The Sacred meaning of

ekadashi
Compiled by Pandit Sachin Singh
Cell: 082 456 5143

Shree Nath Dham

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LORD VISHNU

earth and sky or space. In the lower left hand, which

represents the notion of individual existence.
The Mace (Gada) of Vishnu is named Kaumodaki. It
represents the elemental force, form which all physical and mental powers are derived.
While Vishnu, who has the power to spread his
control over everything. From his navel a lotus- stalk
grows up, and on the top of the stalk, in the lotus
flower, Brahma is born. Vishnus main attribute is
Sattva (goodness-purity)
Vishnu appeared in the world either to correct some
great evil or to effect some good on the earth. His
incarnations are innumerable.

WHY FAST FOR EKADASHI ?

All Hindus between eight and eighty years should

fast on the Ekadashi days.
On Ekadashi day, one must not let anger; lust and
enjoyment come in the way of this fast. Those who
observe the Ekadashi fast should avoid sexual acts
on the dasami day, the day proceeding Ekadashi.
The name Vishnu means he who possesses the
quality of Vyapana (to pervade). Lord Vishnu is the
central and the major deity of the holy trinity i.e.
Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva
the destroyer. The two most common representations of Vishnu show him either sleeping over the
waves of the ocean on the coils of the serpent-deity
called Shesh Nag. The other most common one is
standing on water with four hands- each holding one
of his four chief attributes. Lord Vishnus four main
features are:-

In this Kali Yuga, even if 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.
The puranas and dharmasastras, though prohibit the
par taking of cooked on Ekadashi days, have made
many concessions to the general people towards
their weakness towards food. If one eats only once in
the day around noon, it is called ekabhukta, if only
in the night it is called nakta, when food is taken
once a day, it is called ayacita.

In the Upper right hand, he holds cakra or discus

shining like an infant Sun, symbol of the mind, which
represents the revolving or creative tendency.The
Discus or wheel (Charka) of Vishnu named Sudershan. It has six spokes. It represents the limitless
controlling all the six seasons and is the fearful
weapon that cuts off the heads of all demons.

Devotees fast on this day, do Japa, Hari kirtan and

meditation. Some even, do not take even a drop of
water. Those who are unable to fast completely can
take some light fruits and milk.
Fasting controls passion. It checks the emotions and
controls the senses. It is a great penance and purifies
the mind and the heart. Fasting overhauls the respiratory, circulatory, digestive and urinary systems.

The lotus of Vishnu is named Padma. It is the symbol

of purity and represents the unfolding of creations.
It is the truth (Sathva). The elements from, which
emerge the rules of, conduct (Dharma) and knowledge (Janna).
The Conch (Shankh) named Panchjanya is the fountain that evolves the five elements i.e., water, fire, air,
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If one can not fast for the full 24hrs, at least fast for
10-12 hrs and then take some milk and fruit. And
the gradually increase the fast to 15 hrs and then to
24hrs.
Fasting makes a person strong, both mentally and
spiritually. For those who are ill and are not able
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bodied certain foods known as the farari foods are

allowed. These include tubers (potatoes, cassava,
carrots, turnips, dairy products, fruits, and nuts.
Foods made from cereals are forbidden.
In the evening Vishnu is worshipped, holding some
durva grassand tulsi leaves in the hand. One has to
approach religion and the scriptures with great faith,
reverence and purity of heart.
On observing the Ekadashi day you should do Vishnu
Puja which is productive of universal happiness. It is
said the people will acquire good children and wealth
in this world and attain Vishnuloka upon death.
NOTE: A person under going through periods, should
as usual, have her bath on the Ekadashi day, and
should do mentally worship of Vishnu and keep the
fast on this day. This rule applies also applies to
women who should abstain from the usual food on
the Ekadashi, though they may happen to be in periods at that time.

