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Ekādaśī (ekāhdaśī, 'Eleven'), also spelled as Ekādaśi, is the eleventh lunar day (tithi) of each of the two lunar phases which occur in a Hindu calendar month - the Sukla Paksha (the period of the brightening moon also known as the waxing phase) and the Krishna Paksha (the period of the fading moon also known as the waning phase).[1]
In Hinduism and Jainism, Ekādaśī is considered a spiritual day and is usually observed by partial fast. Beans and grains are not consumed by observant people during because they are believed to be contaminated by sin. Instead, only fruit, vegetables, and milk products are eaten. This period of abstinence starts from sunrise on the day of Ekādaśī to sunset on the following day.
Hindu rules state that anyone between the ages of eight years and eighty years should fast, including forgoing water. However, people who are sick, have health issues, or are pregnant are exempt from the rule and may consume light food including milk and fruits.[citation needed]
The timing of each Ekādaśī is according to the position of the moon.[2] The Hindu calendar marks progression from a full moon to a new moon as divided into fifteen equal arcs. Each arc measures one lunar day, called a tithi. The time it takes the moon to traverse a particular distance is the length of that lunar day. Ekādaśī refers to the 11th tithi, or lunar day. The eleventh tithi corresponds to a precise phase of the waxing and waning moon. In the bright half of the lunar month, the moon will appear roughly 3/4 full on Ekādaśī, and in the dark half of the lunar month, the moon will be about 3/4 dark on Ekādaśī.
There are usually 24 Ekādaśīs in a calendar year. Occasionally, there are two extra Ekādaśīs that happen in a leap year. Each Ekādaśī day is purported to have particular benefits and blessings that are attained by the performance of specific activities.
Bhagavata Purana (sk. IX, adhy. 4) notes the observation of Ekādaśī by Ambarisha, a devotee of Lord Vishnu.
List of Ekādaśīs[edit]
Kode Kode Ekadashi Kijiye Re Anirdesh Hd
The table below describes the Ekādaśīs and when they fall in the year.
The Vedic lunar month | Presiding deity | Krishna paksha Ekadashi name | Shukla paksha Ekadashi name |
---|---|---|---|
Chaitra (चैत्र, April–May) | Vishnu | Papavimocani Ekadashi | Kamada Ekadashi |
Vaisakha (वैशाख, May–June ) | Madhusudana | Varuthini Ekadashi | Mohini Ekadashi |
Jyeshta (ज्येष्ठ, June–July) | Trivikrama | Apara Ekadashi | Nirjala Ekadashi |
Ashaad (आषाढ, July–August) | Vaamana | Yogini Ekadashi | Shayani Ekadashi |
Shraavana (श्राव=90ण, August–September) | Sridhar | Kamika Ekadashi | Shravana Putrada Ekadashi |
Bhadrapada (भाद्रपद, September–October) | Hrisikesha | Ananda Ekadashi | Parsva Ekadashi |
Ashvin (अश्विन्, October–November) | Padmanabha | Indira Ekadashi | Paashunkushaa Ekadashi |
Kartik (कार्तिक, November–December) | Damodara | Rama Ekadashi | Prabodhini Ekadashi |
Margashirsha'' (Agrahayana) (मार्गशीर्ष, December–January) | Keshava | Vaikunta Ekadashi | Mokshada Ekadashi |
Pausha (पौष, January–February) | Naaraayana | Saphala Ekadashi | Pausha Putrada Ekadashi |
Maagha (माघ, February–March) | Maadhava | Shat Tila Ekadashi | Bhaimi Ekadashi / Jaya Ekadashi |
Phalguna (फाल्गुन, March–April) | Govinda | Utpanna Ekadashi | Amalaki Ekadashi |
Adhika month (अधिक, once in 2–3 years) | Purushottama | Paramaa Shuddha Ekadashi | Padmini Visuddha Ekadashi |
Calculation[edit]
Ekādaśī is different for Vaishnavites and Smarthas. According to Kala Prakashika, a Jyotish text discussing auspicious times for beginning an activity ('Muhurta'), the Ekādaśī fast is performed on a day which is not touched or ruined by any influence of the tenth tithi or lunar day. The cut-off time is 96 minutes before sunrise. If the tenth day completes just 96 minutes before sunrise, then that day is celebrated as Ekādaśī. If the tenth day is incomplete at 96 minutes before sunrise, but still continues to be Dashimi sometime during that day, then the Ekādaśī fast is performed on the following day. (Rules need to be included here by a Panchang Karta from Dharma Sindhu and Nirnaya Sindhu.)
