Ekadashi

Kamada Ekadashi: Fulfilling Desires through Divine Grace

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

Kamada Ekadashi occurs during Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) of Chaitra month (March-April), making it first Ekadashi after Hindu New Year. Devotees worship Bhagawan Vishnu on this auspicious day to get all righteous desires fulfilled and seek freedom from curses and negative karma.

Meaning and Significance of Kamada Ekadashi

Understanding name itself reveals purpose of this sacred day. In Sanskrit, Kama means desire or wish, while Da means giver or fulfiller. Therefore, Kamada Ekadashi translates to 11th day that fulfills all pure desires of devotee.

Human heart holds many desires for prosperity, happiness, good health, and spiritual growth. Observing this fast with pure mind helps fulfill worldly aspirations while guiding soul towards higher spiritual awareness. Scriptures mention that observing Kamada Ekadashi fast destroys sins of past lives, removes curses, and brings peace to entire family.

Legend associated with Kamada Ekadashi

Scriptures describe famous story told by Bhagawan Krishna to King Yudhishthira, involving young couple named Lalit and his wife Lalita. They lived in beautiful city called Ratnapura, ruled by King Pundarika. Lalit was talented singer and Lalita was graceful dancer in royal court. Deep love existed between husband and wife, making them inseparable in mind and thought.

One day, while performing in royal court of King Pundarika, Lalit was singing alone. Missing his beloved wife Lalita, his mind got distracted and his rhythm lost harmony. Another courtier named Karkotaka Nag noticed this mistake and informed king about Lalit lack of focus. King Pundarika felt insulted and became extremely angry.

In fit of rage, King Pundarika cursed Lalit to become monstrous man-eating demon (Rakshasa). Instantly, Lalit transformed into terrifying demon with fierce eyes, wild hair, and huge body. Seeing terrible plight of her husband, Lalita was heartbroken, but she refused to abandon him. She followed demon husband into thick forests, weeping continuously and seeking remedy to restore his human form.

While wandering in Vindhyachal mountains, Lalita reached sacred ashram of Sage Shringi. She bowed respectfully and explained her deep sorrow. Moved by her devotion and tears, Sage Shringi advised her to observe Kamada Ekadashi fast occurring in Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. He assured her that merit gained from this fast would free her husband from curse.

Lalita strictly observed Kamada Ekadashi fast with complete sincerity, devotion, and prayers to Bhagawan Vishnu. On next day, she offered earned spiritual merit (Punya) to her husband in presence of Lord Hari. By divine grace of Bhagawan Vishnu, curse got destroyed instantly. Lalit regained his original handsome form and celestial clothes. Couple expressed deep gratitude to Lord Vishnu and returned home happily on divine chariot.

Rituals to be performed on Kamada Ekadashi

  • Wake up early in morning during Brahma Muhurta and take ritual bath.
  • Clean puja area and place idol or photo of Bhagawan Vishnu.
  • Light ghee lamp, offer fresh yellow flowers, sandalwood paste, incense, and Tulsi leaves to Lord.
  • Chant Vishnu Sahasranama, Hare Krishna Mahamantra, or Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya throughout day.
  • Listen to or read Kamada Ekadashi Katha with family members.
  • Observe fast during entire day according to individual capability.
    • Strict fast without water (Nirjala) or taking only water is ideal for healthy individuals.
    • Milk, curd, and fruits can be consumed if complete fasting is not possible due to health.
    • Avoid rice, wheat, barley, lentils, pulses, and all food grains strictly.
    • Avoid heavy spices, regular salt (use sendha namak if required), garlic, and onion.
    • Avoid tea, coffee, outside processed food, and alcohol completely.
  • Perform evening Aarti and maintain pure thoughts, avoiding anger, backbiting, or harsh words.
  • Break fast on Dwadashi day during Parana time.
    • Fast should be broken next day after sunrise during Dwadashi Tithi.
    • Ensure Parana is done after completion of Hari Vasara period.
    • Offer Naivedya to Bhagawan Vishnu, perform small prayer, and break fast by consuming prasada, water, or fruits before regular food.

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Papamochani Ekadashi: Spiritual Cleansing and Divine Grace

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शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं
विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम् ।
लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यं
वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम् ॥

Every Ekadashi occurring twice every month holds spiritual value, but Papamochani Ekadashi carries special importance in Hindu tradition. It falls during Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of Chaitra month (March-April) according to Amanta calendar or Phalguna month according to Purnimanta calendar. It is final Ekadashi of Hindu lunar calendar year, coming just before Chaitra Navratri and New Year. Devotees dedicate this day to worship Bhagawan Vishnu to seek relief from past sins and negative karma.

Meaning and Significance of Papamochan Ekadashi

Understanding name itself reveals purpose of this auspicious day. In Sanskrit, Papa means sin or wrong actions, while Mochan means liberation, release, or destruction. Therefore, Papamochani Ekadashi translates to 11th day that liberates devotee from sins.

Human life often carries burden of past mistakes, wrong deeds, anger, and ignorance. Observing this fast with pure mind helps wash away accumulated guilt and negative tendencies. Scriptures mention that sincere devotion on this day grants peace of mind, removes obstacles, and helps devotee march towards ultimate liberation or Moksha.

Legend associated with Papamochan Ekadashi

Scriptures describe famous story behind origin of this sacred fast, involving Sage Medhavi and Apsara Manjughosha. Sage Medhavi, son of Sage Chyavana, was performing intense penance in beautiful Chaitraratha forest, which was garden of Devata Kubera. Devendra Indra felt threatened by deep meditation of Medhavi and decided to disturb his penance.