MEANING OF
EKADASHI FAST

Ekadashi is very important for all Hindus, as the

observance of rituals connected with this occasion is
said to take away any sin that the person may have
accumulated during the fortnight. To be able to get
rid, of the sins or any wrong deeds every fortnight is
very helpful to the five senses.
Thousands of auspicious events like the eclipses
and lakhs of amavasyas (the New Moon day) cannot equal even one=sixteenth part of the merit of
EkAdashi. The power of Ekadashi to destroy sins is
unmatched.
The same worship of Vishnu in the month of Sravana
yields all desires and good health. Ekadashi has social function as well, just like Sankranti. Even if one
does not keep the fast, it is a day for doing charitable
deeds.
The eleventh day after a new Moon or full Moon the
Vrat observed on this day is called the Ekadashi.
In all 24 Ekadashi fasts are observed in a year. It is
believed that Lord Vishnu transformed himself into
Ekadashi to alleviate the mankind from sins. It is the
day - looked upon Lord Hari himself.
According to the Puranas, a demon named called
Mura,harassed the gods. The gods asked Vishnu for

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protection against Mura; Vishnu sent his Yog Maya

(DURGA MAA) to kill the demon, which was done successfully.
Lord Hari granted Yoga Maya a boon, and said Those
who observe Ekadashi will be freed from all sins, and
you will be called by the name Ekadashi.
ON ANY EKADASHI ON SHOULD CHANT THIS MANTRA
WITH 11 ROUNDS OF MALAS

AUM NAMO BHAGVATE

VASUDEVYA
or
AUM Namo Narayanaya
MEANING OF SACRED
EKADASHI DAYS
1. SAPHALA EKADASHI DECEMBER JANUARY
Worship of lord vishnu for all round success in life.
2. /16 PUTRADA EKADASHI DECEMBER
JANUARY AND JULY AUGUST
This is observed by the couples in order to get children. Lord Vishnu is worshipped and the poor people
are fed and given clothes, money etc. in charity on
this day. Similarly the Ekadashi falling in the Krishna
Paksha of the Shravana should be observed and is
known by the name of Kamada Ekadashi, wishful
day. Putrada Ekadashi comes twice in one year.
3. SHATTILA EKADASH JANUARY FEBUARY
Since tila or sesame has to be used six times (satsix), pinch. One has to worship the gods with gods
with sesame, perform homa with sesame, light lamps
with sesame oil in temples, donate sesame, offer water mixed with sesame to the piturs and eat sesame.
The person gets blessing form piturs from this act
and blessed to entering vaikunta
4. JAYA EKADASHI JANUARY FEBUARY
For Victory and success, and you will never be born
in a pret yoni and if in one your sins will be forgiven.
5. VIJAYA EKADASHI FEBUARY MARCH
For the removal of all pains and suffering. One is
blessed with sucess in all endeavours. On this day
should fast for 24 hours and have bhajans.
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6. AMALAKI EKADASHI FEBUARY MARCH

The Hindus have a great regard to all living things,
because one Universal Spirit pervades all. God dwells
in all things. Fast is observed on this day and Brahmins and poor people are given gifts. Worship of lord
vishnu From the piety observed upon others on this
day happiness and prosperity flow on the person
observing this fast.
7. PAAPMOCHANI EKADASHI MARCH APRIL
Fast for freedom from sins commited
9. KAMADA EKADASHI MARCH APRIL
Worship of lord vishnu for a peaceful householder life
10. VARUTHINII EKADASI APRIL MAY
Whosoever observes a complete fast on this sacred
day has his sins completely
removed, obtains continuous happiness, and
achieves all good fortune.
Fasting on Varuthinii Ekadasi makes even an unfortunate woman fortunate. Upon anyone who observes it,
this Ekadasi bestows material enjoyment in this life
and liberation after the death of this present body.
It destroys the sins of all and saves people from the
miseries of repeated rebirth.
11. MOHINI EKADASHI APRIL MAY
Worship of lord Ram from freedom of bad karmas. It
removes all obstacles from ones path and relieves
the greatest miseries.
12. APARA EKADASHI MAY JUNE
For Prosperity
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13. NIRJALA EKADASHI MAY JUNE