Significance[edit]
Ekādaśī Tithi, the eleventh lunar day (Shukla Ekādaśī), also known as Hari Vasara because it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is a day of fasting and prayers for all Hindus. Those who fast on this day are considered to get rid of malefic planetary influences, experience happiness, and gain the right peace of mind to think of Ishvara and attain moksha. It is a day of Vishtikarana, a day of malefic influences. Vishtikarana coincides with the second half of Ekādaśī Tithi and is avoided for all functions associated with worldly prosperity but for such celebrations, Ekādaśī Tithi should not have Dasami Vedha. Fasting should be done during Vishtikarana but the fast should not be broken during this. Vishtikarana coincides with the second half of Krishna Dasami.
Karana is half of a tithi. Tithi is the time taken by the moon to travel approximately twelve degrees of space with reference to the Sun, but as the motion of the moon is irregular, the duration of tithi is not constant.
There are seven moveable and four fixed karanas. Vishti or Bhadra is one of the moveable karanas which rotate among the other tithis beginning with the second half of Shukla Padyami.
Mantra[edit]
The Vishnu mantra chanted on this day is:'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya'
Hare Krishna maha-mantra to chant 108 times: 'Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare'[3]
See also[edit]
- Prasad (see for food which can/not be offered on Ekādaśī)[clarification needed Link exact section]
Notes[edit]
- ^About Ekādaśī Vrat Fasting & its Importance
- ^'Ekadashi Dates & Fast Breaking Times (Parana) for 2018 - Ekadashi Katha - Ekadashi Svarupa Darsana'. Ekadashi Svarupa Darsana. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
- ^About Things you must do on Ekadashi
References[edit]
- Gangadharan, N., Agni Purana, New Delhi: Motilala Banarsidass, 1985, Chapter 178.
- Iyer, N.P. Subramania, Kalaprakasika: The standard book on the election (mahoortha) system: with the original text in Devanagari and English translation, New Delhi: Asian Educational Services, 1982.
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ekadashi&oldid=882253118'
What is Ekadasi?
The Sanskrit word Ekadasi literally means eleven. Ekadasi is the eleventh of the fifteen-day lunar month. In one of the lunar months (called the light month) the moon grows from new moon to full moon and in the following lunar month (called dark month) it diminishes from full moon to no-moon. Thus every calendar (solar) month there are two Ekadasis, the light Ekadasi that occurs on the eleventh day of the waxing moon, and the dark Ekadasi that occurs on the eleventh day of the waning moon. It is recommended that all Vaisnavas should fast on this day of Ekadasi. Such austerity will be greatly beneficial for their devotional life.
Origin of Ekadasi
In the fourteenth chapter of Padma Purana, in the section named Kriya-sagara-sara, Srila Vyasadeva explains the origin of Ekadasi to Sage Jaimini as follows:
At the beginning of the material creation, the Supreme Lord, for the purpose of punishing the sinful human beings, created a personality whose form was the embodiment of sin (Papapurusha). The different limbs of this personality were constructed of the various sinful activities. In order to control Papapurusha, the personality known as Yamaraja came into existence along with the different hellish planetary systems. Those living entities that are very sinful are sent after death to Yamaraja, who will in turn, according to their sins, send them to a hellish region to suffer.
The living entities, according to their karmic activities thus began to enjoy or suffer. Seeing so many souls suffer in hellish condition, the compassionate Lord began to feel sorry for them. In order to help them He manifested from His own form the deity of the lunar day Ekadasi. Thus, Ekadasi is the personification of the vow to fast on the eleventh day of the lunar month. Therefore Ekadasi is the selfsame form of the Supreme Lord Vishnu. Sri Ekadasi is the utmost pious activity and is situated at the head among all vows.
Afterwards the different sinful living entities began to follow the vow of Ekadasi and were then elevated quickly to the abode of Vaikuntha. Following the ascension of Sri Ekadasi, Papapurusha (sin personified) gradually saw that his own existence was being threatened. He approached Lord Vishnu praying that, ‘O Lord, I am your created progeny, and it is through me that you wanted distress given to the living entities who are very sinful. But now, by the influence of Sri Ekadasi, I have become all but destroyed. You please save me from the fear of Ekadasi. No type of pious activity can bind me. But Ekadasi only, being Your own manifested form, can impede me. I cannot find a place where I can be free from fear of Sri Ekadasi. Oh my Master! I am a product of Your creation, so therefore very mercifully direct me to a place where I can reside fearlessly.’
