Significance of Shat-Tila Ekadashi
The greatness of
Shat-Tila Ekadashi is explained in the ‘Bhavishyottara Purana’ as a
conversation between Pulastya Muni and Sage Dalbhya. It is believed that a
person observing Shat-Tila Ekadashi will be bestowed with infinite wealth and
good health. It is believed that a person observing Shat-Tila Ekadashi will be
bestowed with infinite wealth and good health. As per the Hindu legends they
will attain salvation and get freedom from the continuous cycle of rebirth. By
donating sesame seeds or ‘til’ on Shat-Tila Ekadashi, devotees will be
liberated from all their sins done knowingly or unknowingly in their present or
past life.
Story
There was a rich
lady who used to do a lot of charity work for the needy and poor. She
distributed clothes, money, valuables and many other useful things except for
the food. It was believed that distributing food is the higher form of
charities. Therefore, Lord Krishna decided to make her realize this fact. He
appeared in the form of a beggar and approached the rich lady begging her for
food. The lady was unwilling to give food in alms to the beggar and drive him
away.
When the beggar
asked for food, she insulted him by dropping a ball of clay in his begging
bowl. The beggar thanked her and left the scene. As the rich lady entered back
into the house, she was astonished and shocked to see that all the food in the
home had turned into clay. Despite her wealth, she was not able to eat anything
as whatever she tries to eat turned into clay.
The health of
the lady started deteriorating each day due to hunger. She prayed that day to
Lord Krishna to save her. Krishna appeared in her dream made her realized that
since she insulted the beggar with the ball of clay, she was the one inviting
this misfortune. The Lord enjoined the lady to donate food to the poor and
observe this vrata which gave her back what she lost. The lady was happy thereafter and started
spending more on donating food to the needy and poor.