RE: About Vijaya Ekadasi from the Skanda Purana

February 23, 2006

http://www.brihaspati.net/ekadasi.htm

Vijayä Ekädasé

Padma Puräëa

Section VI Uttarakhaëòa

Chapter 44.1-39

Yudhiñöhira

said:

What

is the name of the Ekädaçé that would fall in the dark half

of Phälguna? O Väsudeva, favour me and tell me.

Çri

Kåñëa said:

Närada

asked the lotus seated Brahmä: " O best of Brähmaëas, favour

me and tell me about the religious merit due to the observance of the Vijayä Ekädaçé that would

fall in the dark half of Phälguna.

Brahmä

said:

O

Närada, listen; I shall tell you a great account that removes sins. I have

not narrated to anyone about this Vijayä vow which is ancient, pure and

which removes sins. There is no doubt that Vijayä gives vistory to the

kings. Formerly, Rama went to the forest and lived in

Païcavaöé for fourteen years with Sétä and

Lakñmaëa. The glorious wife Sétä, of Räma of a

victorious nature, who lived there was kidnapped by Rävaëa through

lust. Due to that grief, even Räma was embarrassed, and while wandering,

he saw Jaöäyua who was dead. Then he, wandering in the forest, killed

Kabandha. His friendship with Sugréva took place. The forces of the

monkeys came together for Räma. Then Sétä was seen in the

Açoka garden in Laìkä by Hanümat. He gave her the token

of Räma and oerformed a great feat. Then again, having come back to

Räma, he told him the entire account. Then Räma, having heard the

words of Hanümat was pleased and took a march out against Rävaëa

with Sugréva’s consent. He said to Lakñmaëa: " O

Saumitra, due to which religious merit this very unfathomable abode of

Varuëa, full of aquatic animals, can be crossed? I do not see a means with

which this ocean can be crossed easily. "

You

alone are the first god and the ancient, best man. In this island lives the

sage Bakadälbhya. O Räghava, his hermitage is at a distance of half a

yojana from this place. O descendant of Raghu, there are many other

Brähmaëas also. O best king, having gone there, ask the best sage.

Having

heard thses extremely good words of Lakñmaëa, Räma went to see

that great sage Bakadälbhya. With his head bent down, he saluted the sage,

as a god salutes Viñëu. Then that sgae having recognized that

ancient best man who had entered the human body for some reason, was pleased

and said: " O Räma, forwhat have you come?

Räma

said:

O

Brähmaëa, by your favour I have come along with the army to this

shore of the ocean to conquer Laìkä along with the demons. O sage,

be favourable and tell me the means by which I shall cross the ocean. Now be

pleased, O god, for this reason only I have come to see you.

Having

heard the words of Räma, the great sgae Bakadälbhya, with his mind

very pleased, said to the lotus-eyed Räma. " O Räma, today you should

observe the best among vows, having observed which you will be mightily

victorious. Having conquered Laëkä and the demons, you will obtain

pure fame. Being concentrated in mind, observe this vow. The Vijayä

Ekädaçé would fall in the dark half of the month of

Phälguna.

O

Räma, by the observance of that vow, you will get victory. You will, along

with the monkeys, undoubtedly cross the ocean. O king, listen to the manner of

this vow which is fruitful.

When the tenth day has arrived, a man should cause to get

fashioned a pitcher. He should place this decorated pitcher made of gold,

silver, copper or clay, filled with water and with sprouts. He should put it

under seven kinds of grains and barley upon it. On it should be placed the

golden image of the lord Näräyaëa.

When the eleventh day comes, he should bathe in the morning.

Along with a wreath round the neck and unguents, he should keep the pitcher

steady. He should worship it especially with betel nuts and coconuts. So also

with sandal, incence, lights and various offerings of eatables.

