ॐ
|| श्रीः ||
|| श्री गुरुभ्यो नमः | श्री परम गुरुभ्यो नमः | श्रीमदानंदतीर्थ भगवत्पादाचार्य गुरुभ्यो नमः ||
|| श्रिमद्धनुमद्भीममध्वांतर्गत श्री लक्ष्मीवेंकठेशाया नमः ||
Being personally influenced by the power of this glorious 'Ekaadashi Vratha', I thought I'll put up a few paragraphs on this. The only reason why I dare to attempt this, is the lack of - a clear, crisp online summary on Ekaadashi in the Vaishnava
method (not to be confused with SriVaishnavas).
All credit, in terms of material, thoughts, references to other Dharma Grantha's, painstaking composition of ideas, flow of topics, etc., which are on this page is due to Dr.Vyasanakere Prabhanjanacharya, whose book - 'Ekaadashi Vratha' (ऎकादशी वृता
, ಏಕಾದಶೀ ವೃತ - Published by Aitareya Prakashana Vyasanakere), is the basis for this section on Ekadashi. This content is by no means comprehensive and is no alternative to hearing about the glory of Ekaadashi from your Guru, a well versed Pandit or
to the original book itself written by Dr.Prabhanjanacharya.If you can, it is highly advised to read the original copy of the book. You can read more about the author, his organisation - Shri Vyasamadhva Samshodhana Pratishtana(R) and their other
publications on this website : http://www.vyasamadhwa.org
I have selected a few sections from the book and tried to present ( translate / re-phrase / re-present) as required, in simple english/ layman terms. As a result of this, beyond my best efforts, if any part of the ideology is misrepresented, I would
be glad to make corrections. Any errors here are my own and does not reflect on the original author, the book or the siddhantha(philosophy).
Preface - प्रस्तावना
Glory of 'Sadaachaara'
'Sadaachaara' (Sath = Good + Achaara = habits of continous nature), according to the shaastra's is one of the key methods to gain a sound body and a sound mind. Further, clarity in thought, which is sought by one and all, is the most important
advantage a person gains by following sadaachaara. The following shaastra-vaakya's uphold the importance of Sadaachaara
। कर्मणा ज्ञानमातनॊति ।।
। आचारहीनं न पुनंति वॆदाः ॥
। आचार प्रभवॊ धर्मः ॥
Sadachaara here, is not limited to just doing good deeds (Being truthful, kind, helping others etc.,). One could assume, they are must-have qualities for any 'Saadhaka' (a person seeking divine enlightenment). One could perhaps draw very close
parallels between the concept of Sadaachaara and the concept 'Karma Yoga', as told by Lord ShriKrishna in the Srimad Bhagavadgeetha. Sadaachaara here refers to all such activities / responsibilities a person should discharge, based on his / her
aashrama dharma , with the only intention of pleasing the Lord in mind and without any expectation of any results. ( Fantastic ! .. isnt it ??)
Such type of activities could be - Daily (Sandhya Vandana, Shalagraama Pooja, Agni Kaarya, Bali harana etc.,), Done for a special reason (ex. Shodasha Samskaara's), Based on Time ( Shraadha Kriya, Tarpana during Grahana) , Place ( Shraadha
Kriya at Gaya, Veni Daana in Sangama - Prayaag, etc.,). They could also be giving Donation, going on piligrimage, Japa, Tapas, performing Yagnya, Upavaasa Vratha etc.,
Among these, the Upavaasa Vratha's are unique - some of the Vratha's are - Vishnu Panchaka, Bheeshma Panchaka, Ekaadashi (incl. Atirikta Dvaadashi & Shravana Dvaadashi), Shri Krishna Jayanthi or Shri Krishna Janmaashtami etc.,
Observance of Chaatur-Maasa vratha (4 months of special diet) is also an unique vratha.
Ekadashi and SriKrishna Jayanthi
Among all the Upavaasa vratha's, Ekadashi and Krishna Jayanthi are compulsory for all people (irrespective of caste, creed, age, sex, religion etc.,). This is a duty each and every citizen of this world must adhere to and act upon. Following these
rules are known to give - Maha Punya and non-compliance will result in earning Maha-papa (details of both, will be provided later). The shaastra's - i.e The Veda's, Purana's , Mahabharata etc., openly extoll the virtues of these Vratha's. Shri
Madhvachaarya too, in his many works has described these Vrutha's and has also given us the methodologies of following such Vratha's. Other Yati's (Sanyasi's) of the Madhva order - Shri Jayatheertharu, Shri Vishnutheertharu, Shri Vyaasaraajaru, Shri Vaadiraajaru, Shri RaaghavendraSwaamigalu have also upheld the glory of these Vratha's and one can find multiple instances of how these luminaries have referenced these Vratha's in their life.
Importance of Ekadashi
Lord Vishnu himself, is the main deity of the Ekadashi Thithi. This is the reason why Ekadashi is also called as a 'Hari Dina', which literally translates to Lord Vishnu's day (Hari=Vishnu , Dina = Day). It is of utmost importance to note that, Ekadashi gets its importance due to this fact.
Observing Ekadashi is two-fold. We first withdraw our senses (ear, eye, nose, taste, skin) from sensual pleasures, including food, water, sleep and secondly, use those same senses in the service of Lord Shri Hari. The day is ideally spent in listening to , thinking and speaking about the glories of the Lord in his infinte forms. Such a Vratha is said to be compulsory for all caste's, people without caste's, people of all ages, Women folk, children etc.,
