Ekadashi  Mahatmya

Introduction

          By the unlimited mercy of the most merciful lord Shrikrishna this book ‘ Ekadashi Mahatmya ‘ has been published.  Nobody has ever published such a book in Bengali language.  By studying the glories of the subject matter of this book the faith of the persons who are observing the vows of Ekadashi will be strengthened.  Morever persons who are inquisitive about the subject matter of this book will also obtain the light of knowledge from this book.

          This book however doesnot discuss the complete truth regarding Shri Ekadashi.  The glories of observing Ekadashi had been discribed in this book through the presentation of stories.  Some people may interprete or imagine that the glories discribed in this book are simply exaggeration, or they may think that observing Ekadashi is simply meant for achieving material happiness and prosperity.  Shri Ekadashi which falls on the eleventh day of each waxing and waning moon, is ver dear to Lord Hari.  That is why this day is also known as ‘Haribasara’.  A proper and elabarate explanation about Ekadashi is given in Shri Hari Bhakti Vilas.  In fact one should observe Ekadashi only to please the supreme lord.  It is stated in the scriptures

ekadashi vratam nama

sarva kama phala pradam

kartabyam sarvada viprair

vishnu prinana karanam’

‘The brahamins should always observe Ekadashi to please Lord Vishnu for this fulfills all once desire’.  Therefore one will have to observe the vow of Ekadashi for the sake of satisfying the lord.  The happiness and prosperty will automatically follow.  It is stated in Brihat Naradiya Purana that if everyone including the brahmins, the kshatriyas, the vaisyas,the sudras and the women observe Ekadashi then they will certainly attain liberation.  Although various temporary results are found in the scriptures for following the vow of Ekadashi which is one of the limbs of regulative devotional service.  Nevertheless one should know the principle fruit of devotional service is to develop  intence love for the supreme lord.  Even if the four objectives of life namely religiousity, economic development, sence gratification and liberation automatically follow the performer still the unalloyed pure devotees donot fall prey to this, rather they abandon these objectives and achieve love of God which is the fifth objective of life.

          Since the living entities of Kaliyuga are short lived and lusty , they are unable to perform severe austerity.  The living entities of Kaliyuga subsist on food grain.  They cannot servive without eating grains.  People of Satya, Treta and Dvaparayugas were capable of undergoing severe austerity and tolerate physical distresses.  That is why a minimum austerity in the form of fasting twice a month on the days of Ekadashi has been prescribed for the people of Kaliyuga.  If they are able they should eat only once the day before Ekadashi, fast totally on the day of Ekadashi  and eat only once the day after Ekadashi.  If one is unable to follow even this , in other words if one is unable to eat only once on the day before and after Ekadashi, than he must observe complete fast on the day of Ekadashi.  If one is still unable to follow this then he should giveup eating five types of grains and observe the vow of Ekadashi simply by partaking some truits and roots.  It is stated in Mahabharat Udyog Parva quoted in Hari Bhakti Vilas 12/40 as follows.

astai tanyavrataghnani

apo mulam phalam payah

havir brahamana kamya ca

guror vacanam ausadham’

‘Water, fruits,roots,milk, ghee,satisfying a brahmin,following the instruction of spiritual master and medicine these eight items donot break once vow of Ekadashi.’

          Since grave sinful reactions equal to that of killing a brahamin or a cow take shelter within five types of grains on the day of Ekadashi, persons who desire ultimate benefit giveup eating these grains on this day.  The five types of grains are 1. Rice or other products made from rice such as flat rice,puffed rice etc., 2. Wheat flour and White flour etc., 3.  Barley eyc., 4. Pulses such as  Moong, Chickpea,Green Peas,Lentil, etc.  5. Mustered oil and sesame oil.  If one eats any of the above mentioned grains then his vow of Ekadashi will be broken.

          Another name of Ekadashi is Haribasara.  The main purpose of observing Ekadashi is to totally please Lord Hari with all ones senses.  In other words one should try to please lord Hari and the devotees of Hari.  The meaning of the word upavasa(fasting) is to live nearby.  On the day of Ekadashi one should remain aloof from all kinds of sinful activities , give up all kinds of household activities and sence gratification and live near the lord.  It is stated in Hari Bhakti Vilas 13/14 which is quoted from  ‘Grihya parisista’, ‘Katyana smriti’, ‘Vishnu Dharma’, and ‘Brahma Vaivarta Purana’ .

upavrittasya papebhyo

yastu baso gunaih saha

upavasah sa vijneyah

sarva bhoga vivarjitah’

‘The word upavasa or fasting refers to stay aloof from all kinds of sinful activities and sence gratification.’

          Lord Hari is the trancendental personality of Godhead and is beyond the three modes of material nature.  It is not possible to live with him by the help of ones material body, mind and inteligence.  Every conditioned soul is covered by two bodies namely gross and subtle.  Therefore how can they live with the lord?  Observing the vow of Ekadashi is one of the principle limbs among the sixtyfour limbs of devotional service described by Shrila Rupa Goswamipad an associate of Shriman Mahaprabhu.  Among the sixtyfour limbs of devotional service the first and foremost is to take shelter of a bonafide spiritual master.  Without taking shelter at the lotus feet of the bonafide spiritual master who is well conversent with the scripture, attached to the absolute truth and very dear to ShriHari , one cannot engage in worshiping ShriHari.  When one

surrounders at the lotus feet of the spiritual master, then by his mercy and empowerment a living entities material pride is distroyed and his pure spiritual constitutional position is revived.  As a result he becomes qualified to serve the supreme lord through his service enclained senses inother words he becomes qualified to live with the lord.  The mind is the cause of a living entities bondage or liberation.   If one cannot convert the function of the mind into favourable for devotional service, one cannot live with the lord.  That is why it is extremely  necesary to associate with pure devotees inorder to convert the aversed mind into service inclined mind.   Without  being subordinate to the devotees of the lord one cannot live with the lord even if he engages in various external ritualistic activities.   For this reason there is fulf of difference between the karmis observation of Ekadashi and the devotees observation of Ekadashi.  It is stated in Chaitanya Caritamrita Madhya 22/51 as follows.(take this verse and translation from folio}

          Those who observe the vow of Ekadashi are divided into three catagories.

1.The majority of the people of this world consider their gross and subtle bodies as self.  They think that the rules and regulation of this scriptures and the prescription of the sages are ment for protecting the self interest of their gross bodies.  They are doubtful about the existence of the soul and thus they give more importance to the self interest of the body.  Their conception is if the soul exists at all it is simply for the sake of the gross body.

2.  Although these people belive that the constitutional position of a living entity is that he is a spirit soul not the body,the supreme lord is the cause of the living entities and it is the duty of a living entity to worship the supreme lord, nevertheless they consider the deliverence of the soul and happiness of the body are both the goal of life.  That is why they think that the scriptural prescriptions such as observing Ekadashi is meant for both deliverence of the soul and protection od the bodies self interest.

3.  These people are minority  in number.  They say that a living entity is constitutionaly part and parcel of the supreme lord , eternal, full of knowledge and blishful.  The two coverings in the form of gross and subtle bodies are attributed to the living entities by the external energy of the lord, hence unwanted.  Since the gross and subtle bodies are born from the external energy of the lord therefore the supreme lord is naturally the ejoyer and propriter of those bodies.  In other words the soul,the mind and the body of a living entity are belong to Krishna.  Therefore it is the onlyduty of the soul, mind and body to fully engage in the service of the lord.  By worshiping lord Hari ones own and and others benefit  is accomplished.  Execution of pure devotionl service is the only means of attaining eternal peace.  Inorder to please the supreme lord alone they cultivate limbs of pure devotional service such as observing the vow of Ekadashi.  They know that the principle purpose  of all these practices is to achieve love of God.  They also know that these limbs of devotional service are not prescribed for material sence gratification or protecting the self interest of the gross and subtle bodies.  The pure devotees who follow in the foot steps of Shri Chaitanya respects this consideration which is based on pure devotional service.

          Some people say , perticularly many devotees from Jagannath Puri in Orissa say that there is no fault in accepting grain mahaprasad of Jagannath on Ekadashi.  But the point of consideration at this juncture is that the vaishnavas do not accept any thing other then mahaprasad regularly.  Therefore in order to protect the prestige of Ekadashi they offer obeisances to the Mahaprasad and save it for the next day.  Shrila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada has give the following explanation in his Anubhasya Commentary on the fifteenth chapter of Adi Lila of Shri Chaitanya Caritamrita.’Shri Jiva Goswami Prabhu has quoted the following verses of Skanda Purana and Agni Purana in his Bhakti Sandarbha 299 as follows.

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          A description regarding the following of Ekadashi is given by Shri Jagadananda Pandit an associate of Shri Gaur in his book Prema Vivarta as follows.

          ‘

          ‘Shri Mahaprabhu said that if one disregards the vow of Ekadashi he brings ruination to his life.  One should simply respect the grain prasad on the day of Ekadashi and save it for the next day, for the effect of Ekadashi no longer remains on the next day.  The pious vaishnavas are simply satisfied by drinking the nector of Krishnas holy names on the day of Ekadashi.  They donot indulge in any kind of sense gratification, donot speak useless topics and abandone all kinds of material enjoyment.  Honouring prasad is an eternal activity of the pure vaishnavas and they never eat any thing that is not first offered to the lord.  The devotees should totally fast on the day of Ekadashi  and eat the lords remnants only on the nextday.  In a special case a vaishnava may take non grain remnants of the lord.  Those who are non vaishnavas, they engage in sence gratification day and night on the pretext of honouring prasad.  Such people associate with sinful man, eat grain on Ekadashi and disrespect the vow of Ekadashi .  Cultivate the limbs of devotional service with respect then you will attain the mercy of Bhakti Devi.  Give up the association of non devotees and stricktly observe the vow of Ekadashi by engaging in chanting the holy names of the supreme lord. ‘

          It is stated in the scripture that one should  fast on the day of Ekadashi and never transgrace this rule.  O king !  one should observe the vow of Ekadashi as long as he is alive.

          It has been repeatedly declared in the Puranas that one should not eat on the day of Ekadashi.  It is stated in Vishnu Smriti that all the sinful reaction such as killing a brahamin take shelter in the food grain, therefore if one eats grain on the day of Ekadashi he certainly eats sin.  There is no arrangement of attonment for the deliverence of a person who eats grain on Ekadashi, in other words according to the gravity of a sinful activity various arrangement for attonment are prescribed by the twenty dharma sastras, but eating grain on Ekadashi is so grave sin that there is no atonment prescribed for this.

          Persons who desire to cultivate pure devotional service should carefully remember the following consideration while following the vow of Ekadashi.  The Vaishnavas donot observe any vow or festival on a perticular day which is perforated with the previous tithi or day.  In such a case they observe the vow or festival on the nextday.  According to vedic calculation a day starts with the sun rise.  If  the day of Dasami continues upto the one and half hours before the sun rise of the next day even then the Ekadashi should not be observed on the next day rather it should be observed the day after.  In this regard we quote some authoentic scriptural statements found in Shri Hari Bhakti Vilas, the king of the Vaishnava smriti as follows.

     ‘O brahamin if the day of Ekadashi starts ninety six minutes before the sun rise then it is pure Ekadashi.  A householder should fast on such an Ekadashi ‘.

  [Garuda Purana]

      ‘If the tithi or day of Ekadashi begins one hour thirtysix minutes berfore the sun rise then it is called a complete Ekadashi and if the Ekadashi starts less then one hour thirty six minutes before the sun rise then it should be considered  incomplete and contaminated because it is perforted with the previous tithi.  Therefore one should give up  the following of Ekadashi if it is mixed with the previous tithi at the time of sunrise.  Perticularly the Vaishnavas should totally abandone following the vow of  such Ekadashi.  The great sage Kanva said, if the day of Ekadashi is piecered with the previous tithi then one should fast on the next day of Ekadashi and brake fast on the following day.’ [Bhavisya Purana]

      ‘All the days begin from the rising of the sun and complete  upto the next rising of the sun.  But this is not the case with Ekadashi.  If an Ekadashi starts one hour thirtysix minutes before the sun rise then only it is uncontaminated and complete.’ [Skanda Purana]

      ‘We request all the kind hearted readers to study this book with special attention.

Shri Shri Guru Gaurangau Jayatah

Ekadashi Mahatmya

          Once in the great assembly of the sages, the renowned scholar and sage Shri Suta Goswami declared about the twenty six Ekadashi’s .  There are two Ekadashi’s in each month, so there are twenty four Ekadashi’s in a year.  Apart from them there are two more Ekadashi’s which occure in an extra month that comes after every two and half years.  The names of the twenty four Ekadashi’s are as  follows Utpanna,Moksada,Saphala,Putrada,Sattila,Jaya,Vijaya,Amalaki,Papamocani,Kamada, Varuthini,Mohini,Apara,Nirjala,Yogini,Sayana,Kamika,Pavitra,Annada,Parsva,Indira, Pasankusa, Rama and Utthana Ekadashi.  The names of the two extra Ekadashi’s are Padmini and Parama.  In that assembly  the glories of all the Ekadashi’s were properly sung.  Those who are unable to observe Ekadashi can get the result of observing Ekadashi by hearing and singing their glories.

Chapter  -  1

Utpanna  Ekadashi

          The glories of Utpanna Ekadashi is described in Bhavisyottara Purana in the conversation between Shri Krishna and Arjuna.  Shri Suta Goswami said to the assembled brahmins and sages - ‘if a person with faith and devotion duely follows or hears about the glories, rules and regulations of observing Ekadashi as described by lord Krishna, then he will attain happiness in this life and will return to the abode of lord Vishnu in the next life.’

          Once Arjuna asked Shri Krishna ‘   O Janardhana Please explain to me, what is the benefit of total fast, eating only at night or eating once at midday on Ekadashi ?

          In reply to this lord Shri Krishna said, O Arjuna ! In the begining of autum on the Ekadashi that acurres during the waning moon in the month of November-December a person should begin observing the vow of Ekadashi.  In the early morning on the day of Ekadashi he should make a vow to observe fasting.  At mid-day he should purify himself by taking a bath.  At the time of taking  bath he should pray as follows.  ‘ O Asvakrante ! O Rathakrante! O Vishnukrante! O Vasundhare! O Mrittike! O Mother earth! Please distroy all my sinful reactions accumulated from previous life times so that I can attain the supreme destination’.  After completing his bath he should worship Lord Govinda.

          Once Indra the king of heaven surrounded by the demigods approached the supreme lord and prayed to Him as follows.  ‘O lord of the universe, O supreme personality of godhead we offer our respectful obeisances to you.  You are the supreme shelter, mother and father of everyone.  You create,maintain and destroy everyone.  You are the benefector of earth,the sky and the entire material creation. You yourself are lord brahma,lord vishnu and lord shiva.  You are the lord and enjoyer of all kinds of sacrifices, austerities,hymns and their performers. There is no object within these three animate and inanimate worlds which is not owned and controled by you.  O lord! O supreme personality of godhead! O master of the demigods! O protector of the surroundered souls!  O supreme mystic ! the demigods have been deprived of their heavenly kingdom and have been driven out by the demons.  They have fearfully surroundered at your lotus feet, please protect them.  O lord of the universe! We have been fallen from the heavenly planets in to this earthly planet and have merged into the ocean of miseries.  Kindly be pleased with us’.

          On hearing such a pathetic prayer of Indra Lord Vishnu asked him ‘who is this invincible demon who has defeated even the demigods?  What is his name? What is the source of his prowess?  O Indra ! please explain to me everything in detail without any fear ‘.

          Indra replied O lord of the demigods! O deliverer of the devotees! O supreme lord!  A fierced demon named Nadijangha who first caused distress to the demigods appeared in the family of a brahmin.  He had a equally powerful infamous demon son called Mura.  The great city of Chandravati is the capital of this great demon Mura.  This demon Mura has driven out all the demigods from heavenly planets and he himself is living there.  He has taken over all the post                                                                      of Indra,Agni,Yama,Vayu,Isa,Chandrama,Nairita and Varuna all by himself. The demigods combined could not conquer him.  O Lord Vishnu please kill this demon and protect the demigods’.

          On hearing the words of Indra the lord became very angry to those who harressed the demigods and said  ‘ O king of the demigods I will personally kill this powerful demon who is your enemy.  Now all of you should return to the city of Chandravati’.  Thereafter all the demigods proceeded towards the city of Chandravati led by lord Vishnu.  On one side the demigods were prepared for the battle with thousands of various weapons in their possession, and on the other side the Demon Mura was roaring surrounded by  innumerable demon army.

          The demigods were already scattered due to the severe beatings by the demigods; but now when they saw the rejuvenated fearless demigods led by the supreme lord were standing before them the demons became extremely angry.  Although the lord easily defeated all the demons he felt difficulty in defeating the demon Mura. When inspite of useing various weapons the lord could not kill the demon Mura, He engaged him in wrestling with the demon for ten thousand years.  Finally the lord defeated the demon and left for Badrikashrama.  In Badrikashrama the lord entered into a beautiful cave called Hemavati and took rest.

          The Supreme lord continued O Arjuna!  Thereafter that demon chased me and entered that cave .  On seeing me resting there he decided to kill me.  At that time an effulgent daughter appeared from my body and holding various divine weapons began to fight with the demon.  After constantly fighting with the demon for a long time the effulgent goddess finally severed his head.  Then all the other demons ran away to patalaloka out of fear.  When the lord got up from His rest He saw that the dead body of demon Mura is lying in front of him and an effulgent goddess humbly standing before Him with folded hands. On seeing her the lord surprisingly asked her who are you?

          The goddess replied ‘O my lord I am born from your body and I have killed this demon.  On seeing you lying down this demon attempted to kill you, that is why I have killed him.’

          The Supreme Lord said ‘O Goddess I am very pleased with you for this act.

You can ask for any benediction you desire.’  When the goddess prayed for benediction the lord said ‘ You are my spiritual energy and since you have appeared on the day of Ekadashi your name will be  Ekadashi.  Any one who will follow

the vow of Ekadashi be releaved from all sinful reactions and attain inexhaustible heavenly happiness’.

           From that day onwards the day of Ekadashi has been nurished and worshiped in this world.  O Arjuna a person who observes the vow of Ekadashi I award him the supreme destination.  O son of Kunti , an Ekadashi mixed with dvadasi is the highest.  One should give up sex life , eating - grains ,honey,meat, eating on a baelmetal plate, appling oil  on the day of Ekadashi.  If a person observes this Ekadashi and hears its glories he can attain more results.

Chapter  -  2

Moksada   Ekadashi

          This Moksada Ekadashi occures in the waxing moon in the month of November/December.  The glories of this Ekadashi is described in Brahmanda Purana in the conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaj Yudhistira.

           Once Yudhistira asked Lord Krishna, my dear Krishna what is the name of the Ekadashi that occures during the waxing moon in the month of Novembeer/December?  Also please explain to me in details about the procedure for observing this Ekadashi.

?

           Lord Krishna Said, o best of the King! This Ekadashi distroys all once sinful reactions.  If one worships the supreme lord with tulasi manjari on this day, the lord becomes extremely pleased.  By observing this ekadashi one achieves the result of performing Bajpeya sacrifice.

           There was a King named Vaikanasa lived and ruled in the city of Champaka.  The King was very affectionate towards the citizen. Many qualified brahmanas who were well versed in vedic knowledge lived in his Kingdom.  Oneday the King had a dream that his father was fallen in the hell and was suffering unlimited meseries there.  On seeing this the King became struck with wonder.  The next day the King disclosed the topics of  his dream in the essembly of learned brahamins.  He also informed them that his father has requested to delilver him from the helish condition.  Ever since the King had this dream he became restless.  And he did not feel any happiness or interest in rulling his kingdom.  He even dealt with his family members indifferently.  He thought the life, kingdom, oppulance, power and influence of a son is completly useless if his father is suffering in the hell.  That is why the king pathetically appealed to all the learned brahmins, please tell me the way by which I can deliver my father from the clatches of hell.

            On hearing his appeal the brahmins said - O King the ashram of Parvata Muni is situated very near from here.  He is the knower of past, present and future.  You please relate the topics of your dream to him.

            After hearing their suggestion King Vaikanasa arrived at the ashram of Paravata Muni accompanied by the brahmins and his subjects.  When Parvata Muni inquired about the well being of his Kingdom King Vaikanasa Said, O my lord, we are all very well by your mercy; but inspite of possessing the kingdom and all appulances I am in a great difficulty.  In fact a doubt has arrisen in my mind and in order to remove that I have come to y our lotus feet.

            After hearing the whole incident from the King Parvata Muni sat down in deep meditation.  After a while he gotup from his meditation and said to the King - ‘My dear King your father was very lusty in his previous life hence he has degraded himself in this condition.  Now you oall should observe the vow of Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the month of November/December for the deliverence of your father and donate the accumulated piety to him.  Then by the influence of that peity your father will be relieved from the clutches of hellish life.  After hearing these words from Parvat Muni king returned to his palace surrounded by his entourage.

            Thereafter in due course of time the king with his wife, children and servants duly observed this Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the month of November/December and dedicated all its piety to his suffering father.  By the influence of this piety the father attained the heavenly planet and blessed his son very much.

            O King, one who properly follows this Moksada Ekadashi certainly relieved from all sinful reactions.

Chapter  -  3

Saphala  Ekadashi

            This saphala Ekadashi occures during the waning moon in the month of December/January.  The glories of this Ekadashi is described in Brahmanada Puran in the conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaj Yudhisthira.

            Maharaj Yudhisthira said, ‘O Krishna, what is the name of the Ekadashi that occurs during the waning moon in the month of December/January and how one should observed it?  Please Explain this to me in detail.

            The supreme lord Shri Krishna replied, ‘ O best of the Bharata Dynasty, just as sesa is best among the snakes, Garuda is best among the birds, horse sacrifice is best among the sacrifices, the ganges is best among the rivers, Lord Vishnu is best among the demigods and the brahmins are best among the human beings, similarly among all the vows the day of Ekadashi is best.  O best of the kings any one who observes Ekadashi is very dear to me.  The amount of piety one accumulates by undergoing austerity for five thousand years, is achived simply by observing Ekadashi.’

            There was afamous king named Mahismata lived in the city of Champavati.  This King had 4 sons.  Among them the eldest son Lumpaka was very sinful.  He used to blashfame the brahmins, vaishnavas and demigods and was extremely attached to gambling and prostitution.  For this reason his father King Mahismata exiled him.  The exiled Lumpaka lived in the Jungal and at night began to plunder wealth from the people of his fathers kingdom.  Inspite of staling the citizens would set him free knowing him to be the son of the king.  Lumpaka spend his life by regularly eating raw meats and fruits.

There was a banyan tree in this forest who was as worshipable as the demigods.  Lumpaka lived underneith this tree for some time.

             Co-incidentaly when Lumpaka was living in this way the ekadashi of the wanning moon of the month of November-december occured .  due to fatigue and weekness he became unconscious on the day before Ekadashi and regained his consciousness at mid-day on Ekadashi.  There was no possibility for Lumpaka to kill any animal on that day because he was severely afflicted with hunger.  Thereafter he accumulated some fruits and offered them to Lord Vishnu for His pleasure.  The sun had set by then.  That night lumpaka remained awake.

            As a result of fasting and keeping awake he unknowingly observed saphala Ekadashi.  Lord Madhusudan accepts the worship and vow of this Ekadashi offered by the practictioner.  As a result of performing this Ekadashi Lumpaka got an opulant kingdom .  On the next morning a divine horse came and stood before Lumpaka; at that time a voice from the sky was heard ‘o prince, by the mercy of lord Madhusudan and by the influence of Saphala Ekadashi yoou will receive a kingdomm and rule it without any difficulty.  Return to your father and enjoy the kingdow.’  According to this instruction Limpaka  returned to his father and accepted the responsibility of ruling the kingdom.  Therafter he got a beautiful wife and had good sons. In this way Lumpaka happily ruled this kingdom

           By observing the vow of saphala Ekadashi persons attain fame in this life liberation in next life.  Those who follow this Ekadashi are glories.  By following this Ekadashi one attains the result of performing Ashwamedha sacrifice.

Chapter  -  4

Putrada Ekadashi

            The glories of Putrada Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the month of December/January is described in Bhavisya Uttara Purana in the conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaj Yudhister.

            Lord Krishna said to Udhister, My dear king the Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the month of December/January is called Putrada.  By observing this Ekadashi all ones sinful reactions are counteracted.  People become learned and famous by follwing this Ekadashi.  Now please hear the glories of this auspicious Ekadashi.

            There was a city named Bhadravati.  A king named Suketumana rulled this city.  The name of his queen was Saivya.  Since they had no son both the king and queen lived their lives with distress.  They spend most of their times in religious activities.  Because the king and the queen were afflicted with lementation.  The water that they offered during the time of their offering oblation to their forefathers appeared hot to the forefathers.  The forefathers  were also worried thinking that after the King Suketumana no one will offer them oblations.  Knowing this distress of the forefathers the king became even more morose.  He didnot feel any pleasure in the association of his friends, wellwishers and ministers.  Being merged in the lementation and hopelessness the king considered that without the son a human life is useless.  It is impossible to become free from the debts to the demigods, to the forefather and to the human beings without possessing son.  Without heaps of pious activities and devotion to Vishnu one cannot possess sons, wealth and knowledge.  After concluding in this way the morose King secrately left for the forest for his own benefit riding on a horse.

            The King Suketumana entered in the forest which is inhabited by birds and beasts and began to search for a place to take rest.  Within the dence forest the King saw various trees such as Banyan, Peppla, Date, Tamarind, Palm, Shal, Maulasiri,Saptaparna, Tilaka, Tamala, Sarala, Hingota, Arjuna, Lavhera, Baheda, Sallaki,Patala, Catechu and Palasa as well as various animals such as tigers, lions, wild elephant, Deer, Wild Pigs, Monkeys, Snake , Leopardes and Hares.  Then the King instead of resting began to wonder through the forest.  The King became scared and surprised by hearing the howling of the Jackles, sounds of the owls.  Wondering in this way in all directions the king became very tired.  It was midday and the King was very thirsty.  He thought that though I have pleased the demigods through worship and sacrifices, maintained my subjects like my own children and satisfied the brahamanas by offering them foodstuffs and dakshina.  Yet why am I suffering like this today.  Being absorbed in this thought King Suketumana wondered hither and thither.  Suddenly He saw a lake which was as beautiful as the Manasa sarovar filled with lotuses.  Many Swans Chakravak and Cakora birds were sporting in the waters of that lake.  On seeing some sages chanting vedic mantras on the bank of this lake the King got down from his horse and offered obeisances to each of them seperately.  The sages became pleased by the Kings behaviour and asked him O king, We are pleased with you please ask us for some benediction.

            The King Said who are all of you, ‘ Why have you come to his lake?  The sages replied, We are Visva devas,  We have come here to take bath.  Today is the auspicious Putrada Ekadashi.  If a person desirous of a son observes this vow, he is  certainly benedicted with a son.  The king said, I have tried so many things to get a son; but till today I have not been succesful.  Since all of you are pleased with me kindly bless me with a beautiful son.  Then the sages instructed today is Putrada Ekadashi o King, observe this Ekadashi with great care; then by the mercy of the lord and by our blessing you will certainly receive a son.

             Thereafter according to the instruction of the  sages the king observed the auspicious Putrada Ekadashi. On the next day he broke his fast and after repeatedly offereing obeisances to the sages returned to his Palace.

             In due course of time Queen Saivya became pregnent.  By the blessing of the sages and the influence of the piety accumulated by observing Putrada Ekadashi the King begot a pious and brilient son.  Thereafter the King happily ruled his Kingdom and his forefathers also became satisfied.

            Lord Krishna continued - O King Udhister by following this Putrada Ekadashi one can get a son and attain heavenly planets.  Any one who hears or sings the glories of this Ekadashi certainly achives the results of Asvamedha Sacrifice.

Chapter  -  5

Sat-tila  Ekadashi

            This Ekadashi occurs during the waning moon in the month of January/February.  The glories of Sat-tila Ekadashi is described in Bhavisya Uttara Purana.  Once sage Dalbhya asked sage Pulastya - O respected brahaman people are engaged in various sinful activities such as killing brahmins and sense gratification in this mortal world.  Please explain to me how can they be delivered from the helish condition as a result of their sinful activities.  Sage Pulastya replied - O most fortunate one ! one should worship the supreme lord in a pure state of mind on the day of Ekadashi which occurs during the waning moon in the month of Januray/February.

            At the time of worship one should pray as follows.  O lord Janardhan! O most merciful Shri Krishna ! you are the deliverer of the sinful people.  Please be merciful to those who have drawned in the ocean of material existance.  O Supreme brahman! O Supreme personality of Godhead! O lord of the universe ! You please accept my worship with your consort Shrimati Laxmidevi.  Thereafter one should worship the brahmanas by giving them umbrella, cloth, shoes and pitcher filled with water in charity.  According to ones capacity one should also give black cow and sesame seeds in charity to the best of the brahmanas. By  giving sesame seeds in charity one can live in the heavenly planets for many many years.

            One should bath in water mixed with sesame seed, smear sesame seed paste on his body, perform fire sacrifice with sesame seed, offer oblations to the forefather with the water mixed with sesame seeds, eat sesame seed and give sesame seed in charity on this Ekadashi.  By doing so all ones sinful reactions will be distroyed.  That is why the name of this Ekadashi is Sat-tila Ekadashi.  Lord Krishna narrated the following story to Narad Muni when he approched Krishna to hear the glories and results of observing sat-tila Ekadashi.  An the ancient time there lived a female brahamani.  She is strictly followed the vow of celibacy and engaged in worshiping the lord.  By constantly observing various vows in the course of her worship she gradually became weak and skinny.  Although she gave charity to the poor brahmins and unmarried girls but she never pleased the brahmins and demigods by giving food grains in charity.  So I consider that although the body of the brahmani became weak on account of performing many severe vows yet she is a purified soul.  Morever she has not given any food grains in charity to the hungry people.  O best of the brahmanas! In order to test this brahmani I took the form of a mandicant and personaly appeared in this mortal world.  I took a begging pot in my hands and approached the house of that brahamani for begging alms.

            The brahmani said ‘O brahmin ! please tell me the truth from were have you come’ I pretended as if I have not heard anything and beged for the alms again.  She became angry at this and took a handful of clay and put  it in my beging pot.  Thereafter I returned to my abode.  That asetic brahmani as a result of observing severe vows also returned  to my abode.  Although she got a beautiful house but due to offering me clay in charity she had no food grains or wealth in her house.  O brahmin! When she entered that house she didnot find anything and gradually due to lack of wealth she became restless.  Thereafter she approached me in an angry mood  and said ‘ O Janardhan! I have undergone severe austerities, vows and worship lord Vishnu adequately.  Yet why am I breft of foodgrains and wealth?

            Then I said ‘O brahmani! As you have come here from the material world now please go back to your house.  When out of curiouscity the wives of the demigods will come to  your house for darshan then you should inquire from them abouot the glories of Sat-tila Ekadashi.  Do not open the door until they finish the narration.’  After hearing my statement the brahmani returned home.

            One day when the brahmani was siting in her room closing the door from inside at that time some wives of the demigods came there and said ‘ O beautiful one! We have come here for darshan please open the door’.  The brahmani replied ‘ If you want to see me then please explain to me the importance, piety and glories of Sat-tila Ekadashi before I open the door.  Then one of the wives of the demigod narrated the glories of this Ekadashi.  After hearing the narration the brahmani became satisfied and opened the door.  The wives of the demigods became pleased by seeing the brahmani.

            Under the instruction of these demigoddessess the brahmani observed the vow of Sat-tila Ekadashi.  Thereafter she became beautiful, effulgent and became the proprieter of sufficient foodgrain, wealth and gold.  However no one should observe this Ekadashi being controled by greed.  By following this Ekadashi once misfortune and poverty are distroyed.  If one donates sesame seeds on this day then all his sinful reaction are vanquished.

Chapter  -  6

Jaya  Ekadashi

          The glories of Jaya Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the month of January /February is described in Bhavisya Uttara Purana in the conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaj Yudhisthira.

           Once Maharaj Yudhisthira asked lord Shri Krishna , O Lord Krishna! O original personality of godhead, O Lord of the universe Shri Krishna!  You are the original cause of the four types of living entities namely those who born from perspiration, those born from seeds, those born from egg and those born from embryos.  You alone are the creater, maintainer and destroyer of everything.  Please discribe to me the glories of that Ekadashi which occurs during the waxing moon in the month of Janurary/Februrary.  Also please explain to me the proceedure for observing this Ekadashi and which deity is to be worshiped on this auspicious day.  Lord Krishna said ‘ O best of the Kings Yudhisthira! The Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the month of January/February is celebrated as Jaya Ekadashi.  Following of this Ekadashi takes away all ones sinful reactions.  The performer of this Ekadashi is never subjected to accept the body of a ghost.   O King ! as far as awarding liberation and exhausting ones sinful reactions are concerned this Ekadashi  has no substitute.  O Lion like King ! now please hear the description of this Ekadashi which I had previously narrated in Padma Purana.

          The demigods were living happily  in the heavenly kingdom of Indra under his rule.  In the Nandan Kanana forest which was filled with the fragrence of fully blossamed Parijata flowers and were the Apsaras freely enjoyed their lives Indra also enjoyed various exchanges with the Apsaras.  Once Indra in the pleasant mood arranged a dance festival of fifty million Apsaras.  In that essembly there was a Gandharva singer named  Pushpadanta. Another Gandharva named Chitrasena came there along with his wife Malini and daughter.  Chitrasena had a son named Pushpavana whose son was Malyavan.  A Gandharvi named Pushpavati became attracted by the beauty of Malyavan.  Beeing pierced by the sharp arrows of cupid.  The most beautiful Pushpavati tried various ways such as gestures and glances to bring Malyavan under her control.  O King! What can I discribe the spaendid beauty of Pushpavati? She had beautiful arms which resemble the ropes of cupid, the beauty of  her face resembled the beauty of the moon.  She had broad eyes , ears decorated with ear rings , her neck defeated the beauty of the counch.  Her waist was thin, breasts were highly raised, her hips were broad and her thighs resembled like banana tree.  Her shining feet defeated the beauty of the red lotus flower.  Her beautiful features appeared more enchanting by being decorated with gorgeous ornaments and garnaments.  On seeing such a beautiful women Pushpavati, Malyavan totally became captivated.

           In order to please Indra both Malyavan and Pushpavati began to perform dancing and singing with other Apsaras in that dance festival.  But since both were attracted to each other they could not perform well.  As a result there was a disturbance in the ongoing performance of dancing assembly.  Continuesly looking each other through the corner of their eyes both of them became pierced by the arrows of Cupid.  When Indra noticed the perpetual disturbance in the process of singing and dancing he understood their mental condition.  Due to constant disturbance in their performance Indra felt insulted and cursed them as follows. ‘ Both of you are fools and sinful.  You have disobeyed my order hence I am cursing you.  Both of you accept the bodies of a male and female ghost and take birth in the earthly planet and enjoy the result of your karma.’

           After being cursed in this way both Malyavan and Pushpavati received the bodies of ghost and began to spend their miserable lives within a cave of the Himalaya Mountain.  As a result of receiving ghost bodies both of them felt great distress and lamentation.  By the influence of the curse they could not take pleasure from the sence of         smelling, touch and sleeping.   While wondering in the dence forest and cold mountanious regions of Himalaya once they sat down in one place and began to introspect.  The male ghost said to the female ghost ‘ Alas, What henious sinful activities we have commited that we have received such a miserable ghost bodies’.  They felt extreme sadness and merged in the ocean of repentence.  Both Malyavan and Pushpavati in the form of male and female ghost spend that day  without taking any food while continuely repenting for their misdeeds.  Co-incidentaly this day was the auspicious day of Jaya Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the month of January/February.  Although they were extremely afflicted with hunger and thirst, they did not kill any living entity on that that.  Even they abstained from taking any roots, fruits or water.  O King! In this way when the ghost couple was sitting underneith a banyan tree in miserable condition the sun was about to set .  Due to freezing cold and being absorbed in deep thought they felt great unhappiness and spend that entire night without sleeping.  Due to mental disturbance no propensity for sence gratification appeared in their hearts.

          O Lion hearted King!  In this way they unknowingly observed the vow of Jaya Ekadashi and by the influence of the peity accumulated from observing this vow the very next day they attained liberation from their ghost bodies.  Thereafter Pushpavati and Malyavan regained their original positions and returned to heaven through air plains.  On returning to heaven both of them happily  approached Indra the king of demigods and offered their obeisances.  When Indra saw them He was struck with wonder and he  asked them what a wonder !  By the influence of which peity have your ghostly conditon of lives been distroyed?  Which demigod has freed you from my curse?  In answer to this Malyavan said ‘ By the causeless mercy of the supreme lord and as a result of observing the vow of Jaya Ekadashi which is very dear to Him , we have became freed from the curse.  O master! I am telling you with full conviction that we have been freed from our ghostly lives simply by the influence of devotional service’.

           After hearing this words Indra again said to Malyavan ‘  You have become purified as a result of excuting devotional service to lord oVishnu and observing the vow of Ekadashi.  Therefore now you are worshipable by me also.  Those human beings who are engaged in devotional service ot Vishnu are certainly worshiped and respected by me.’  Thereafter Pushpavati and Malyavan began to live happily in the heavenly planet.

          O King Yudhisthira! That is why one must observe the vow of Ekadashi.  Observance of the vow of Jaya Ekadashi takes away even the sin of killing a brahmin.  The secondary fruits of observing this vow is that one automatically receives the peity of giving charity, performing sacrifice and visiting holy places.  If one properly follows the vow of this Ekadashi with faith and devotion then he lives in Vaikuntha for ever.  Just by reading and hearing the glories of this Ekadashi one can attain the result of Agnistoma sacrifice.

Chapter  -  7

Vijaya  Ekadashi

          The glories of this Ekadashi is discribed in Skanda Purana.  Once Maharaj Yudhisthira enquired from Shri Krishna O Lord Krisahna please be kind to me and discribe the Ekadashi  that occures during the wanning moon in the month of February/March.

          Lord Krishna replied O King Yudhisthira!  I will happily discribe the Ekadashi known as Vijaya Ekadashi to you.  By observing the vow of this Ekadashi ones sinful reactions are simultaniously eradicated.

