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About Jaya Ekadasi/Bhishma Ekadasi

Submitted by astroved on Wed, 06/09/2021 - 02:03

Ekadashi is the 11th day in the Hindu calendar
on which many Hindu devotees observe fast. The day has a connection with Lord Vishnu; thus, whoever observes a fast during Ekadashi gets blessed by lord Vishnu.

In the Hindu calendar, two Ekadashis happen every month, one during the waning moon phase and another during the waxing moon phase. Ekadashis is one of the Tithis during which a devotee observes fast for 24 hours without taking a single drop of water. However, there is no compulsion about it; devotees can drink water and consume some fruits and milk if their health doesn’t permit them to observe a fast, empty stomach.

The waxing moon phase is also known as Shukla Paksha, and the waning moon phase is known as Krishna Paksha in the Hindu calendar; both phases are equally important.

About Jaya Ekadasi/Bhishma Ekadasi

Jaya Ekadashi takes place in Shukla Paksha on the 11th day of the waxing moon phase, the period of January to February by the Gregorian calendar. The Ekadashi was known as Bhishma Ekadashi on the name of Bhishma, a prime character of the epic Mahabharata. Bhishma got a boon from God according to which he could choose the day of his death.

The significance of observing fast on this Ekadashi is huge. The soul who observes fast and worships Vishnu on this day gets blessed for a life where he can’t be influenced by evil spirits, negative power, or ghosts.

The ancient Hindu text, Bhavisya Uttara Purana, clearly mentions the significance of Jaya Ekadashi. Lord Krishna explains to Yudhisthira the significance of Ekadashi and how it liberates a soul to attain the abode of Vishnu.

Legend of Jaya Ekadashi

The legend of Ekadashi has mentions about Malyavan and Pushpadanta. It is said that Lord Indra used to enjoy the drink of Gods in the Nandana Forest with mesmerizing spring. All the demi-gods were happy in the kingdom, and all the Apsaras used to sing and dance.

On one such occasion when the singing and dancing were happening, one Apsara got attracted to a young Malyavan who was the son of Chitrasena, Indra’s chief musician. Both got so engaged with each other that lust overpowered them. Indra noticed it all and felt it insulting. In anger, Indra cursed both to live a life of Pisachas (hobgoblins) on Earth.

Both were then sent to Earth, and they lost all their celestial wisdom. Both felt so vulnerable in the snow and cold of the Himalayas that they were roaming everywhere to find shelter.

Their condition was worsening day by day until the day of Jaya Ekadashi came, which is the day of Vishnu. Anyone who keeps a complete fast without even drinking a drop of water gets a place in Vishnu’s abode, near His Lotus feet. Since both of them didn’t eat or drink anything, they were blessed by Lord Vishnu.

The next morning, a miracle happened, and they were not in Pisachas bodies anymore. Both gained their beauty back, and they were adorned with beautiful clothes and ornaments. Even without realizing it, they both observed a fast on Jaya Ekadashi, and they also stayed awake the whole night due to the unforgiving cold.

That is how all their sins were washed off, and they gained the abode of Vishnu, where all their curses were released. Once again, Malyavan and Pushpadanta became a lovely couple. Such wonderful effects a soul receives when observes fast on Jaya Ekadashi.

Fasting Rules

• The devotee should wake up in the morning, have a bath, and wear clean clothes.
• One should not consume any grains or meals which include onions and garlic. You can only consume fruits and milk. Some devotees also prefer to observe fast without even water.
• One should not think ill about anyone and do not harm any animal.
• You should not sleep during the day.
• Do not indulge in wrong activities such as cheating and fraud.
• Do not indulge in sexual activities or sexual thoughts.
• One should also not be in a company of an immoral person. If you do it unknowingly, purify yourself by standing in the sun and looking at it.
• You should also give Dakshina to Brahmins and break the fast the next morning.