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Origin of Ekadashi Vrat -
- Ekadashi Vrat Kathas

Origin of Ekadashi Vrat -- Ekadashi Vrat Kathas

Ekadashi, is the eleventh lunar day (tithi) of each of the two lunar phases which occur in an vedic calendar month - the Shukla 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).

In Sanatana Dharma, Ekadashi holds great importance. Ekadashi is favourite tithi of Lord Krishna and devotees observe "upvas" to be closer to Krishna. In India, Ekadasi is considered a day to cleanse the body, aid repair and rejuvenation and is usually observed by partial or complete fast. High protein and carbohydrate-containing foods such as beans and grains are not consumed by observant people during the fast as it is a day to cleanse the body. Instead, only fruit, vegetables, and milk products are eaten. This period of abstinence starts from sunrise on the day of Ekadasi to sunrise on the following day. Rice is not eaten on Ekadashi.

The timing of each Ekadasi is according to the position of the moon. The Indian 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. Ekadasi refers to the 11th tithi, or lunar day. The eleventh tithi corresponds to a precise phase of the waxing and waning moon.

There are usually 24 Ekadashis in a calendar year. Occasionally, there are two extra Ekadashis that happen in a leap year. Each Ekadashi day is purported to have particular benefits that are attained by the performance of specific activities.

The History of Ekadashi:
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In Satyuga, there lived a demon called Murdanav. He terrorized all good people and devotees on the earth as well as he scared all the Devaas also. So Devaas left heaven and took refuge to Lord Vishnu. They prayed lord Vishnu to protect them. God’s mercy towards his devotees is limitless. So he took off immediately on His fastest vehicle “Garuda”. He fought continuously for 1000 years with Murdanav of unbelievable strength and still he was fighting with full energy and power. So Lord Vishnu decided to change his strategy.

Lord Vishnu acted as if He was exhausted by the battle and hid in a cave in Himalayas. He decided to take a nap in this huge cave. Lord Vishnu along with all his ten senses and the mind inside, was taking a rest.

Murdanav reached to the cave by chasing lord Vishnu. He saw him sleeping inside the cave and followed Him. He took his sword to kill lord Vishnu. As he was about to swing the sword, suddenly an extremely beautiful & luminous lady playing with a sword emerged from lord Vishnu’s body.

Murdanav lured to her beauty & asked her to marry him. She said, “I would marry who can defeat me in battle” Murdanav agreed to her proposal. He started fighting with that divine lady. Eventually during the fight that divine lady defeated & slayed Murdanav.

Hearing the noise of fight, lord Vishnu woke up and saw that lady who killed Murdanav. Lord Vishnu called that lady, who emerged from Himself, by the name Ekadashi. That was the eleventh day of the waxing moon. Lord Vishnu pleased by her deed & said to ask a boon. The Ekadashi asked to Lord Vishnu that ‘as I evolved from your Ekadash Indriyas (eleven senses of the body) I shall be known as Ekadashi. I am filled with penance so I desire that people should observe Ekadashi Vrat and control their Ekadash Indriyas (Senses) on this day. On the day of my Vrat, no one should consume grains such as rice, wheat, beans etc.

Lord Vishnu agreed and ever since all Hindus perform Ekadashi Vrat by fasting or eating Falahari foods on the 11th day of bright half of the moon & dark half of the moon. Also Lord Vishnu said that devotees who observe the Ekadashi day with fasting and prayers would have his choicest blessings! This story is based on Padama Puranam, a Hindu Scripture.

3 Ways of following Ekadashi:
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Nirjala Ekadashi: To pass the whole day without eating or drinking anything.

Sajala Ekadashi: To pass the whole day on water and juice.

Farali Ekadashi: To consume Only Fruits and Milk.

What should we eat & what should we not eat on the day of Ekadashi?
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Not to eat anything is best

If not, one can drink water or fruit juice

If not, one can eat fruits and vegetables

If not, one can cook & eat one or two falahari items.

How to control the senses and divert to God?
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Do not see bad things and see God or Saints.

Do not hear bad things instead hear discourses of God.

Do not think bad instead try to think about God.

Do not smell bad instead smell things related to God.

Do not touch bad things instead touch things related to God.

As per mentioned above, devotee should try to control five senses and divert them to objects related to God.

Benefits of Ekadashi Fasting:
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It purifies one’s mind, body and soul.

Fasting will clean the toxins out of the body especially in the digestive system.

It destroys the 90% possibility of any kind of cancer.

The body will feel light and energetic after fasting.

As mentioned earlier, there are normally a total of 24 ekadashis every year, and each ekadashi has a specific name and comes around the time of that respective month every year.

I shall not list all the 24 ekdashis, but I shall just mention the names of some of the most important or popular ones. However, all ekadashis are equally important and sacred.

Some of the prominent ekadashis are:

Vaikuntha Ekadashi

Kaamada Ekadashi

Nirjala Ekadashi

Devshayani Ekadashi

Putrada Ekadashi

Utpatti Ekadashi and

Amalaki Ekadashi.......among the others, constituting a total of 24 ekadashis every year.

So friends, here ends the story and other details regarding the Origin and significance of Ekadashi. I hope you liked this video, and if you did like it, then please hit the like button and also subscribe to this channel, if you haven't done so already.

Advaita

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Origin of Ekadashi Vrat -
- Ekadashi Vrat Kathas

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- Ekadashi Vrat Kathas