          Once great sage Narada asked Lord Brahma, ‘ O best of the demigods! Kindly discribed to me the result one achieves by following the vow of Vijaya Ekadashi which occures during the wanning moon in the month of February/ March.  In reply to this Lord Brahma said,  My dear son this oldest vow is pure and distroyer of all sinful activities.  Actually it has got great results as its name suggests.  This Vijaya Ekadashi undoubtedly  awards one the power of victory.  When Shri Ramachandra went to the forest for fourteen years with His wife Sitadevi and  brother Laxman inorder to fulfill the order of His father  They lived in a beautiful forest known as Panchavati on the bank of the river Godhavari for sometime.  While residing in this forest one day Ravana the king of demons kidnapped austere Sitadevi.  Due to separation from Sitadevi Ramachandra became overwhelmed with extreme distress.  While wondering throughout the forest insearch of Sita, Ramachandra met with Jatayu, the king of the birds who was about to die.  Jatayu told  Ramachandra everything about Sita and left this world  and returned to Vaikuntha.  Thereafter Ramachandra made friendship with Sugriva.  Inorder to help the mission of Ramachandra many monkey soldiers were gathered .  Meanwhile Hanuman the king of the monkeys completed a great mission.  He went to the Ashoka forest in Lanka and met Sitadevi and inorder to convince her he gave Ramachandras ring.  Thereafter Hanuman returned to Ramachandra and explained the whole incident to Him. After hearing the words of Hanuman Ramachandra had a meeting with His friend Sugriva and resolved to invade Lanka.  Ramachandra gathered a grat number of monkey soldiers and arrived at the shore of the ocean.  He then said to  Laxman, O Saumitra! How will we cross beyond this unfathomable ocean which is full of fierces aquatics such as whales and crocodiles? Laxman replied, O original supreme personality of Godhead! You are the primeval lord.  There is a great sage named Bakadalbhya lives in this Island.  His ashrama is situated four miles away from here.  O son of the dynasty of Raghu! This sage has got darshan of Lord Brahma.  We should ask him about the means of crossing this ocean.  Being adviced by Laxman in this way Lord Ramachandra went to the ashrama of Bakadalbhya and offered respectful obeisances to him.  The  omnicient sage could immediately understand that this personality was the supreme lord Ramachandra.  For some perticular cause such as killing the demon Ravana he has now appeared in this material world.  The great sage asked him-’ O Ramachandra for what purpose you have kindly come here?’  Ramachandra replied, ‘O brahmin! By your mercy I have come here on the shore of this ocean with my soldiers.  In order to fight  the demons and conquer Lanka.  O best of the sages!  Please tell me a simple method by which I can easily cross over this insurmountable ocean.  For this reason only I have come to your lotus feet.

          The great sage said to Ramachandra,’ O Ramachandra! I will tell you about observing a great vow by which you will certainly conquer your battle and obtain extraordinary fame and opulance in this world.  You should follow this vow with undiviated attention.  O Rama!  There is an Ekadashi known as Vijaya which occures during the wanning moon in the month of February/March.  By observing this Ekadashi you will certainly be able to cross over this ocean with your monkey soldiers.  O Lord Ramachandra! Now please hear about the procedure of following this Ekadashi.  On the day before Ekadashi you should fill a golden, silver, copper or clay pitcher with water and decorate it with Mango twigs.  Thereafter you should place this pitcher on a sanctified  raised alter which is decorated with seven kinds of grains.  Thereafter you should place a golden deity of Lord Narayana upon this pitcher.  On the day of Ekadashi you should take bath early in the morning and worship this deity of Lord Narayana with devotion by offering various items such as Tulasi leaves, sandalwood paste, flowers, garlands, incense, ghee lamp and food stuff.  You should also remain awake that night. On the day after Ekadashi you should place this pitcher on the bank of a river, pond or lake after the sun rise and duely worship it .  Thereafter you should donate this pitcher along with the deity of Narayana to a brahmin who strictly follows the vow  of celibacy.  By doing so you will certainly conquer over your enemies.

          According to the instruction of this great sage Lord Ramachandra  exibited the ideal example of properly following this vow of Ekadashi and conquer the battle.  A person who properly follows this vow of  Ekadashi certainly becomes victories in this life and in the next.  Lord Brahma continued to speak to Narada ‘ O my dear son! That is why every human being should follow this vow of this Vijaya Ekadashi.  The glories of Vijaya Ekadashi distroyes all ones sinful reaction.  One who reads or hears the glories of this Ekadashi obtains the result of Bajapeya sacrifice.

Chapter  -  8

Amalaki  Ekadashi

          The topics of the glories of Amalaki Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the month of February/ March is described in Brahmanda Purana in the conversation between King Mandhata and sage Vasistha.

          Once King Mandhata asked to the sage Vasistha, O most fortunate one if you are pleased with and merciful to me then kindly discribe to me about a vow by following of which I can attain all auspiciousness.  The sage Vasistha  replied O King now I will  explained to you about the glories and history of a great vow which awards one all auspiciousness.  O King ! the name of this vow is Amalaki Ekadashi.  The influence of the piety accumulated by following this Ekadashi certainly distroyes all ones sinful reactions and awards liberation as well as one can attain the result of donating one thousand cows.

          In the ancient time there was a city named Vaidisa which was inhabited by many healthy prosperous brahmins,kshatriyas, vaisyas and sudras.  O Lion hearted king there was no atheiestic or sinful person in this beautiful city.  The entire city was filled with the sound of vedic mantras.  In this famous city there lived a truthful pious king named Caitraratha who was born in the family of king Pasabinduka, a member of the dynasty of moon.  King Caitraratha was powerful, heroic, opulant and well versed in the scriptures.  During the reign of this king there were all kinds of auspiciousness and prosperity found in the kingdom.  All his subjects were attached to the devotional service of lord Vishnu and all of them observed the vow of Ekadashi.  Due to remaining engaged in the devotional service to lord Hari everyone lived happily in his Kingdom.  There was not a single poor or miser person found in his kingdom.  After living happily for many many years  in this way once Amalaki Ekadashi conjoined with dvadasi which occures during the waxing moon in the month of February/ March.   Realising that this Ekadashi bestows great benefits the king and his subjects resolved  to observe this Ekadashi with proper rules and regulations.  Early in the morning on the day of Ekadashi the King and his subjects took bath in the river and went to the temple of Lord Vishnu situated on the bank of the river.  Within the temple there was an Amalaki tree where he places a  pitcher filled with water and brought an umbrella, cloths,shoes and five kinds of jewells for the worship.  Thereafter the king worshiped lord Parasurama and Amalaki by offering water, shoes, conopy, gold, diamonds, rubies, pearls, sapphires and fragrant incense.  Then the king led by the sages and follwed by his subjects offered prayers to Lord Parasurama as follows. ‘O Lord Parasurama! O Son of Renuka! O you who is situated under the shadow of Amalaki tree ! O bestower of material enjoyment and liberation I offer my respectful obeisances to you.’ Then they offered prayers to the Amalaki tree.  O Amalaki ! O Sustainer of the Universe! O Offspring of Lord Brahma! O distroyer of all sins! We offer our respectful obeisances to you.  Kindly accept our offering.  After properly worshiping the lord and Amalaki in this way the king accompanied by his subjects remained awake that night within the temple of lord Vishnu.  They sang songs and offered beautiful prayers with devotion in praise of the lord and the Amalaki tree.  At that time by providence a hunter came there.  This hunter earned his livelihood simply by killing various living entities.  When he came to the temple which was decorated with ghee lamp, incense and other auspicious items and saw that many people were remaining awake while glorifying the lord.  He sat down with them and began to contemplate what all these was going on?.  The fortunate hunter took darshan of lord Damodar placed on the top of the pitcher and began to hear the transcendental topics of Vishnu.  Although he was afflicted with hunger he was astonished to see this and remained awake that whole night while hearing the glories of Ekadashi.  In the morning king left towards his palace accompanied by his subjects.  The hunter also returned home and happily took his meal.  After many many years the hunter left his body.  By the influence of Amalaki Ekadashi and as a result of remaining awake on the night of this Ekadashi the hunter in his next life became a king with inumerable elephants, horses, chariots and army.  The hunter took birth as Vasurath the powerful son of King Vidurath who ruled the famous city of Jayanti.  King Vasurath ruled one million villages.  He was as brilient as the sun, as effulgent as the moon and as powerful as lord Vishnu as tolarent as the earth.  He was truthful, fixed in his occupational duties and became  a great devotee of Lord Vishnu.

          One day king Vasurath who was very kind and charitable lost his way while hunting in the forest.  He was extremely tired and afflicted with hunger.  Not finding any other alternative the king lied down within that dence forest using his arm as pillow.  At that time some mlechhas who lived in that forest came before the sleeping king and began to torture him in various ways.  Considering the king as their enemy they attempted to kill him.  They thought that this king had previously killed our fathers mothers, sons, grandsons and uncles and have compelled us to wonder aimlessly.  Speaking in this way the mlechhas took up their different weapons and began to beat the king.  But to their utter surprise non of their weapons touched the body of the king and as a result the king did not feel any injury at all.  When all their weapons were used up the mlechhas became moroose and lifeless due to fear.   They lost all power to move any further .  At that time a beautiful extraordinary women decorated with various ornaments and fragrent sadalwood paste appeared from the body of the king.  She was decorated with an attrative flower garland and her eyes were redish due to anger.  She raised her eye brow and holding a disc in her hand she rushed  towards the mlechhas to kill them  in an angry mood.  Within a movement that powerful women killed all the sinful mlechhas.  After this incident the king wokeup.  On seeing such a ghastly killings the king who just got  up from sleep became frightened and stunned.  When the king saw his fierce looking enemies lying killed he became astonished and said, ‘Alas! Who is that  most well wishing friend of mine who has protected my life by killing these powerful enemies?  I convey my heartfelt greatfulness to him for this great act.’  At that time a voice from the sky was heard, ‘whoelse except Lord Keshava  is capable of protecting his surroundered souls?.  He alone is the maintainer of  surroundered devotees.  After hearing these voice from the sky the king became extremely amazed and his heart melted with devotional feeling .  Thereafter the king returned to his palace and ruled his kingdom like Indra without any obstacles.  The Sage Vasistha continued my dear king! Any person who observes this vow of this sacred Amalaki Ekadashi undoubtedly returns to the abode of Lord Vishnu.

Chapter  -  9

Papamocani Ekadashi

          The glories of Papamocani Ekadashi is discribed in Bhavisottara Purana in the conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaj Yudhisthira.

          Once Maharaj Yudhisthira asked Lord Krishna my dear Lord Krishna you have already explained the glories of Amalaki Ekadashi now please discribe the Ekadashi which occures during the wanning moon in the month of March/April.  What is the name of this Ekadashi?  Also discribe to me the proceedure for observing this Ekadashi and its results.  Lord Krishna replied, O best of Kings!  The name of this Ekadashi is Papamocani.  Now ploease hear its glories as I discribe to you. Long Long ago the glories of this Ekadashi was spoken by the Sage Lomasa to King Mandata.  This Papamocani Ekadashi occures during the wanning moon in the month of March/April. This Ekadashi takes away all ones sinful reactions, distroyes ones ghostly condition of life and  awards one eight kinds of mystic perfections.

          Sage Lomasa said, ‘ In the ancient time Kubera the treasurer of the demigods had a beautiful forest of flowers called Caitraratha where the weather was pleasent  as a result of ever (spring?)   The heavenly danceing girls such as gandharvas and kinnaras enjoyed various sports there.  Demigods headed by Indra used to come there and enjoyed various exchanges.   In that forest a great sage named Medhavi who was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva was engaged in performing austerity.  The Apsaras or the heavenly dancing girls tried to disturb  the sage in various ways.  Among the Apsaras one famous Apsara named Manju Ghosa devised a means to captivate the mind of the sage.  Due to fear of the sage Manju Ghosa built a cottage a little away from the ashrama of the sage and began to sing in a sweet voice accompanied with the musical instrument Bina.  On seeing Manju Ghosa who applied sadal wood pulp on her body  wore a fragrent flower garland and was engaged in singing sweetly, even the cupid who is an enemy of Lord Shiva tried to conquer the sage who was the devotee of Lord Shiva.  Since Lord Shiva burnt the cupid to ashes therefore remembering his previous enemity the cupid, in order to take revange enterd in to  the body of the sage.  At that time sage Medhavi who wore a white sacred thread on his body and lived in the ashrama of Chyavana Risi appeared as the second cupid.  The lusty Manju Ghosa slowly came before the sage.  The sage Medhavi also became overwhelmed by lust and forgot his worshipable lord.  He gave up the practice of devotional service and became so much intoxicated in relishing the association of the women that he even lost the sence of discriminating between day and night.  In this way sage Medhavi spend many years in enjoying lusty activities.

            Thereafter when Manju Ghosa saw that the sage has fallen down from his position she decided to return to the heavenly planet.  She said to sage Medhavi who was engaged in conjugal affair ‘O great sage !  now please give me permission so that I can return home.  Then sage Medhavi replied  O beautiful women!  You have come to me only in the evening stay here tonight  and you can return in the morning.  On hearing these words of the sage Manju Ghosa became frightened and continued to live with him for a few more years.  In this way although Manju Ghosa lived with a sage for fifty seven years nine months and three days yet it appeared to be only half of a night to the sage.  Then Manju Ghosa again asked for the  permission from the sage to return home but the sage said O beautiful one ! please hear my words .  This is only morning, please wait till I finish my morning rituals.  Then the apsara smiled and said to the sage with amazement.  O great sage!  How long it will take to complete your moring rituals?  Has it not finished yet?  You have spent many years in enjoying my association .  Therefore please consider the actual value of the time.  On hearing the words of the apsara the sage came to his senses and after carefully calculating the time he said Alas! O beautiful one ! I have simply wasted long  fifty-seven years of my valuable time.  You have ruined everything and spoiled all my austerities.  The eyes of the sage filled with tears and his entire body began to tremble.  Sage Medhavi cursed Manju Ghosa in the following words ‘You have behaved with me like a witch therefore you will immediately become a witch.  O sinful unchast Lady !  shame on you.

            After being cursed by the sage in this way Manju Ghosa humbly said to the sage, O best of the brahmins!  Please withdraw your  heavy curse.  I have spent many years in your company  O my lord for this reason I am a fit candidate for your forgiveness, please be merciful to me.  The sage replied, O gentle lady !  what will I do now ? You have distroyed my entire wealth of  austerity, still I am telling you the proceedure from getting freed from this curse.  The Ekadashi which occures during the wanning moon in the month of March/April which called Papamocani and is capable of distroying all ones sinful reactions. If you follow this Ekadashi strictly and faithfully then your ghostly condition of life will be vanquished.  After speaking these words sage Medhavi returned to the ashrama of his father sage Chyavana.  As soon as sage Chyavana saw his fallen son he became extremely unhappy and said, ‘Alas! Alas! O my son what have you done? You have ruined yourself.  You should not have spoiled your entire treasury of austerity simply being captivated by an ordinary lady sage Medhavi replied  O respected father! Due to misfortune I have committed great sins in the association of an apsara.  Therefore please instruct me regarding the attonment of my sinful  reactions.  On hearing the pathetic words of his repentent son sage chyavana said O my son ! by observing Papamocani Ekadashi which falls during the wanning moon in the month of March/ April all ones sinful reactions are completely distroyed.  Therefore you should observe this Ekadashi.  On hearing these kind words of his father sage Medhavi  exibited special enthusiasam in observing this Ekadashi.  By the influence of this Ekadashi all the sinful reactions of sage Medhavi were distroyed and he became a very pious.  Meanwhile Manju Ghosa also observed this auspicious papamocani Ekadashi and became liberated from the ghostly condition of life.  She then regained her divine form and return to heaven.

            After narrating this story  to king Mandata sage Lomosa concluded as follows.  My dear king just by observing this Papamocani Ekadashi all ones sinful reaction are automatically distroyed.  By hearing or reading the glories of this Ekadashi  one achives the result of donating one thousand cows.  By observing this Ekadashi all kinds of sinful reactions resulting from a killing a brahmin, killing an embryo, drinking wine and associating with ones guru’s wife are totally uprooted.  The purport is that since this sacred Ekadashi is all auspicious and distroyer of all sins everyone should strictly observe this Ekadashi.

Chapter  -  10

Kamada  Ekadashi

            The glories of Kamada Ekadashi is discribed in Varaha Purana in the conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaj Yudhisthira.

            Once Maharaj Yudhisthira asked Lord Krishna the crown of Yadu Dynasty. O Lord Vasudeva! Please accept my humble obeisances.  O my Lord! Please discribe to me about the Ekadashi that occures during the waxing moon in the month of March/April.  Also explain to me the procedure for observing this Ekadashi and what is its benefit?

            Lord Krishna replied, ‘ My dear Maharaj Yudhisthira please hear attentively the description of this Ekadashi which is recorded in the Purana.  Once when Maharaj Dilip, the great grandfather of Lord Ramachandra asked his spiritual master sage Vasistha about the name and procedure for observing  the Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the month ofNMarch/April.

            Sage Vasistha replied, O King! I will certainly fulfill your desire .  The name of this Ekadashi is Kamada.  This sacred Ekadashi burns all ones sinful reactions to ashes

and awards the observer the previllage of having a son.  Now please hear its glories from me.

            Long Long ago there existed a city  named Ratnapur ( Bhogipur).  This apulent city was ruled by a king named Pundarika .  He was accompanied by his subjects that includes the gandharvas. Kinnaras and the apsaras.  In that city  a beautiful apsara named Lalita and a handsome gandharva named Lalit lived as a husband and wife.  Both of them were overwhelmed by each others love and they constantly remained engaged in variouos sporting activities at their oppulent house.  The love for her husband in the heart of Lalita and the love for his wife in the heart of Lalit was so intense that they were unable to tolerate a movements separation from each other.

             One time in the court of King Pundarika many Gandharvas were singing and danceing and Lalit also sang with them without his wife.  Due to absence of Lalita, Lalits voice, tune, steps and wordings became faulty.  Among the audience there was a snake named Karkotaka who new about this mystry.  So he went and complined to  King Pundarika about the actual truth of Lalits behaviour.  Then the king became extremely angry and cursed Lalit as follows.  ‘  O sinful one!  O fool!  Being controled by the lust of your wife you have disturbed the singing and dancing .  So I curse you to become a man eater cannibal.

            O best of the king being cursed by King Pundarika Lalit immediately transformed into a great demon.  When Lalita saw her husbands such an unbelivable and fears looking form she became extremely hurt.  With intense distress she spent her days and nights simply thinking what should I do and  where can I go .  Giving up all embaressment she lived with her husband in the forest.

            Once while wondering within the dence forest with her husband Lalita saw the most sacred ashrama od the sage Shringi at the peak of Vindhya Mountain.  Lalita immediately went there and offered her respectful obeisances to the sage.  Upon seeing this lady the sage inquired O beautifulone who are you?  Whose daughter are you?  Why have you come here?  Lalita replied, ‘ O great soul I am the daughter of the gandharva named Viradhanva.  My name is Lalita.  I have come here with my cursed husband.  O great sage! My husband has become a demon by the curse of the gandharva king Pundarika.  O brahmin!  I am greatly distressed by seeing his terrible and ferocious form.  O my Lord! Kindly explain to me the process of atonement by which my husband can become liberated from the curse.  O best of the brahmins! Please instruct  in such a way that his demoniac condition of life is removed.  After hearing Lalita’s pathetic request the great sage Shringi said, O daughter of the gandharva!  In a few days time an Ekadashi named Kamada which occures during the waxing moon in the month of March/April will approach.  By strictly following the vow of this Ekadashi all ones deisres are fulfilled.  O gentle lady !  according to my instruction you observe this vow of Ekadashi and give the entire merit which you have earned by observing this vow to your husband.  Then by the influence of this merit your husband will immediately become freed from the curse.

            O King!  Being instructed  in this way by the sage Lalita gladly observed the vow of this Ekadashi.  On the day of Dvadasi Lalita sat in front of the brahmanas and the Supreme lord Vasudeva and declared, ‘ I have observed the vow of Kamada Ekadashi to releave my husband from the curse.  Now by the influence of my earned piety let my husband be freed from the demoniac condition of life.  At that time her husband turned demon Lalit was present there.  As soon as Lalita finished her prayer her demon husband became freed from all sins and regained his divine gandharva form.  Thereafter both Lalit and Lalita lived their lives happily.

