Our Vedic literature, Acharyas, tell us to observe fast on Ekadashi and other festivals. As per them, observing fast on Ekadashi and other important festivals is a must and an integral part of spiritual life. Acharyas tell us that such regulations are made for those who want to associate with the Lord, Shri Hari, in the transcendental world. All great souls follow the regulations and get the result.

Pastime behind Vijaya Ekadashi

Once Maharaja Yudhishthira asked Lord Krishna,“O Vasedeva! Which Ekadashi comes during the Krishna paksha of phalgun month? Please tell me about it.”

Lord replied that once upon a time Devarshi Narada asked Brahmaji, “Please tell me about the regulations that one should observe on the Krishna paksha Ekadashi of phalgun month”.

Brahmaji informed Narada, “O Narada! Ekadashi during the Krishna paksha of phalgun month is known as Vijaya Ekadashi. Observing fasting on Vijaya Ekadashi destroys sinful reactions for both old and new sins. I haven’t told anyone about this Ekadashi before. This Ekadashi provides victory to all human beings.”

Why Lord Ramchandra ji had to observe fast on Vijaya Ekadashi?

In Treta Yuga, when Lord Ramachandra ji accepted to live in the forest in exile for 14 years, He started living in Panchvati with Lakshman ji and Sitaji. Demon king Ravana kidnapped Sitaji there. When Lord Ram and Lakshman came to know about the incident They were saddened by sorrow. They started searching for Sitaji. In the course of searching for Sitaji, They met dying Jatayu. Jatayu told Them the whole abduction story of Sitaji and died, attaining a higher planetary system. Further searching for Sitaji, They befriended Sugreeva and Lord Ram ji killed Baali.

Hanuman ji went to Lanka and found Sitaji there. After burning Lanka, Hanuman ji returned back to Lord Ram and informed Him about the whole scenario. Lord Ram, after hearing from Hanuman, decided to start for Lanka with Sugreeva along with his army. Reaching the seashore, Lord Ram told Lakshman ji that there were many deadly living creatures in that unfathomable sea. How could they cross the sea easily?

Lakshman ji replied, “O Lord! You are the original Supreme Personality of Godhead. You are omniscient and there is nothing which is unknown to You. Sage Bakad Albhya has lived on this island since ancient times and his hermitage is nearby. O Raghunandan, we should enquire from him.”

Instructions from sage Bakad Albhya

So Lord Ram went to meet sage Bakad Albhya in his hermitage and greeted him. The great sage, seeing Lord Ram, understood immediately that Ram ji none other than the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Very humbly and with all respects he enquired from Lord Ram. He asked, “O Lord! How can I serve you? What is the motive behind your visit to my hermitage?”

Lord Ram replied, “O great sage! I am here to kill Ravana. Please tell me the way to cross this ocean.”

Bakad Albhya replied, “O Ram! By observing fast on Krishna paksha Ekadashi of phalgun month, undoubtedly You will win and You will be able to cross this ocean as well. To observe fast on this Ekadashi, one should make a pot of gold or silver or copper or mud and fill it with pure water. Decorate the pot with mango leaves and establish it on the deities altar. On the day of Ekadashi, after taking bath, one should worship the Lord, Shri Hari, with incense sticks, lamp, coconut, offerings. Thereafter spend the entire day chanting holy names of the Lord in front of the pot. Continue to chant holy names of the Lord the entire night. On dvadashi, on the bank of a river or a pond donate the pot in charity to an eligible brahman after worshipping the pot.”
 

Sage continued and said, “O Ram! If you observe this fast along with all of Your commanders of the army, undoubtedly victory would be Yours.”

In this way, Brahma ji explained Narada, “Narada! As per instructions from the sage, Lord Ramchandra ji observed fast on the Ekadashi and became victorious. O Son!, By the effect of observing fast on this Ekadashi, people will get success and will attain higher planets.”

Lord Shri Krishna further assured that by abiding by the rules and regulations of Vijaya Ekadashi, one attains the result of performing Vajpayi sacrifice.

How to observe Ekadashi in Kaliyuga?

When the lord incarnated as Shri Ram, He personally also observed fast on Ekadashi, one can understand from this incident that Ekadashi is very very dear to the Lord. We all should also learn from the ideal character of Lord Shi Ramchandra ji and must observe fast on this Ekadashi with full determination. We all should chant more and more the holy names of the Lord so that the unwanted dirt of lust, anger, greed, illusion, madness, envy would be removed. Thus we can take shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord.

Hare Krishna!

