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Lord Krishna said - "O Arjuna! You are my very dear friend. O Partha! Now, I will tell you the story of Prabodhini Ekadashi, which eliminates sins and bestows merit and liberation. Listen with faith -
In this context, I will share the conversation that took place between Narada and Lord Brahma. Once, Narada Ji asked Brahma Ji - "O father! What is the benefit of observing the Prabodhini Ekadashi fast? Please explain the procedure in detail."
Brahma Ji said - "O son! The reward for observing the Prabodhini Ekadashi fast during the Shukla Paksha of the Kartika month is equivalent to the merit gained from performing a thousand Ashvamedha Yajnas and a hundred Rajasuya Yajnas."
Narada Ji replied - "O father! What are the benefits of eating one meal in the evening, eating at night and fasting throughout the day? Please explain in detail."
Brahma Ji said - "O Narada! Eating one meal in the evening can erase the sins of two lifetimes while fasting throughout the day can eliminate the sins of seven lifetimes. That which is difficult to attain in the three worlds can be easily acquired by observing the Prabodhini Ekadashi fast. This fast has the power to instantly destroy even the greatest of sins. By observing the Prabodhini Ekadashi fast, many sinful deeds from past lives can be obliterated in a moment.
Those who observe the Prabodhini Ekadashi fast according to their nature and follow the proper procedures will reap the full benefit.
O son! The merit gained by those who perform even a few virtuous deeds on this day with faith becomes as steadfast as a mountain.
Those who sincerely contemplate within their hearts the desire to observe the Prabodhini Ekadashi fast will have the sins accumulated from a hundred lifetimes erased.
Those who perform a night vigil on Prabodhini Ekadashi will ensure that their past and future ten generations reside in Vishnu Loka. Furthermore, their ancestors, who have suffered many hardships in hell, will also attain Vishnu Loka and experience happiness.
O Narada! Even the gravest sins, such as Brahmahatya, are absolved by observing a night vigil on the occasion of Prabodhini Ekadashi. The rewards of maintaining this vigil on Prabodhini Ekadashi are greater than the benefits derived from sacrifices like the Ashvamedha.
The fruits of undertaking all pilgrimages and donating cows, gold, land and other offerings are equivalent to the rewards gained from observing the night vigil on Prabodhini.
My son, in this world, the life of a person is truly successful if they purify their lineage by observing the Prabodhini Ekadashi fast. All the pilgrimages in the world and all those pilgrimages that can be hoped for reside in the home of the one who observes the Prabodhini Ekadashi fast.
A person should indeed observe the Prabodhini Ekadashi fast in the month of Kartika, setting aside all other activities to gratify Lord Shri Hari. Those who keep this Ekadashi fast will become wealthy, attain the status of a yogi, live as an ascetic and gain mastery over their senses. This observance is highly regarded by Narada and Lord Vishnu. As a result of this fast, a person can free themselves from the cycle of birth and death.
Through the observance of this Ekadashi fast, the sins of all three kinds - physical, verbal and mental are alleviated. Those who engage in charity, penance, oblations, sacrifices and other virtuous acts on this Ekadashi for the attainment of Lord Vishnu will receive boundless blessings.
On the day of Prabodhini Ekadashi, worshipping Lord Shri Hari leads to the destruction of all sins, both from youth and old age. The reward for observing a vigil on the night of this Ekadashi is a thousand times greater than the reward for bathing during a Surya Grahana. The merits a person earns throughout their life are insignificant compared to the merits gained from fasting on Prabodhini Ekadashi. Furthermore, all the merits of those who do not observe the fast on this day are rendered worthless.
Therefore, O son! You should also worship Lord Vishnu using the proper procedure. Those who are righteous and do not eat the food of others, receive the fruit of the Chandrayana fast in the month of Kartika.
In the month of Kartika, the Lord is not as pleased with charity, etc., as He is with listening to the stories of the scriptures.
In the month of Kartika, those who read or listen to even a little of the Lord's story receive the fruit of donating a hundred cows."
Hearing Brahma Ji's words, Narada Ji said - "O father! Now tell me the procedure of the Ekadashi fast and what merit is obtained by observing which kind of fast? Please explain this too."
On hearing Narada's words, Brahma Ji said - "O son! On this Ekadashi, a person should wake up during the Brahma Muhurat. After taking a bath and completing other rituals, one should resolve to fast. At that time, one should pray to Lord Vishnu, saying O Lord! Today I will refrain from food and will eat on the second day. Therefore, please protect me.
After this prayer, one should worship the Lord and begin the fast. The night should be spent near the Lord, engaging in singing, dancing, playing music and reciting stories and Kirtana.
On Prabodhini Ekadashi, one should set aside any stinginess and worship the Lord with many flowers, agarwood, incense and other offerings.
One should offer Arghya to the Lord with water from a conch shell. Its fruit is a crore times more than the donation of pilgrimages, etc.
Those who worship the Lord with Agastya flowers, even Indra folds his hands before them.