            Lord Krishna continued O Maharaj Yudhithira!  O best of the Kings!   Any one who hears this wonderful narration of Kamada Ekadashi should certainly observe it to the best of its ability.  There is no better vow of Ekadashi then this Kamada Ekadashi for it can iradicate even the sin of killing a brahmin and counteract the demoniac curses.

Chapter  -  11

Varuthini  Ekadashi

            The glories of Varuthini Ekadashi which occures during the wanning moon in the month of April/May is described in Bhavisyottara Purana in the conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaj Yudhisthira.

            Once Maharaj Yudhisthira said to Shri Krishna , O Vasudeva! I offer my humble obeisances to you.  Now please explain to me the Ekadashi which occures during the wanning mon in the month of April/ May  including its name influence and glories.

            Lord Krishna replied my dear king the name of this Ekadashi is Varuthini and it awards one good fortune both in this life and in the next .  By following the vow of this Ekadashi a living entity attains perpetual happiness, deninishes his sinful reactions and becomes greatly fortunate.  By observing this vow an unfortunate wife become fortunate,a human being attains happiness and prosperity both in this life and in the next, they become freed from the cycle of birth and death, all their sinful reactions are nullified and they attain devotional service to the lord.   King Mandata was liberated by properly observing this Ekadashi.  Many kings such as Dhundhumara became liberated by following this  Ekadashi.  One can achieve the result of undergoing austerities for ten thousand years simply by observing this Varuthini Ekadashi.  The amount of piety one accumulates by donating 40 kilos of gold during the solar eclipse in Kuruksetra is achived simply by observing this Varuthini Ekadashi.

            O best of the kings!  Donating elephant is superior than donating horse.  Donating land is superior than donating elephant and donating sesame seed is greater than donating land.  Donating gold is greater than donating sesame seeds and donating food grains is greater than donating gold .  Infact there is no greater charity than giving food grains in charity.  O best of the kings!  By giving food grains in charity one can satisfy the forefathers , the demigods and all living entities.  The learned scholars have ascertend giving a daughter in charity to be equal to giving food grains in charity.  The supreme lord Himself has compared donating food grains to be equal to donating cows.

Moreever among all kinds of charities giving knowledge to others is the highest type of charity.  By following Varuthini Ekadashi one can attain the results of all  charities.  A person who earns his livelihood by selling his daughter certainly commits the great sin and he is fit to live in the hell till the time of final annihilation.  That is why no one should ever accept wealth in exchange of his daughter.  O king of kings!  A householder who under the influence of greed sells his daughter in exchange of money becomes a cat in his next life.  One who decorates his daughter with ornaments according to his own capacity and gives her in charity to a qualified groom, even Chitragupta the chief secretary of Yamaraj is unable to count his piety.  The follower of this Ekadashi should abstain by eating out of bellmetal pot, eating  meat, masura gram, chickpea,spinach, honey, accept food stuffs cooked by others, eating more then ones and indulging in sex life from the day before Ekadashi.  He should not  indulge in gambling, sleep eat betal nuts, bress his teeth, blashfame anyone, indulge in gossiping, speak with a sinful person, become angry and tell lies on the day of Ekadashi.  On the day after Ekadashi he should not eat on a plate made of bellmetal, eat meat, masura gram and honey; as well as he should abstain from speaking lies, do  exercise, labour hard, eat more then once, indulge in sex life, shave head or face, apply oil on the body and eat food stuff cooked by others.  One should carefully avoid all the above mentioned prohibitions which distroy the vow of Ekadashi.  Apart from them some other prohibitary measures should to taken not only for the three days but for ever.  If one observes the vow of Varuthini Ekadashi according to these prescribed rules and regulations then all his sinful reactions are eradicated and he attains the supreme destination.  One who remains awke on the day of Ekadashi and worships lord Janardhana becomes freed from all sins and attain the supreme goal of life.  Any one who hears or reads the glories of this  Ekadashi surely achieves the result of donating onethousand cows and being freed from all his sinful reactions attains the abode of Vishnu.

Chapter  -  12

Mohini  Ekadashi

            The glories of Mohini Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the month of April/May is described in Surya Purana.

            Once Maharaj Yudhisthira said to Lord Krishna, O Janardhana! What is the name of the Ekadashi that occures during the waxing moon in the month of April/May and what is the process for observing this Ekadashi.  Also what is the merit one obtains by following this Ekadashi please explain all these  to me in details.

             Lord Krishna replied, O son of dharma! Please hear me attentively as I describe to you the story that sage Vasistha once told Lord Ramachandra.

           Long ago once Lord Ramachandra asked the great sage Vasistha, ‘O respected sage! I am feeling great distress due to separation from Sita the daughter of king Janaka.  Kindly explain to me about the great vow by following of which all once sinful reactions and distresses are meticated.

          The great sage Vasistha the spiritual master of Ramachandra said, ‘My dear Rama your intelligence is sharp and mixed with faith.  Your question is benefitial for the  entire huminity.  Just by chanting and remembering your all auspicious holy names all living entities  can become purified and become eligible to achieve all auspiciousness.  Still for the benefit of the ordinary people I will discribe to you about a great vow.  O Lord  Rama! The Ekadashi that occures during the waxing moon in the month of April/May is famous as Mohini Ekadashi .  This Ekadashi is very auspicious.  By following this Ekadashi all ones sinful reactions,  material meseries and network of illusion are distroyed.  Now please hear attentively as I narrate the most pious topics of this Ekadashi.

           There was a beautiful city named Bhadravati situated on the bank of sacred river Saraswati.  A king named Dyutimana ruled this city.  O lord Rama! This king was born in the dynasty of moon.  He was tolarant and truthful.  A pious and prosperous devotee of Lord Vishnu lived in that city.  His name was Dhanapala. He was a Vaisya{Mercantile community} by profession. For the benefit of the ordinary people this devotee Dhanapala built many Dharmashalas or Guest houses schools temples of Lord Vishnu, charitable hospitals, wide roads and market places.  He aslo made arrangements for distributing water and food stuff, dug wells for cool drinking water and ponds for clear water, built gardens for flowers and fruits.  In this way he properly utilised his wealth for the benefit of all and thus successfully demonstrated the true meaning of his name.  This pious devotee of lord  Vishnu who was always peaceful, a benefactor of others and engaged in devotional service to Vishnu had five sons namely Samana, Dyutimana,Medhavi , Sukriti and Dhristabuddhi .  Among his five sons Dhristabuddhi was most sinful.  He was extremely  wicked, ill natured, always engaged in bad association, having illicit connection with unchast women .  He was found of gambling and drinking wine.  He took pleasure in killing and torturing other living entities.  In this way he engaged in all kinds of  sinful activities and soon turned into a abominable son of the most pious father and a disgrace to the family.  He never showed respect to the demigods, guests, old forefathers and brahmins.  He was constantly engaged in thinking of committing sinful activites and thus lived a contemptible life.  The sinful wriched Dristabuddhi misused all his fathers wealth in many useless activities.  He always ate abominable food stuff and remained always absobed in drinking wine.  One day on seeing his shamless son walking in the public place while placeing his hand on the shoulder of a prostitute father Dhanapal became extremely hurt.  On that very day he threwout his spoiled son from the house.  Dristhaduddhi became bereft of every ones affection includiing his father mother brothers, relatives and friends.  Soon he degraded from his position of caste  society and pious community and became an object of hatred for everyone.

            After being drewn out from his fathers house Dristhabuddhi continued to fulfill his sinful propencities with the money he received by selling his personal clothes and ornaments.  Soon that also came to an end.  Gradually due to lack of sufficient food his body  became weak and skinny.  On realising that he has become poor and his so called  deceitful boys and girls friends left him while condeming him on various pretex.

           Dristhabudhi was now full of anxiety.  He had no foods or clothes hence he was extremely afflicted with hunger.  So he began to contemplate.  ‘What should I do now? Where should I go?  By which means will I survive.’  After contemplating in this way he decided that there is no other alternative than to start stealing for his survival.  Si with a desire to steal he began to wonder throughout the city.  Some times the kings guard would arrested him and after considering his fathers greatnss he would release him.  After being  caught and released in this way for a few times once he was formally arrested due to commiting a special kind of theft.  He was taken to the king  who awarded him severe punishment.  The King said, O sinful foolish creature you cannot stay within this kingdom any more.  For you are the greatest sinner.  I am realising you now but leave this kingdom immediately and go where ever you wish.

            Thereafter Dristhabuddhi became afraid of being punished again and left the kingdom.  He went far away and entered into a dence forest.  Within the forest he became so much afflicted with hunger and thirst that he began to kill beasts and birds indiscriminately and ate their raw flesh for their survival.  He wondered within the forest like a hunter, holding a bow and arrows in his hands and continued to kill innocent animals.  In this way Dristhabuddhi lived in that dence forest for some years while engaging in sinful activities.

             Dristhabuddhi was always meserable and anxious, but one day due to some fast pious deeds he arrived at the sacred ashrama of the great sage and asetic Kaundinya while wondering about within the forest.  It was the month of Vaisakha (April /May) and the great sage Kaundinya was just returning home after taking bath in the Ganges.  At that time by providence Dristhabuddhi  who was very much agreed with distress and lementation happened to touch a drop of water falling from the sages cloth.  Dristhbuddhi was immediately relieved- from his sinful reactions.  With folded hand and great humility he said to sage Kaundinya, ‘ O great brahmin I am the most sinful person.  There is no such sin that I have not commited.  Now please instruct me about a highest type of atonement which a most wriched person like me can easily perform.  As a result of commiting unlimited sinful activities till now I have been bereft of my house, wealth,relatives and friends.   I am spending my time with great deal of mental agnoy.

            After hearing these statements  of Dristhabuddhi the great sage Kaundinya who feels distress by seeing others distress said, ‘ I am telling you a sublime method by which all your sinful reaction can easily be  nullified in a very short time, please hear me attentively.  Mohini Ekadashi  which occures during the waxing moon in the month of April/May totally distroyes a persons sinful reactions as big as Sumeru mountain  accumulated from many many life time.  Therefore you should faithfully observe this Ekadashi .

            Hearing these words from the great sage Dristhabuddhi became joyful and properly observe that Ekadashi accoring to the rules and regulations instructed by the sage.  O best of the Kings!  By observing this Mohini Ekadashi the most sinful  Dristhabuddhi soon became devoid of all sinful reactions and after assuming a divine body he returned to the all auspicioous abode of Lord Vishnu by riding on the back of Garuda.  O Ramachandra!  This vow  certainly removes all kinds of illusion and darkness of ignorant.  Any piety accumulated  by taking bath in the holy waters, giving in charity and performance of sacrifice can not be compared with the piety one attains by observing this Mohini Ekadashi.

Chapter  -  13

Apara  Ekadashi

            The topics of Apara Ekadashi which occures during the wanning moon in the month of May/June is described in Brahmanda Purana in the conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaj Yudhisthira.

            Once Maharaj Yudhisthira asked Lord Krishna O Lord Krishnn O Janardhan what is the name of the Ekadashi that occures during the wanning moon in the month of  May/ June and what is its glories.  Please describe this to me .

            Lord Krishna replied O maharaj Yudhisthira you have asked me an intelligent question which is actually benefitial for everyone.  The name of this Ekadashi is Apara.  O king! This Ekadashi awards so much piety to those who observe it and distroys all their sinful reactions.  By observing this Apara Ekadashi many grave sinful activities such as killing a brahmin, killing a cow , killing an embryo through abortion, criticising others, illicit sexlife, speaking lie, giving false witness, bragging others, reciting or teaching vedas for the sake of money and concocting own scripture.  A cheater, a pseudo astrologer and a cheating physician are aslo as sinful as those who give false witness.  All these sinful activities are totally eradicated by observing this Apara Ekadashi.  Any kshtriya who gives up his profession  and runs away from the battle field, certainly falls down from his occupational duties and go to hell.  If such a person observes this Ekadashi with faith also attains the heavenly planet.  Lord Krishna continued O King! A deciple who after receiving knowledge from his spiritual master engages in blashphemeing his spiritual master certainly accumulates great sins.  Such a condemned sinful person can be relieved from his sinful reaction by following the Apara Ekadashi and attain the supreme destination.  O King of Kings ! the result one obtains by taking bath three times at Pushkar in the month of Kartik, the peity one accumulates by taking bath at Prayag in the month of January when the sun enters Capricon, the results one obtain by observing the vow of Shivaratri at Kasi and by offering oblations at the lotus feet of Vishnu at Gaya, and the auspicious results one obtains by taking bath in the river Gautami when the planet Jupiter enters Leo, by visiting Kedarnath during Kumba Mela, by visiting and worshiping Badrinath, by taking bath at Kurukstra during solar eclipse, and by giving elephants horses, cows, gold and land in charity are all obtained easily by observing the vow of Apara Ekadsi.  It is like the sharp axe for cutting down the tree of sinful activities and the blazing forest fire for burning the fuel of sinful activities to ashes.  It is like the brilient son for decipating the darkness born of sinful activities and like the lion to a deer in the for of sinful activities.  O King! By observing this Apara Ekadashi and worshiping Lord Vishnu in his form as Trivikram, a person attains  the all auspicious abode of Lord Vishnu.  Any one who hears or reads the glories of this Ekadashi that I have described to you for the benefit of everyone is relived from all his sinful reactions.

Chapter  -  14

Nirjala Ekadashi

            The discription of Nirjala Ekadashi which occures during the month of May/June is found in Brahma Vaivarta Purana in the conversation between Vyasa Deva  and Bhimasena.

            Once Bhimasena the younger brother of Yudhisthira asked the great sage Shrila Vyasa Deva   O most learned and worshipable grand father please hear my request, ‘my elder brother Yudhisthira , mother Kuntidevi ,brothers Arjuna,Nakula and Sahadeva and Draupadi donot eat anything on the day of Ekadashi.  They, especially  Yudhisthira always tells me that I should also fast on Ekadashi.  But I always tell them though I know that to fast on Ekadashi is an injunction of the scriptures.  Yet I can not bear my hunger therefore I am unable to fast.  I can give in charity as per my capacity, I can worship lord Kesava with proper rules and regulations, but I cannot fast.  So please instruct me how can I obtain the result of Ekadashi with having to fast?

          On hearing these words of Bhimasena Shri Vyasa Deva said O Bhima! If you want to go to the heavely planet and avoid the hellish planets, then you must refrain from eating on both the Ekadashis of each month.

           Bhima said O great sage!  It is impossible for me to observe fast on 24 Ekadashis every year as instructed by the Lord.  What to speak of fasting day and night I can not even tolerate my hunger for a movement.  The fire of hunger known as ‘brika’ is always present with in my stomac and it is extinguished only by voracios eating.  But with great endeavour I can fast only one day in a year.  Therfore please instruct me about a vow by duely following of which I can attain auspiciousness both in this life and next.

            Shri Vyasa Deva said, O King! You have already heard from me the about the vedic religious principles and the duties of the human beings.  But in this age of Kali every one is not capable of following those rules and regulations.  Therefore I will tell you a sublime method by which you can achieve great results.  This method is the essence of all the Puranas.  Any one who observes the Ekadashis of wanning and waxing moons by fasting never goes to hell.

            Hearing Vyasadevas words the strongest warrier Bhimasena became frightened and shievered like a leaf on a Banyan tree and said O grand father !  then what shoud I do ?  I am totally unable to fast twice a month throught the year.  Therfore O my lord! Kindly instruct me about observing one vow which awards the most  amount of merit and following of which I can achieve all benefits.

            Then Shri Vyasa deva replied the Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the  month of May/June during the suns present in either Taures or Gemini Rasi is called as Nirjala Ekadashi.  One should observe total fast even from drinking water in this Ekadashi.  On this day one should perform Acamana for purification by drinking that amount of water in which a single mustered seed or a drop of gold can be immersed.  One should place the said amount of water in his palm which he should form to resemble a cows ear.  If one drinks more or less water then this then it wil amount to drinking of wine.

            One must not eat anything at all on this Ekadashi otherwise his vow will be broken.  One  should not drink even water from the movement of sunrise from the day of Ekadashi until the sunrise on the day of Dvadasi.  In this way if one strictly observes this Ekadashi without drinking water then he can attain the results of observing all the Ekadashis of the year.

            In the early morning on the day of Dvadasi one should take bath and give gold and water in charity  to the brahmins.  Thereafter the follower should gladly eat with  the  brahmins.

           O Bhimsena ! now please hear the about the piety one accumulated by observing this Ekadashi.  By following this Ekadashi one can achieve the result of following all the Ekadashis throughout the year.  Once Lord Vishnu who holds a counch, a disc, a plough and a lotus flower in his hand told me that if a person gives up all varieties of religion and surrounders unto me and follows this Nirjala Ekadashi which is very dear to me is certainly relieved from all sinful reactions.  One cannot supreme destinationt by giving wealth in charity or attain any benfit  by following smartha rules and regulations in the Kali yuga.  Infact the vedic religious principle have been extinct in this age of Kali which is poluted with various faults.

            O Son of Vayu!  What more  can I tell you ? Acually eating is prohibited on all the Ekadashis and even the drinking of water is prohibited on Nirjala Ekadashi.  By observing this Ekadashi one achieves the piety of visiting all the holy places.  At the time of death such a person is not approached by the fierce looking Yamadutas rather he is appraoched by the divine looking Vishnuduta’s to be tranfered to the abode of Vishnu.  If one  gives water and cows in charity after observing this Ekadashi then he is freed from all his sinful activities.

            When the other Pandavas heard about the glories of this Ekadashi they resolved to observe it since Bhimasena  began observing this Nirjala Ekadashi from that day onward this Ekadashi became famous as Pandava Nirjala or Bhimseni Ekadashi .  By following this Ekadashi sinful activities as huge as Sumeru or Mandra Mountain is atonce burnt to ashes.  O King ! Lord Krishna has declared that any pious activities such as taking bath in a holy place, giving in charity. Chanting vedic mantras and performing sacrifices are carried out on this Nirjala Ekadashi day become inexhaustible.

           One who reads or hears the glories of this Ekadashi with devotion goes back to the abode of Vaikuntha.  The result one attains by observing the vow of Amavasya conjoined with pratipada and offering oblations to the forefathers during the solar eclipse is attained simply by hearing the glories of this Ekadashi.

Chapter  -  15

Yogini  Ekadashi

            The glories of Yogini Ekadashi which occures during the wanning moon in the month of June/July is desicribed in Brahma Vaivartha Purana in the conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaj Yudhisthira.

            Once Maharaj Yudhisthira said O Supreme Lord! O Madhusudana! I have heard the glories of Nirjala Ekadashi.  Now I wish to hear about the Ekadashi that occures during the wanning moon in the month of June/ July.

            Lord Krishna replied, O King! I will explained to you about the Ekadashi that comes during the month of June/July.  The name of this Ekadashi is Yogini and it destroyes all once grave sinful reactions and delivers one from the ocean of material existence.

            O best of the kings! Now I will narrate a story from Purana to illustrate this truth.  Kubera the king of Alokapuri was a stonch devotee of Lord Shiva.  He regularly worshiped Lord Shiva.  He had a Yaksa gardener named Hema.  The name of this gardner Hema’s wife was Visalakshi.  Visalakshi was exquisitely beautiful .  Hema was very attached to his beautiful wife.  He regularly gathered flowers from Manasa Sarovara Lake and gave to Kubera the King of Yaksas for his worship of Lord Shiva.  One day he brought flowers from Manasa Sarovara Lake and instead of giving it to Kubera he ramained at home being bound by the love of his dear wife.

            O King! As a result of this Kubera did not receive any flower on that day.  Meanwhile the king of  the Yaksas Kubera waited  six hours for Hema.  Due to the absence of flower he could not complete the worship of Lord Shiva.  Being extremely angry the king immediately sent his messanger to find out the cause of gardenerns delay.  The messanger immediately left.

            After some time the Yaksa Messanger returned and said to the king. ‘ O Master Hema is enjoying the association of his wife at home.  On hearing these words of messanger Kubera became very angry and immediately ordered his servants to bring Hema before him.  On realising that he has made a grate mistake Hema Mali became ashamed and with great fear he came before Kubera.  The gardener first offered his respectful obeisances.  Kubera whose entire body trembled  and whose eyes became red with anger said O sinful one! O destroyer of religious principle you have disregarded my most worshipable lord Shri Shankar and engaged in your own sence gratification, hence I am coursing you.  You will be afflicted with white leprosy and you will remain seperated from your dear most wife for ever.  O Low class fool! You will immediately degrade from this place.

            Being cursed by Kubera Hema Mali immediately fell from Alokapuri and took birth in this world.  He became efflicted with white leprosy and suffered extremely miserable conditions.  In such a condition and with intense mental agony and lake of food and water he went to a formiddable dence forest.  In that forest he suffered the pangs of hunger and thirst day and night.  During the day he did not find any happiness and at night he could not sleep as well.  He suffered great meseries both in winter and summer .But because he helped worship lord Shiva faithfully his memory remained intact.  Although he was engaged in various sinful activities he remembered his previous activities and his consciousness remained pure and alert.

            After wondering  throughout the forest in this way he fortunately came upon the Himalayan Mountain .  While moving here and there by providence he had the good fortune of meeting the great sage Markandeya who is the best of the asetics and whose duration of life is seven Kalpas.  Hema Mali, feeling very sinful stood at a distance from the sage and repeatedly offered his humble obeisances.  The kind hearted sage Markandeya called that leprosy ridden man before him and asked ‘ O you! How have you got this dradeful affliction?  What kind of sinful and condemned activities you have performed so that you had to suffer such a meserable condition?

            On hearing this Hema Mali replied O great sage! I am the gardener of  Kubera the king of the Yaksas.  My name is Hema Mali.  I use to collect flowers regularly from Manasa Sarovara Lake and give it to my master Kubera.  With this flower Kubera performed his worship of Lord Shiva.  One day I was late to give flower to my master as a result of remaining engaged in fulfilling my lusty desires with my wife .  That is why Kubera the King of the Yaksas became angry and cursed me .  As a result of that curse I am profusely suffering the meseries of White leprosy and I have been seperated from my wife .  But now I donot know for what previous misdeeds this unfortunate soul has suddenly become fortunate to meet a great personality like you.  I have heard that the hearts of the saintly persons are always afflicted by seeing the distress of others and they are always engaged in well fare activities.  O great sage!  With the desire to obtain auspecious result today this fallen soul has surrendered unto you. Please be kind and deliver him.

             Thereafter the great sage Markandeya spoke to him with compassion.  O gardener!  I am instructing to you about a most auspicious and beneficial vow.  You should observe the vow of Ekadashi known as Yogini that occures during the wanning moon in the month of June/July and by the influence of its peity you will certainly be liberated from the curse of suffering from leprosy.  On hearing this instruction of the great sage Markandeya, Hema Mali became joyful and with feelings of gratitude he offered his humble obeisances to him.  Thereafter he duely observed this sacred vow of  Ekadashi as the sage has instructed him.  By the influence of this vow he regained his divine form.  Then he returned home and reunited with his wife.  The result one obtains by feeding 88 Thousand Brahamins is attained by observing this Yogini Ekadashi.  This Ekadashi distroyes all ones sinful reactions and awards one great peity.

Chapter  -  16

Sayana  Ekadashi

            The topics of Sayana or Devasayani or Padma Ekadashi is described in Bhavishyottara Purana in the conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaj Yudhisthira.

            Once Maharaj Yudhisthira said O Keshava! What is the name of the Ekadashi that occures during the waxing moon in the month of June/July.  Who is the worshipable deity for this sacred day and what are the rules and regulation for observing this Ekadashi.  Please explain this to me in detail.

            Lord Krishna replied, ‘ O maintainer of this world!  This question was once asked by Shri Narada Muni to Lord Brahma.  Now please hear from me the wonderful history which Lord Brahma narrated to Narada Muni in his reply.

            Once the great oretor and best of the sages Narada said to Lord Brahma, O Father! What is the name of the Ekadashi that occures during the waxing moon in the month of June/July.  Kindly explain to me how should I observe this Ekadashi inorder to please the supreme Lord Vishnu.

            Lord Brahma replied , ‘There is no other vow in this material world which is as sacred as the vow of Ekadashi.’  It is extremely necessary for one to observe the vow of Ekadashi inorder to nullyfy all his sinful reactions.  A person who does not observe Ekadashi in this world certainly goes to hell.  The Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the month of June/July is called Devasayani or Padma Ekadashi .  Inorder to please the supreme Lord Hrishikesh one should follow this Ekadashi.

            It is stated in the Purana there was a saintly emperor named Mandata who ruled the entire world.  He was born in the dynasty of Sun God, extremely powerful and always stood up for the truth.  This King maintained his subjects piously and effectionately like his own children.  In the kingdom of this pious king there was no femine, drought or any kind of decease.  All his subjects lived peacefully without any anxiety and they were very prosperous.  There was no wealth in the treasury of the king which was unlawfully earned.  In this way the and his subjects happily spend their days.

            After many years due to providence and some sinful activities there was no rainfall in his kingdom for three consequtive years.  As a result people became afflicted with hunger due to lack of food and became full of anxiety.  As a result of suffering from lack of food the performance of various sacrifices and study of the vedas came to a standstill.  Then all the subjects came before the King and appealed O King! Please hear our words which will altemately benefit ous.  The water is addressed in the scriptures as ‘Nara’.  The Supreme Lord resides in‘ayana’.  That is why the another name of the Supreme Lord is Narayana.  The Supreme Lord Vishnu is all pervading in His form as clouds.  He alone causes the rain fall.  The food grains are produced from rain and the living entities subsist on rain.  At present due to lack  of this food grains your subjects are suffering and decreasing.

            O best of the Kings!  Please find some remady for our meserable condition and restore peace and prosperity among us.

            The King replied, ‘ What ever you all have said is truth.  The food grains are considered like Brahman.  Everthing is sustained by food grains.  The entire world and the living entities subsists on food grains.  It is clearly stated in the Puranas and other scriptures that due to the sinful activities commited by the king he and  his subjects suffer.  Although I cannot ascertain my fault through my own consideration and intelligence never theless I will try my best for the benefit of my subjects.

            After speaking in this way the King Mandata gathered some of his principal armies and after offering obeisances to Brahma he entered the forest.  Within the forest he regularly visited the ashramas of great sages and asetics.  While wondering in the forest in this way one day by providence the king met with the great sage Angira the son of  Brahma.  Sage Angira was as effulgent as Brahma and all the four direction were illuminated by his effulgent.  As soon as the self controled king saw him he immediately got down from his carrier and offered his respectful obeisances at the feet of the sage.  Then the King folded his hand and offered  prayers.  The sage resiprocated and blessed the king.

            Thereafter the sage inquired from the King about the cause of his arrival and the well being of his kingdom.  The King replied O Lord! I have been rulling my kingdom according to religious principals still there is no rainfall in my kingdom for last three years;  As a result my subjects are suffering from various meseries.  I have not been able to ascertain its cause inorder to remove this cause.  Today I have come to  your lotus feet. Kindly tell me the way by which my subjects can live peacefully and thus attain auspiciousness.

            The sage Angira replied O King! This present age of Satya Yuga is the best of all the Yugas.  In this Yuga people worship the supreme Brahman.  The fourfold religious principal are manifest in this Yuga.  No one except the Brahmanas  are supposed to  perform austerity in this Yuga.  Inspite of this standard a Sudra in youor Kingdom is undergoing this austerity.  As a result of this unlawfull conduct you are faceing its consequences in the form of drought.  Therefore you should try to kill him and bring peace and prosperity into your Kingdom.

            The King said, ‘ O great sage it will be impossible for me to kill an innocent person who is engaged in performing austerity.  Therefore please instruct me about some easy solution.’

            Then the sage replied, O King if this is the case then observe the sacred   Ekadashi known as Padma or Devasayani which occures during the waxing moon in the month of June/July.  By the influence of this vow there will certainly be rain fall in your kingdom.  This Ekadashi awards one all auspiciousness and perfection.  It destroyes all obstacles on the path to perfection.  O King! You along with your subjects should obseve this Ekadashi.

            After hearing these asuring words of the great sage the king offered his obeisances and returned to his palace.  Thereafter in the month of Asadha or June/July the king along his family members and subjects properly observed this auspicious Padma or Sayana Ekadashi.  By the influence of this observance the rain poured in all over his Kingdom.  This scarcity of water remained no longer and soon the entire world became filled with food grains by the mercy of  the supreme lord Hrishikesha everyone lived happily.  Therefore it is the duty of everyone to observe this sacred Ekadashi.  This Ekadashi awards everyone the happiness and liberation.  By hearing and reading the glories of this Ekadashi all ones sinful reactions are destroied.

            This Ekadashi is also known as Vishnu Sayani Ekadashi. In order to please Lord Vishnu the devotees observe this Ekadashi with special devotion.  They donot endeavour for material enjoyments or lieration rather they pray for the pure devotional service to the lord.  The famous vow of Chatumasya begins from this Ekadashi.  The devotees observe this vow of Chaturmasya by hearing and chanting the topics of Lord for four months begining from the day when lord Hari goes to bed upto the day He wakes up.  Maharaj Yudhisthira sadi to Lord Krishna, O Krishna! Please tell me how one should oberve this Shri Vishnu Sayana Vrata or Chatuymasya Vrata.

            Lord Krishna replied O King!  When the sun remains in the sign of Cancer then Shri  Madhusudan the lord of the entire universe goes to bed and when the sun goes to the sign of Libra the Lord wakes up.  The vow of Chaturmasya commences from the day of sayana Ekadashi.  O King Yudhisthira! After taking bath one should dress up Lord Vishnu with yellow garnments.  Then he should make a bed and cover it  with white sheets to put the lord on it to rest.  First one should bath the lord  with five ingredients such as youghrt,milk,ghee,honey and sugar water by the qualified brahmins.  Thereafter one should wipe the lords body with a cloth and apply pragrant sandal wood paste.  Then he should worship the lord by offering insence,ghee lamp and flowers with devotion.

            One can also begin observing the vow of Chaturmasya either from the day of Ekadashi ,Dvadasi, Purnima,Astami  or Sankranti ( when the sun enters into the sign of Cancer)  The vow of Chaturmasya ends on the day of Dvadasi which falls the day after Utthana Ekadashi in the month of Kartika.   A person who observes the vow of Chaturmasya while remembering Lord Hari goes back to the abode of Lord Vishnu sitting on an airoplane as  efulgent as the sun.  Any one who clinces the temple and the courtyard of the Lord, decorates them with flowers and creepers and feeds the brahmins according to his capacity at the end of the vow  obtains inexhaustible happiness for seven life times.  By offering ghee lamps to the lord during t his vow one can become fortunate and prosperous.  One who chants Gayatri mantra one hundred and eight times in the temple of the lord in three different times morning,noon and evening no longer have to indulge in sinful activities.  Lord Vyasa deva become pleased with such a person and the practitioner returns to the abode of Vishnu.   Any one who donates twenty-eight or hundred and eight pots of sesame seeds to the inteligent brahmins at the end of the vow become freed from this sinful reaction accumulateeded by his body mind and speach.  He becomes freed from all diseases and obtains intelligent children.

          A practioner of devotional service should not sleep on a bedstead for four months during  which Lord Janardhan takes place.  It is prohibited to have sex during Chaturmasya only except the days of mantruration ??  One should observe this vow with fastings eating only supper , eating only once a day or eating that which come without asking for it.  One who chants and sings before Lord Vishnu during chaturmasya goes to the planet of the Gandharvas.  A person who  give up eating Gur or Juggery is blessed with sons and grand sons.  By giving up oil one becomes beautiful and his enemies are dietroyed .  By giving up the taste of bitter, pungent, sour, sweet and salty preparations ones uglyness and bodily odor Is vanquished.  Those who give up the enjoyment of flowers go to the heavenly planets and become Vidyadharas.  By giving up the chewing of bitelnuts and immediately becomes diseaseless.  If one eats out of the bare flower he attains the heaven the abode of Indra.  If one gives up milk and yoghurt for the pleasure of Krishna he goes back to the supreme abode of Goloka.  One who does not cut his nails and shaves his head attains the good fortune of touching the lotus feet  of lord Vishnu. One who circumumbulate the temple of the lord returns to the abode of lord riding on a aeroplane carried by the swans.

Chapter  -  17

Kamika  Ekadashi

            The topics of Kamika Ekadashi is described in Brahmavaivartha Purana in the conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaj Yudhisthira.

            Maharaj Yudhisthira said O Supreme Lord Krishna!  I have heard from you the glories of Devasayani Ekadashi .  Now I would like to hear  about the Ekadashi that occures during the wanning moon in the month of July/August. O Lord Please be kind to me and explain its glories .

             Lord Krishna replied, O King! Please hear attentively the description of this sacred vow of Ekadashi, which removes all sins.  In an ancient time Narada Muni once asked Lord Brahma about this same topic.  He also inquired about the deity which is to be worshiped on that day and the process one must follow to observe this Ekadashi.

            Lord Brahma the spiritual master of the entire universe replied, The Ekadashi which occures during the wanning moon in the month of July/August is called Kamika Ekadashi .  By hearing the glories of this Ekadashi one obtains the result of performing Bajapeya sacrifice.  On this auspicious day one should worship lord Vishnu who holds a counch, a disc, a club and a lotus in His hands.  The results one obtains by residing and bathing in holy places like  the Ganges, Kashi, Naimisaranya and Pushkar is obtained simply by worshiping lord Vishnu on that day.  The result one can not obtain even by taking bath in Kedarnath, Kurukshetra or during solar eclipse is easily obtained by worshping Lord Krishna on this day.  Therefore it is the duty of everyone to strickly observe this Kamika Ekadashi by worshiping lord Vishnu.

            Just as the water cannot touch the lotus leaf similarly by the influence of this Kamika Ekadashi a person can remain aloof from sins.  Anyone who worships Lord Hari with Tulasi leaves is freed from all sins.  Only by seeing Tulasi ones sinful reaction are distroyed, by touching Tulasi ones body become purified, by offering prayers to Tulasi ones diseases becomes cured, by bathing Tulasi one does not have to fear for Yamaraj the Lord of Death, by planting Tulasi one becomes fortunate enough to  reside with Lord Krishna and by offering Tulasi leaves at the feet of the Supreme Lord one attains pure devotional service.  Even Chitra Gupta is unable to estimate the peity of one who offers obeisances and ghee lamp to such a Tulasi on the day of Ekadashi.  The sin of killing a brahmin or an embryo is destroyed as a secondary result of observing this  Kamika Ekadashi.  One who hears or reads the glories of this Ekadashi with faith certainly attains the abode of Vishnu.

Chapter  -  18

Pavitra  Ekadashi

            The glories of Pavitra Ekadashi is described in Bhavishyottara Purana in the conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaj Yudhisthira.

            Once Maharaj Yudhisthira said to Krishna O Madhusudana!, the killer of Madhu demon.  What is the name and glories of the Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the month of July/August.  Please explain it to me in detail.

            Lord Krishna replied, O King! The name of this sacred Ekadashi is Pavitra Ekadashi. Now please hear attentively the topics of this Ekadashi which destroyes ones sinful reaction.  By hearing the glories of this Ekadashi  one obtains the result of Bajapeya sacrifice.

            In an ancient time in the begining of Dvapara Yuga there was a King named Mahijit who ruled the kingdom named Mahismatipuri.  But since the king had no sons he did not feel any happiness in conducting his activities.  A married man who has no son does not get any happiness either in this life or in the next.  The King spent many years in trying to get a son, but he was not fortunate enough to get a jewell like son who would give him all pleasure.

             Realising his own pathetic condition one day the king called his subjects whom he treated as his childred to the royal assembly and said to them, O dear subjects I have never commited any sinful activity in this life,  I did not increase my treasury by unlawfully earned wealth, I didnot plunder the wealth of the brahmins and the demigods, rather I have conquered this world by following the proper code of conduct, I have maintained all of you like my own children, I have never hasitated to award due punishment even to my dearones like my brother and relatives according to their faults and I have showed due respect to evn my enemy if he was gentle and pious.  O brahmanas inspite of travelling on the religious path like this why I am breft of a son?  Please consider carefully the reason behind this and advise me.

            After hearing these lementing words of King Mahijit the kings brahmana adviser discussed the subject matter among themselves and decided that for the benefit of the king they would go to the forest and visit the ashramas of the great sages who know the past, present and future.  Theat is exactly what they did.  They entered the forest and while wondering here and there they came across the various ashramas of the great sages.  Finally they met Lomasa Muni who was engaged in severe austerities, whose body was spiritual and full of bliss, who strictly observe the vow of fasting, who was self controlled, who knew the science of Eternal Religious Pricipal, who was well conversant with the knowledge of all the scripture, whose duration of life was as long as that of Brahma and who was an effulgent saint.  When a kalpa of  Brahma passes one hair( (loma) out of his body fallsout that is why the name of the sage is Lomasa.  The sage Lomasa was the knower of past, present and future.

            Enchanted by this great sage, the advisers of the king offered their obeisances to him and spoke with humility.  O great sage! Due to our great fortune we have met a great soul like you.  The sage Lomasa inquired who are you all?  Why have you come here? Why are you praising me like this.  The brahmins replied O great sage! We have come to you for removing some of our doubts.  O Lord! Our king Mahijit has no sons.  We are his subjects and we are treated by the king as his own children.  We are feeling distressed on seeing the distress of the King.  O best of the Brahmin we want to strictly under go austerity here.  It is  the good fortune of the king that today we met a great personality like you.  By the darshan of a great personality a man certainly attains all perfections.  Please instruct us in such a way so that our sonless king can have a son.

            After hearing their sincere prayers the sage Lomasa entered into a deep meditation for a movement and immediately understood the king Mahijits previous life.  He then said in his previous life this king was a poor Vaisya or a Merchant.  He commited a sinfuldeed.  Once while travelling from village to village in the course of his business he became  overwhelmed with thirst.  It was the midday of dvadasi in the month of July.  Soon he found a beautiful lake and decided to drink its water.  At that time a cow and her newly born calf came there to drink water.  As the cow began to drink water from the lake the merhant immediately drove her away and began to drink water himself .  As a result of obstructing and unsatisfyed  thristy cow from drinking water the merchant had commited a sin.  For this reason though the merchant who by the influence of his peity has now been born as a King Mahijit, but he has got no son.

            On hearing these words of the great sage the kings advicers said , O great sage!  It is stated in the Puranas that by the influence of piety all ones sinful reactions are counter acted.  Therefore please instruct us in such a way that all the sinful reactions of the king may be distroyed and he can obtain a son.

            The great sage Lomasa replied, There is a famous auspicious Ekadashi known as Pavitra Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the month of July/August.  You and your King should properly observe this Ekadashi .  Thereafter you should give away your piety that you will earn by observing this Ekadashi.  If you follow my instruction then the King will certainly be blessed with a son.  After hearing these words from sage Lomasa all the kings advicers became happy and satisfied.  They offerd their obeisances to the sage and returned home.  Then they meet  king Mahijit and explained to him in detail whatever they have heard from the great sage Lomasa.