O

Räma, the day is passed in front of it by narrating good tales. A wise man

should also keep awake at night in front of it. For the continuous observance

of the vow, he should light a ghee lamp. When the twelfth day comes, at the

rise of the Sun, he should take the pitcher to a water region and place it in a

river or into a stream and should worship it duly. He should give that jar to a

brämaëa who has mastered the Vedas. O lord of kings, he should give

the great gifts (Mahädänad) along with the jar to a

brämaëa. O Räma, observe along with the chiefs of troops

carefully the vow in this manner. You will be victorious. "

Having

heard this, Räma did as he was told. When the descendant of Raghu observed

that vow, he became victorious. He got back Sétä. He conquered

Laëkä, killed Rävaëa in the battle. O son, those men who

observe the vow in this manner, get success in this world and get the inexhaustible

other world. For this reason, O son, the vow of Vijayä should be observed.

The greatness of Vijayä destroys all sins. A man reciting about or

listening to this vow would obtain the fruit of the performance of the

Väjapeya sacrifice.

Compiled by Swee Chan

______

On Behalf Of Bipin Prag

Thursday, February 23, 2006

6:45 PM

[Jaya Jagannatha] About

Vijaya Ekadasi from the Skanda Purana

Jaya Jagannatha

Dear List members, Namaste

With tomorrow being Vijaya

Ekadasi, I found this beautiful story which apparently is from the Skanda

Purana.

Best Wishes

Bipin

Ps: I havnt verified the

reference, but the story is worth reading anyway

Phalguna-Krishna

Ekadasi or Vijaya Ekadasi

Yudhisthira Maharaj said, Oh Lord Sri Krishna, O glorious son of

Vasudeva, please be merciful to me and describe the Ekadasi that occurs during

the dark fortnight of the month of Phalguna (February-March).

Lord Sri Krishna replied, Oh

Yudhisthira, Oh king of kings, gladly I shall tell you about this great fast,

known as Vijaya Ekadasi. Whoever observes it certainly achieves success in this

life and the next. All the sins of one who fasts on this Ekadasi and hears its

sublime glories are eradicated.

Narada Muni once asked lord

Brahma, who sits on a lotus flower about the Vijaya Ekadasi. Sri Narada said,

Oh best of all the demigods, kindly tell me the merit one can achieve by

faithfully observing Vijaya Ekadasi.

Narada’s great father

then replied, My dear son, this oldest of fasting days is pure, and it

nullifies all sins. I have never revealed this to anyone until today, but you

can understand beyond any doubt that this Ekadasi bestows the result indicated

by its name… (Vijaya meaning Victory).

When Lord Rama was exiled to

the forest for fourteen years, He, the Goddess Sita, and His divine brother

Lakshmana stayed at Panchavati as mendicants. Mother Sita was then kidnapped by

the demon Ravana, and Lord Rama seemingly became bewildered like an ordinary

man by distress. While searching for His beloved consort, the Lord came upon

the dying Jatayu. The great devotee-vulture Jatayu returned to Vaikuntha after

telling Rama how His dear Sita had been abducted by Ravana. Little ahead

he met Sugriva.

Later, Lord Rama and Sugriva,

the king of the monkeys, became friends and Bali

who was killed. Shri Hanumanji went to Sri Lanka, where he was able to see

Janaki (Srimati Sita devi) in an Ashoka grove garden. He delivered Lord

Rama’s message and showed the ring proving his authenticity for rendering

such great service to the Supreme Lord Sri Rama. With the help of Sugriva, Lord

Rama proceeded toward Sri Lanka.

Upon arriving at the shore of the ocean with the army of monkeys, He could

understand that the water was uncommonly deep and hostile. Thus He said to

Lakshmana, Oh son of Sumitra, how can We earn enough merit to be able to cross

this vast ocean, the unfathomable abode of Varuna deva? I can see no easy way

to cross it, teeming as it is with sharks and other ferocious aquatics.

Lakshmana replied, Oh best of

all beings, Oh origin of all the devas, Oh primal personality, the great sage

Bakadalbhya lives on an island just four miles from here. Let us go to him,

take his darshan (audience) and ask him how We can safely reach Our goal.

So Rama and Lakshmana

proceeded to the humble Ashram of the incomparable Bakadalbhya Muni.