This Ekadasi has come to be known by this name
since Bhima, the second of the Pandava princes, was
instructed in his performance of the fast by Vasudeva
(Krishna) himself. one has to perform the worship of
Vishnu with astaksari mantra (AUM Namo Narayanaya), and fast on the Ekadashi day and perform
homa. A waterless fast is known as Nirjala. People
observe this strict fast and offer puja to Vishnu to
ensure happiness, prosperity and his forgiveness.
During Nirjala, all the Indriyas become weak, and the
Soul gets a chance of attributes such as mercy and
performing austerities. During the Nirjala Ekadashi,
Panchamrata is prepared by mixing together milk,
Ghee, curds, honey and sugar and offered to Lord
Vishnu. The puja is done with flower, divas and water
and incense etc. The faithful observance of these
fast and other rituals on this day ensures happiness,
salvation, longevity and prosperity. After the fast is
over clothes, grains, pitchers filled with water etc.
are given in charity to the poor people according to
ones means and capacity.
14. YOGINI EKADASHI JUNE JULY
For the destruction of sins
15. DEVASHAYANI EKADASHI JUNE JULY
This day means when Lord Hari or Vishnu retires to
rest on the bed of Sheshang, in the Kshirsagar. According to the belief Hari goes for the rest for the four
months of the rainy seasons. This is in the month
of Ashadha of the 11th day of the (June- July), This
period of four months of the rainy seasons is known
as Chaturmas and during this period such auspicious activities such as marriage, thread ceremony
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etc. are prohibited. During this period of four months

the sadhus live at one place and meditate. This ends
on 11 tithi of the bright of Karitka (Oct-Nov). This is
known by the Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi- Lord Vishnu
awakes form his four-month rest. The people rejoice
by offering the new feast form the harvest. From this
day onwards marriages etc can be held as it marks
again the beginning of auspicious time. One of the
most well known festivals that falls on a dvadasi is
the Utthana-dvadasi (Kartitika Sukla dvadasi). On this
day Lord Vishnu who had gone to rest on the Sayani
day (Asadha shukla Ekadashi) wakes up. Hence it
is called Utthana-dvadasi (uthana- getting up). On
this day also on this day Tulasi or Vrnda was married
to Lord Vishnu. Hence it is called Tulasivivaha day.
Ceremonial marriage of the Lord Vishnu is performed
with Tulasi plant (holy Basil) on this day. Images of
Hari and Tulasi are worshipped for three days (Navami to Ekadashi). The marriage ceremony is performed on the Dwadashi. Fast for the fulfulment of
desires Note: The dose not sleep but only rests and
you can still do your daily prayes ect.
17. AJA EKADASHI AUGUST SEPTEMBER
The name of this sin-removing, sacred Ekadasii is
aja. Any person who fasts completely on this day
and worships Hrishikesha, the master of the senses,
becomes free of all reactions to his sins. Even one
who simply hears about this Ekadasii is freed from
his past sins.
18. PARIVARTTINI EKADASHI
AUGUST SEPTEMBER
To be blessed with Mukti (Salvation)
Shravana dwadashi vrat also falls during this time
and it is also the Jayanti of Vamana Vrat. The thrust
of this Vrat is that one has to fast on the Ekadashi
day. One should take a bath and worship Vamana and
donate an earthen vessel full of boiled rice and curds.
Fasting has to be done on the dwadashi day.
19. INDIRA EKADASHI SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
For the Deliverance of the Pitrus (ancestors to vaikunta)
20. PASHANKUSA EKADASHI
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
Yudhishthira maharaj said, Oh Madhusudana, what
is the name of the Ekadasii that comes during the
light fortnight of the month of Ashvina (September
-October)? Please be merciful and disclose this truth

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by Pandit Sachin SinghCell: 082 456 5143

to me.
The Sri Krishna replied, Oh king, please listen as I
explain the glories of this Ekadashi - Papankusha
Ekadasii - which removes all sins. On this day one
should worship the Deity of Padmanabha, the lotus
naveled Lord Vishnu, according to the rules of archana viddhi (regulations). By so doing, one achieves
whatever heavenly pleasures one may want in this
world, and at last attains liberation from this world

