Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi

[Guest guest]

Hare Rama Krishna

 

Dear Group,

 

The 11th of June,Wednesday,is the most auspiciuous Pandava Nirjala

Ekadashi. For those of us who have not had a chance to fast on other

Ekadashis,or whoever wants to please Sri Krishna this is a great

opportunity. This Ekadashi if observed properly is equal to all the

other Ekadashis. So if you know anyone who has a troublesome mars or

was born on Ekadashi tithi or one who wants to please Sri Trivikrama

please take this opportunity to get releif. I have come across many

who may have the above doshas but are unable to observe the regular

fast on every Ekadashi. This might be the opportunity to alleviate

the suffering.This tithi falls on a Dwadashi but it is counted as a

Ekadashi for the vrata.

 

I have included an excerpt from Brahma Vaivarta Purana if anybody is

interested in learning why this day is so very important and its

merit.

 

During the hottest season (northern hemisphere), if one can perform

upavasa without water one is performing a great feat. One may take

only charanamrta and achman water. Bhima requested one vrata day by

which he could obtain the fruits of all the other days of vrata that

he was incapable of observing. Vyasadeva advised him to follow this

difficult vrata.

 

One should worship the Lord in the evening by bathing him in milk. On

the dvadasi one should give full pots of water to brahmanas and feed

them before breaking one's fast.

 

SAMVATSARASYA YA MADHYE EKADASYO BHAVANTI HI TASAM PHALAM AVAPNOTI

PUTRA ME NAATRA SAMSAYAH ITI MAM KESAVAH PRAHA SANKHA CAKRA GADADHARAH

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/25 from PADMA PURANA Vyasadeva speaks to

Bhimasena)

 

Oh son, Lord Keshava, Who holds the club, disk, conch and lotus

flower in His hand, personally told me that all of the merit achieved

by fasting on whatever EkAdasis fall in one year can be attained by

fasting on this one EkAdasii(nirjalA EkAdasii). Of this, there is no

doubt.

 

ATMADROHAH KRTASTES TU YAIR ESA NA HY UPOSITA PAPATMANO DURACARA

DUSTAS TE NA ATRA SAMSAYAH

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/33 from PADMA PURANA Vyasadeva speaks to

Bhimasena)

 

Anyone who does not fast on this particular EkAdasii (nirjalA

EkAdasii), they should be understood to be sinful, corrupted and

suicidal person without a doubt.

 

 

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The Story of PANDava NirjalA EkAdasii: PANDava NirjalA EkAdasii -

Jyeshtha-shukla EkAdasii - from Brahma-vaivarta PurANa.

 

Once Bhimasena, the younger brother of Maharaja Yudhisthira, asked

the great sage Shrila VyAsadeva, the grandfather of the PANDavas, if

it is possible to return to the spiritual world without having

observed all the rules and regulations of the EkAdasii fasts.

 

Bhimasena then spoke as follows, "Oh greatly intelligent and learned

grandfather, my brother Yudhisthira, my dear mother Kunti, and my

beloved wife Draupadi, as well as Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva, fast

completely on each EkAdasii and strictly follow all the rules,

guidelines and regulative injunctions of that sacred day. Being very

religious, they always tell me that I should also fast on that day

too. But, Oh learned grandfather, I tell them that I cannot live

without eating, because as the son of VAyudeva - Samanaprana, (the

digestive air) hunger is unbearable to me. I can give widely in

charity and worship Lord Keshava properly with all manner of

wonderful upacharas (items),

but I cannot be asked to fast on EkAdasii. Please tell me how I can

obtain the same merits result without fasting."

 

Hearing these words, the grandsire of Bhima, Srila VyAsadeva

said, "If you want to go to the heavenly planets and avoid the

hellish planets, you should indeed observe a fast on both the light

and dark EkAdasiis."

 

Bhima replied, "Oh great saintly intelligent grandfather, please

listen to my plea. Oh greatest of munis, since I cannot live if I eat

only once in a day, how can I possibly live if I fast completely?

Within my stomach burns a special fire named Vrika, the fire of

digestion. Agni the fire-god, descends from Lord Vishnu through

BrahmA, from BrahmA to Angirasa, from Angirasa to Brihaspathi, and

from Brihaspathi to Samyu, who was Agni'' father. He is the

gatekeeper in charge of Nairritti, the south-eastern direction. He is

one of the eight material elements, and Parikshit MahArAja, he is

very expert at examining things. He examined MahArAja Shibi once by

turning into a dove (for further information on this incident see

Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's Srimad Bhagavatam

commentary to 1:12:20. Purport.)

 

Agni is divided into three categories; DavAgni, the fire in wood,

JatharAgni, the fire in the digestion in the stomach, and VadavAgni,

the fire that creates fog when hot and cold streams mix in for

example the ocean. Another name for the fire of digestion is Vrika.

It is this powerful fire that resided in Bhima's stomach.

 

Only when I eat to my full satisfaction does the fire in my stomach

become satisfied. Oh great sage, I might possibly be able to fast

only once, so I beg that you tell me of an EkAdasii that is worthy of

my fasting and that includes all other EkAdasiis. I shall faithfully

observe that fast and hopefully still become eligible for

liberation's release."