Indra sent celestial dancer Manjughosha to distract young sage. Manjughosha reached forest, sang sweetly, and danced near ashram. Medhavi got spellbound by her beauty and charm. He lost control over his senses and forgot his daily rituals, prayers, and spiritual duties. They spent many years together in forest.

One day, Manjughosha requested permission to return to Svargaloka. At that moment, Medhavi realized that decades had passed while he was trapped in worldly desires. He realized loss of his spiritual power gained through years of austerity. Filled with rage, Medhavi cursed Manjughosha to turn into Pisachini (she-demon).

Realizing her mistake, Manjughosha fell at feet of sage and begged for mercy. She admitted her guilt and pleaded for way to break curse. Medhavi, feeling remorse for his own anger and loss of composure, advised her to observe Papamochan Ekadashi fast dedicated to Bhagawan Vishnu.

Medhavi then returned to ashram of his father Sage Chyavana. Seeing his son devoid of spiritual glow, Chyavana scolded him for falling into trap of lust and anger. Chyavana instructed Medhavi to also observe Papamochan Ekadashi fast to cleanse himself of sin. Both Medhavi and Manjughosha strictly observed fast with complete devotion to Bhagawan Vishnu. By divine grace of Hari, Manjughosha got freed from curse of demon body and regained her celestial form, while Medhavi restored his lost spiritual energy and purity.

Rituals to be performed on Papamochan Ekadashi

  • Wake up early in morning during Brahma Muhurta and take ritual bath.
  • Clean puja area and place idol or photo of Bhagawan Vishnu.
  • Light ghee lamp, offer fresh yellow flowers, sandalwood paste, and Tulsi leaves to Bhagwan.
  • Chant Vishnu Sahasranama, Hare Krishna Mahamantra, or Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya throughout day.
  • Listen to or read Papamochan Ekadashi Katha with family members.
  • Observe fast during entire day according to individual capability.
    • Strict fast without water (Nirjala) or taking only water is ideal for healthy individuals.
    • Milk, curd, and fruits can be consumed if complete fasting is not possible due to health.
    • Avoid rice, wheat, barley, lentils, pulses, and all food grains strictly.
    • Avoid heavy spices, regular salt (use sendha namak if required), garlic, and onion.
    • Avoid tea, coffee, outside processed food, and alcohol completely.
  • Perform evening Aarti and maintain spiritual thoughts, avoiding anger, backbiting, or harsh words.
  • Break fast on Dwadashi day during Parana time.
    • Fast should be broken next day after sunrise during Dwadashi Tithi.
    • Ensure Parana is done after completion of Hari Vasara period.
    • Offer bhog naivedya to Bhagwan Vishnu, perform small prayer, and break fast by consuming prasada, water, or fruits before regular food.

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Pausha Putrada Ekadashi: Divine Blessings for Progeny

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मङ्गलम् भगवान विष्णुः, मङ्गलम् गरुणध्वजः।
मङ्गलम् पुण्डरी काक्षः, मङ्गलाय तनो हरिः

Pausha Putrada Ekadashi occurs during Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) of Pausha month (December-January). It is highly sacred occasion falling during winter season, dedicated to worshiping Bhagawan Vishnu in his Narayana form. Devotees observe this fast to seek divine blessings for healthy progeny, protection of children, removal of past sins, and ultimate liberation.

Meaning and Significance of Pausha Putrada Ekadashi

In Sanskrit, Putra means son or child, while Da means giver or bestower. Therefore, Pausha Putrada Ekadashi translates to 11th day of Pausha month that bestows righteous children and protects family lineage.

Human life often carries sorrow due to childlessness or obstacles in growth and well-being of children due to past karma. Observing fast on Pausha Putrada Ekadashi with pure heart acts as spiritual remedy to overcome such karmic hurdles. Scriptures mention that sincere devotion on this day blesses childless couples with worthy offspring, protects existing children from harm, bestows family harmony, and elevates devotee towards Vishnu Loka.

Legend associated with Pausha Putrada Ekadashi

Scriptures describe sacred story narrated by Bhagawan Krishna to King Yudhishthira, involving noble King Suketuvarman who ruled kingdom of Bhadravati. King Suketuvarman was righteous ruler and his queen was named Shaibya. Though kingdom enjoyed prosperity and peace, king and queen were deeply unhappy because they had no children to continue royal lineage and offer ancestral rites.

Worried about future of kingdom and ancestral debt, King Suketuvarman left his palace one day and wandered deep into forest in great despair. After wandering for hours, king reached serene lake surrounded by beautiful hermitages of holy sages. Holy sages were chanting Vedic mantras and performing penance near water.

King Suketuvarman approached sages respectfully, bowed at their feet, and shared his deep sorrow regarding childlessness. Sages informed king that day was Shukla Paksha Ekadashi of Pausha month, highly auspicious day known as Putrada Ekadashi. Sages advised king to observe fast with total devotion and pray to Bhagawan Vishnu for noble child.

Following instructions of holy sages, King Suketuvarman took bath in sacred lake and observed strict fast on Pausha Putrada Ekadashi with pure mind and deep faith. Upon returning to Bhadravati, queen Shaibya also observed fast. By divine grace of Lord Hari and spiritual merit of fast, queen soon conceived and gave birth to healthy, brave, and virtuous son who grew up to rule kingdom righteously and brought immense joy to parents.

Rituals to be performed on Pausha Putrada 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, especially Bal Gopal or Lord Narayana form, should be placed respectfully.

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

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

Listen to or read Pausha Putrada 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, offer special Naivedya to Bhagwan Vishnu, pray for well-being of family and children, 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.

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