Approaching him, the two Lords paid their respectful obeisances to him as if he

were a second Vishnu. Bakadalbhya could immediately understand, however, that

Sri Rama was actually the Supreme Lord, who for His own reasons had appeared on

the Earth and was enacting just like a human being.

Sri Rama, said Bakadalbhya, Oh

best of the beings, why have You come to my lowly abode?

The Lord replied, Oh great,

twice born Brahmin, I have come here to the ocean shore with My army of monkey

and bear warriors in order to cross the sea and conquer Lanka and its demon

horde headed by Ravana. Oh greatest of sages, please be merciful unto Me and

please tell Me how I can cross this vast ocean. That is why I have come to your

Ashram today.

The sage said, Oh Lord Sri Rama,

I shall tell you of the most exalted of all fasts, observing which You will

surely conquer Ravana and be eternally glorified. Kindly now listen with full

attention.

On the day before Ekadasi,

fashion a water pot of gold or silver, or even copper. Even clay will do if

these metals are unavailable. Fill the pot with pure water and then decorate it

nicely with mango leaves. Cover it and place it near a holy altar upon a mound

of seven grains (the seven grains are barley, wheat, rice, corn, chickpeas, kukani,

and dahi or peas). Now take Your morning bath, decorate the water pot with

flower garlands and sandalwood paste, and in the concave lid atop the pot place

there the barley, pomegranate, and coconut. Now with great love and devotion

worship the water pot Deity form and offer Him incense, sandalwood paste,

flowers, a ghee lamp, and a plate of sumptuous foods. Remain there awake that

night beside this sacred pot. On top of the lid filled with barley, etc., place

a golden murthy of Lord Sri Narayana. When Ekadasi dawns, take Your

morning bath and then decorate the water pot with fine sandalwood paste and

garlands. Then worship the pot again with first class incense, lamps,

sandalwood paste and flowers dipped in sandalwood paste, and then devoutly

place many kinds of cooked food, pomegranate, and coconut before the water pot.

Then remain awake over night.

When the Dwadasi dawns, take

the waterpot to the bank of a holy river, or even to the shore of a small pond.

After worshipping it again properly, Oh King of kings, offer it with all the

aforementioned ingredients to a pure hearted Brahmin, expert in the Vedic

sciences. If You and Your military commanders observe the Vijaya Ekadasi in

this way, You will surely be victorious in every way.

Lord Sri Ramachandra Bhagawan,

the Supreme Lord, did just as Bakadalbhya Muni instructed, and thus He

conquered all demoniac forces. Similarly, anyone who observes the Vijaya

Ekadasi in this way will always be victorious in this mortal world, and after

leaving this world he/she will reside forever in the anxiety free realm of the Kingdom of God known as the Vaikunthas.

Oh Narada, my son, from this

history you can understand why one should observe this Ekadasi fast properly,

strictly following the rules and regulations. This fast is powerful enough to

eradicate all one’s sinful reactions, even the most abominable

ones.

Lord Sri Krishna concluded, Oh

Yudhisthira, anyone who reads or hears this history will attain the same great

merit as that which is earned by performing a horse sacrifice on days of

yore.

Thus ends the narration of the

glories of Phalguna-krishna Ekadasi or Vijaya Ekadasi, from the Skanda Purana.

Extracted

from http://www.s-a-i.info/assoc_change/ekadasi3_7.html

February 23, 2006

Jaya Jagannatha

Dear Swee, Namaste

Its amazing how

things get distorted. There is nothing like getting authority from the Puranas

directly – Thanks for sharing your research.

Looks like I

need to spend more time looking for more ‘gems’ on the website

Love

Bipin

On Behalf Of Swee Chan

23 February 2006 07:34 PM

RE: [Jaya Jagannatha]

About Vijaya Ekadasi from the Skanda Purana

http://www.brihaspati.net/ekadasi.htm

Vijayä Ekädasé

Padma Puräëa

Section VI Uttarakhaëòa

Chapter 44.1-39

Yudhiñöhira

said:

What

is the name of the Ekädaçé that would fall in the dark half of Phälguna? O

Väsudeva, favour me and tell me.

