In the Hindu culture, Ekadashi dates a significant place. It is a sacrеd day obsеrvеd twicе a month and falls on thе еlеvеnth day of thе lunar fortnight. The word “Ekadashi” is dеrivеd from Sanskrit and whеrе “еka” mеans “onе” an’ “dashi” mеans “tеn.” Togеthеr and thеy signify thе еlеvеnth day. Devotees of Lord Vishnu observe Ekadashi fasting to seek His blessings.
Ekadashi fasting spans for three days. Devotees take single meal in the afternoon a day before fasting day to make sure there is no residual food in the stomach on next day. Devotees keep strict fast on Ekadashi day and break the fast on next day only after sunrise. Eating of all type of grains and cereals is prohibited during Ekadashi fasting.
Devotees can choose to observe fasting without water, with only water, with only fruits, with one time latex food according to their will and body power. However it should be decided before starting the fast.
Ekadashi Vrat Introduction
Fasting has its special importance in every country. Instructions for fasting are given in every religion because the ritual of fasting purifies the mind and soul. Fasting increases knowledge and sprouts the power of righteous and virtuous thoughts.
There is a ritual of giving up prohibited food and following the Satvika diet during the Vrat and fasting period, hence Vrat and fasting are the best way of attaining health and longevity. Those who observe fasts regularly not only gain good health and longevity but also accomplish happiness in this world and a divine place at the lotus feet of the almighty God.
It is written in Narad Purana while explaining the importance of fasting that - there is no other Pilgrimage like Ganga, no Guru like Mother, no Deity like Lord Vishnu and no Penance like Fasting. Ekadashi fast is considered foremost among all kinds of fasts. Ekadashi falls two times in a month. If Adhik or Laund month occurs, two more extra Ekadashis fall in that month.
Ekadashi Vrat Vidhi Vidhan
Those observing the Ekadashi fast should never consume meat, onion, Masur lentils etc. on Dashami Tithi. On the day of Ekadashi, one should not use Datun (teeth-cleaning twig) plucked from a tree in the morning. Instead of this, one should clean the mouth by chewing lemon, blackberry or mango leaves. One should purify the throat with the finger.
Keep in mind that plucking leaves from trees is prohibited on this day, hence use only the leaves that fall naturally. If leaves are not available, the mouth should be purified by gargling twelve times with pure water.
Then after taking a bath, one should go to the temple and recite Gita or listen to it from the priest etc. One should take a vow like this in front of God - "Today I will not talk to any felonious, thief or hypocritical person. I will not hurt anyone by using bitter words. I will serve and please cows, Brahmins etc. by giving them fruits and feasts.
Ekadashi Vrat Udyapan
Udyapan is done after fasting on Ekadashi. No fast can be fulfilled without performing the Udyapan ritual, hence those who regularly observe Ekadashi fast must perform Udyapan under the supervision of a learned Brahmin. Not only Lord Vishnu is specially worshipped, but Havan is also compulsorily performed while observing the Udyapan of Ekadashi fasts. On the day of Udyapan, the fasting person along with his life partner should take a bath and wear clean, white clothes. Shodashopachara Puja of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi is done with all the worship items kept nearby after beautifully decorating the place of worship. All the worship activities like Ganesh Pujan etc. are performed after the ritual of Pavitrikaran, Bhuta Shuddhi and Shanti Path.
According to the Hindu Vedic scriptures, there is a tradition of filling rice in a copper Kalash for the Kalash Sthapana in Ekadashi Vratodyapan Puja. Vishnu and Lakshmiji are meditated upon and invoked, along with the Shri Krishna, Shri Rama, Agni, Indra, Prajapati, Vishwadevs, Brahmaji etc. by making an Ashtadal Kamal. After this, all the services and things are offered to God one by one while chanting mantras and then Havan is performed. All these works are done only by the Acharya or Brahmin who conducts the puja, you will only perform the rituals with devotion told by the Panditji. How many items and in what quantities should be used in the worship of God and Havan will completely depend on your reverence and capability. The rule as per the Vedic scriptures is to use the golden idol of God, golden ornaments, golden throne, umbrella, Chamar, Pancharatna, dozens of dry fruits, various types of grains and fruits etc., along with all the other worship items will be used.
Ekadashi Vrat Katha
Before Chaturmasa
- Utpanna Ekadashi Katha - Margashirsha Krishna Paksha
- Mokshada Ekadashi Katha - Margashirsha Shukla Paksha
- Saphala Ekadashi Katha - Paush Krishna Paksha
- Putrada Ekadashi Katha - Paush Shukla Paksha
- Shattila Ekadashi Katha - Magha Krishna Paksha
- Jaya Ekadashi Katha - Magha Shukla Paksha
- Vijaya Ekadashi Katha - Phalguna Krishna Paksha
- Amalaki Ekadashi Katha - Phalguna Shukla Paksha
- Papmochani Ekadashi Katha - Chaitra Krishna Paksha
- Kamada Ekadashi Katha - Chaitra Shukla Paksha
- Varuthini Ekadashi Katha - Vaishakha Krishna Paksha
- Mohini Ekadashi Katha - Vaishakha Shukla Paksha
- Apara Ekadashi Katha - Jyeshtha Krishna Paksha
- Nirjala Ekadashi Katha - Jyeshtha Shukla Paksha
- Yogini Ekadashi Katha - Ashadha Krishna Paksha
- Devshayani Ekadashi Katha - Ashadha Shukla Paksha
Chaturmasya Vidhan - Ekadashi Vrat Katha - After Chaturmasa
- Kamika Ekadashi Katha - Shravana Krishna Paksha
- Putrada Ekadashi Katha - Shravana Shukla Paksha
- Aja Ekadashi Katha - Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha
- Parivartini Ekadashi Katha - Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha
- Indira Ekadashi Katha - Ashwin Krishna Paksha
- Papankusha Ekadashi Katha - Ashwin Shukla Paksha
- Rama Ekadashi Katha - Kartik Krishna Paksha
- Prabodhini Ekadashi Katha - Kartik Shukla Paksha
Adhika Masa Ekadashi - Parama Ekadashi Katha - Adhika Masa Krishna Paksha
- Padmini Ekadashi Katha - Adhika Masa Shukla Paksha