After this, Lord Vishnu, observing the condition of the Papapurusha began to speak thus: ‘Oh Papapurusha! Rise up! Don’t lament any longer. Just listen, and I’ll tell you where you can stay on the auspicious lunar day of Ekadasi. Pes 2013 global update. On the day of Ekadasi, which is the benefactor of the three worlds, you can take shelter of foodstuff in the form of grains. There is no reason to worry about this any more, because My form as Sri Ekadasi Devi will no longer impede you.’ After giving direction to the Papapurusha, the Supreme Lord Vishnu disappeared and the Papapurusha returned to the performance of his own activities. According to the instructions of Lord Vishnu, every kind of sinful activity that can be found in the material world takes its residence in this place of foodstuff (grains). Therefore those persons who are serious about the ultimate benefit for the soul will never eat grains on the Ekadasi day.
Observing Ekadasi
All Vedic scriptures thus strongly recommend observing complete fast on the day of Ekadasi (without drinking water). Every one from the age of eight to eighty, irrespective of varna-ashram, gender, or any material consideration is recommended to fast on this day to make spiritual progress.
For those who cannot perform the austerity of complete fasting, it is recommended that one can follow Ekadasi by eating once a day at midday, or eating once a day in the evening. However under no conditions should one eat grains in any form on this day.
Devotional service on Ekadasi
Ekadasi with all its benefits should be understood as something that is there to support the ultimate goal of every living entity, devotional service to the Lord. By the mercy of the Lord, this day has become extremely auspicious for the performance of devotional service. Freed from so many sinful desires a devotee can execute unalloyed devotional service and receive the mercy of the Lord.
So, for devotees, fasting on Ekadasi is a means to progress on their path of sadhana-bhakti. Class 10 science notes. The process of fasting is purifying to the consciousness and it frees up the devotee from so many material considerations. Since devotional service performed on this day is several times more effective, devotees like to engage themselves as much as possible in chanting, kirtan, discussing the pastimes of the Lord and performing other forms of devotional service.
Srila Prabhupada recommended that devotees should try and chant at least twenty-five rounds on this day, read about the Lord pastimes and minimize material affairs. However, understanding that devotees who are already fully engaged in active service of the Lord (like book distribution, preaching etc.) he made some concessions, like eating and drinking liquids in the day as long as there is no grains in them.
Kode Kode Ekadashi Kijiye Re Anirdesh List
Glories of Ekadasi
In the Bhakti-sandarbha, by Srila Jiva Gosvami, there is a quotation from the Skanda Purana admonishing that a person who eats grains on Ekadasi becomes a murderer of his mother, father, brother and spiritual master, and even if he is elevated to a Vaikuntha planet, he falls down. It is strictly forbidden for one to accept any kind of grain on Ekadasi, even if it is offered to Lord Vishnu.
In the Brahma-vaivarta Purana it is said that one who observes fasting on Ekadasi day is freed from all kinds of reactions to sinful activities and advances in pious life. The basic principle is not just to fast, but to increase one’s faith and love for Govinda, or Krishna. The real reason for observing fast on Ekadasi is to minimize the demands of the body and to engage our time in the service of the Lord by chanting or performing similar service. The best thing to do on fasting days is to remember the pastimes of Govinda and to hear His holy name constantly.
Coming Soon:
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Ekadasi: Grain Free Recipes
Ekadashi Vrat Katha in English
- Why to fast on Ekadashi – its significance. Short audio clip in Kannada
- Ekadashi Dates & its Importance Stories(Mahaatmya)
- Ekadashi Vrat Kathas in Hindi at Indif.Com
- Ekadasi – background, references, etc. (Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition)
- Vedic Calendar Program (freeware) Calculates Ekadasis (and other dates) for any location in the world.
- Pushtimarg Ekadashi Calendar
- Panchanga / panchangam for your city
- Ekadashi Dates & Mahatmya
- Ekadashi dates for the year
- Panchang for the world to find out ekadashi dates for your city
- Why Can’t I use Indian Panchangam abroad (Ekadashi dates in Indian panchangam will differ in abroad )
- For any above information, please visit : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekadashi