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| Varuthini Ekadashi Vrat Katha |
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Varuthini Ekadashi falls in the month of Vaisakh (April-May). It is also known as ‘Vaishakh Krishna Ekadashi’. It is believed that whosoever observes a complete fast on this sacred day has his sins completely removed, obtains continuous happiness, and achieves all good fortune. Giving the daughter away as a daan on her wedding (kanyadaan) is termed as the most absolute daan a person can give to anyone in this world. However this varuthini ekadashi vrat gives a person similar fruits to a hundred kanyadaan.
Once King Yudhisthira asked Shree Krishna - “Oh Madhusudan, Please describe to me the Ekadashi of the krishna paksha of the month of Vaisakha (April-May), including its name, specific merits and influence.
Lord Shree Krishna replied, “Oh King, in this world and the next, the most auspicious and magnanimous Ekadashi is Varuthini Ekadashi, which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Vaisakha.
Whosoever observes a complete fast on this sacred day has his sins completely removed, obtains continuous happiness, and achieves all good fortune.
Fasting on Varuthini Ekadashi makes even an unfortunate woman fortunate. Upon anyone who observes it, this Ekadashi 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.
By observing this Ekadashi properly, King Mandhata was liberated.” Whatever merit one obtains by performing austerities and penances for ten thousand years is achieved by a person who observes Varuthini Ekadashi.
The merit one achieves by donating a great amount of gold during a solar eclipse at Kurukshetra is gained by one who observes this one Ekadashi with love and devotion, and certainly attains his goals in this life and the next. In short, this Ekadashi is pure and very enlivening and the destroyer of all sins.
Better than giving horses in charity is giving elephants, and better than giving elephants is giving land. But better still than giving land is the giving of sesame seeds, and better than that is giving of gold. Still better than giving gold is giving food grains - for all the forefathers, demigods (devtas), and human beings become satisfied by eating grains. Thus there is no better gift of charity than this in the past, present or future.
Yet learned scholars have declared that giving away a young maiden in marriage to a worthy person is equal to giving away food grains in charity. Moreover,giving cows in charity is equal to giving food grains. Still better than all these charities is teaching spiritual knowledge to the ignorant. Yet all the merits one can attain by performing all these acts of charity are attained by one who fasts on the Varuthini Ekadashi.
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The following things should be given up on the Dashami, (the tenth phase of the Moon), the day before the Ekadashi
Eating on bell-metal plateseating any kind of urid-dahlEating red-lentils,eating chick-peaseating kondo (a grain that is primarily eaten by poor people and that resembles poppy seeds or agarpanthas seeds)eating honeyEating in another person’s house/homeEating more than onceEating Channa andparticipating in sex of any kind. |
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Mentioned in numerous Puranas, Ekadashi is also known as ‘Harivasara’ and ‘Hari din’. The significance of Ekadashi fasting has been listed even in the Padma Purana and Skanda Purana. A bimonthly occasion, Ekadashi is generally observed by the Vaishnavas, though it is open to non-Vaishnava followers as well. All Vishnu devotees observing the Ekadashi fasts strictly refrain from consuming grains, beans, cereals, and certain vegetables and spices. The Ekadashi vrat is observed with regional variations. Preparations for the vrat begin on the Dasami day, that is, a day before Ekadashi. Devotees who intend to observe this vrat wake up early in the morning on Dasami and take a ritual bath. They also perform the other daily routines required to deliver the pujas or prayers. On this day, they take up only a single meal and keep away from salt.
He most preferred food consumed during this vrat includes fresh and dried fruits, milk products, vegetables and nuts. In western parts of India, Sabundana Khichdi, made from sabudana, potatoes and ground nuts, is consumed. However, it does not contain onion and garlic. Furthermore, alcohol, non-vegetarian food and sex are also avoided. Additionally, some Puranas state the abstinence from dal and honey also on Dasami day. The next day is Ekadashi day which is meant for complete fasting. The entire day is spent in worshipping Lord Vishnu through pujas, prayers and mantras. Some devout devotees even keep awake during the night by hearing religious speeches and performing Aartis.
The day after Ekadashi is called Dwadashi day. The routine followed on Dasami day is practiced on this day as well. After taking a bath, prayers are offered to Lord Vishnu and a lamp is lit. The fast is broken with the food prepared eaten on Dasami day. One should avoid overeating. Moreover, the food consumed on Dwadashi should be prepared at home. Medically speaking, fasting on Ekadashi cleanses the body and gives the much required rest to the digestive organs. As for people suffering from various ailments, those on medications, pregnant women and those who have just delivered a baby should avoid fasting. If intending to observe the vrat, such people should consult a doctor prior fasting.
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