband. By divine grace of Bhagawan Vishnu, Queen Padmini soon gave birth to powerful son Kartavirya Arjuna, who grew up to become mighty king, defeated demon king Ravana, and ruled righteously.

Rituals to be performed on Padmini Ekadashi

Devotee must wake up early in morning during Brahma Muhurta and take ritual bath using clean water without using soap, shampoo, or such cosmetic products.

Puja area should be cleaned thoroughly and idol or photo of Bhagawan Vishnu, specifically Bhagawan Purushottama form alongside Maata Lakshmi, should be placed respectfully.

Light ghee lamp, offer fresh yellow flowers, sandalwood paste, incense, betel leaves, and Tulsi leaves to Bhagwan Vishnu.

Chant Vishnu Sahasranama, Hare Krishna Mahamantra, or Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya continuously throughout day.

Listen to or read Padmini Ekadashi Katha with family members in peaceful state of mind.

Offer your respects to parents and other elders, especially Guru, seeking their heartfelt blessings on this sacred morning.

Observe fast during entire day according to individual health capacity. Healthy individuals can observe strict fast without water or taking only water. Milk, curd, and fruits can be consumed if complete fasting is difficult due to health reasons. Rice, wheat, barley, lentils, pulses, and all food grains must be avoided strictly. Heavy spices, regular salt, garlic, onion, tea, coffee, outside processed food, and alcohol must be strictly avoided.

Perform evening Aarti with devotion, keep night vigil (Jagaran) singing devotional hymns, offer special Naivedya to Bhagwan Vishnu, and maintain noble thoughts, avoiding anger, backbiting, falsehood, or harsh speech.

Break fast next day on Dwadashi tithi during scheduled Parana time. Fast should be broken after sunrise once Hari Vasara period concludes. Offer naivedya to Bhagwan Vishnu, perform short prayer, and break fast by consuming prasada, water, or fruits before eating regular food.

PS: Article re-formatted into blocks and Header Image changed. Updated link to Adhika Masa Article (which is written later)

From Grassroots to Affluence: Universal Canvas of Art of Living (AOL)

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Disclaimer: This is not an official reply from the Art of Living, but a clarification from a Sadhak and ardent follower of Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji, since he has been posed this question by many during post-Satsangs chats or privately on various SM platforms. The views here are personal and doesn’t reflect organisation’s in any manner either in part or whole

Art of Living (AOL) foundation, established by Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in 1981, operates with a core vision of creating a stress-free and violence-free world. Philosophy rests on the belief that global peace can only be achieved by fostering inner peace within individuals. To realize this, Art of Living champions a practical, experiential brand of spirituality centred around Sudarshan Kriya, a rhythmic breathing technique designed to flush out physical and emotional stress, balance the nervous system, and anchor the mind in the present moment. While rooted deeply in ancient Vedic wisdom-incorporating yoga, meditation, and traditional rituals, the organization presents these activities as secular, universal sciences of sound vibration and mental discipline rather than religious dogmas, making them fully accessible to people of any faith or background.

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam-True Reflection of the One World Family

Despite this inclusive philosophy, a persistent public perception exists that Art of Living is an elite club catering primarily to wealthy and famous people. This misconception is largely driven by visibility, when a Bollywood celebrity, high-profile politician, or corporate executive attends a program, it naturally captures media attention, whereas participation of everyday citizens goes unnoticed. In reality, an overwhelming majority of Art of Living followers arrive at venues via bus stations or railway stations, quietly outnumbering those arriving at airports. Yet, because society and media focus heavily on airports and high-profile arrivals, the true, massive scale of regular public participation remains obscured behind a narrative skewed toward the affluent. Additionally, Art of Living‘s urban centers charge registration fees for courses, which can give an appearance of exclusivity. However, this fee structure is an intentional economic model designed to tap into affluent resources to fund the foundation’s massive, often invisible, humanitarian and grassroots operations (explained later in this article).

Being wealthy or famous is not a crime, nor should it act as a disqualification from spiritual growth or being a beneficiary of Grace of a Master. Affluence and public status often come with unique, crushing burdens, including intense isolation, relentless public scrutiny, high-stakes professional stress, and constant anxiety of maintaining success. Disregarding spiritual and emotional needs of public figures simply because of material wealth is a form of reverse prejudice. True spirituality does not discriminate, just as it does not exclude the poor, it cannot exclude the rich. Grace of a Master is universal, recognizing that under layers of wealth, fame, or poverty, core human longing for peace, love, and Ananda is exactly the same. Excluding anyone based on socioeconomic standing would contradict the very essence of Art of Living‘s inclusive philosophy, which holds that every individual, regardless of status, deserves tools to alleviate suffering and realize highest potential.

Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji

Crucial to this spiritual and cultural mission is extensive work done by Art of Living‘s Vaidic Dharma Sansthan (VDS), which dedicates itself to promotion and propagation of ancient Indian heritage. Vaidic Dharma Sansthan actively preserves knowledge of the Vedas, Yoga, Vedanta, Puranas, Itihasas, and Sanskrit language through educational literature and specialized publications. By establishing and supporting a network of schools, colleges, pathashalas, and research centers, Vaidic Dharma Sansthan provides institutional advancement for Indian culture while training new generations of Swamis and Brahmacharis capable of spreading this ancient wisdom globally. Vaidic Dharma Sansthan bridges ancient traditions with modern life by organizing universal festivals, conducting authentic pujas, Homas, and traditional Vaidic wedding ceremonies, all designed to purify environment and elevate human consciousness. Through these comprehensive efforts, Vaidic Dharma Sansthan successfully inculcates a deep love and appreciation for art, culture, yoga, and heritage in today’s youth, anchoring them in time-tested values.

In reality, the organization is completely agnostic to gender, religion, caste, and nationality, using resources to bridge deep socioeconomic divides. Revenue generated from urban programs directly powers extensive social welfare initiatives, most notably through the 5H program, a massive grassroots model designed to ensure sustainable development in rural areas. Focusing on Health, Hygiene, Homes, Human Values, and Harmony in Diversity, this core framework has uplifted thousands of villages by building homes, conducting medical camps, establishing sanitation facilities, and resolving community conflicts. Alongside this, Art of Living funds over 700 free schools for underprivileged and tribal children, trains lakhs of farmers in sustainable natural agriculture, and revives dying river basins. Additionally, Art of Living runs global trauma-relief operations, disaster response teams, and prison rehabilitation programs that have transformed lives of hundreds of thousands of inmates. Ultimately, while celebrities and wealthy people are highly visible participants, they represent only a fraction of a massive global matrix where the ultimate goal is Ananda (bliss), a universal human experience that remains identical on the meditation mat, regardless of social status.

Art of Living drives comprehensive social change across India through targeted initiatives in rural transformation, ecological sustainability, human empowerment, and crisis rehabilitation. At the grassroots level, the organization fosters self-reliance and community growth through initiatives like Rural Development, Skill Development, and Project Bharat, which train local youth and leaders to uplift village economies. Its commitment to the environment is reflected in massive Water Conservation, River Symposium, and Environment care campaigns, running alongside Organic Farming programs that transition farmers to chemical-free agriculture. To empower vulnerable populations, the organization provides holistic Education for underprivileged children, fosters Women Empowerment, and tackles menstrual hygiene taboos through Project Pavitra. Finally, it promotes deep societal healing and resilience by anchoring Peace initiatives, executing rapid Disaster Relief operations, and driving inmate rehabilitation through its Prison Program.

You can visit this link to know more about the Social Impact of Art of Living‘s activities.

🙏Jai Gurudev🙏

(Victory to the Guru Principle in you)

Shri Shaniya Prachanda Maye – Shri Bhatti Vikramaditya

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ॐ नीलांजन समाभासम्। रविपुत्रम यमाग्रजम्।
छाया मार्तण्डसंभूतम। तम् नमामि शनैश्चरम्।।

Nilanjana samabhasam raviputram yamagrajam.
Chaya martanda sambhutam tam namami shanaishcharam
– Rishi Agastya

The legend of King Vikramaditya of Ujjain and Bhagawan Shaneshwara (Shani Deva), immortalized in popular culture as Shani Prabhava or Shri Shaneshwara Prachanda Mahime is a powerful story about inevitability of time, karma, and destruction of human ego.

Accompanied by his wise minister and brother Bhatti, King Vikramaditya was famed for his unparalleled justice and courage. However, even the greatest of kings could not escape the cosmic cycle of Saade Saati (the seven-and-a-half-year period of Shani’s influence).

Here we go….

The story begins in the grand court of Ujjain. King Vikramaditya, known for his wisdom, posed a question to his court pundits and scholars: “Which of the Navagrahas (nine planets) is the most powerful and supreme?” Court scholars began debating, each praising a different deity, One extolled the Sun (Surya) as the source of life. Another praised Jupiter (Guru) as the master of wisdom. When it came to Shani (Saturn), it was described as slow, cruel, and a harbinger of misery. Listening to this, Vikramaditya laughed and mockingly remarked that a deity who only brings destruction and delays cannot be considered great.

Unknown to the king, Bhagawan Shani was observing. Insulted by the king’s arrogance, Shani appeared in the court in a fierce form. He warned Vikramaditya: “O King, you pride yourself on your justice and strength. Remember, even Bhagawan Shiva and Ravana couldn’t withstand my gaze. Your Saade Saati begins tomorrow. Let us see how your wisdom saves you.”

Bhagwan Shaneshwara and King Vikramaditya

Next day, Shani Deva began his play. He transformed into a wealthy horse merchant and arrived at the palace gates with a magnificent, pitch-black stallion.

