Nirjala Ekadashi
The most significant among all 24 ekadashi, known as nirjala or pandava ekadashi. It is considered to be the most difficult fast due to the strict rules during the fast. The fast is observed in the honor of Lord Vishnu.
It is considered that widows, sanyasi or ones who wish to attain salvation must observe the fast for two days while others for one day only. Those who are not able to keep the fast can donate hand fans and food to needy.
The Importance Of Ekadashi Fast
Story Behind
The story behind is from the legend epic story The Mahabharata. All the pandavas except bhima, their mother kunti and their wife, draupadi use to observe all the ekadashi fasts. Bhima was not capable to control his food cravings and hunger and keep fasts. So one day he went to his grandfather, Ved Vyasa and showed him his desire to observe the fast. Ved Vyasa told him that he should keep this fast which is equivalent to all the 24 ekadashi fasts. He asked bhima to observe it without water with full dedication and faith and then he will compensate other ekadashi fasts which he was not able to observe. Bhima observed the fast after coming back to the ashram and fulfilled his desire with faith and belief. This is the reason why this nirjala ekadashi is also known as Bhima ekadashi or Pandava Ekadashi.
Dates –
- Generally falls in the month of May or June, Jyeshtha month in Shukla Paksha. It is after Ganga Dusherra celebration. At times they both falls on the same day.
- Begins = 08:56 on 15-Jun-2016
- Ends = 11:24 on 16-Jun-2016
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Why It Is The Most Fruitful ?
- People who are not able to observe all 24 ekadashi fasts should keep this one as it will benefit equivalent to those.
- Yama, the lord of death comes to the person and judge his deeds and accordingly send him to heaven and hell while one who observe this fast is directly taken to Lord Vishnu’s abode by his messengers after death.
- It is virtually equal to all other 24 ekadashi.
- Observing this fast is equal to the visit to pilgrimage.
- It contributes in attaining salvation.
- It removes all sins and cleanse the body.
- It gives prosperity, wealth, longevity and happiness.
Fasting Procedure
- On the 10th lunar day evening, the fast starts with the prayer to Lord Vishnu.
- One eats only one meal after that and that too without rice.
- Offer Pooja to Lord Vishnu early in the next morning.
- Fast is observed without water till the 12th lunar day sunrise.
- Chant Lord Vishnu bhajans and shaloks.
- Give Lord Vishnu idol a panchamrit bath which includes milk, sugar, ghee, curd and honey.
- Offer incense sticks and Durva grass to Lord Vishnu.
- Do jagarans in the night.
- One should end it in the early morning. If not able to do it then do it in the evening.
- Offer Tulsi, fruits and sweets to Lord Vishnu to end the fast.
Rules Of The Day
- Ending of the fast also known as Parayana must be done in the dwadashi date. If not, considered an offence.
- Afternoon is not considered auspicious to end the fast also known as Hari Vasar, first one fourth time of the day.
- Donate food and clothes to poor and needy.
- Give mud pots filled with water, sherbets and hand fans to closed ones or in temples.
- One should avoid sleeping at night on the day as it will adversely affects the human body system. Try to participate in jagrans all night.
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