Çri

Kåñëa said:

Närada

asked the lotus seated Brahmä: " O best of Brähmaëas, favour me and tell me

about the religious merit due to the observance of the Vijayä Ekädaçé that would fall in the dark half of Phälguna.

Brahmä

said:

O

Närada, listen; I shall tell you a great account that removes sins. I have not

narrated to anyone about this Vijayä vow which is ancient, pure and which

removes sins. There is no doubt that Vijayä gives vistory to the kings.

Formerly, Rama went to the forest and lived in Païcavaöé for fourteen years

with Sétä and Lakñmaëa. The glorious wife Sétä, of Räma of a victorious nature,

who lived there was kidnapped by Rävaëa through lust. Due to that grief, even

Räma was embarrassed, and while wandering, he saw Jaöäyua who was dead. Then

he, wandering in the forest, killed Kabandha. His friendship with Sugréva took

place. The forces of the monkeys came together for Räma. Then Sétä was seen in

the Açoka garden in Laìkä by Hanümat. He gave her the token of Räma and

oerformed a great feat. Then again, having come back to Räma, he told him the

entire account. Then Räma, having heard the words of Hanümat was pleased and

took a march out against Rävaëa with Sugréva’s consent. He said to

Lakñmaëa: " O Saumitra, due to which religious merit this very unfathomable

abode of Varuëa, full of aquatic animals, can be crossed? I do not see a means

with which this ocean can be crossed easily. "

You

alone are the first god and the ancient, best man. In this island lives the

sage Bakadälbhya. O Räghava, his hermitage is at a distance of half a yojana

from this place. O descendant of Raghu, there are many other Brähmaëas also. O

best king, having gone there, ask the best sage.

Having

heard thses extremely good words of Lakñmaëa, Räma went to see that great sage

Bakadälbhya. With his head bent down, he saluted the sage, as a god salutes

Viñëu. Then that sgae having recognized that ancient best man who had entered

the human body for some reason, was pleased and said: " O Räma, forwhat

have you come?

Räma

said:

O

Brähmaëa, by your favour I have come along with the army to this shore of the

ocean to conquer Laìkä along with the demons. O sage, be favourable and tell me

the means by which I shall cross the ocean. Now be pleased, O god, for this

reason only I have come to see you.

Having

heard the words of Räma, the great sgae Bakadälbhya, with his mind very

pleased, said to the lotus-eyed Räma. " O Räma, today you should observe

the best among vows, having observed which you will be mightily victorious.

Having conquered Laëkä and the demons, you will obtain pure fame. Being

concentrated in mind, observe this vow. The Vijayä Ekädaçé would fall in the

dark half of the month of Phälguna.

O

Räma, by the observance of that vow, you will get victory. You will, along with

the monkeys, undoubtedly cross the ocean. O king, listen to the manner of this

vow which is fruitful.

When the tenth day has arrived, a man should cause to get

fashioned a pitcher. He should place this decorated pitcher made of gold,

silver, copper or clay, filled with water and with sprouts. He should put it

under seven kinds of grains and barley upon it. On it should be placed the

golden image of the lord Näräyaëa.

When the eleventh day comes, he should bathe in the morning.

Along with a wreath round the neck and unguents, he should keep the pitcher

steady. He should worship it especially with betel nuts and coconuts. So also

with sandal, incence, lights and various offerings of eatables.

O

Räma, the day is passed in front of it by narrating good tales. A wise man

should also keep awake at night in front of it. For the continuous observance

of the vow, he should light a ghee lamp. When the twelfth day comes, at the

rise of the Sun, he should take the pitcher to a water region and place it in a

river or into a stream and should worship it duly. He should give that jar to a

brämaëa who has mastered the Vedas. O lord of kings, he should give the great

gifts (Mahädänad) along with the jar to a brämaëa. O Räma, observe along with the

chiefs of troops carefully the vow in this manner. You will be

victorious. "

Having

heard this, Räma did as he was told. When the descendant of Raghu observed that

vow, he became victorious. He got back Sétä. He conquered Laëkä, killed Rävaëa

in the battle. O son, those men who observe the vow in this manner, get success

in this world and get the inexhaustible other world. For this reason, O son,

the vow of Vijayä should be observed. The greatness of Vijayä destroys all

sins. A man reciting about or listening to this vow would obtain the fruit of

the performance of the Väjapeya sacrifice.