Fast Breaking time:- 08th March from 06:38 AM to 10:34 AM (New Delhi) 

Vedic literature describes that observing fast on Ekadashi destroys all sins. Lord Shri Krishna pleases very much with this fast and bestows eternal blessings to the devotees. In each month, fast observation and worship of Lord Shri Krishna on every Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha are prescribed as per Vedic injunction. There are incalculable benefits of Ekadashi. Ekadashi fast frees one from all sins and transcends this vast ocean of material existence. In various Purans, it is mentioned that one should not eat anything after sunset from the tenth day onwards. One should think of God while taking a rest at night. On the day of Ekadashi, one should rise early in the morning and worship Lord Shri Krishna after taking a bath. One should offer Tulsi leaves, sandals, Ganga water, and fruits to Lord. One should refrain from ill talks, lies, fraud and devote his time to chanting Krishna’s name, remembering Krishna’s various pastimes, and thinking of the Lord’s eternal abode. 

➢   Vedic Evidence

We learn about this Ekadashi from a conversation between Lord Shri Krishna and Emperor Yudhishthira in Bhavisya Uttar Puran. Emperor Yudhishthira asked Lord, “Hey Janardan, what is the story behind Ekadashi on Shukla paksha in the month of Magh? How to observe fast on this Ekadashi and to whom should one worship?”   

Lord Shri Krishna replied, “O great king, listen carefully. Ekadashi on Shukla paksha in the month of Magh is popularly known as Jaya Ekadashi. This auspicious date destroys all sins and can liberate one. Anyone who abides with it, will not have to suffer in ghostly species of life. That’s why one should consciously abide by and observe fast on Ekadashi.”

“Once Indra, King of heaven, along with other demigods and damsels, were strolling in the Nandan forest, which was decorated very beautifully with parijaat flowers. Indra, King of 50 crores of Gandharvas, organized a dance program in the forest to entertain themselves. Pushpadant, chief of Gandharvas and Chitrasen, chief musician of Indra’s assembly, with his wife Malani, was also there in the forest. Pushpadant’s daughter was Pushpavanti, and Malyavaan was the son of Chitrasen and Malani. They also participated in the dance to please King Indra. Pushpavanti and Malyavaan developed an affection for one another and became agitated. They were illusioned and couldn’t concentrate on their performances. They were unable to focus on the tone and tempo of the song due to which Indra understood and took it as his disrespect. He cursed them.”

➢   Indra’s curse to Malyavaan and Pushpavanti

“King Indra angrily cursed them with the following words – ‘You fools, you both have disregarded and disobeyed my command thus disown you both. You should fall down to ghostly species and suffer for your misdemeanour in the lower planetary system as a couple’. They became extremely sad after hearing such harsh words from Indra. They fell down on earth as ghost couples and lived miserably near the Himalayan mountain. They lost their sense of smell, sense of taste, sense of touch, etc. They were unable to sleep even for a moment and thus were experiencing excruciating pain. That place was extremely cold and due to which they always had goosebumps and chattering teeth.”

“One day, he told his ghost wife, ‘We must have committed many sins in our previous life due to which we have got this miserable and horrible birth in ghostly species of life. It must be better to rot in hell than to suffer in this ghostly form. Therefore we should not commit any more sins in this life and try to get out of this form.’ In that way, they were living their lives.”

➢   The transformation from ghost form to demigods form

“On one day, they didn’t take any foodstuff and refrain from committing any sin, coincidently it was Jaya Ekadashi in the Shukla Paksha of Magh month. They didn’t even take any fruit or nongrain foodstuff. Tormented by tremendous sorrow, they spent their day sitting beneath a peepal tree until sunset. It was very cold that night, so they couldn’t even sleep for a moment.”  
Lord Krishna addressed emperor Yudhishthira, “O King! Because they observed fast on Jaya Ekadashi and because they didn’t sleep that night; on the next day they were freed from the ghostly species of life. They got their original form of demigod and demigoddess back. Decorated beautifully with costly garments and ornaments, they departed for the heavenly planet. At that time, it started to rain with flowers. They went to meet Indra and paid their obeisances. Indra was amazed to see their original form and enquired from them, how did they get freedom from ghostly life?

Malyavaan replied, “O Indra! We were freed from ghostly life due to the causeless mercy of Lord Shri Hari and because of observing fast on Jaya Ekadashi.”

➢   Indra’s view on Jaya Ekadashi

Indra replied, “O Malyavaan! By observing fast on Jaya Ekadashi and by the causeless mercy of Lord Shri Krishna, not only you were freed from the ghostly condition of life but also became more venerable than us. Whoever takes shelter of Lord Shri Hari and observes fast on Ekadashi; they are worshippable. All glories to both of you.”