Fascinated by the horse’s beauty, Vikramaditya mounted it for a trial ride. The moment he sat on the saddle, the horse bolted with supernatural speed. It flew over kingdoms and deep forests, completely out of the king’s control. Deep in a distant, desolate jungle, the horse vanished, leaving Vikramaditya alone, exhausted, and stripped of his royal retinue.

After wandering for days, the king reached a wealthy neighbouring city called Tamalinda. Parched and weary, he rested near the shop of a wealthy local merchant (Seth). Seeing the stranger’s noble demeanour, the merchant invited him to his house for meals.

While the merchant went to arrange the food, Vikramaditya rested in a room. On the wall hung a beautiful painting of a swan wearing a priceless pearl necklace. As Vikramaditya watched in utter disbelief, the painted swan came alive and began swallowing the pearl necklace.

Swan Swallowing the Pearl Necklace

When the merchant returned and saw the necklace missing, he accused Vikramaditya of theft. Vikramaditya, keeping his identity hidden under the pseudonym Vika, explained what happened. Naturally, merchant thought he was being mocked. He dragged the king to the local court. The king of Tamalinda ordered a severe punishment for the thief: Vikramaditya’s hands and feet were chopped off, and he was cast out onto the streets to rot.

Ruler orders chopping of hands and legs of Vikramaditya

Maimed and helpless, Vikramaditya lay on the streets. He was eventually found by a kind, poor Teli (oil presser). Pitying his condition, the oil presser took him home. Since Vikramaditya had no limbs, the oil presser sat him atop the oxen-driven oil mill. The king’s job was simple-use his voice to command the oxen to keep moving in circles to crush the seeds. For years, the mighty emperor of Ujjain lived this humble, agonizing existence, enduring the harsh reality of his karma without uttering a word of complaint.

As the seven-and-a-half years drew to a close, monsoon arrived. Sitting on the oil press one night, engulfed in deep sorrow but absolute surrender, Vikramaditya began to sing. He was an expert in classical music and began to sing Raga Deepak (the raga of light) and Raga Megh Malhar (the raga of rain) with intense devotion.

The purity and power of his voice were so profound that the lamps in the nearby royal palace spontaneously lit up, despite the skies pouring heavily.

Princess Padmavati of Tamalinda, who was a connoisseur of music, realized that only a master musician or a divine being could sing with such power. She tracked the voice down to the oil presser’s hut and discovered the limbless man. Captivated by his spirit, she vowed to marry him, defying her parents’ fierce opposition.

On the wedding night, as Vikramaditya slept, Bhagawan Shani appeared in his dream. Shani Deva smiled and said, “Vikramaditya, have you tasted my power?” Humbled king bowed his soul before the deity and replied, “O Bhagawan, your power is supreme. My ego is shattered. But I beg of you, do not inflict the suffering you gave me onto any other living soul. Let no one endure what I went through.”

Moved by the king’s selflessness even after suffering so deeply, Shani Deva’s heart melted. He said, “Your trial is over. Anyone who listens to your story or chants my name with devotion during their Saade Saati will be spared from severe misery.”

When Vikramaditya woke up, his hands and feet were fully restored. Next morning, merchant who had accused him of theft ran to the palace. In his house, the painted swan had just regurgitated the pearl necklace intact. Realizing his grave mistake, the merchant fell at Vikramaditya’s feet, begging for forgiveness, and offered his own daughter in marriage to the king.

With his identity finally revealed, King Vikramaditya returned to Ujjain in glory, accompanied by his two new brides. He was reunited with his faithful brother Bhatti, who had held the kingdom together in his absence. Shani Deva is not an agent of cruelty, but the cosmic judge of Justice (Nyayadhikari). He humbles the highest of kings to teach that pride is temporary, but Karma is absolute.

Experience of a Live Harikatha Rendition of the story

It was a profound spiritual experience, a captivating Harikatha performance on Shri Bhatti Vikramaditya & Shri Shani Prachanda Mahime that was organised by our team in Shri Shaneshwara Temple, Hulimavu on 16th May 2026 on the occasion of Shri Shaneshwara Jayanti Young Vidwan Shri Kiran beautifully brings to life the legendary tales of King Vikramaditya and the immense glory of Bhagawan Shani Deva. Through soulful music, expressive storytelling, and deep Vedic insights, this presentation explores how faith, humility, and righteousness guide us through life’s greatest trials. Accompanied by  Vidwan Shri Mohit and Vidwan Shri Krishnappa on Table, Vidwan Shri Kiran exported us to a different realm altogether.

You can watch the video here.

If you wish to organize this Harikatha discourse in Kannada by Vidwan Shri Kiran for family festivals, temple celebrations, or community gatherings, you can reach out to him directly.

Contact Person: Vidwan Shri Kiran
Mobile Number: +91 97401 60102