Vaikunta Ekadasi: A Time For Reflection, Gratitude, And Surrender
On January 09, 2025Ekadasi is a significant event in the Hindu calendar, and it occurs twice every month during the waxing and waning of the moon. Ekadasi literally means - "eka" (one) + "dasi" (ten) in Sanskrit - referring to the 11th lunar day. Hindu devotees revere this day for its significance and observe it with religious fervor and dedication. It is a day of many activities like prayer, fasting, and meditation. Engaging in these practices is believed to forge a close connection with god and enhance spiritual awareness.
What Is Vaikunta Ekadasi?
Vaikunta Ekadasi is a special Ekadasi celebrated in the Margashira month during the waxing phase of the moon and is of great significance compared to other Ekadasis. It is believed that on this day, Lord Vishnu opens the gates of his abode to those who worship Him. This important festival is celebrated in all Lord Vishnu temples.
This day is celebrated as a special occasion and as a festival. Lord Vishnu devotees, especially Vishnavas, consider it one of the most important days of the year. It is also called Mukkoti Ekadasi, and fasting and prayers are considered the most significant acts. It is a major festival in South Indian temples like Tirupati Balaji, Bhadrachalam, and Sirrangam Ranaganathaswamu. Apart from these, all temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his Avatars (incarnations) celebrate this day.
Legends Of Vaikunta Ekadasi
Three different legends related to Vaikunta Ekadasi are written in the Puranas.
Death of Asura Murasura
One of the stories that describes how Vaikunta Ekadasi started is in the sacred text of Padma Purana. There was an asura or demon called Murasura who was dreaded even by the Devas as he got a blessing from Brahma. To overcome Murasura, the Devas sought the help of Vishnu, who fought with the Asura but lost to him. Lord Vishnu then went into a cave called Simhavati, located in Badarikashrama. Mursura pursued him. Vishnu made a holy force called Yogamaya (a goddess), whom he called upon to end the Asura. Pleased with this, Vishnu gave her the name Ekadasi and said that she could forgive the sins of her devotees. So as per this, it is believed that anyone who worships Ekadasi and fasts on this day achieves Vaikunta. That is the reason it is believed that fasting on Dhanurmasa Ekadasi is auspicious.
Ambarisha’s Dilemma And Divine Intervention
Another story goes like this. There was a king called Ambarisha in Ayodhya who fasted on this day as per his promise. Once on this day as he was ready to break the fast, a sage Durvasa came to his city. After receiving the sage, the king invited him to have food with him. The sage accepted the offer but went to do his ablutions before it. Ambarisha waited for him for a long time, but the sage did not return. As the auspicious period for breaking the fast drew near, the king was in a dilemma about whether to break it or not. If not broken at the right time, the fast would not bear fruit. But if he ate even a morsel of food, it would be a disrespect to the sage.
Eventually, the king decided to drink water so that it would not insult Durvasa. When the sage returned, he was enraged. He tore out a clump of hair from his head and assaulted the king with it. However, Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra stopped and broke the clump, which went after Durvasa. Durvasa sought sanctuary from Shiva and Brahma, but they refused to take him. Eventually, he begged Vishnu to save his life. But Vishnu said that it was upto Ambarisha to salvage him. The sage went to the king and sought his forgiveness and was saved.
Divine Exception
According to religious texts, Vishnu allowed two demons to enter Vaikunta, his abode, despite knowing they were hostile. They sought a blessing that anyone who saw Vishnu’s image of him coming out of his Vaikunta door and anyone who heard their story would reach his abode.
Significance
It is believed that Gods gather at Vaikunta on this day, so-called Mukkoti Ekadasi (Mukkoti means three crores). Observing a fast on this day with faith, devotion, and dispassion and praying to Vishnu helps devotees liberate themselves from the cycle of death and birth.
One of the essential components of Vaikunta Ekadasi is fasting. People fast the entire day, chant Vishnu’s name, and meditate. Devotees contribute to charity or give back to society through acts of kindness.
Benefits of Vaikunta Ekadasi
What Is Vaikunta Ekadasi?
Vaikunta Ekadasi is a special Ekadasi celebrated in the Margashira month during the waxing phase of the moon and is of great significance compared to other Ekadasis. It is believed that on this day, Lord Vishnu opens the gates of his abode to those who worship Him. This important festival is celebrated in all Lord Vishnu temples.
This day is celebrated as a special occasion and as a festival. Lord Vishnu devotees, especially Vishnavas, consider it one of the most important days of the year. It is also called Mukkoti Ekadasi, and fasting and prayers are considered the most significant acts. It is a major festival in South Indian temples like Tirupati Balaji, Bhadrachalam, and Sirrangam Ranaganathaswamu. Apart from these, all temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his Avatars (incarnations) celebrate this day.
Legends Of Vaikunta Ekadasi
Three different legends related to Vaikunta Ekadasi are written in the Puranas.
Death of Asura Murasura
One of the stories that describes how Vaikunta Ekadasi started is in the sacred text of Padma Purana. There was an asura or demon called Murasura who was dreaded even by the Devas as he got a blessing from Brahma. To overcome Murasura, the Devas sought the help of Vishnu, who fought with the Asura but lost to him. Lord Vishnu then went into a cave called Simhavati, located in Badarikashrama. Mursura pursued him. Vishnu made a holy force called Yogamaya (a goddess), whom he called upon to end the Asura. Pleased with this, Vishnu gave her the name Ekadasi and said that she could forgive the sins of her devotees. So as per this, it is believed that anyone who worships Ekadasi and fasts on this day achieves Vaikunta. That is the reason it is believed that fasting on Dhanurmasa Ekadasi is auspicious.
Ambarisha’s Dilemma And Divine Intervention
Another story goes like this. There was a king called Ambarisha in Ayodhya who fasted on this day as per his promise. Once on this day as he was ready to break the fast, a sage Durvasa came to his city. After receiving the sage, the king invited him to have food with him. The sage accepted the offer but went to do his ablutions before it. Ambarisha waited for him for a long time, but the sage did not return. As the auspicious period for breaking the fast drew near, the king was in a dilemma about whether to break it or not. If not broken at the right time, the fast would not bear fruit. But if he ate even a morsel of food, it would be a disrespect to the sage.
Eventually, the king decided to drink water so that it would not insult Durvasa. When the sage returned, he was enraged. He tore out a clump of hair from his head and assaulted the king with it. However, Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra stopped and broke the clump, which went after Durvasa. Durvasa sought sanctuary from Shiva and Brahma, but they refused to take him. Eventually, he begged Vishnu to save his life. But Vishnu said that it was upto Ambarisha to salvage him. The sage went to the king and sought his forgiveness and was saved.
Divine Exception
According to religious texts, Vishnu allowed two demons to enter Vaikunta, his abode, despite knowing they were hostile. They sought a blessing that anyone who saw Vishnu’s image of him coming out of his Vaikunta door and anyone who heard their story would reach his abode.
Significance
It is believed that Gods gather at Vaikunta on this day, so-called Mukkoti Ekadasi (Mukkoti means three crores). Observing a fast on this day with faith, devotion, and dispassion and praying to Vishnu helps devotees liberate themselves from the cycle of death and birth.
One of the essential components of Vaikunta Ekadasi is fasting. People fast the entire day, chant Vishnu’s name, and meditate. Devotees contribute to charity or give back to society through acts of kindness.
Benefits of Vaikunta Ekadasi
- Spiritual purification
- To please Lord Vishnu and seek his blessings
- Soul cleansing
- Promotes disciple
- Gives health benefits by detoxifying the body and improving digestion
- Improved concentration
- Expressing gratitude to the Divine