Lord Krishna further told Yudhishthira, “O King! Jaya Ekadashi even frees from the guilt of Brahma-hatya. It should be understood that one who has observed fast on Jaya Ekadashi, has already accumulated results of all charity and sacrifices. Just by hearing and reading the glories of Jaya Ekadashi, one gets the result of agnishtom sacrifice; by observing fast one gets to Vaikuntha.” In this way, Lord concluded the significance and glories of Jaya Ekadashi in Bhavishya Uttar Puran. 

➢   Lord Varahadeva appearance day 

Lord Varahadeva appeared on the next day of Jaya Ekadashi i.e. Dwadashi. Thus on Jaya Ekadashi nirjala fasting is observed for half-day and celebration of Lord Varahadeva’s appearance on Dwadashi.

➢   Glories of Jaya Ekadashi

From the above story, we can understand that Malyavaan and Pushpavanti observed fasting on Jaya Ekadashi unknowingly. Even after that, they were not only freed from the ghostly conditions of life and got their original form back, but also became worshippable by Indra. What would be unattainable for one who observes fast very diligently on Jaya Ekadashi? One should think about it. 

➢   How to observe Jaya Ekadashi in Kaliyuga?

Therefore, we all should observe fasting on this Ekadashi which is extremely lovable to Lord Shri Krishna and provides impetus to reach the supreme goal of one’s life, love of Godhead. We all should chant Hare Krishna mahamantra individually and in the group as much as possible, read scriptures like Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, and concentrate on the lotus feet of the Lord by reducing the bodily needs on this day. 

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare,
Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare

Jaya Ekadashi Date:- 20 Feb 2024 (Tuesday)
Fast breaking time:- 21 Feb 2024 (Wednessday), between 06:55 am to 10:41 am

Today in our country, all the people keep fasting. If you observe a fast for one day in the middle of a week, it has a definite purpose. It is told in the Brahmavarta Purana that fasting is to abstain from all kinds of sins and sense gratification. Indeed fasting on Ekadashi leads to the attainment of dharma, artha, kama, moksha, besides remembrance of Supreme Lord Sri Krishna is also attained. In Bhavishya Uttara Purana, the story of Putrada Ekadashi has been described by Lord Krishna and Dharmaraja Yudhishthira’s dialogue.

Glories of Putrada Ekadashi

Once Maharaj Yudhishthira asked Lord Sri Krishna, that oh Lord, please tell me the importance of fasting on Putrada Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of the past month, what is the method of observing this fast, which Lord is worshipped on this Putrada Ekadashi please tell me about all these in detail.

Lord Sri Krishna told Maharaj Yudhishthira that I describe the fast of this Putrada Ekadashi for the welfare of this world. Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of Paush month is called Putrada Ekadashi. The fast of this Ekadashi is the destroyer of all sins. 

Listen in detail to the story of Putrada Ekadashi.

In ancient times, a king named Suketuman ruled in Bhadravati city. This King had no children. The King was very worried about this. King Suketuman wondered who would do his Pind Daan after his death. 

The King had started living so sad day by day. One day he had thought of leaving his body. But again, the thought came back in his mind that committing suicide is considered a great sin on this earth. That is why he had removed this thought from his mind as well. He rode on a horse and went to the forest. 

Saddened by all these thoughts, one day, the King rode on a horse and went to the forest, birds. He saw in the forest that the deer. Lions, monkeys etc., are roaming in the forest. The King saw that at some places, jackals are making hoarse words. Somewhere peacocks are dancing with their family. Seeing these forest scenes, the King became even sadder: why doesn’t he have a son? It was an afternoon in this thought.

The King started thinking that in my lifetime, I have done so many sacrifices etc., have fed Brahmins, and have done all the virtuous works, yet why I did not get the happiness of children. After all, what is the reason for this due to which I am suffering so much?
Taking a bath of all these things, the King started feeling thirsty, riding on his horse, started moving forward in the forest, saw a lake on the way, their crocodiles were playing water in the lake, and lotus flowers were blooming in that lake.

Seeing all these, the King’s left limbs started twitching, considering all these as auspicious omens. The King got down there, and there was a sage’s ashram nearby. When he bowed down to the great sages, O King, we are happy with you. Please tell us what you want. The King told all those brahmins who you are and what you are doing here. The sage said – O King, today is Putrada Ekadashi to give the best son to the one who wishes for a son. After five days, there is a Magha bath, so all of us have come here to take a Magha bath. After listening to the sages, the King said that I also do not have any son, so I am unfortunate.

