Jaya Ekadashi – A Day Dedicated to Lord Vishnu
In the month of Magha, the Hindus celebrate Jaya Ekadashi, which falls on the 11th day of the month. It’s a sacred day when Lord Vishnu, a significant Hindu god, is honored with great zeal and devotion at ISKCON Kurukshetra. It is a spiritual celebration that is witnessed by devotees coming from various backgrounds. However, they have one thing in common: that is, the quest for seeking the blessings of the Lord Vishnu and creating a spiritual connection too.
The Story of Jaya Ekadashi
The story behind the importance of Jaya Ekadashi is narrated by Padma Purana. She said that in the kingdom of Nandana, which was a home to gods and other celestial beings, they celebrated a great festival. In this festival, there were an apsara called Pushpavati and a Gandharva named Malyavan performing. Seeing the dance of apsara Pushpavati’s and enchanted by it, Malyavan started dancing inappropriately. This angered Lord Indra, and they both were exiled from heaven and were reborn as spirits on Earth.
When they were reborn on earth, Pushpavati and Malyavan lived in the Himalayas and suffered with agony. One day they just observed a fast and stayed up all night. They did this on the night of Jaya Ekadashi. This pleased Lord Vishnu, and he was sad to have come before them and forgave them. As a result they were released from their curse and went back to heaven.
Understand the Relevance and Importance of Jaya Ekadashi
Jaya Ekadashi holds great relevance according to Hindu Vedic culture, and hence it is celebrated by devotees with great devotion and enthusiasm. It is a day when devotees fast as a route to cleansing of their body, mind, and soul. It is believed that on this day your sins get washed and you gain forgiveness from your past transgressions too. The celebrations start from early morning and end at sunset with a feast, and that is believed to be a path of spiritual development too for devotees.
The Story of King Harishchandra
It is said that King Harishchandra was known for his truthfulness. In his life he faced quite some hardships, and then he decided to keep the fast of Jaya Ekadashi to seek forgiveness. He was rewarded with the blessings of Lord Vishnu in the way of regaining his family and kingdom!
The Stories of Pandava’s Exile
As per Hindu religion and its mythological stories, the Pandava brothers from the Mahabharata decided to keep the fast of Jaya Ekadashi as they wanted to seek protection from Lord Vishnu while they were exiled in the forest. It is believed that Lord Vishnu was pleased with their devotion and gave them protection during their ordeals.
The Story of Celestial Couple’s Redemption
Once there was a celestial couple, Malyavan and Pushpavati, who were said to have been cursed by Lord Indra, and they had turned into ghosts. They kept roaming in the world as ghosts, aimlessly, and one day they decided to keep the fast of Jaya Ekadashi. Lord Vishnu was extremely pleased with their gesture and decided to forgive them and restore them to their celestial forms.
The Celebration of Jaya Ekadashi at ISKCON Kurukshetra
The festival of Jaya Ekadashi at ISKCON Kurukshetra begins in the morning and goes all day long. The devotees observe a fast and keep themselves away from food till sunset. They dedicate their time to prayers to Lord Vishnu, offering flowers, fruits, and sweets.
The Rituals and Practices on the Day of Jaya Ekadashi
- Getting ready: The day starts with an early morning bath by the devotees and the wearing of a fresh pair of clothes.
- Sankalp (Vow): After the bath, the devotees take a vow, which is also called a Sankalp, to adhere to the Ekadashi fast and worship Lord Vishnu. This is done while offering water in the palm of the right hand.
- Kinds of Fasting: The devotees can decide the kind of fast they wish to do. Some of them do not eat anything, which is called Nirjala Vrat, while some eat only fruits, water, and milk, and this kind of fast is known as Phalahar. In both kinds of fasts, devotees have to refrain from eating grains, lentils, and beans.
- Puja: The puja of Lord Vishnu begins in the morning with flowers, fruits, light, and incense being offered by devotees. Tulsi leaves are a must!
- Chanting and Recitation: On the day of Jaya Ekadashi, devotees spend their time reading the holy book of the Bhagavad Gita and reciting the Vishnu Sahasranama, which comprises 1,000 names of Vishnu. Devotees also sing devotional songs like bhajans in honor of Lord Vishnu.
- Night Vigil (Jagaran): Even after the day is over, devotees sing bhajans and do prayers even all night. It’s called Jagaran.
The Benefits that Jaya Ekadashi bring to its Devotees
Observation of fasts and worship of Lord Vishnu is said to bring immense spiritual blessings to the devotees and is said to purify their souls and help them attain freedom from their sins. Moreover, it is to cleanse the soul, providing a route to spiritual freedom and atonement. A happy afterlife and eventual moksha (freedom) are thought to be ensured by the fast, which also helps people avoid the fate of becoming ghosts or spirits.
The day of Jaya Ekadashi at ISKCON Kurukshetra is where you, as a devotee, can spend your day fasting, worshipping Lord Vishnu, reading the Bhagavad Gita, and chanting Hindu songs or bhajans.
