En
Arjuna said, "O Lord! What is the name of Ekadashi which falls on Krishna Paksha of Jyeshtha month? And what is its importance? Which deity is worshiped in it and what is the procedure for observing this fast? Please tell me all this in detail."
Shri Krishna said, "O Arjuna! The name of Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Jyeshtha month is Apara, because it gives immense wealth and virtues and destroys all sins. The people who fast on it become famous in the whole world. Due to the effect of fasting on Apara Ekadashi, the sins caused by murder, evil spirits, insulting others, etc. are destroyed, not only this, sins like adultery, false testimony, reading false Vedas, making false scriptures, etc. are also destroyed. The terrible sins like misleading people, and cheating people by pretending to be a false doctor are also destroyed by fasting on Apara Ekadashi.
It is believed that a Kshatriya who runs away from the battlefield goes to Hell, but by fasting on Apara Ekadashi, he also gets Heaven.
Those disciples who criticize the Guru after acquiring knowledge from the Guru go to hell. By fasting on Apara Ekadashi, it becomes possible for them to get a place in heaven.
The same result that is obtained by taking a bath in the three Pushkars or by taking bath in the month of Kartika or by offering Pinda Daan to the ancestors on the banks of Ganga, is obtained by fasting on Apara Ekadashi.
The results that natives of the Leo zodiac sign get after taking a bath in river Gomati on Thursday, visiting Shri Kedarnath Ji during Kumbha, staying in Badarika Ashrama and taking a bath in Kurukshetra during solar eclipse and lunar eclipse, can be attained by fasting on Apara Ekadashi. The result of fasting on Apara Ekadashi is like donating elephants, horses, and gold during Yajna. The result of donating cows and land is also equal to the fast of Apara Ekadashi.
This fast is like an Axe for cutting trees of sin and like the Sun for removing the darkness of sin.
Therefore, one must observe this Ekadashi fast. This fast is the best among all fasts. One should worship Lord Shri Vishnu with devotion on the day of Apara Ekadashi. Due to this one can ultimately attain Vishnu Loka.
Hey king! I have told this story of Apara Ekadashi for the welfare of all beings. All sins are destroyed by reading and listening to this Katha."
Apara means immense or extra, the people who observe fast on Ekadashi get great devotion of Lord Shri Hari Vishnu. Devotion and devotion increase. Because of this beneficial fast, devotion and reverence continuously increase in the heart of devotees.
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.