Please, all of you give me the boon of having a son, then all the sages said that today is Putrada Ekadashi, you should fast on Putrada Ekadashi. By the grace of Lord Shri Hari, you will get a son. So the King fasted as per his instructions and also broke the fast on the day of Dwadashi. And after bowing down to the sages came back to his city.

By the grace of Lord Sri Hari, the queen became pregnant, and after nine months, a brilliant son was born to the King. When the prince started growing up, he became a very bright, wealthy, successful, stunning and follower of the subjects. Therefore, O King, everyone should observe the fast of this Putrada Ekadashi. In this world, whoever follows this fast according to the rules, is sure to get a son, and by enjoying the happiness of this world, he attains a higher planet.

Whoever observes this fast, praising its glory, will attain the same virtue as the Ashwamedha Yagya. Putrada Ekadashi, which gives progress in devotional service, should be fasted by all the people in the world. Grains have to be given up on Ekadashi. Consumption of food made from rice, wheat, maize, barley, gram etc., is prohibited in Ekadashi. To reduce all the body’s needs, one should remember Lord Shri Hari throughout the day. Lord Sri Krishna is very pleased with this mind of his. When Lord is pleased, then by his majesty, a person gets true happiness. Apart from this, it also becomes easy to get priceless Chintamani like devotional service to Supreme Lord.

Hare Krishna.

Uncover the blessing of Saphala Ekadashi. The spiritual act of fasting is being preached by every religion, and in the same manner, Ekadashi holds value as per the Sanatan Dharma. The purpose of fasting on this auspicious day is not to trouble the material body, but to devote and utilize this holy day entirely to the devotional services of Lord Shri Krishna, and it is extremely beneficial to read and listen to the glories of Ekadashi vrat for this purpose.

As per Bhavishyottara Purana, once Maharaj Yudhishthir requested Lord Shri Krishna to explain “how one should observe fasting on Posh Masa, Krishna Paksha Ekadashi, and which demigod is to be worshipped on this day?”

“Oh holy saint Maharaj Yudhishthir, like Sheshnag is the superior of all of the snakes (sarpa), as Garuda dev is the superior most of all of the birds (pakshi), as Ashwamegha Yagya is the most superior of all of the Yagyas, like the holy river Ganga is the most pious of all of the rivers and as Lord Vishnu is the superior of all of the devas, in the same way, Ekadashi Vrat is the most important, beneficial and superior of all of the vrats, that is why none other vrat or devotional services can please me as that Ekadashi vrat does – replied Lord Krishna about the glories of the most sacred day of Ekadashi.

And those who observe this fast with complete devotion can please me in all terms. Posh Mas, Krishna paksha Ekadashi is also known as Saphala Ekadashi, and the fast is to be observed by showing a lamp and offering fruits to Lord Shri Narayana on this day, followed by listening to Lord Shri Narayana’s glories.

Once upon a time, there was a vast kingdom of Champawati ruled by Emperor Mahishmata; he had four sons, the eldest of which was Lumpak, but sadly, Lumpak was the greatest sinner of all—continues Lord Shri Krishna. Lumpak used to indulge in many malpractices, like forcing other people’s wives into courtship, he was a non-vegetarian, used to gamble, and he was envious of all others. He used to criticize Brahmins and Vaishnavas, and because of his malpractices, his father was becoming poorer day by day. The emperor was now able to make out that his son must not be forgiven, and he banished Lumpak from his kingdom. But Lumpak thought that as I had been banished by my father, I would spend my days hunting animals for flesh and plunder people at night, which led to increasing his sinful life over the years. He used to start his day with malpractices and end it similarly.

Now comes Saphala Ekadashi, he was sleepless the night before owing to an intense cold. The following day he wasn’t able to wake up in time because of ill health, he didn’t even hunt for food that day. So he collected fruits from the nearby trees and sat under one of the trees then he requested Supreme Lord, “Oh Lord Hari, please be merciful to me and accept these fruits”, in this way unknowingly he observed the fast on Saphala Ekadashi and offered fruits to Lord Shri Hari.

Supreme Lord is so merciful and kind even if someone (being sinful or not) observes the fast of Ekadashi and offers the offerings that would easily attain his mercy.

