VAIKUNTHA EKADASHI The Story

VAIKUNTHA EKADASHI
Celebrated In : during the dark fortnight of the month of PhAlguna (February-March).
.
THE STORY
VAIKUNTA Ekadashi falls in the month of Marga-
seersha (December-January). This is observed
with all solemnity in the temples of Lord Vishnu.
Fasting is prescribed on all Ekadashis, that is, the
11th day of the lunar fortnight, twice a month.
In this Kali Yuga, even if just one Ekadashi is observed with dispassion, faith and devotion,
and if the mind is wholly fixed on Hari, one is freed from the rounds of birth and death. There
is no doubt about this. The scriptures give us their assurance on this point. Devotees fast on
this day, observe vigil the whole night and do Japa, Hari Kirtan and meditation. Some do not
take even a drop of water. Those who are unable to fast completely can take some light fruit
and milk. No rice should be taken on Ekadashi days. This is very important. The sweat that
fell down from the head of Brahma assumed the form of a demon and said to the Lord, “O
Lord! now give me an abode to dwell.” Brahma replied, “O demon! go and dwell in the rice
particles eaten by men on Ekadashi day and become worms in their stomach.” For this reason
rice is prohibited on Ekadashi. If one observes the Ekadashi fast regularly, Lord Hari is
propitiated. All sins are destroyed. The
mind is purified. Devotion gradually develops. Love for God becomes intense. Orthodox
people in South India observe complete fasting and vigil even on ordinary Ekadashi days. For
the devotees of Lord Vishnu, every Ekadashi is a very sacred day. <br> Benefits of Fasting
Nowadays, many educated people do not observe fasting on this sacred day. This is due to the
impact of the dark, vicious, materialistic forces. When the intellect develops a little, people
begin to enter into arguments and unnecessary discussions. Intellect is a hindrance on the
spiritual path. Theywho have not developed the heart but who have developed their intellect
begin to doubt and question at every step. They are led astray. They want a “why” and a
“how” for everything. They want “scientific” explanations for all phenomena. God is beyond
proofs and presumptions. One has to approach religion and the scriptures with great faith,
reverence and purity of heart. Then only are the secrets of religion revealed unto him like the
apple in the palm of one’s hand. Does anybody ask his mother to prove who is his father?
Fasting controls passion. It checks the emotions. It controls the senses also. It is a great
penance. It purifies the mind and the heart. It destroys a multitude of sins. Fasting controls
the tongue in particular which is the deadliest enemy of man. Fasting overhauls the
respiratory, circulatory, digestive and urinary systems. It destroys all the impurities of the
body and all sorts of poisons. It eliminates uric acid deposits. Just as impure gold is rendered
pure by melting it in the crucible again and again, so also this impure mind is rendered purer
by repeated fasting. Young and robust Brahmacharis (celibates) should observe fasting
whenever passion troubles them. Only then will they have very good meditation, as the mind
will be rendered calm. The chief object of fasting is to render the system calm so that one is
able to practise meditation rigorously during that period. Withdraw the senses and fix the
mind on God. Pray to God to guide you and to throw a flood of light on your spiritual path.
Say with feeling:
“O God, guide me! Protect me, protect me! I am Thine, I am Thine! Forsake me
not!” You will be blessed with purity, light and strength. Follow this Sadhana
on the days that you fast, Ekadashi days in particular. Fasting is one of the ten canons of
Yoga. However, avoid excessive fasting. It will produce weakness. Use your common sense.
If you cannot fast for the full twenty-four hours, at least fast for 10-12 hours and then take
some milk and fruit. Gradually increase your fast to 15 hours and then up
to 24 hours. Fasting makes a man strong, both spiritually and mentally. Complete fasting
helps to control sleep. Taking recourse to tea to control sleep is not desirable. You will not
gain any spiritual strength if you depend on an external agent. During fasting avoid all
company. Live alone. Utilise your time in Sadhana. When breaking a fast do not take a heavy
meal or a heavy food that is hard to digest. Milk or some fruit juice is beneficial. Moderation
in eating and withdrawal of the senses in Yogic meditation are the obverse and the reverse of
the same coin. Moderation consists in taking a little food or water just to keep the body in
good working order.In the <I>Gita </I>you will find: “Verily, Yoga
is not for him who eats too much, nor who abstains to excess, nor who sleeps too much, nor
to the excessively wakeful”. The Yogi withdraws his senses from the particular sense objects.
The senses are made to turn into or get involved into the mind. When one is fully
established in these two practices, supreme control of the senses is achieved. Once there was
a demon, Mura, who oppressed the gods. The gods approached Lord Hari for protection. Hari
sent Yoga Maya to kill the demon. Yoga Maya carried out the behests of the Lord
successfully. Then the Lord said to Yoga Maya, “Those who observe Ekadashi will be freed
from all sins, and you will be called by the name Ekadashi.” King mbarisha was a great
votary of Lord Hari. He practised the Ekadashi Vrata for a year. Ambarisha obtained His
Grace. On one occasion he fasted for three consecutive days. He was about to break the fast
when Rishi Durvasa appeared as his guest. The king received him with due respect and
requested him to take his meals. The Rishi agreed and went to bathe in
the river. The king waited patiently for a long time, but the Rishi did not return. Time was
running out; if the king did not eat anything before the day ended his Vrata would not bear
fruit. And if he ate, he would be showing disregard to the Rishi. As a compromise the king
took a little water to serve both the conditions. When Durvasa returned from his bath, he
knew exactly what had happened, and was angry. He tore a hair from his tuft and charged it
to kill Ambarisha. The king was unmoved. The discus of Lord Vishnu destroyed the power of
the hair of Durvasa. It now followed the Rishi wherever he went and tried to destroy him.
Rishi Durvasa went to Brahma and Shiva for help, but to no avail. He went to Lord Hari who
said to him, “I am dependent on My devotees. My heart
is in the possession of My devotees. Go thou, therefore, to Ambarisha; beg his pardon and
thou shalt be saved.” Ambarisha thereupon prayed to the charged hair to desist from its
course, and saved the Rishi. Durvasa thanked him from the bottom of his heart.

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VAIKUNTHA EKADASHI

Celebrated In : during the dark fortnight of the month of PhAlguna (February-March).

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