 

Shrila VyAsadeva replied, Oh king, you have heard from me about the

various kinds of occupational duties, such as elaborate Vedic

ceremonies and pujas. In the Kali-yuga, however, no one will be able

to observe all these occupational & functional duties properly. I

shall therefore tell you how, at practically no expense, one can

endure some small austerity and achieve the greatest benefit

and resultant happiness. The essence of what is written in the Vedic

literatures known as the PurANas is that one should not eat on either

the dark or light fortnight EkAdasiis." As stated in Srimad

Bhagavatam (Mahabhagavat PurANam)

12:13:12 and 15.) the Bhagavat PurANam is itself the essence or cream

of all VedAnta philosophy (sara-vedAnta-sAram), and the Srimad

Bhagavatam's unequivocal message is that of full surrender to Lord

Sri Krishna and the rendering of loving devotional service to Him.

Observing EkAdasii strictly is a great aid in that process, and here

Shrila VyAsadeva is simply stressing to Bhima the importance of the

EkAdasii vratam. "IOne who fasts on EkAdasiis saved from going to the

hellish planets."

 

Hearing Shrila VyAsadeva's words, the son of VAyu, Bhimasena, the

strongest of all warriors, became frightened and began to shake like

a leaf on a banyan tree in a strong wind. The frightened Bhimasena

then said, "Oh grandfather, what should I do? I am completely unable

and ill equipped to fast twice in a month throughout the year! Please

tell me of the one fasting day that will bestow the greatest benefit

upon me!"

 

VyAsadeva replied, "Without drinking even water, you should fast on

the EkAdasii that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of

Jyeshtha (May-June) when the sun travels in the sign of Taurus

(Vrishabh) and Gemini (Mithun), According to learned personalities,

on this day one may bathe and perform Achamana for pratiprokshana

purification. But while performing Achamana one may drink only

that amount of water equal to a drop of gold, or that amount it takes

to immerse a single mustard seed. Only this amount of water should be

placed in the right palm for sipping, which one should form to

resemble a cow's ear. If one drinks more water than this, he might as

well have drunk wine - despite the soaring heat of summer (in the

northern hemisphere and cold in the southern hemisphere).

 

"One must certainly not eat anything, for if he does so he breaks his

fast. This rigid fast is in effect from sunrise on the EkAdasii day

to sunrise on the DwAdashii day. If a person endeavours to observe

this great fast very strictly,he easily achieves the result of

observing all twenty-four other EkAdasii fasts throughout the entire

year.

 

"On DwAdashii the devotee should bathe early in the morning. Then,

according to the prescribed rules, guidelines and regulative

injunctions, and of course depending on his ability, he should give

some gold and water to worthy brAhmaNas. Finally, he should

cheerfully honour prasAdam with a brAhmaNa.

 

"Oh Bhimasena, one who can fast on this special EkAdasii in this

manner reaps the benefit of having fasted on every EkAdasii during

the year. There is no doubt of this, nor should there be. Oh Bhima,

now hear the specific merit one gets by fasting on this EkAdasii. The

Supreme Lord Keshava, who holds a conch, discus, club and lotus,

personally told me, `Everyone should take shelter of Me and follow My

instructions.' Then He told me that one who fasts on this EkAdasii,

without taking even drinking water or eating, becomes free of all

sinful reactions, and that one who observes the difficult nirjalA

fast on Jyeshtha-shukla EkAdasii truly reaps the benefit of all other

EkAdasii fasts.

 

"Oh Bhimasena, in the Kali-yuga, the age of quarrel and hypocrisy,

when all the principles of the Vedas will have been destroyed or

greatly minimised, and when there will be no proper charity or

observance of the ancient Vedik principles and ceremonies, how will

there be any means of purifying the self? But there is the

opportunity to fast on EkAdasii and become free of all one's past

sins.

 

"Oh son of VAyu, what more can I say to you? You should not eat

during the EkAdasiis that occur during the dark and light fortnights,

and you should even give up drinking water (nir = no jalaa= water) on

the particularly auspicious

EkAdasii day of Jyeshtha-shukla EkAdasii. Oh Vrikodara (veracious

eater), whoever fasts on this EkAdasii receives the merits of bathing

in all the places of pilgrimage, giving all kinds of charities to

worthy persons, and fasting on all the dark and light EkAdasiis

throughout the year, in one go. Of this there is no doubt.

 

Oh tiger among men, whoever fasts on this EkAdasii truly becomes a

great person and achieves all manner of opulence and wealth, grains,

strength, and health.

And at the fearful moment of death, the terrible YamadUtas, whose

complexions are yellow and black and who brandish huge maces and

twirl mystic pAsha ropes in the air for binding their victims, will

refuse to approach him. Rather, such a faithful soul will at once be

taken to the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu by the Vishnu-dUtas, whose

transcendentally beautiful forms are clothed in gorgeous yellowish

garments and who each hold a disk, club, conch and lotus in their four

hands, resembling Lord Vishnu. It is to gain all these benefits that

one should certainly fast on this very auspicious and important

EkAdasii, even from water."