Compiled by Swee Chan

______

On Behalf Of Bipin Prag

Thursday, February 23, 2006

6:45 PM

[Jaya Jagannatha] About

Vijaya Ekadasi from the Skanda Purana

Jaya Jagannatha

Dear List members, Namaste

With tomorrow being Vijaya

Ekadasi, I found this beautiful story which apparently is from the Skanda

Purana.

Best Wishes

Bipin

Ps: I havnt verified the

reference, but the story is worth reading anyway

Phalguna-Krishna

Ekadasi or Vijaya Ekadasi

Yudhisthira Maharaj said, Oh Lord Sri Krishna, O glorious son of

Vasudeva, please be merciful to me and describe the Ekadasi that occurs during

the dark fortnight of the month of Phalguna (February-March).

Lord Sri Krishna replied, Oh

Yudhisthira, Oh king of kings, gladly I shall tell you about this great fast,

known as Vijaya Ekadasi. Whoever observes it certainly achieves success in this

life and the next. All the sins of one who fasts on this Ekadasi and hears its

sublime glories are eradicated.

Narada Muni once asked lord

Brahma, who sits on a lotus flower about the Vijaya Ekadasi. Sri Narada said,

Oh best of all the demigods, kindly tell me the merit one can achieve by

faithfully observing Vijaya Ekadasi.

Narada’s great father

then replied, My dear son, this oldest of fasting days is pure, and it

nullifies all sins. I have never revealed this to anyone until today, but you

can understand beyond any doubt that this Ekadasi bestows the result indicated

by its name… (Vijaya meaning Victory).

When Lord Rama was exiled to

the forest for fourteen years, He, the Goddess Sita, and His divine brother

Lakshmana stayed at Panchavati as mendicants. Mother Sita was then kidnapped by

the demon Ravana, and Lord Rama seemingly became bewildered like an ordinary

man by distress. While searching for His beloved consort, the Lord came upon

the dying Jatayu. The great devotee-vulture Jatayu returned to Vaikuntha after

telling Rama how His dear Sita had been abducted by Ravana. Little ahead

he met Sugriva.

Later, Lord Rama and Sugriva,

the king of the monkeys, became friends and Bali

who was killed. Shri Hanumanji went to Sri Lanka, where he was able to see

Janaki (Srimati Sita devi) in an Ashoka grove garden. He delivered Lord

Rama’s message and showed the ring proving his authenticity for rendering

such great service to the Supreme Lord Sri Rama. With the help of Sugriva, Lord

Rama proceeded toward Sri

Lanka. Upon arriving at the shore of the

ocean with the army of monkeys, He could understand that the water was

uncommonly deep and hostile. Thus He said to Lakshmana, Oh son of Sumitra, how

can We earn enough merit to be able to cross this vast ocean, the unfathomable

abode of Varuna deva? I can see no easy way to cross it, teeming as it is with

sharks and other ferocious aquatics.

Lakshmana replied, Oh best of

all beings, Oh origin of all the devas, Oh primal personality, the great sage

Bakadalbhya lives on an island just four miles from here. Let us go to him,

take his darshan (audience) and ask him how We can safely reach Our goal.

So Rama and Lakshmana

proceeded to the humble Ashram of the incomparable Bakadalbhya Muni.

Approaching him, the two Lords paid their respectful obeisances to him as if he

were a second Vishnu. Bakadalbhya could immediately understand, however, that

Sri Rama was actually the Supreme Lord, who for His own reasons had appeared on

the Earth and was enacting just like a human being.

