DASAMI
EkAdhashi Vratha begins with the sankalpa on the Dasami day, fasting on the Ekadhasi day pArane on Dvadashi day. The evening meals on the Dasami Dvadashi days along with abstaining from both the meals on the Ekadhashi day will make a total of four meals forbidden on these 3 days.
EKAADASI
Shri Vishnu Sahasra nAma stothram calls HIM Ekasmai Namaha meaning salutations to the ONE. So in the very name of Ekadhasi Shri Hari is present so it is a very auspicious day. Since Shri Hari is the presiding deity for Ekaadashi, it is also called 'Haridina' meaning a day to be dedicated entirely for worshipping Him, meditating upon Him, listening to His glory studying the scriptures. Sri Purandara Dasaru says vrathagalellavu hardina vrathadahinde. This is a unique concept of the followers of Dvaita philosophy. Observance of Ekadashi by fasting meditating on the Divinity with implicit faith, is an excellent reflection of sathva guna. The Lord mentions in the Gita that none born of prakruthi is free from the influence of three gunas, viz, Sathva, Rajas Thamas. Of the three gunas, sathva is given the highest place because the jeeva in whom sathva guna dominates moves towards the Nivruthi marga i.e., Jnana-Bhakthi-Vairagya-Moksha. To such souls, God reveals Himself. Ekadashi observance cleanses the mind paves the way for Jnana. It is an established fact that when one does not take food even though there is a desire for it, there will be increase in self-control it develops a strong will power. One who controls hunger will be away from sin because hunger is the root cause of many a sins. Srimad Acharya says in krishNAmrutha mahArNava that the fire of merit that accrues from observing an Ekadhasi reduces to ashes the sins of hundreds of births.
SIGNIFICANCE OF FASTING
The moon is not in its full glory during Ekadashi due to its movement. The food that is, therefore, consumed on these days remain undigested. Moon is the solicitation deity for food. UpavAsa does not mean mere fasting, it means sAmEpya vAsa (dwelling in proximity to the Lord) with archana, japa, katha shravana, nirAhara jAgarna. So, after setting apart sometime to basic necessities the whole day night is to be spent in thinking about His glories. Even if Shraadha falls on this day, it is to be performed on the Dwadasi day only. VarAha purana says the pregnant woman, mothers of young children those who are very weak can partake fruits like dates, banana, grapes, coconut milk, milk, curds grains which are not cooked. All sins indulged in by the body mind are wiped out by UpavAsa
EKAADASHI VICHAARA It has been discussed before in the list (KrishnAmrutha Maharnava). There is another occasion for two days of fasting when Dvadashi has a contactof the Shravana star reigns during the afternoon. Such a Dvadashi is called Shravana Dvadashi. So along with a fast on Ekadhashi, it is compulsory to fast on Shravana Dvadashi day. Shravana is the Lord's star the day associated with the Lord is Haridhina. It is sacred. Shastras permit some relaxation for the aged the sick in fasting on the first day but not on Shravana Dvadashi. During a year, Shravana Dvadashi fasting generally comes thrice, Bhaadrapada Shukla Dvadashi, Maagha Bahula dvadashi Phaalguna Bahula dvadashi. EKAADASHI AACHAARA Ekadhashi is a fasting day to atone for our sins of indulging in undesirable acts through Dashendriyas. It is a Vaishnava Vratha which is greater than all Yaagas its power to destroy sins is unmatched if we follow the dos don'ts of it strictly. Dos: Worship, meditate think about Him. Keep awake during the night of Ekadhashi. Make a sankalpa for three day vow. Break the fast on the Dwadasi day as per rules. On Ekaadashi, take theertha only once no thulasi to be eaten have only angaara mark(Black mark) on the forehead. Tell the greatness of Ekaadashi to others. Perform Ekaadashi shraadha on Dvadashi day. If shraadha falls on sadhana dwadaashi day, serve food to the brahmins before Dvadashi passes off. Even on vridhi, suthaka days, ekadhashi is to be observed. Even while in their periods, women have to observe Ekadashi. Do nots No food, water or sleep. No sleep during day time on Dasami, Ekadashi Dvadashi. The first part of Dvadashi thithi is called Harivaasara no food to be taken during that period. No cooked food to be offered as Naivedya on Ekadashi. No Ramaa (Lakshmi) naivedhya. No shraadha or homa on Ekaadashi day. HARIVAASARA The last part of Dasami Viddha Ekadashi viddha Ekadashi the first part of Dwadashi are known as Harivaasara.
These are also ausipicious merit fasting. On Dasami harivaaSara day, food is to be taken before the time mentioned in the panchaanga since ekaadashi will encroach on Dasami after that time. On Dwaadhashi harivaasara day, food should be taken after the time limit mentioned since dwaadhashi may not have come before that time. During harivaasara, no homa, no tharpana, no Ramaa naivedhya to be performed. Shrimad Acharya in his KrishnAmrutha Maharnava says"A thousand solar eclipses, ten thousand
Vyateepaataas a lakh of amaavaasyas do not have one sixteeth merit of the auspiciousness of Dwaadhashi. Hence the supremacy of the Dwadaashi has the greatest punya thithi. SANKALPA MANTHRAS dashamee divase parapte vrathastoham janaardana
thridinam devadevesha nirvigham kuru keshava (Brahmavaivartha puraanam) Janaardhana! Today being Dasami, I am ready for the three day vow. Oh, Lord! Deva Deva! Keshava! ss that no obstacles come in the way of my vow. ekaadashyam niraharaha sthithvahani parehyaham
bhookshyaami pundareekaaksha saranam me bhavaachyutha
(Brihannaaradeeya puraanama XXI-15) After fasting on Ekadhashi, I will eat on Dwadaashi, Please be my refuge, Oh, Achyutha! adhyashvasheha niraahaaro bhoothvaaham dwaadashee dine
vidhaasye paaranam dheva preetho bhava ma maanisham (Varaaha puraanam) I will be on a fast tonight tomorrow break the fast on Dwaadashi. Lord! may you be pleased. ajnaana thimiraandhasya vratenaanena keshava
Praseeda sumukho natha jnaanadristi prado bhava
(Brihannaradeeya puraanam, XXI- 20) Oh Lord! Keshava! I am blinded by the darkness of ignorance. By my undertaking this fast on Ekadashi, may it please you to bless me with the light of knowledge. ekaadasyupavaasena dwaadashee paaranenacha
yadaarijitham mayaa punyam thena preenathu keshavah
(Brahmavaivartha Puraanam) May Lord Keshava be pleased with the merit that accrued to me by fasting on Ekaadashi breaking the fast on Dwaadashi. na kAshi na gaya ganga na rewa cha gowthamI
na chApi kauravam kshathram, thulyambhoopa haredrinaath
(Padma purAnam) That sacred rivers like Ganga, Narmada, Godavari etc holy places like Kashi, Gaya, Kurushetra etc., cannot equal the merit of Ekaadhashi vratha. bhAgavatharodagodi upavAsa jAgara ondhina mAdalillA
rAgadhi shukamuni pELdha harikaThesuyOgavembodhilla
nIguvamThe bhava bhayava bhakuthi vairAgyavembodhilla
yOgivamdhe gOpAlavitTala thalebhAgi ninnane bedikombe HyAmge mAdalayya kRuShNa pOguthidhe Ayushya |
mangaLAnga bhava bhamga bidisi ninna dingarigana mAdo anangajanakA || |
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