 

When the other PANDavas heard about the benefits to be gained by

following Jyeshtha-shukla EkAdasii, they resolved to observe it

exactly as their grandfather Srila VyAsadeva had explained it to

their brother, Bhimasena. All the PANDavas observed it by refraining

from eating or drinking anything, and thus this day is also known as

PANDava NirjalA DvAdashii (technically it is a

Maha-DvAdashii).

 

Shrila VyAsadeva continued, Oh Bhimasen, therefore you should observe

this important fast to remove all your past sinful reactions. You

should pray to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna

in this way making your sankalpa declaration, `Oh Lord of all the

devas (demigods), Oh Supreme Personality of Godhead, today I shall

observe EkAdasii without taking any water.

Oh unlimited Anantadev, I shall break fast on the next day,

DwAdashii.'

Thereafter, to remove all his sins, the devotee should honour this

EkAdasii fast with full faith in the Lord and with full control over

his senses. Whether his sins are equal in volume to Mount Sumeru or

to MandarAchala Hill, if he or she observes this EkAdasii, the sins

that have been accumulated all become nullified and are burned to

ashes. Such is the great power of this EkAdasii.

 

"Oh best of human beings, although a person should also give water

and cows in charity during this EkAdasii, if for some reason or other

he cannot, then he should give a qualified brAhmaNa some cloth or a

pot filled with water. Indeed, the merit achieved by giving water

alone equals that gained by giving gold ten million times a day.

 

"Oh Bhima, Lord Sri Krishna has said that whoever observes this

EkAdasii should take a Holy bath, give charity to a worthy person,

chant the Lord's Holy names on a japa-mAla, and perform some kind of

recommended sacrifice, for by doing these things on this day one

receives imperishable benefits. There is no need to perform any other

kind of religious duty. Observance of this EkAdasii fast alone

promotes one to the supreme abode of Sri Vishnu. Oh best of the

Kurus, if one donates gold, cloth, or anything else on this day, the

merit one obtains is imperishable.

 

"Remember, whosoever eats any grains on EkAdasii becomes contaminated

by sin and verily eats only sin. In effect, he has already become a

dog-eater, and after death he suffers a hellish existence. But he who

observes this sacred Jyeshtha-shukla EkAdasii and gives something in

charity certainly achieves liberation from the cycle of repeated

birth and death and attains to the supreme abode. Observing this

EkAdasii, which is merged with DwAdashii, frees one from

the horrible sin of killing a brAhmaNa, drinking liquor and wine,

becoming envious of one's spiritual master and ignoring his

instructions, and continually telling lies.

 

"Furthermore, Oh best of beings (Jivottama), any man or woman who

observes this fast properly and worships the Supreme Lord JalshAyi

(He who sleeps on the water), and who on the next day satisfies a

qualified brAhmaNa with nice sweets and a donation of cows and money -

such a person certainly pleases the Supreme Lord Vasudeva, so much

so that one hundred previous generations in his family undoubtedly go

to the Supreme Lord's abode, even though they may have been very

sinful, of bad character, and guilty of suicide, etc. Indeed, one who

observes this amazing EkAdasii rides on a glorious celestial airplane

(vimAna) to the Lord's abode.

 

"One who on this day gives a brAhmaNa a waterpot, an umbrella, or

shoes surely goes to the heavenly planets. Indeed, he who simply

hears these glories also attains to the transcendental abode of the

Supreme Lord, Shri Vishnu. Whoever performs the Shraddha ceremony to

the forefathers on the dark-moon day called amAvasya, particularly if

it occurs at the time of a solar eclipse undoubtedly achieves great

merit. But this same merit is achieved by him who simply hears

this sacred narration - so powerful and so dear to the Lord is this

EkAdasii.

 

"One should clean his teeth properly and, without eating or drinking,

observe this EkAdasii to please the Supreme Lord, Keshava. On the day

after EkAdasii one should worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead

in His form as Trivikrama by offering Him water, flowers, incense,

and a brightly burning lamp. Then the devotee should pray from the

heart, `Oh God of gods, Oh deliverer of everyone, Oh Hrishikesha,

master of the senses, kindly bestow upon me the gift of

liberation, though I can offer you nothing greater than this humble

pot filled with water.' Then the devotee should donate the waterpot

to a brAhmaNa.

 

"Oh Bhimasena, after this EkAdasii fast and donating the recommended

items according to his ability, the devotee should feed brAhmaNas and

thereafter honour prasAdam silently."

 

Shrila VyAsadeva concluded, "I strongly urge you to fast on this

auspicious,purifying, sin-devouring DwAdashii in just the way I have

outlined. Thus you will be completely freed of all sins and reach the

supreme abode."

 

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Jyeshtha-shukla EkAdasii, or

Bhimaseni-nirjalA EkAdasii, from the Brahma-vaivarta PurAN.

Hare Krishna!