Sri Rama, said Bakadalbhya, Oh

best of the beings, why have You come to my lowly abode?

The Lord replied, Oh great,

twice born Brahmin, I have come here to the ocean shore with My army of monkey

and bear warriors in order to cross the sea and conquer Lanka and its demon

horde headed by Ravana. Oh greatest of sages, please be merciful unto Me and

please tell Me how I can cross this vast ocean. That is why I have come to your

Ashram today.

The sage said, Oh Lord Sri

Rama, I shall tell you of the most exalted of all fasts, observing which You

will surely conquer Ravana and be eternally glorified. Kindly now listen with

full attention.

On the day before Ekadasi,

fashion a water pot of gold or silver, or even copper. Even clay will do if

these metals are unavailable. Fill the pot with pure water and then decorate it

nicely with mango leaves. Cover it and place it near a holy altar upon a mound

of seven grains (the seven grains are barley, wheat, rice, corn, chickpeas,

kukani, and dahi or peas). Now take Your morning bath, decorate the water pot

with flower garlands and sandalwood paste, and in the concave lid atop the pot

place there the barley, pomegranate, and coconut. Now with great love and

devotion worship the water pot Deity form and offer Him incense, sandalwood

paste, flowers, a ghee lamp, and a plate of sumptuous foods. Remain there awake

that night beside this sacred pot. On top of the lid filled with barley, etc.,

place a golden murthy of Lord Sri Narayana. When Ekadasi dawns, take Your

morning bath and then decorate the water pot with fine sandalwood paste and

garlands. Then worship the pot again with first class incense, lamps,

sandalwood paste and flowers dipped in sandalwood paste, and then devoutly

place many kinds of cooked food, pomegranate, and coconut before the water pot.

Then remain awake over night.

When the Dwadasi dawns, take

the waterpot to the bank of a holy river, or even to the shore of a small pond.

After worshipping it again properly, Oh King of kings, offer it with all the

aforementioned ingredients to a pure hearted Brahmin, expert in the Vedic

sciences. If You and Your military commanders observe the Vijaya Ekadasi in

this way, You will surely be victorious in every way.

Lord Sri Ramachandra Bhagawan,

the Supreme Lord, did just as Bakadalbhya Muni instructed, and thus He

conquered all demoniac forces. Similarly, anyone who observes the Vijaya

Ekadasi in this way will always be victorious in this mortal world, and after

leaving this world he/she will reside forever in the anxiety free realm of the Kingdom of God known as the Vaikunthas.

Oh Narada, my son, from this

history you can understand why one should observe this Ekadasi fast properly,

strictly following the rules and regulations. This fast is powerful enough to

eradicate all one’s sinful reactions, even the most abominable

ones.

Lord Sri Krishna concluded, Oh

Yudhisthira, anyone who reads or hears this history will attain the same great

merit as that which is earned by performing a horse sacrifice on days of

yore.

Thus ends the narration of the

glories of Phalguna-krishna Ekadasi or Vijaya Ekadasi, from the Skanda Purana.

Extracted

from http://www.s-a-i.info/assoc_change/ekadasi3_7.html

February 23, 2006

Jaya

Jagannatha

Dear

Bipin,

Hare

Krishna

The

Ekadashi vrata was probably uploaded in 2002. Check on “Spirituality”

and the entire Ekadashi Vratas including other vratas I’ve collected from

the Varaha Purana are there.

If you go

to mantras, see the collections for the Sun and under misc., there are other

interesting ones.

I am

wondering if I should upload the Jagannatha “jagamohan” mantra or

not. Maybe another time. The Madhusudana stotra (Achyuta Cakra Mantra) was sent

to the lists last year, but not uploaded to the site.

Love,

Swee

On Behalf Of Bipin Prag

Thursday, February 23, 2006

7:52 PM

RE: [Jaya Jagannatha]

About Vijaya Ekadasi from the Skanda Purana

Jaya Jagannatha

Dear Swee,

Namaste

Its amazing how

things get distorted. There is nothing like getting authority from the

Puranas directly – Thanks for sharing your research.