            Thereafter when the proper time arrived the kings advicers remembered the advice of the sage and properly observed the vow of Pavitra Ekadashi along with the king.  On the day of Dvadasi they gave away their occumulated peity to the king as adviced by the sage.  By the influence of this peity the queen became pregnent and in due course of time she gave birth to a beautiful son.

             O King Yudhisthira!  Any one who observes this sacred Ekadashi is releived from sinful reactions and becomes happy both in this life and in the next.  One who hears the glories of this Ekadashi obtains the happiness derived from having a son in this life and goes back to godhead in his next life.

Chapter  -  19

Annada  Ekadashi

            The glories of Annada Ekadashi is described in the Brahmavaivartha purana in the conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaj Yudhisthira.

            Maharaj Yudhisthira said O Krishna! What is the name of the Ekadashi which occures during the wanning moon in the month of August/September.  Please be kind to me and explain this.

            Lord Krishna replied O King! Hear me with full attention.  The name of this auspicious Ekadashi which removes all ones sins is Annada Ekadashi.  One who observes the vow of this Ekadashi and worships lord Hrishikesha, the master of the sences becomes freed from the reactions of his sinful activities.

            In an ancient time there was a famous emperer named Harischandra .  He was very truthful and honest.  Due to some unknown deeds and inorder to protect the validity of his promice he lost his great kingdom.  He even had to sell himslef wife and son.  O King !  this pious emperer became a menial sevant of a dog eater.  Still he maintained his firm faith in truthfulness.  By the order of his master the dogeater he began to accept the cloths from the dead bodies in the crimitorium as his salary.  Inspite of engaging in such a lowclass service he did not fall from his truthfulness and proper code of conduct.  In this way he spent many years.

            Then one day the king began to contemplate with great unhappiness.  What should I do?  Where should I go?  How will I delivered?  Considering that the king is in great distress the great sage Gautam came to him.  Onseeing the great sage the king thought the Lord Brahma the creater has created the Brahmana’s for the benefit of others.  The King then offered his respectful obeisances to that best of the brahmins and stood before him with folded hands.  Thereafter he narrated his entire pitiful story to sage Gautama.

           After hearing the pathitic story of the king the great sage Gautam became very astonished and instrcted the king O King! The Annada Ekadashi which occures during the wanning moon in the month of August/September is extremely auspicious and sin remover.  It is your good fortune that this Ekadashi is coming soon.  You should observe this Ekadashi by fasting and staying awake at night.  As a result of this soon all your sinful reaction will be eradicated.  O best of the Kings!  Only by your influence I have come here.

            After instructing King Harichandra in this way the great sage Gautama disappeared.  Thereafter according to the instruction of the sage the King observed the vow of Annada Ekadashi and became lioberated from all his sinful reactions.

            Lord Krishna concluded O Lion like King!  The wonderful influence of this Ekadashi is such that one immediately exhausts the sufferings that he was destined to suffer for many many years.  By the influence of this Ekadashi King Harishchandra regained his wife and his dead son became aliva.  The demigods began to ply drums and shower flowers on the sky. Thereafter by the influence of this Ekadashi the King enjoyed his kingdom without any impediment.  Finally the king went to the spiritual world along with his relatives, associates and subjects.  O King! Anyone who will observe this Ekadashi will become freed from all sins and go to the spiritual world.  By hearing or reading the glories of this Ekadashi one can obtain the result of horse sacrifice.

Chapter  -  20

Parsva  Ekadashi

            The glories of Parsva Ekadashi which is also known as Parivartini Ekadashi or Vamana Ekadashi is described in Brahmavaivartha Purana in the conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaj Yudhisthira.

           Maharaj Yudhisthira asked Lord Krishna what is the name of the Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the month of August/September.  How one should observe this Ekadashi and what is the merit one obtain by observing it?  Please explain to me all these in details.

            Lord Krishna replied O King!the Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the month of August/September is called Parsva Ekadashi.  This Ekadashi is very auspicious, it awards one liberation and takes away all ones sins.  Just by hearing the glories of this Ekadashi all the sinful reactions of a person is vanquished.  The peity one obtains by observing this Ekadashi can not be obtained even by performing Vajapeya sacrifice.  This Ekadashi is also known as Jayanthi Ekadashi.  One who worships Lord Vamana Deva with devotion on this day, he is worshiped by the inhabitants of the three worlds.  A person who worships the Lotus eyed Lord Vishnu with a lotus flower undoubtedly goes back to the abode of the Lord.   On this Ekadashi the sleeping lord turns from left side to right side.  That is why this Ekadashi is renowded as Parsva Parivartini (Changing sides) Ekadashi.

            Maharaj Yudhisthira said O Janardhana! Inspite of hearing your description I still have some doubts.  O Lord of lords!  How do you sleep and how do you change sides?  What are the proceedures for observing the vow of Chaturmasya?  What should people do when you are sleeping?  Why did you bind Bali Maharaja with roopes?  O my Lord! Please describe these to me in detail and remove my doubts.

           Lord Krishna replied O Lion like King!  There was a great devotee of me named Bali in Treta Yuga.  Although he was born in a demoniac family he regularly worship me and offered various prayers.  He also worshiped the brahmins and performed sacrifices.  Soon he became so prominent that he defeated Indra the king of heaven and conquered the heavenly planet.  Then Indra along with the other demigods and the sages approached me.  By their prayer I assumed the form of a dwarf (Vamana) and went to the sacrificial areana of King Bali dressed as a small bramachari.

            I asked Bali to give me three steps of Land in charity.  When Bali requested me to ask for some thing more after hearing my demand for only three steps of land, I exhibited my determination to remain satisfied with what I asked .  Without further consideration King Bali and his wife Vindhyawali gave me a the steps of land in charity.  Due to being the supreme personality of Godhead Lord Vamanadeva gradually began to expand  His body with his one step He covered the seven lower planetary systems and with his second step He coverd the entire planetary system.  He Also covered the entire sky by expanding His body. When Vamana deva asked for the place to set his third step King Bali offered his head with folded hands.  Then Lord Vamanadeva placed His third step on the head of the King Bali.  Being fully satisfied by his humility I blessed him that I will constantly live with you.

            On the day of this Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the month of August/September a deity form of Vamanadeva was installed in the residence of King Bali.   Another form of mine has been established in the bed of Anantha sesa in the ocean of milk.  The Supreme Lord sleeps for four months begining from Sayana Ekadashi upto Uttana Ekadashi.  One should specially worship the Lord during this four months. On should properly observe each and every Ekadashi.  By observing this Ekadashi on obtains the result of performing one thouosand horse sacrifices.

Chapter  -  21

Indira  Ekadashi

            The glories of Indira Ekadashi  is described in Brahmavaivartha Purana in the conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaj Yudhisthira.

            Maharaj Yudhisthira said O Krishna! O Madhusudana!  O Killer of the demon Madhu!  What is the name of the Ekadashi which occures during the wanning moon in the month of September/October.  What are the rules and regulations for observing this Ekadashi and what is the merit one gains by observing it.

            Lord Krishna replied, the name of this sacred Ekadashi is Indira Ekadashi.  By observing this Ekadashi one can deliver his degraded forefathers and all his sinful reactions are eradicated.

            O King! There was a King named Indrasen lived in Satya Yuga.  He was very expert in subduing his enemies.  He ruled his Kingdom Mahismatipuri with great prosperity.  He was surrounded by his children and grand children and lived happily.  He was always attached to the devotional service of the Vishnu.  The King who was a devotee and constantly absorbed in spiritual knowledge spent his time by chanting the holy names of Shri Govinda the bestower of liberation.

            One day when the king was happily sitting in his royal thrown suddenly Shri Narada Muni appeared before him from the sky.  On seeing the great sage Narada the King immediately stud  up with folded hands and then offered his respectful obeisances to him.  Thereafter the king duely worshiped the sage by sixteen ingredients.  After the sage was happily seated he asked Indrasen O great King! Are every one happy and prosperous in your kingdom?  Is your mind fixed in religious principles?  Are you engaged in devotion service to Vishnu .

            The King replied O best of the sages!  Everything is well and auspicious by your mercy.  Today my life has become successful by your darshan and my performing sacrifices bore fruits. O sage among the demigods! Please tell me the cause of your arrival.

            After hearing these humble words of the king Narada Muni said, O Lion like king ! Now hear about an wonderful incident that had happened to me.  O best of the Kings! Once I went to the abode of Yamaraja from the abode of Lord Brahma. Yamaraj greeted me respectfully and worshiped me properly.  After I was comfortably seated  I offered prayers to the pious truthful Yamaraj.  In the assembly of  Yamaraj I saw your greatly pious father.  As a result of breaking a vow your father had to go there.   O King!  He gave this message to me and requested me to convey this to you.  He said Indrasen the king of Mahismatipuri is my son.  O Lord please tell him that due to some sinful activities commited in my previous life now I am living in the abode of Yamaraj.  Therefore he should observe to vow of Indira Ekadashi and give away its  piety to me.  Then I will be released from my present condition of life.  Naradmuni continued, O King! This is your fathers request to you.  So inorder to deliver your father to the spiritual world you should observe the vow of Indira Ekadashi.

            Then King Indrasen said, O sage among the demigods now kindly explain to me the procedure for following this Indira Ekadashi.

            Naradmuni replied, On the day before Ekadashi one should take bath early in the moring and faithfully offer oblations to the forefathers for their satisfaction.  On that day one should eat only once and sleep on the floor at night.  On the day of Ekadashi one should rise early in the morning, brush his teeth, wash his hands and mouth and take bath.  Thereafter he should take a vow of not indulging in any kinds of material enjoyment and thus observe a total fast.  He should also pray to the Lordsaying O Lotus eyed one I take shelter of you.

            Thereafter at noon, in front of shaligrama sheela he should offer oblations to his forefather according to  proper rules and regulation. The he should  worship the brahmanas and after feeding them sumptiously he should give dakshina.  At the end one should give the remnants of the oblations to the cows.  During the day one should worship Lord Hrishikesha by offering sandal wood paste flowers, incense, lamp and foodstuffs with devotion.  One should remain awake that night while chanting,hearing and  remembering the names, forms. qualities and pastimes of the supreme lord.  On the day after Ekadashi one should worship lord Hari in the morning and feed the brahmins.  Thereafter one should break his fast by  eating along with his brothers,children, grandchildren and relatives while maintaining silence.  O King! If you follow this Ekadashi as a have just described then your father will certainly to the abode of Vishnu.  After speaking in this way Naradmuni disappeared from there.

            According to the instrructions of Naradmuni the king Indrasen strictly observed this Ekadashi.  O Son of Kunti this King accompanied by his children, servants and others duely  observed this vow.  As a result of observing this Ekadashi flowers  were showered from the sky.  The father of King Indrasen immediately rode on the back of Garuda and went to the abode of Lord Vishnu.  The saintly King Indrasen also ruled his kingdom without any impediment.  At the end of his life the king entrusted his kingdom to his son and personally retuned to the spiriutalk world.  Such is the glories of Indira Ekadashi.  Any one who reads or hears the gloies of this Ekadashi, becomes freed from all sinful reactions and altimately  returns to the abode of Vishnu.

Chapter  -  22

Pasankusa  Ekadashi

            The glories of Pasankusa Ekadashi  which occures during the waxing moon in the month of September/October is described in Brahmavaivartha Purana in the conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaj Yudhisthira.

          Maharaj Yudhisthira said O Madhusudan what is the name of the Ekadashi that occures during the waxing moon in the month of September/October.  Please be kind and explain this to me .

            Lord Krishna replied, O best of the Kings! The name of this Ekadashi is Pasankusa Ekadashi .  Now please hear from me the glories of this Ekadashi which distroyes all ones sins.  Some people also call this Ekadashi as Papankusa Ekadashi.  One should specially worship lord Padmanabha on the day of this Ekadashi.  This Ekadashi awards a person the heavenly pleasures liberation and his desired results.  Just by chanting the holy names of Lord Vishnu one can attain all the peity of visiting all the holy places on the earth.  If a conditioned soul inspite of indulging in various sinful activities due to illusion takes shelter and offers obeisances at the lotus feet of  Lord Hari who is expert in delivering the fallen souls then such a person does not have to go to hell.

            Those Vaishnavas who criticise Lord Shiva and those Saivaites who criticise lord Vishnu are both undoubtedly go to hell.  The result one obtains by performing one thousand horse sacrifices or by performing one hundred Rajasuya sacrifices can not be equal to the one sixteenth portion of peity one obtains by following this Ekadashi.  There is no peity in this world which is equal to the peity earned by observing the Ekadashi.  Therefore there is no other day as santified as this day of Ekadashi which is very dear to Lord Padmanabha.

            O King!  As soon as a person fails to observe Ekadashis the sins begin to reside in his body.  This Ekadashi awards its follower the heavenly pleasure ,liberation , freed from deceased condition, beautiful women, wealth and food grains.  O maintainer of the earth! If one observes this Ekadashi and remains awake on  that night easily goes to the abode of Lord Vishnu.

            Lord Krishna continued  O best of the Kings!  By observing the vow of this Ekadashi one can deliver ten generations from his mothers family , ten generations from his fathers family and ten generations from his wifes family.  If a person observes this Ekadashi either in his chilhood or youthhood or in his oldage he does not suffer the miseries of the material existence.  One who strictly observes this Pasankusa or Papankusa Ekadashi then all his sinful reactions are eradicated and at the end of his life he reaturns to the abode of Lord Vishnu.  If a person gives away gold, sesame seeds, land,cow, food grains,water, umbrella or shoes in charity then such a person does not have to goo to the abode of Yamaraj.   Any one who spents his day wiuthout engaging in pious activities he is like a dead man although he is breathing.  His breathing is compared to the bellows of the blacksmith.

            O best of the Kings! A person who digs well and lakes for the benefit of others, donates land and houses and perform other pious activities such as performing sacrifices is not subjected to the punishment of Yamaraja.  As a result of peity only people live long lives, become rich, take birth in highclass families and become deseaseless.  The purport is that the direct result of observing Ekadashi is to attain devotional service to Krishna and the indirect result is to attain the temporary material benefits.

Chapter  -  23

Rama  Ekadashi

            The glories of Rama Ekadashi is described in the Brahmavaivartha Purana in the conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaj Yudhisthira.

            Maharaj Yudhisthira said  O Janardhan! what is the name of the Ekadashi that occures during the wanning moon in the month of October/November.  Please explain this to me .

            Lord Krishna replied, O Lion among Kings! The name of this Ekadashi is Rama Ekadashi and it vanquishes all ones sinful reactions.  Now please hear about the glories of this sacred Ekadashi.

           Long Long ago there was a famous King named Muchukunda.  He was a good friend of Indra the King of Heaven.  He also had friendship with the personalities like Yamaraj, Varuna, Kubera and Vibhisana.  This King was very truthful and always attached to the devotional service of Lord Vishnu.  He ruled his Kingdom with proper code of conduct.

           In due course of time King Muchukunda begot a daughter.  According to the name of a best river Chandrabhaga she was given the name Chandrabhaga.  She was married to a handsome person named Shobhana who was the son of Chandrasena.  One day Shobhana came to the house of his father-in-law on the day of the Ekadashi.  Chandrabhaga became greatly worried and contemplated O my Lord! What will happen now ?  My husband is very weak and he cannot tolerate hunger.  Morever my father is also very strict.  On the day before Ekadashi my father useually sends his servant to announce that no one can eat on the day of Ekadashi.

            When Shobhana heard about this custom he said to his dear wife, O dearone! What should I do now? What can I do so that my life is protected and the order of the King is not transgressed.  Chandrabhaga replied, O my lord! What to speak of the human being even the elephants, horses and other animals in the kingdom of my father will not be allowed to eat anything today.  O husband then how can the human beings possibily eat?  O respected huband!  If you must eat today then you will have to go back to your house.  Therefore consider carefully and take a decision.

            After hearing the words of his wife Shobhana said what you have said is indeed true but I wish to observe this Ekadashi.  Whatever is destined to me will certainly happen.  Considering in this way Shobhana decided to observe this sacred Ekadashi.  He became overwhelmed with hunger and thirst.  When the sun had set all the vaishnavas and pious human being became very happy.  O Lion among Kings! They happily spent the entire night chanting and worshiping the supreme Lord.  But it was intolerable for Shobana to pass that night and thus he died just before the sunrise.  King Muchukunda completed Shobhans funeral rites with royal prestige by buring him with fragrant sandal wood.  According to the order of her father Chandrabhaga did not burn herself in the funeral fire in other words she did not die with her husband.  Chandrabhaga, after completing her husbands Sraddha ceremony continued to live at the house of her father.

            O King! Meanwhilke by the infulence of observing Rama Ekadashi Shobhana became the King of the beautiful ciuty of  Devapura which was situated at the peak of Mandara mountain.  He began to live in an appulent residence whose pillars were made  of gold and bedecked with jeweel and whose walls were decorated with Jems and crystals.  A beautiful white umbrella was held over his head which was decorated with a golden crown bedeck with jewells.  His ears were decorated with earings, his neck was decorated with a neckless and his arms were decorated with a golden armlets.  Decorated in this way Shobhana sat on the royal thrown.  He was always served by the gandharvas and apsaras and appeared just like  Indra the King of the heaven.

             One day a brahmin named Somasharma who was a resident of Muchukundapur arrived in the kingdom of Shobhana in the course of travelling to the holy places.  Considering Shobhana as the son-in-law of King Muchkunda the brahmin approached him.  As soon as the King saw him he stood up with folded hands and then offered his respectful obeisances to the King.  Thereafter Shobhana inquired from the brahamin about his welbeing as well as the well beings of his father-in-law Muchukund, wife Chandrabhaga and all the reseidents of Muchukundapur.    He also informed the King that everyone was living in peace and harmony.  With great amazement the brahmin said to the King O King! I have never seen such a beautiful city like this before.  Please tell me how have you obtained such a kingdom?

            The King replied, by the influence of observing Rma Ekadashi which occures during the wanning moon in the month of October/November I have received this temporary kingdom.  O best of the brahmanas please advice me in such a way that my kingdom can remain permanently.  I think because I observed the Ekadashi without faith hence I have received this unstudy kingdom.  Please explain these topics to Chandrabhaga the beautiful daughter of King Muchukunda.  I think she is capable of making it study.

            After hearing this words of king Shobhana the brahmin returned to Muchukundapur and told everything to Chandrabhaga in detail.   When Chandrabhaga heard the whole incident she became extremely joyful and said to the brahmin, O great brahmin! Your statements are appearing to me just like a dream.  Then the brahmin Somasharma said O daughter! I have personally seen your husband at Devpuri.  I have also seen his entire kingdom which is as bright as the sun but he told me that his kingdom was not study.  Therefore you should try to make his kingdom study by any means.   Chandrabhaga said O respected Brahmana please take me there because I have developed an intence desire to see my husband.  I will make his kingdom study on the strength of my piety.  O twice born!  Please make some arrangement so that I can meet him for by helping the seperated to meet one occumulates peity.

            There after Somasharma took Chandrabhaga and went to the ashrama of Bamadev which was situated near Mandara Mountain.  After hearing the whole story from the bright faced Chandrabhaga Bamadev initiated her with vedic mantras.  By the influence of the mantras received from sage Bamadev and by the piety accumulated

as  a result of observing Ekadashi Chandrabhaga obtained a spiritual body.  Thereafter Chandrabhaga happily went  before her husband.

