Ekadashi is the opportunity to detox yourself after the vibrant celebration of Dussehra and Navmi poojan. Let’s now dive into the spiritual sea again.
Ekadashi fasting is the Upvaas (fast) kept by devotees for God. Upvaas is a Sanskrit term which divided into (up) means near and (vaas) means to live. Upvaas for God means to live near God. So fasting is actually about taking a day off from all sort of materialistic pleasures and devoting it to God.
Ekadashi is the tenth day of the waning and waxing moon. Ekadashi falling in the month of Ashwin in Shukla Paksha is the Papankusha Ekadashi.
About Papankusha Ekadashi
On this day devotees do worship Lord Padmnabh who opens the gate of heaven for every devotee. As the name of the ekadashi is Papankusha, this Ekadashi puts a barrier to all kinds of sins. Also, it restricts our senses to do sin.
Further, devotees who observe strict fasting on this day get all the wishes fulfilled. It is also believed, people who bow down in respect to Garudhwaja get all those blessings, which are otherwise difficult.
Significance of Ekadashi
This Ekadashi is utmost significant as it falls in the Ashwin month of Shukla Paksha. King Yudhishthira asked Lord Vishnu about the significance of Papankusha Ekadashi. On this, Krishna explained the importance of Papankusha Ekadashi.
This Ekadashi brings everyone close to Lord Vishnu and the Lord blesses them with happiness and prosperity. Everyone who wants to enjoy a peaceful life must observe Papankusha Ekadashi.
Why is Ekadashi important?
Learned people, scholars, priests, saints and even the scientists have done the research on Ekadashi tithi. They have come to the conclusion that the day is auspicious and fasting for a few hours can give the best results.
Here are some proven reasons and results of Ekadashi fasting.
- Detoxifies you: Ekadashi fasting detoxifies the body from toxins and sins.
- Sacred liberation: It helps in attaining liberation (moksha) from the sinful body and get placed in Lord Vishnu’s dham.
- Purifies you: Abstaining from unhealthy food, acts and doing all sorts of sacred acts. All this contributes to purifying the soul and body.
- Wishes fulfilled: Devotees get all their wishes fulfilled. Loud chanting of mantras, singing of bhajans, japa and much more pleases Lord Vishnu. He then fulfills all the wishes of the devotee.
- Rids of painful death: Devotees who observe fasting, do not see Yamaraj. Instead they are taken to Lord’s Baikunth dham by Vishnu’s messengers.
Things to Do in Ekadashi:
There are some of the most common things which must be done by even non-devotees.
- Do chant Lord Vishnu’s mantras, name, sing verses, bhajans and do Hare Ram mantra chanting.
- Worship Lord Vishnu and offer him flowers, fruits, dhoop, lit diya and do Aarti.
- Put on yellow, white or red clothes on this day.
- Visit Lord Vishnu or Krishna temple.
- Avoid unhealthy food, onion, garlic, non-veg and alcohol.
- Do not indulge in worthless gossip.
Date and Time
Start Time: 9:08 a.m. on 13th October
End Time: 6:41 a.m. on 14th October
Observe Ekadashi on 14th October as a fasting day and break the fast on 15th October.
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