Vaikunta Ekadasi Pooja
Ekadashi- The Female Energy Of Lord Vishnu
There’s an interesting reference in the Padma Purana of a sacred event that took place during the Krita Yuga. During the time, there was an asura or demon called Muran who harassed the gods and other mortals. Losing all hope, the demi gods approached Lord Shiva who in turn asked them to seek the help of Lord Vishnu. So, Lord Vishnu set out for battle which the Purana say lasted for 1000 celestial years.
By now, Lord Vishnu was famished and needed rest. He took respite inside a beautiful cave called Himavati and went off to sleep. Muran wanted to exploit the opportunity and decided to kill the Lord but his female energy emerged out of his body which was that of a beautiful woman who fought Muran and vanquished him.
The Lord woke up from his slumber, was pleased and he named her Ekadasi. She wished that anyone who fasted on the day will be relieved of all sins. Lord Vishnu granted her boon, and also added that those fasting on the day will reach him in Vaikunta. This was the first Ekadasi of all called Dhanurmasa Shukla Paksha Ekadasi.
How Fasting Helps To Conquer Negative Qualities
- Fasting on the day of Vaikunta Ekadashi exposes our profound qualities to conquer Rajasic (qualities related to desire, passion, emotions and feelings) of and Tamasic (selfishness, discontentment, greed etc) tendencies that represent the demon Muran.
- This helps us to reach our ultimate destination Vaikunta — the abode of Lord Narayana.
- There’s a belief that the ksheerasagara manthan, the churning of the ocean for nectar of immortality took place on the day.
- There’s a spiritual interpretation to this – the ocean symbolises the human heart filled with Satvic qualities like purity, goodness and kindness. But inherent in us is both good represented by Devas and evil represented by asuras. Only by severe austerity measures that represent the churning of the milky ocean, can we throw out the poison in us and bring forth the nectar which will liberate us from the cycle of birth and death.
Click Here To Know How To Observe Vratham On Vaikunta Ekadasi
A Day Of Rituals And Prayers Dedicated To Lord Vishnu
- For Shaivaites, this day is celebrated as Nanjunda Ekadasi or the day when Lord Shiva consumed poison (nanju) that emanated from the milky ocean. The Vaikunta Dwaram or Doors of Heaven is open to the devotee and when one passes through this, blessings of material and spiritual wealth is granted.
- It is also believed that Lord Krishna gave the Geethopadesam (Song of Sermons) to Arjuna on Vaikunta Ekadashi. On the whole, Vaikunta Ekadashi is a sacred day of reverence and thanks giving, spent by taking part in rituals, prayers, meditation and also one has to undertake austerities. But austerities need to be limited to one’s capabilities.
‘ekadasi vrata samam vrata nasti jagattraye
anicchaya’pi yat krtva gatir evam vidha’vayoh
ekadasi vratam ye tu bhakti bhavena kurvate
na jane kim bhavet tesam vasudeva anukampaya’
- The above lines mean that there’s no fasting in the world greater than the Ekadasi. Even if it is done without a proper mind-set, the doors of heaven open to the devotee.
- Vaikunda Ekadesi is of great significance at the Tirupati Balaji Temple, Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Temple and at the Bhadrachalam Temple. In Kerala, it is known as Swarga Vathil Ekadashi.
- Vedicfolks rituals for the auspicious day protect and safeguard you from all evil and open doors for plenty of spiritual and wealth blessings.