are all liberated by a single observance of a fast on

this EkAdasi.
O best of the kings, especially on this Papankusha
Ekadasi, even the poor should first bathe and then
give some charity according to their means, and perform other auspicious activities in accordance with
their ability.
21. RAMA EKADASHI OCTOBER NOVEMBER
The worship of lord Vishnu for Attaining Vaikunta
(heaven) and the destruction of ones sins.
22. DEVOTTHANI / PRADODHINI EKADASII
OCTOBER NOVEMBER
For the destruction of sins. This also marks the end
of the chaturmas period and the lord awakens from
his rest.
whatever is only rarely achieved within the three
worlds is obtained by him who strictly observes Devotthani Ekadasi. A person whose sins equal Mount
Sumeru in volume sees them all reduced to nothing
if he simply fasts on Papaharini Ekadasi (another
name for Devotthani Ekadasi). The sins a person has
accumulated over a thousand previous births are
burned to ashes if he not only fasts but also remains
awake throughout Ekadasi night, just as a mountain
of cotton can be burned to ashes if one lights a small
fire in it.

thereafter
Both the Vaishnava who criticises Lord Shiva and
the Shaivite (Saivite) who criticises Me (lord vishnu)
certainly go to hell. The merit obtained by performing
one hundred horse sacrifices and one hundred Rajasurya sacrifices is not even equal to one sixteenth
of the merit a devotee is able to attain by fasting on
Ekadasii. There is no higher merit one can achieve
than that attained by fasting on Ekadasii. Indeed,
nothing in all the three worlds is as pleasing or as
able to purify one of accumulated sin as Ekadasii.
O MaharAj Yudhishthira, protector of the earth, after
observing ekadasi during the daytime, the devotee
should remain awake through the night, absorbed
in hearing, chanting and serving the lord - for by so
doing he easily attains to the Supreme abode of Lord
Vishnu. Not only that, but ten generations of ancestors on his mothers side, ten generations on his
fathers side, and ten generations on his wifes side

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23. UTPANN EKADASHI

NOVEMBER DECEMBER
According to the Puranas, a demon named called
Mura,harassed the gods. The gods asked Vishnu for
protection against Mura; Vishnu sent his Yog Maya
(DURGA MAA) to kill the demon, which was done successfully.
Lord Hari granted Yoga Maya a boon, and said Those
who observe Ekadashi will be freed from all sins, and
you will be called by the name Ekadashi. this fast
grants Vishnu loka and is the first ekadashi when
yog maya was born.
24. MOKSHADHA VAIKUNTHA
EKADASHI NOVEMBER DECEMBER
The Ekadashi of Margasirsa Suklapaksha is known
as Vaikuntha Ekadashi. On this day, thousands of
people gather in Visnu Temples. One of the main
doors called (Vaikuntadvara) which is normally kept
closed throughout the year, is thrown open on this
day. The devotees who pass through this door for the
darshan of the Lord are believed to go Vaikuntha, the

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abode of Vishnu. It is said in the time gone by, the

devotee Rukmangada who was been forced to break
his Ekadashi fast against his will of the vrat, was
saved by Vishnu and was taken to Vaikuntha on this
day. This day is also the day on which the BhagavadGita was discourse by the Lord Shree Krishna to
Arjuna on the battlefield. On this day even today it is
celebrated as Gitajayanti. Fast is for Soubhagy (good
fortune)

ADIKMAS EKADASHI
25. PADIMNI EKADASHI
It occurs in adikmas and lord shiva and mother parvati is worshiped

26. PARAMA EKADASHI

This is also calles harivallabha Ekadashi On ths day
you are blessed with vishnu lok.

Ayurvedic perspective
of fasting
Ayurvedic perspective of fasting From an Ayurvedic
perspective, especially if one is fasting entirely, or
even just taking water, the stools absorb the toxins in
the body when fasting. So on the day the fast is broken it is a good idea to take a gentle laxative consisting of 50-50 warm milk and water, with some rock
candy to sweeten it. Generally 4-5 cups are drunk (up
to 7) and within half an hour to an hour one will expel
the stools. After this at lunch time one takes ones
meal of prasadam.

Vist our sites

Website: www.shreenathdham.org
Contact us: sndinteraction@shreenathdham.org

Shree Nath Dham

Compiled by Pandit Sachin Singh Cell: 082 456 5143
Website: www.shreenathdham.org

by Pandit Sachin SinghCell: 082 456 5143