            Upon seeing his wife Shobana became extremely pleased and satisfied.  Chandrabhaga said O my respected husband please hear my  benefitial words.  I have been strictly observing Ekadashi from the age of eight at the house of  my father.  May that occumulated peity make your kingdom study and let it continue o prosper until the time of enahilation.  Thereafter having received divine body and decorated with opulant ornaments she began to enjoy the association of her husband.  By the influence of Rama Ekadashi Shobana also received a divine body and began to enjoy with his wife at the peak of Mandara Mountain.  Therefore O King this Rama Ekadashi  is just like the wishful filling cow or a touched stone.

            Lord Krisha continued O King I have thus explained to you the glories of auspicious Rama Ekadashi.  A person who strictly observes the vow of this Ekadashi  he is undoubtedly  freed from the sin of killing a brahamin.  Just as  black cows and white cows both  give white milk similarly Ekadashis of wanning moon and Ekadashis of waxing moon both award liberation to the followers.  Any one who hears the glories of this Ekadashi becomes liberated from all sinful reactions and happily resides in the abode of Lord Vishnu.

Chapter  -  24

Utthana  Ekadashi

            The glories of Utthana Ekadashi is described in Skanda Purana in the conversation between Lord Brahma and Narada Muni.  Once Lord Brahma said to Narada Muni O best of the sages!  Please hear from me the glories of Utthana Ekadashi which destroys all ones sinful reactions, increases ones piety and awards one liberation.  O best among the brahmins!  The supremecy of the ganges was intact as long as Utthana Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the month of October/November and which burns all ones sins into ashes did not manifest in this world.  The influence of the oceans and lakes piety was matchless as long as Utthana Ekadashi did not manifest.  The result one obtains by performing one thousand horse sacrifices and one hundred Rajsuya sacrifices can easily be obtained by observing this Ekadashi.

            After hearing this words of Lord Brahma Narada Muni said, O dear father! Please tell me What is the merit one attains by eating ones a day, by taking supper in the evening and by complete fasting?

            Lord Brahma replied, If one eats ones a day then all the sinful reactions of his one life time is destroyed,   If one eats supper then the sinful reactins of his two life time are destroyed and by fasting completly one can destroy the sinful reactions of his seven life times.

            O dear son!  This Utthana Ekadashi awards everything that are unseen undesired and rare within the three worlds.  This Ekadashi burns to ashes the grave sins as big as Mandara  Mountain.  The lion among sages if a person accumulates any piety on this day of Ekadashi then he obtains results equal to Sumeru Hill.  In the body of those who do not prayers to the lord, who are fallen from their vows, who are ethiestic, who blashfame the vedas, who polute the religious scripture, who enjoyes others wife and who are foolish religious principle cannot remain.  On should not indulge in sinful activities rather he should engage in pious activities.  If one is inclained towards pious activities his religious principle are not distroyed.  One who confidently follows the vow of Utthana Ekadashi, the sinful reactions of his one hundred life times are vanquished.  If one reamains awake on the night of Utthana Ekadashi then his past, present and future generations returned to the abode of Vishnu.

            O Narada! A person who does not observe the vow of Ekadashi in the month of Kartik and does not worship Lord Vishnu then all his accumulated piety is totally distroyed.  O best of the brahmin! Therefore one should certainly worship lord Vishnu in the month of Kartik.  If one eats food stuff cook by himself in the month of Kartik he obtains the result of Chandrayana vrata.  If one engages in hearing and chanting the topics of Lord Vishnu in the month of Kartik attains the result of donating one hundred cows.  By regularly studying the scriptures one achives the result of performing one thousand sacrifices.  A person who hears the topics of the lord and then gives dakshina to the speaker according to his capacity goes to the eternal abode of the lord.

            Narada Muni said O Lord! Kindly explain to me the procedure for observing Ekadashi.  The grand father Brahma replied, O best of the twice born one should rise early in the morning during Brahma Muhurtha and after washing his mouth and taking bath he should worship lord Keshva.  Then he should take a vow while chanting a mantra as follows.  ‘ I will fast on the day of Ekadashi and I will only eat on the day of Dvadasi.  O Pundarikaksa ! O Achyuta! I surrounder unto you Please protect me’.  One should gladly observe the vow of Ekadashi with devotion and at night one should remain awake near

Lord Vishnu.  While remaining awake at night one should hear and chant the transcendental qualities of the Lord. Any pious person who follows these instructions attains supreme destination.  One should give up all kinds of greedyness on the day of Ekadashi.

            Lord Brahma continued, If one worships Lord Janardhana with Kadamba flowers does not go to the abode of Yamaraj.  If one worships Lord Garudadvaja or Lord Vishnu with rose flowers in the month of Kartika certainly gets liberation.  If one worships the Lord with Bakula and Ashoka flowers then he becomes freed from lementation for as long as the sun and the moon rise in the sky.  If one worships the lord with sami leaves escapes the punishment of Yamaraja.  If one worships Lord Vishnu who is the controler of the demigod with Champaka flowers during the rainy reason then he will not have to take birth again within the material world.  If one offers yellow coloured Ketaki flowers to Lord Vishnu then all his sinful reactions accumulated from millions of life time is distroyed.  If one offers red coloured fragrent hundred petelled lotus flower Lord Jagannatha then he returns to the abode of the lord known as Svetadvipa.

            O best of the brahmins! One should remain awake on the night of Ekadashi.  On the day of dvadasi one should worship lord Vishnu and complete his vow by feeding the brahmins.  According to ones ability if one should worships his spiritual master and gives him charity then the supreme lord becomes freed with him.

Chapter  -  25

Padmini  Ekadashi

             Maharaj Yudhisthira said, O Krishna!  O Janardhana! What is the name of the Ekadashi which occures during the wanning moon of the extra leap year month? What is the procedure for observing this Ekadashi and what merit one gains by observing it.  Please describe this to me.

            Lord Krishna replied, O King !  The name of this sacred Ekadashi is Padmini Ekadashi.  If one strictly observes this Ekadashi he returns to the abode of Lord Padmanabha.  This Ekadashi counteracts all ones sinful reactions.  Even Lord Brahma is unable to describe the results of this Ekadashi.

            Long Long ago Lord Brahama described the glories of Padmini Ekadashi which awads its followers opulance and liberation to the great sage Narada.

           Lord Krishna continued , One should begin to observe the vow on the day of Dasami or the day before Ekadashi.  One should not eat food stuff cooked by others, should not eat in a plate made made of bellmetal, should not eat Urad Dal,Chickpea, spinach and honey on the day before Ekadashi.  One should eat boiled sunned rice with ghee and rock salt.  One should sleep on the floor and observe strick celivasy on the day of Ekadashi.

            On the day of Ekadashi one should rise early in the morning, brush his teeth and take bath.  Thereafter he should worship the supreme Lord with sandal wood paste, incense,lamp, aguru, camphor and water.  One should chant the holy names and glories of the lord.   One should not indulge in useless takes.  If one drinks water or milk on the day of Ekadashis which occures during the extra leap year month then his vow is spoiled.  One should remain awake at night on Ekadashi and glorify the holy names and qualities of the supreme lord.  By remaining awake the first three hours of the night one obtains the result of performing agnistoma sacrifice.  By remaining awake  the first six hours of the night one obtains the result of performing bajpayea sacrifice.  By remaining awake the first nine hours of the night one obtains the result of performing ashvamedha sacrifice and by remaining awake the entire night one obtains the result of rajasuya sacrifice.  On the day of Dvadasi or the day after Ekadashi one should complete his vow by feeding the vaishnavas and the brahmanas.  A person who observes this Ekadashi in this way certainly attains liberation.

            Lord Krishna continued, O sinlessone! According to your inquiry I have thus explained to you the proceedure for observing the Padmini Ekadashi.  Now please hear about an enchanting story which once Pulastya Muni narrated to Narada Muni.

             Once Kartaviryarjuna defeated Ravana and put him in the prision house.  When Pulastya Muni saw Ravana in this condition he went to Kartaviryarjuna  and requested him  to release Ravana.  Being requested by the great sage the King finally released Ravana.  Upon hearing this amazing event Narada Muni humbly asked Pulastya Muni  O best of the sages! Since Ravana defeated all the demigods including Indra how could Kartaviryarjuna defeat Ravana. Please explain this to me.

            Pulastya Muni replied, O Narada! In Tretayuga there was a King named Kritavirya who took birth in the dynasty of Haihaya.  His capital was Mahismatipuri.  King Kritavirya had one thousand wifes but he had no suitable son to take over the reign of the king.  Although the king worshiped the forefathers, saintly persons and observed various vows under the guidence of the saintly person still yet he was not blessed with a son.  Then the king decided to undergo austerities.  The king entrusted his responsibility to his prime minister and set out for undergoing austerities by wearing a dress made of bark.  When he was about to live his palace one of his wives Padmini the daughter of King Harischandra who appeared in the royal family of  King Iksvaku, saw him.  When the chaste wife saw her husband going to the forest to perform austerities she immediately gave up all her ornaments . She too accompanied her husband to the Mandara Mountain.

            At the summit of Mandara Mountain King Kritavirya and his wife Padmini performed severe austerities for ten thousand years.  Upon seeing that her husbands body is  becoming day by day the chaste wife thought of a solution.  Once Padmini humbly asked the greatly chaste Anusuya the wife of sage Atri. ‘ O chaste lady! My husband has spent ten thousand years in performing austerities yet he could not please Lord Kesava who destroyes  once meseries.  O fortunateone! Please tell me about a vow by following of which the supreme lord  will be pleased and I will be blessed with a son who will become a powerful King.  Being pleased by the prayer of chaste Queen Padmini, Anusuya said, ‘ After every thirty-two months an extra leap year month comes.  The two Ekadashis of this month are known as Padmini and Parama.  If you observe this Ekadashi then soon the supreme lord will be pleased with you and award your desired result.

            Lord Krishna continued, According to the instruction of Anusuya queen Padmini duely observed this Ekadashi.  Then Lord Keshava riding on the back of Garuda came before Padmini and ordered her to ask for benediction.  The queen first offered her obeisances to the Lord and offered prayers.  Then she requested the lord to bless them with a son.  Then the lord said , O gentle lady! I am very pleased with you.  There is no month as dear to me as the month of Adhika Masa or leap year month.  The Ekadashis of this month is more dear to me.  You have properly observed this Ekadashi.  Therefore I will certainly fullfill the desire of your husband.

            After speaking in this way to Padmini the Lord came before the King and said O great King please ask for your desired benediction.  I have been pleased by your wife for she observed the sacred vow of Ekadsi.  On hearing this words of Vishnu  the King became jublilint and begged the lord to give him a son who will be very powerful and always victorious.  He said O Madhusudana! The lord of the universe let me have a son who will not be defeated by the demigods, humanbeings,serpents and demons.  The Lord granted the King his desired boon and disappeared.

            Being fully satisfied the king and his wife regained their health and returned to their opulant kingdom.  In due course of time the queen Padmini gave birth to a powerful son who became famous as Kartaviryarjuna.  There was no other warrior in the three worlds as great as him.  Even the ten headed Ravana was defeated by him. After narrating this wonderful story the great sage Pulatsya left.

            Lord Krishna concluded , O sinless king! I have thus described to you the glories of the Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon of an extra leap year month.  O best of the Kings! Any one who will observe this Ekadashi will certainly go to the abode of Lord Hari.  According to the statement of Shri Krishna Maharaja Yudhisthira with his entire family observed this Ekadashi.

             A person who faithfully observes this Padmini Ekadashi his life become glories.  One who hears or reads the glories of this Ekadashi obtains a great amount of Piety.

Chapter  -  26

Parama  Ekadashi

            The glories of Parama Ekadashi which occures during the wanning moon on an extra leap year month is described by Lord Krishna to Maharaj Yudhisthira.

            Maharaj Yudhisthira said , O my Lord! What is the name of the Ekadashi which occures during the wanning moon on an extra leap year month and what is the procedure of observing this Ekadashi.

           Lord Krishna replied, O King!  The name of this Ekadashi is Parama Ekadashi.  This Auspicious Ekadashi destroyes all ones sinfulreactions and awards one material enjoyment and liberation.  The procedure for observing this Ekadashi is same as I have already discribed to you.  One should worship the supreme lord who is the master of all beings on this Ekadashi.  Now please hear an enchanting story which I had heard from the sages in the city of Kampilya.

            There was a pious brahmin named Sumedha lived in the city of Kampilya.  He had a chast wife named Pavitra.  But due to some sinful activities this brahmin became poor.  He could not earn his livelihood even by begging.   He had no food to eat no cloth to wear and no place to sleep.  Nevertheless his young beautiful wife faithfully served him.  Often she had to remain hungry for the sake of serving a guest.  Inspite of often remaining hungy her face did not become pale.  She never told her husband about this.

           Upon seeing that his wife was becoming weak day by day the brahmin condemned himself and said to his sweet speaking wife O dear one! Although I have tried to beg from the most influential people yet I did not get anything now tell me what should I do?  Should I go to a foreign country to earn wealth.  I may get some thing there if I am fortunate.  Without enthusiasam no work is successful that is why inteligent persons always praise the enthusiasam of the people.

            After hearing these words of her husband Sumedha the beautiful eyed Pavitra said to her husband with folded hands and tears in her eyes.  There is none else more inteligent than you.  What ever we do and what ever we achieve in this world are due to our previous deeds.  If one has no piety accumulated from his previous life he cannot attain any thing however he may try.  If a person distributes knowledge or wealth in his previous life attain similar things in this life.  O best of the brahmin! It seems that neither you or me gave any charity the  suitable candidate in our previous life.  That is why both of ous will have to stay here together.  O Lord!  I can not remain without you even for a movement.  Morever if you go then people will call me an unfortunate and condemn me.  Therefore please be happy with whatever wealth you can collect here.  You will certainly achieve happiness in this country only.

             Upon hearing these words of his wife the brahmin droped his plan to go to a foreign country.  One day by providence the great sage Kaundinya Muni came there.  As soon as Sumedha saw him , he and his wife became joyful and offered their obeisances  to the sage.  He offered an Asana to the sage and worshiped him properly.  He said O great sage! Today our lifes have become successful for we have received your darshan.  Thereafter the couple fed the sage according to their ability.  Then the wife of the brahmin asked O learned sage! What is the means of distroying poverty?Without giving any charity how can one get wealth education and so on?  My husband wanted to go to a foreign country in order to earn wealth but I have stoped him from this act,  It is indeed our  good fortune that you have come here.  By your mercy our poverty will certainly be distroyed.  Now please instruct us in such a way so that our poverty is distroyed.

            After hearing these words Pavitra the great sage Kaundinya said, There is an auspicious Ekadashi which occures during the wanning moon on the extra leap year month.  This Ekadashi is very dear to the lord and it is known as Parama Ekadashi.  This Ekadashi vanquishes ones sinful reactions, material meseries and poverty.  By observing this Ekadashi a person certainly become prosperous.  This sacred Ekadashi was first observed by Kubera.  As a result of this Lord Shiva became pleased and awarded him the benedcation to become very rich.  By observing this Ekadashi King Harishchandra regained his kingdom and wife whom he once sold out.  O beautiful eyed! You should also observe this Ekadashi.  Lord Krishna continued, O Pandava! After happily and effectionately discribing the topics of Parama Ekadashi Kaundinya Muni discribed the auspicious vow known as Pancharatrika.  By observing Pancharatrika vow one attains liberation.  One should begin to observe Pancharatriaka vow from the day of Parama Ekadashi with proper rules and regulations.  Any one who according to his ability      fasts for five days begining from Parama Ekadashi he goes back to the abode of Lord Vishnu along with his father, mother and wife.  One who only eat ones a day during this five days becomes freed from all sinful reactions and goes to the spiritual world.

            Accoring to the instructions of Kaundinya Muni both the husband and wife duely observed this Parama Ekadashi.  When the vows of Ekadashi and Panchratrika were completed a prince from the royal palace came there being inspired from Lord Brahma the prince offered then a new house decorated with beautiful royal furniture.  He also gave a cow to the brahmin for their livelihood and after praising the brahmin couple the price left.  As a result of this this price returned to the abode of Vishnu at the end of his life.

            As the brahmins are best among the human beings as the cows are best among the four legged animals,  as Indra is the best among the demigods similarly the leap year month is the best among all the months.  Within this month the two Ekadashis namely Padmini and Parama are most dear to Lord Hari.  Having received the human form of life if a person doesnot observe Ekadashi then he never attains any happiness throught his eight million four hundren thousand spices of life.  Rather he suffers unlimited meseries.  By virtue of great piety one obtains a human birth that is why one should certainly observe the vow of Ekadashi.

           After hearing the glories of this Ekadashi Maharaj Yudhisthira along with his wife and brothers observed this sacred Ekadashi.

Appendix

The glories of Ekadashi described in Garga Samhita

            Narad Muni said O Maithil ! Please hear about the topics of the Gopis which destroyes all ones sinful activities awards piety, fulfils all ones desires and is the source of all auspiciousness.

            There is country named Ushinara in South India.  Once there was no rain fall in this country for ten years.  The prosperous cowherd men of this place became afraid of the severe drought and they left for Braja Mandal along with their relatives and cows.  O King!  They came and lived at  the transcendental  abode of  Vrindavan near Jamuna under the guidence of Nanda Maharaj.   By the benediction of Ramachandra many gopis took birth in their families.  They were all transcendental beautiful and decorated with fresh youth.  O best of the kings!  After seeing beautiful Krishna they became enchanted  and in order to know how to please Krishna they approached Shri Radha.

             The gopis said O Radhe! O daughter of King Vrisabhanu! O lotus eyed one! Please instruct us about a vow by which we can please Shri Krishna.  Krishna the son of Nanda Maharaj and who is rarely attained even by the demigods is under your control.  O Radhe!   You are the enchanter of the entire universe and expert in all the scripture.

            Shri Radha said, you should observe Ekadashi in order to please Shri Krishna.  The the lord certainly be controled there is no doubt about it.  The gopis said,  O Radhike ! please tell us the names of Ekadashis which occures during a full year and how one should observe Ekadashi.  Radha replied, Ekadashi first appeared from the body of Lord Vishnu during the wanning moon in the month of November/December in order to kill  demon Mura.  Then this exalted Ekadashi appears every month in different form.  For your benefit I am describing their names. Utpanna, Moksada, Saphala, Putrada, Sat tila, Jaya,Vjaya, Amlaki, Papamochani, Kamada, Varuthini, Mohini, Apara, Nirjala, Yogini, Devasayani, Kamini, Pavitra, Aja, Padma, Indira, Pasankusa, Rama, Prabodhini these are the twenty-four Ekadashis which occure during one complete year.  Apart from them there are two more Ekadashis namely Padmini and Parama which occures during an extra leap year month.  Any one who chants the names of these twenty-six Ekadashis, obtainsthe result of observing the vow of Dvadasi for the entire year.

        O damshells of Braj! Now hear about the rules and regulations for observing Ekadashi.  On the day before Ekadashi one should sleep on the floor eat only ones and control the sences.  He should also drink water only ones and remain neat and clean.  On the day of Ekadashi one should rise early in the morning during Brahma muhurta and offer obeisances to Lord Hari.  To take bath with well water is the lowest, to take bath in a pond is medium, to take bath in a large pool is the highest and to take bath in a river is the best of all.  A pious person should take bath in this way and give up his anger and greed.  One should not apply oil on the day of Ekadashi.  A person should giveup associating with low class sinful and ethiests on the day of Ekadashi A person who is observing the vow should carefully avoid the association of those who speak lies, who blashphame the brahmins, who steal others things, who enjoy the association of others wife, who are miscreants and who do not show respects to the exalted personalities.  On the day of Ekadashi one should worship lord Keshava with devotion and offer Him palatable foodstuffs, one should offer lamp in the temple of the lord.  One should hear the glories of the vow from the mouth of a brahmin and then give him sufficient dakshina.  One should remain awake on the night of Ekadashi while singing the transcendental glories of Krishna.  One should avoid eating in a bellmetal plate, eating meat, pinkdal, any kind of intoxicant, spinach, honey preboiled rice, eating more then ones and indulging in sex life on the day before Ekadashi.  On the day of  Ekadashi one should give up gambling, sleeping, eating betalnuts and pan, brushing teeth, criticising others, cheating, stealing,becoming anvious,indulge in sex life, becoming angry and speaking lies.