Those who worship the Lord with Bilva leaves in the month of Kartika attain liberation in the end.
Those who worship the Lord with Tulasi Ji in the month of Kartika have all the sins of ten thousand births destroyed.
Those who see, touch, meditate on, chant, plant or serve Shri Tulasi Ji in this month reside in the abode of Lord Vishnu for thousands of crores of Yugas.
Those who plant a Tulasi plant, those who are born in their lineage, reside in Vishnu Loka till the end of Pralaya, i.e., cosmic dissolution.
Those who worship the Lord with Kadamba flowers do not suffer the torments of Yamaraja. Lord Vishnu, who fulfills all desires, is very pleased to receive Kadamba flowers. There is nothing greater than worshipping Him with these flowers. Those who offer rose flowers to the Lord certainly attain liberation. Worshipping with Bakula and Ashoka flowers protects one from sorrow for an infinite time. When devotees worship Lord Vishnu with white and red Kanera flowers, the Lord is very pleased with them. If one worships Lord Shri Hari with Durva grass, they receive a hundred times more benefits than from regular worship. Those who offer Shami leaves find it easy to cross the dangerous path of Yamaraja. Lastly, those who worship Lord Vishnu with Champaka flowers are freed from the cycle of life and death.
Those who offer golden Ketaki flowers to the Lord will have the sins accumulated over countless births destroyed. Those who worship the Lord with fragrant yellow and red lotuses will find a place in the divine abode.
After worshipping the Lord in this manner at night, one should bathe in a river of pure water in the morning.
After bathing, return home, sing praises of the Lord and continue to worship Him. Finally, feed the Brahmins and bid them farewell respectfully and joyfully, providing them with Dakshina.
Afterwards, one should worship the Guru and fulfill one's obligations by giving Dakshina to the Brahmins. Those who take a bath at night should donate curd and honey. Those who desire fruits should offer fruits as donations. Instead of donating oil, one should donate ghee and instead of ghee, milk should be donated. Among grains, rice is the preferred donation.
Those who sleep on the ground during this fast should donate a bed with all the other items. Those who observe silence should donate sesame seeds with gold. Those who do not wear Khadau in the month of Kartika should donate Kharau. Those who abstain from salt during this month should donate sugar. Those who light lamps daily in temples should donate a gold or copper lamp with ghee and wicks.
Those who give up any object during the Chaturmasya fast should resume consuming that object from that day.
Those who observe the Prabodhini Ekadashi fast properly, receive infinite happiness and ultimately attain heaven.
Those who complete the Chaturmasya fast without any interruptions will not have to be reborn. If someone's fast is broken, they should begin it again. Those who listen to or read the Mahatmya (glorification) of this Ekadashi will receive the rewards equivalent to performing the Ashvamedha Yagya."
From the perspective of Vedic study, penance and renunciation, the rules of Chaturmasya are highly significant. This period is especially auspicious for immersing oneself in the devotion to Lord Shri Hari. Householders can also fully benefit from the devotion to Lord Vishnu during Chaturmasya.
Aarti is one of the most important rituals of worshipping any deity. Ekadashi Aarti is a prayer dedicated to Goddess Ekadashi. This Aarti can be sung during Ekadashi fasting and on various occasions related to Ekadashi.
Here we have listed Ekadashi Timings and all the important FAQs related to the Ekadashi fasting so that devotees can avoid the most common mistakes made while observing Ekadashi Vrat.
Learn about the food during Ekadashi Fasting. Being careful while eating anything during the Ekadashi fast is highly important. Devotees can know here what they can eat and what they should avoid eating during Ekadashi fasting.
A complete list of Ekadashi dates is given here. Go through the Ekadashi fasting dates list here so that you never miss fasting on Ekadashi. Ekadashi fast is observed with great enthusiasm by the devotees of Lord Vishnu.
Goddess Ekadashi is considered as the Yoga Maya of Lord Vishnu. Utpanna Ekadashi is the greatest Ekadashi of all. On this day, Goddess Ekadashi was manifested to kill demon named Mura.
It is believed that Vaikuntha Dwaram is opened on this day and devotees who observe fast on Vaikuntha Ekadashi attain salvation. This is a popular Ekadashi in Tamil calendar.
Nirjala Ekadashi is one of the twenty four Ekadashi Vrats which are observed to receive the special grace and blessings of Lord Vishnu. Consumption of water is prohibited during this fast.
Devutthana Ekadashi is one of the twenty four Ekadashi Vrats which are observed to receive special grace and blessings of Lord Vishnu. According to Hindu beliefs, on this day Lord Vishnu wakes up from four months of Yogic sleep.
Utpanna Ekadashi is one of the twenty four Ekadashi Vrats which are observed to receive special grace and blessings of Lord Vishnu. Ekadashi fasting is started from Utpanna Ekadashi.
ISKCON devotees can get the complete list of ISKCON Ekadashi fasting dates here. This list will prove highly informative and useful to those who observe the fast of Ekadashi as per the ISKCON.