That way, Lumpak was able to please Lord Shri Hari, who blessed Lumpak with a boon. The next morning, a white horse stood before his house, and then a celestial voice was heard, saying, “By the mercy of Lord Vasudeva, Lumpak is now free from all sin and has got his kingdom again, as he has observed fast on Saphala Ekadashi.” This changed his life altogether, he returned back to his kingdom and took charge with the permission of his father, becoming an exultant devotee of Lord Shri Krishna. Lumpak delegated all the responsibilities and distributed his wealth among his sons in old age and devoted the remaining days of his life to the devotional services of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. After this, leaving behind all of the material desires and the material body Lumpak returns back to the heavenly abode of Lord Shri Krishna.

So by this story, one can better understand that although Lumpak had committed several mistakes but just by observing this fast and by involving oneself in the devotional services of Lord Shri Krishna he was able to attain salvation.

Let’s carefully observe this fast of Saphala Ekadashi in remembrance of Lord Shri Krishna by listening to the glories of Lord Shri Hari and chanting the holy name-

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Ram Hare Ram, Ram Ram Hare Hare

A very famous saint Tukaram Maharaj of Maharashtra, said that- A person who obeys and fast on Ekadashi, he indeed attains the abode of God. The person who does not like the tithi of this Ekadashi is a person who lives in hell.

Tukaram Maharaja says that the one who has collected a good amount of virtue from the previous birth, only that person observes the Ekadashi fast.

Utthana Ekadashi is also known as devutthani Ekadashi, prabodhani, haribodhani Ekadashi.

This Ekadashi is considered more significant and more sacred than other Ekadashi. According to Vishnu Purana, Lord sleeps in Kshirsagar for four months on Ashada Shukla Ekadashi. 

According to Vishnu Purana, all their sorrows go away on this day, those who worship and remember Lord Hari. In the Skanda Purana, Brahma dev and Narada muni have been described as the glory of Utthan or prabodhini Ekadashi’s dialogues. Once Brahma dev started telling Devarshi Narada, let me recite the sage about the Ekadashi, which gives virtuous bliss and salvation to all.

The Glories of Utthana Ekadashi

This Ekadashi falls in the Shukla Paksha of Kartik month.The virtue obtained by observing this Ekadashi is many times more than the virtue obtained by performing a thousand Ashwamegh Yagya or a hundred Rajasuya Yagya. So after hearing this, Narada asked O Father, please tell me about the outcomes that can be achieved on this day by eating one time or doing complete fasting.

–Conversation between lord Brahma deva and Narada Muni

Brahma dev said- Eating fruits at one time on Ekadashi destroys the sins of a person of one birth. O son, by observing Utthana Ekadashi, a scarce virtue is attained in Tribhuvan. Like the mountain of Mandar, sins are also destroyed by the effect of this fast. The purity of this day can only be compared to Mount Sumeru.

Narada Muni has said, that Swami, please, how should this Ekadashi be done?” Tell us about this.

Lord Brahma said, O Dwijshrestha, after taking a bath in the morning, worship Lord Keshav, observe a fast so that O Lord Arvindaksha, I will not eat grains on Ekadashi. I will eat grains only on Dwadashi.

O Achyut, please protect me. Brahma Dev further said that one should observe fast for the whole day with love and devotion. One should awaken at night by chanting the name of Hari, listening to Kirtan and His sweet pastimes. One should give up the attitude of greed on Ekadashi. Whosoever virtuous observes such a fast, and he achieves his ultimate goal. Brahma Dev said whoever offers Kadamba flowers on this day to Lord Janardan. He never has to go to Yamaloka.

 O Narada Muni, one should do Hari Jagran on the night of Ekadashi and the day of Dwadashi, worship Lord Hari and complete the fast by feeding Brahmins. According to one’s ability, by worshipping the spiritual master, he should be given worthy Dakshina. This pleases Lord Hari. Thus Brahma explained the importance of Utthan Ekadashi to Devarshi Narada.

In Brahma Vaivarta Purana, it is said that whoever observes a fast on the day of Ekadashi. He becomes free from all sinful activities and progresses in spiritual life.

The Main Motive of Fasting

The basic principle is not to be hungry on that day, but to reduce the needs of our body and use our mind, intellect and senses to remember him more and invest more time in the service of the Lord and have to strengthen our loyalty and love for Supreme Lord Krishna even more.

Therefore, let us all also observe this most auspicious Ekadashi fast and most dear to Lord Krishna and listen to the divine pastimes of the Lord in the company of devotees.

Chant Hari Naam and do Naam Sankirtana to increase the Love of Krishna, the ultimate goal of life.

Hare Krishna!

Utthana Ekadashi Mahotsava ki Jai!