           On the day of Dvadasi one should not eat on a bellmetal plate, Urad Dal, Honey, Oil and contaminated food stuff.  One should strictly follow these rules and regulations.  The gopis said O Greatly learnedone! Please explain to us the proper time for observing Ekadashi.  Shri Radha replied, if the tithi of dasami is consists of fiftyfive dandas then one should not fast on the next day rather he should fast on the day of Dvadasi.  If an Ekadashi is conjoined with a fraction of second of Dasami then such an Ekadashi should be rejected like a pot of ganges water mixed with a drop of wine.  If an Ekadashi extends on the day of Dvadasi then one should fast on the day of Dvadasi.  O damshells of Braja by hearing the glories of Ekadashi one obtains the result of Vajpayee Sacrifice.   The result one obtains by following a vow of a Dvadasi is equal to that of  feeding 88,000 brahmins.   By observing the vow of Ekadashi one obtains one thousand times more results then the result one obtains by donating the entire earth with all the oceans and forests.  Observing the vow of Dvadasi is adviced as the means of deliverance for those who are absorbed in the ocean of material existence which is filled with the mare of sinful activities.  If human beings observe Ekadashi by remaining awake on the night of Ekadashi then even if they are very sinful they do not go to the fearful abode of Yamaraja.

A person who worships lord Hari with devotion on the day of Dvadasi by offering him Tulasi leaves never become touched by sin just as a lotus leaf  remains  untouched

by water.  The results of performing one thousand horse sacrifices and one hundred Raja Suya sacrifices is not even equal to the one sixteenth portions of the results obtained by observing Ekadashi.  By observing Ekadashi a person delivers ten generations of his mothers family, ten generation from his fathers family and ten generations from his wifes family.  A cow may be a  white or black but both are qualitatively same because both give milk.  Similarly the Ekadashis of both the wanning moon and waxing moon are same in awarding piety,

O Gopis! An Ekadashi burns to ashes aheaps of sinful reactions of a person accumulated from one hundred life times.  The charity given on the day of Dvadasi may it be less or more or given with or without proper rules and regulations, awards merits equal to that of a mountain.  A person who hears the topics of Hari on the day of Ekadashi obtains the result of giving the entire earth which consists of seven Islands in charity.  The piety one achieves by taking bath in the holy place of Gaya and seeing the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu is not even equal to the one sixteenth portion of piety obtained by observing Ekadashi.  The merit one obtains by giving charity at Prabhasa Ksetra, Kuruksetra, Kedarnath, Badrikashrama, Kashi, Sukaraksetra, during solar and lunar eclips, as well as giving charity during four hundred thousand Sankrantis (When the sun enters into a perticular rasi) is not even equal to one sixteenth portion of merit one obtains by fasting on Ekadashi.

Shri Radha continued O Gopis! Just as Ananta is best among the snakes, Garuda is best among the birds, Lord Vishnu is best among the demigods, the brahmana is best among the varnas, banyan tree is best among the trees and tulasi is best among the leaves similarly the vow of Ekadashi is best among all the vows.  The result one obtains by performing austerities for ten thousand years is obtained simply by observing the vow of a Dvadasi.  O damshells of braja!  Such are the glories of the vow of Ekadashi.  All of you should immediately observe this vow.

            The gopis said, O beautiful one! O daughter of king Vrisabhanu! You are expert in all scriptures.  Even the statement of Brihaspati is baffled before the statement of you.  O Radhe!  You are directly the ocean of transcendental knowledge.  Please describe to us perticularly the names of those who had previously observed these Ekadashis.  Radha replied, O Gopis! Inorder to regain their lost kingdom the demigods had observed this sacred Ekadashi long long ago.  King Vaishanta observed this Ekadashi inorder to deliver his forfather from the abode of Yamaraja.  The sinful king Lumpaka who was rejected by his subjects observed the vow of Ekadashi and regained his lost kingdom.  King Ketumana of Badravati who had no son observed the vow of Ekadashi according to the instruction of the learned brahmins and was blessed with a son.  Once the wives of  the demigods instructed the wife of the brahman to observe Ekadashi.  Though that wife of the brahman was an ordinary human being yet she achieved prosperity and heavenly pleasure.  Both Pushpa danta and Malyavan became ghosts due to being cursed by their enemies, but by observing the vow of Ekadashi they regained their original forms as Gandharva.  In the ancient time inorder to built a bridge on the ocean and to kill Ravana Ramachandra observed this Ekadashi.  At the end of the annihilation the demigods observed the vow of Ekadashi under the Amalaki tree for the benefit of entire world.

Sage Medhavi observed the vow of Ekadashi according to the instruction of his father and became freed from the bad association of Apsaras and thus became fully effulgent.  A Gandharva named Lalit became a demon by the curse of his wife but by observing this Ekadashi he regained his position as a Gandharva.  By observing the vow of Ekadashi many great kings like Mandata, Sagara,Kakutstha, Muchukunda and Dhundhumara went back to the spiritual world.  By observing Ekadashi Lord Shiva became freed from the curse of brahma.  A son of a Vaishya named Dristhabuddi returned to Vaikuntha by observing this Ekadashi.  King Rukmangada also observed the vow of Ekadashi.  As a result he enjoyed the whole world as his kingdom and yet the end of his life returned to Vaikuntha with his subjects. King Ambarisa also observed this Ekadashi and as a result even the inevitable curse of Lord Brahma could not touch him.  A yaksa named Hema Mali became afflicted by leapracy due to the curse of Kubera but observing the vow of Ekadashi he became as good as the moon.  By observing Ekadashi king Mahijit was blessed by a son and at the end of his life returned to Vaikuntha.

In Satyayuga there was a king named Shobhana who became the son-in-law of King Muchukunda.  He observed Ekadashi and attained a beautiful place among the demigods in  Mandara Mountain. Even today he is ruling his kingdom with his wife Chandrabhaga like Kubera.  O gopis!  Know it for certain that the vow of Ekadashi is the highest of all.  There is no tithi as auspicious as the tithi of Ekadashi.

Narada Muni concluded, after hearing this description from Shri Radha the gopis properly observed the Ekadashi inorder to attain the favour of Krishna.  As a result of their observing Ekadashi lord Hari became pleased with them and performed Rasa dance with them on the full moon night in the month of Agrahayana (November).

The extreme necessity for observing the vow of eight Maha Dvadasis

In this regard one should also know the topics of eight Maha Dvadasis.  These topics are described in Brahma vaivartha Purana in the conversation between Shri Suta Goswami and Saunaka Risi .

Shri Suta Goswami said, O learned brahmin! Unmilani, Bynjuli, Trisprisha, Paksavardhini,Jaya, Vijaya, Jayanti and Papanasini - These are the eight Maha Dvadasis.  They are most auspicious and destroy all ones sinful reactions.  Among these eight Mahadvadasis the first four occure according to the tithi or day and the later four occures according to nakshatra or star.  Nevertheless all of them distroy hipes of sinful reactions.

The specialities of eight Maha Dvadasis are ascertained as follows.

1.  If an Ekadashi extends on the day of dvadasi, but the day of Dvadasi does not extend then it is called Unmilani Maha Dvadasi.  It destroyes all ones sinful reactions.

2.      If an Ekadashi does not extend to the day of Dvadasi, but the day of Dvadasi Extends onto the day of Trayodasi then it is called Bynjuli Maha Dvadasi.  It counteracts unlimited sins.

3.  If an Ekadashi extends upto the sunrise on the day of Dvadasi and the Dvadasi extends upto the sunrise of Trayodasi then it is called Trisprisha Maha Dvadasi.  This Maha Dvadasi is extremely dear to Lord Hari.(But if the above mentioned Ekadashi is conjoined with Dasami then it will not be a Trisprisha Maha Dvadasi).

4.    If an Amavasya or Purnima extends then the Dvadasi which comes prior to them is known as Paksavardhini Maha Dvadasi.  Instead of observing a fast on Ekadashi one should observe fast on Dvadasi.

These  above mentioned four Dvadasis are acertained according to the conjuction of the days.

5.  It is stated in Brahmapurana in the conversation between sage Vasistha and King Mandata that if the Nakshatra called Punarvasu touches the day of Dvadasi of the waxing moon then it is called Jaya Maha Dvadasi.  This Maha Dvadasi is  most auspicious  among all the tithis.

6.  It is written in Vishnu Dharmottara that when Sravana Nakshatra conjoins with the Dvadasi of the waxing moon it is called Vijaya Maha Dvadasi.  Since Shri Vamanadeva appeared during Sravana Nakshatra this Mahadvadasi is unlimitedly glorious.  Morever if such a Mahadvadasi occures on a Wednesday in the month of August then its glories are indiscribable.  On that day one should perticularly discuss the topics of Shri Vamanadeva.

7.  If a Dvadasi of the waxing moon is conjoined with Rohini Nakshatra then it is the all auspicious Jayanti Maha Dvadasi.  It destroyes all ones sinful reactions.  Since Lord Krishna appeared during Rohini Nakshatra this Jayanti Maha Dvadasi is extremely glorious.  On this day one should discuss the past times of Lord Krishnas birth etc.,

8.  It is stated in Brahmapurana that if a Dvadasi of the waxing moon is conjoined with Pusya Nakshatra then it is called Papanashini Maha Dvadasi.  By observing a fast on this day one can obtain the result of observing one thousand Ekadashis.  If this Papanashini Maha Dvadasi occures in the month of March then it awards unlimited piety.

Although various results of these vows are discribed in the scriptures, an intelligent pure devotee should totally giveup desire for results which aim at full filling their own sense gratification and aspire for pure devotional service which aim at gratifing Krishnas senses.  He should consider the love of god as the supreme goal of life.

When ever these eight Maha Dvadasis arive the pure devotees should protect the prestige of Maha Dvadasi even if they have to giveup the previous Ekadashi. By observing a MahaDvadasi the  observance of  Ekadashi is automatically completed andlord Hari will also be greatly pleased.

The glorification of Hari on the day of Ekadashi

Chaitanya Bhagawat Madhya Khanda Chapter-8 texts  138/139/187 to 208/212/326

     138. On ekadashi Lord Chaitanya, the life of the worlds, would chant Lord Hari's names and dance.

     139. In the courtyard of fortunate Shrivasa would rise the auspicious chanting of Gopala! Govinda!"

     187. The devotees' limbs shone with garlands and sandal paste. Tasting the nectar of blissfully singing about Lord Krishna, they forgot everything else.

     188. The sounds of mridangas, karatalas, conchshells, and clapping hands joined with the sound of the holy names.

     189. The sound of the holy names filled the universe and made it break in two. All that was inauspicious fled in the four directions.

     190-191. How wonderful it is that the Supreme Lord, the dancing of whose servants destroys all obstacles and purifies all the worlds, now personally dances and sings His own holy name. What result will come from the Lord dancing and singing His own holy name? Can the Puranas describe that result?

     192. The chanting of Lord Hari's auspicious names filled the four directions. In the midst of that chanting Lord Chaitanya, the son of Jagannatha Mishra, danced.

     193. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the bliss of whose holy name makes Lord Siva forget his clothing,  whose glories make Lord Siva dance, now personally dances.

     194-195. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose holy name made Valmiki Muni wealthy with renunciation, whose holy name made Ajamila attain liberation, and whose holy name, when heard, cuts the bonds of birth and death, has personally descended in this world. Now He dances in the Kali-yuga..

     196-197. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose holy name Sukadeva and Narada sing as they wander in this world, whose glories Ananta Sesha sings with a thousand mouths, and whose holy name is the great atonement for all sins, now personally dances. Anyone who sees Him dance became very fortunate.

     198. I am so sinful that in this birth I was not able to personally see the great festival of the Lord's dancing.

     199. Aware that the Supreme Lord would descend to the world at that time, in the verses of Shrimad-Bhagavatam Vyasa's son Sukadeva glorified the Kali-yuga.

     200. Lord Chaitanya danced with Lord Nityananda. I hear the charming sound that comes from the soles of Their feet as They dance.

     201. Overcome with ecstasy, Lord Chaitanya would not keep the garland on His neck. He broke it and threw it at His devotees' feet.

     202-203. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who often happily rode on Garuda, who often manifested a four-armed form holding a conch, disc, club, and lotus, and who often happily reclined on Ananta Sesha, now thinks that He is a servant of the Lord. Now He rolls in the dust and weeps.

     204. Enjoying the happiness of being a servant of the Lord, now He forgets the happiness He enjoyed in Vaikuntha.

     205. He who often enjoyed the happiness of gazing at Goddess Lakshmi's face has now accepted the mood of separation from the Lord. Raising His face and arms, now He weeps.

     206. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is served by Siva, Narada, and all the demigods and sages, has now renounced His supreme power and opulence. Now He has become a devotee, a servant of the Lord.

     207. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, rejecting all other happiness’, now places a blade of grass between His teeth and begs for devotional service.

     208. A person who rejects devotional service and desires something else is like a person who rejects nectar and drinks poison.

     212. The Vedas and the Shrimad-Bhagavatam declare that devotional service is the greatest treasure. Lakshmi, Brahma, and Siva always engage in devotional service.

Shuddha-bhakata

(from Sharanagati)

(1)

shuddha-bhakata-carana-renu,

bhajana-anukula

bhakata-seva, parama-siddhi,

prema-latikara mula

1) The dust of the lotus feet of pure devotees, enthusiatic devotional service, and service to the pure devotees of the highest order are the roots of the creeper of devotion.

(2)

madhava-tithi, bhakti-janani,

jetane palana kori

krishna-basati, basati boli’,

parama adare bori

2) The holy days like Ekadashi and Janmashtami are the mother of devotion for those devotees who respect them. Let the holy places of Krishna’s pastimes be my places of worship, and bless me.

(3)

gaur amara, je-saba sthane,

koralo bhramana range

se-saba sthana, heribo ami,

pranayi-bhakata-sange

3) May I always visit all the holy places associated with the lila of Lord Chaitanya and His devotees.

(4)

mridanga-badya, shunite mana,

abasara sada jace

gaura-bihita, kirtana shuni’,

anande hridoya nace

4) When I hear the sound of the mridanga in my heart I always desire to join in kirtana; and when I hear the bonafide songs decribing Lord Chaitanya’s pastimes, my heart dances in ecstasy.

(5)

jugala-murti, dekhiya mora,

parama-ananda hoya

prasada-seba korite hoya,

sakala prapanca jaya

5) Whenever I see the transcendental shri-vigrahas of Radha-Krishna I am in bliss, for by taking Their Lordships’ prasada we can conquer over the material elements.

(6)

je-dina grihe, bhajana dekhi,

grihete goloka bhaya

carana-sidhu, dekhiya ganga,

sukha sa sima paya

6) One day while performing devotional practices, I saw my house transformed into Goloka Vrindavana. When I take the caranamrita of the Deity, I see the holy Ganges waters that come from the feet of Lord Vishnu, and my bliss knows no bounds.

(7)

tulasi dekhi’,  juraya prana,

madhava-toshani jani’

gaura-priya, shaka-sevane,

jivana sarthaka mani

7) By seeing the tulasi tree my heart feels joy and Lord Madhava (Krishna) is also satisfied. When I eat the prasada favored by Lord Chaitanya it is a new life’s experience. (Lord Chaitanya was very fond of a green vegetable preparation called sak, and there is another song in this book that tells of the amazing effects of this type of prasada.)

(8)

bhakativinoda, krishna-bhajane,

anakula paya jaha

prati-dibase, parama-sukhe,

swikara koroye taha
 

8) Bhaktivinoda concludes by saying: "Whosoever attains the stage of enthusiasm for these devotional practices will be supremely blissful wherever he may be."

The instructions of Shri Mahaprabhu regarding Ekadashi

One day after visiting Gundica Temple Gaura Hari came and sat down at Jagannatha Vallabha Garden.  It was the day of a sacred Ekadashi.  The lord spent the entire day and night chanting the holy names of Krishna.  He was accompanied by many resident devotees like Swarup Damodara, Ramananda Rai and Vakresvara Pandit.

The Lord said, ‘Today all of you should attentively chant the holy names of Krishna and give up eating and sleeping.  Some of you should chant the holy names with prescribed number of rounds, some of you should offer obeisances and some of you should discuss the topics of Krishna and Balarama.  Stay any where and constantly chant the name Govinda and always be intoxicated with love of God.’

At that time  Gopinath along with Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya brought prasad from Gundica Temple.  They placed rice various types of vegetables, sweet, sweet rice, youghrt and curd before Mahaprabhu.  By the order of the lord everyone offered obeisances and repeatedly glorified  the Mahaprasad.  They spent the entire day and night chanting the holy names of the lord without any offence. According to the instruction of the lord they took bath early in the morning on the day of Dvadasi and broke the Ekadashi fast with Mahaprasad.

Thereafter the devotees folded their hands and requested the lord as follows.  O lord! We know that the vow of Ekadashi is the crest jewell  among all the vows.  We strictly observe this vow by giving up eating and sleeping.  But it is recommended that the grain prasad of Jagannath which is always respected at Jagannatha Puri should be honoured immediately upon receiving.  Therefore O lord! We are in a great dilemna and also frightened.  Please instruct us clearly in this regard.  We know that your orders are the statements of the Vedas and they are followed even by Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva.

The lord replied, ‘observing Ekadashi is one of the  limbs of devotional service.  If one disregards the following of Ekadashi his spiritual life will be spoiled.  One should simply respect the prasad on the day of Ekadashi and eat them on the next day.  On the day of Ekadashi a pious vaishnava should become satisfied by drinking the necter of Krishna’s holy names.  They donot indulge in any kinds of material enjoyments and donot speak any useless words.  The pure vaishnavas only honour food stuffs that has been already offered to the lord and do not eat any unoffered food stuff.  On the day of sacred Ekadashi they fast totally and they break their fast by eating prasad on the next day.  However only on special circumstances a vaishnava accept food stuff that does not contain any grain on the day of Ekadashi.  Those who are non devotees they enjoy various foodstuffs day and night on the pretex of eating prasad.  Such people associates with sinful persons and eat grains on the day of Ekadashi.  Always cultivate the limbs of devotional service and thereby respect Bhakti Devi and you will obtain her bhakti.   Give up the association of non devotees and observe the vow of Ekadashi.

Consider carefully that actually there is no contradiction between honouring prasad and observing Ekadashi.  Know it  for certain that if a person accepts one limb and envies another limb he is certainly a fool.  One should strictly follow a perticular limbs of devotional service according to time place and circumstances.  The son of Nanda Maharaj is the lord of all the limbs.  Therefore please follow that by which he becomes pleased.  One must giveup eating and sleeping on the day of Ekadashi and honour prasad only on the next day.’

After hearing these words of the lord all the vaishnavas happily chanted the name Govinda and offered their respectful obeisances to Him.  All the devotees of Orissa and Bengal headed by Swarup Damodar and Ramananda Rai became jubilant.

End of Ekadashi Mahatmya