Yudhishthira Maharaj stated, “Oh Lord Sri Krishna, O wonderful son of Vasudeva, please be merciful to me and describe the Ekadashi that happens in the course of the darkish fortnight of the month of Phalguna (February-March).”
Lord Shri Krishna replied, “Oh Yudhishthira, Oh king of kings, gladly I shall let you know about this nice quick, often known as Vijaya Ekadashi. Whoever observes it definitely achieves success on this life and the subsequent. All of the sins of 1 who fasts on this Ekadashi and hears its elegant glories are eradicated.
Narada Muni as soon as requested Lord Brahma, who sits on a lotus flower concerning the Vijaya Ekadashi. Shri Narada stated, “Oh better of all of the demigods, kindly inform me the benefit one can obtain by faithfully observing Vijaya Ekadashi.”
Narada’s nice father then replied, “My pricey son, this oldest of fasting days is pure, and it nullifies all sins. I’ve by no means revealed this to anybody till in the present day, however you may perceive past any doubt that this Ekadashi bestows the consequence indicated by its identify (Vijaya that means 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.
Mom Sita was then kidnapped by the demon Ravana, and Lord Rama seemingly grew to become bewildered like an strange man by misery. Whereas looking for His beloved consort, the Lord stumbled on the dying Jatayu and thereafter killed His enemy Kabandha. The good devotee-vulture Jatayu returned to Vaikuntha after telling Rama how His pricey Sita had been kidnapped by Ravana.
Later, Lord Rama and Sugriva, the king of the monkeys, grew to become mates. Collectively they amassed a grand military of monkeys and bears and despatched Hanumanji his minister to Shri Lanka, the place he was capable of see Janaki (Shrimati Sita devi) in an Ashoka grove backyard. He delivered Lord Rama’s message and confirmed the ring proving his authenticity for rendering such nice service to the Supreme Lord Shri Rama.
With the assistance of Sugriva, Lord Rama proceeded towards Shri Lanka. Upon arriving on the shore of the ocean with the military of monkeys, He may perceive that the water was uncommonly deep and hostile. Thus He stated to Lakshmana, Oh son of Sumitra, how can We earn sufficient benefit to have the ability to cross this huge ocean, the unfathomable abode of Varuna deva? I can see no straightforward option to cross it, teeming as it’s with sharks and different ferocious aquatics.
Lakshmana replied, Oh better of all beings, Oh origin of all of the devas, Oh primal character, the nice sage Bakadalbhya lives on an island simply 4 miles from right here. Oh Raghava, he has seen many Brahmas come and go, so aged and sensible is he. Allow us to go to him, take his darshan (viewers) and ask him how We are able to safely attain our aim.
So Rama and Lakshmana proceeded to the common-or-garden Ashram of the incomparable Bakadalbhya Muni. Approaching him,the 2 Lords paid Their respectful obeisances to him as if he have been a second Vishnu. Bakadalbhya may instantly perceive, nevertheless, that Shri Rama was really the Supreme Character of Godhead, who for His personal causes had appeared on the Earth and was enacting similar to a human being. “Shri Rama”, stated Bakadalbhya, “Oh better of the beings, why have You come to my lowly abode?” The Lord replied, “Oh nice, twice born brahmin, I’ve come right here to the ocean shore with My phalanx of monkey and bear warriors with a purpose to cross the ocean and conquer Lanka and its demon horde headed by Ravana. Oh best of sages, please be merciful unto Me and please inform Me how I can cross this huge ocean. That’s the reason I’ve come to your Ashram in the present day.” The sage stated, “Oh Lord Shri Rama, I shall let you know of essentially the most exalted of all fasts, observing which You’ll certainly conquer Ravana and be eternally glorified. Kindly now pay attention with full consideration.”
“On the day earlier than Ekadashi, vogue a water pot of gold or silver, and even copper. Even clay will do if these metals are unavailable. Fill the pot with pure water after which adorn it properly with mango leaves. Cowl it and place it close to a holy altar upon a mound of seven grains (the seven grains are barley, wheat, rice, corn, chickpeas, kukani, and dahl or peas). Now take Your morning tub, adorn the water pot with flower garlands and sandalwood paste, and within the concave lid atop the pot place there the barley, pomegranate, and coconut. Now with nice love and devotion worship the water pot Deity type and supply Him incense, sandalwood paste, flowers, a ghee lamp, and a plate of luxurious meals. Stay there awake that night time beside this sacred pot. On prime of the lid full of barley, wheat and so on., place a golden deity of Lord Sri Narayana.
When Ekadashi dawns, take Your morning tub after which adorn the water pot with effective sandalwood paste and garlands. Then worship the pot once more with top notch incense, lamps, sandalwood paste and flowers dipped in sandalwood paste, after which devoutly/devotedly place many sorts of cooked meals, pomegranate, and coconut earlier than the water pot. Then stay awake over night time. When the Dwadashi dawns, take the waterpot to the financial institution of a holy river, and even to the shore of a small pond. After worshipping it once more correctly, Oh King of kings, supply it with all of the aforementioned components to a pure hearted brahmin, professional within the Vedic sciences. If You and Your army commanders observe the Vijaya Ekadashi on this approach, You’ll certainly be victorious in each approach.”
Lord Shri Ramachandra Bhagavan, the Supreme Character of Godhead, did simply as Bakadaalbhya Muni instructed, and thus He conquered all demoniac forces. Equally, anybody who observes the Vijaya Ekadashi on this approach will all the time be victorious on this mortal world, and after leaving this world he/she is going to reside without end within the anxiety-free realm of the Kingdom of God often known as the Vaikunthas.
Oh Narada, my son, from this historical past you may perceive why one ought to observe this Ekadashi quick correctly, strictly following the principles and laws. This quick is highly effective sufficient to eradicate all one’s sinful reactions, even essentially the most abominable ones”.
Lord Shri Krishna concluded, “Oh Yudhishthira, anybody who reads or hears this historical past will attain the identical nice benefit as that which is earned by performing a horse sacrifice on days of yore.”
Thus ends the narration of the glories of Phalguna-krishna Ekadashi or Vijaya Ekadashi, from the Skanda Purana.
This 12 months Vijaya Ekadashi falls on 27 Feb 2022
Additionally learn our article on – How to observe ekadasi as per Srila Prabhupada’s instructions
