Ekadashi and its significance
Ekadashi ("Eleventh") is
the eleventh lunar day (tithi) of each of the two lunar phases which occur in
an vedic calendar month - the Shukla Paksha (the period of the brightening moon
also known as the waxing phase) and the Krishna Paksha (the period of the
fading moon also known as the waning phase). It is according to the Vedic
medical texts of Ayurveda and is mentioned in detail in many original treatises
such as Charaka Samhita and Susruta Samhita.
In Nepal and India, Ekadashi is
considered a day to cleanse the body, aid repair and rejuvenation and is
usually observed by partial or complete fast. High protein and
carbohydrate-containing foods such as beans and grains are not consumed by
observant people during the fast as it is a day to cleanse the body. Instead,
only fruit, vegetables, and milk products are eaten. This period of abstinence
starts from sunrise on the day of Ekadashi to sunrise on the following day.
Rice is not eaten on Ekadashi.
The timing of each Ekadashi is
according to the position of the moon. The Indian calendar marks progression
from a full moon to a new moon as divided into fifteen equal arcs. Each arc
measures one lunar day, called a tithi. The time it takes the moon to traverse
a particular distance is the length of that lunar day. Ekadashi refers to the
11th tithi, or lunar day. The eleventh tithi corresponds to a precise phase of
the waxing and waning moon. In the bright half of the lunar month, the moon
will appear roughly 3/4 full on Ekadashi, and in the dark half of the lunar
month, the moon will be about 3/4 dark on Ekadashi.
There are usually 24 Ekadashis in
a calendar year. Occasionally, there are two extra Ekadashis that happen in a
leap year. Each Ekadashi day is purported to have particular benefits that are
attained by the performance of specific activities.
List of Ekadashis
The table below describes the Ekadashis
and when they fall in the year.
Chaitra (March–April) - Papavimochini
Ekadashi or Kamada Ekadashi
Vaishakha (April–May ) - Varuthini
Ekadashi or Mohini Ekadashi
Jyesta (May-June) - Apara Ekadashi
or Nirjala Ekadashi
Ashada (June-July) - Yogini
Ekadashi or Shayani Ekadashi
Shravana (July-August) - Kamika
Ekadashi or Shravana Putrada Ekadashi
Bhadrapada (August-September) - Annada Ekadashi or Parsva Ekadashi
Ashwayuja (September-October) Indira Ekadashi or Pashankusha Ekadashi
Kartika (October-November) Rama Ekadashi or Prabhodhini Ekadashi
Margashira (November-December)- Utpanna
Ekadashi or Mokshada Ekadashi / Vaikunta Ekadashi
Pushya (December-January)-Saphala
Ekadashi or Putrada Ekadashi / Vaikunta Ekadashi
Magha (January-February) - Shat-Tila Ekadashi or Bhaimi Ekadashi / Jaya
Ekadashi
Phalguna (February-March)-Vijaya
Ekadashi or Amalaki Ekadashi
Adhika month
(once in 2–3 years) -Padmini or Visuddha Ekadashi or Paramaa
Shuddha Ekadashi
Calculation of Ekadashi is
different for Vaishnavites and Smartas. As per one text, the cut-off time is 96
minutes before sunrise. If the tenth day completes just 96 minutes before
sunrise, then that day is celebrated as Ekadashi. If the tenth day is
incomplete at 96 minutes before sunrise, but still continues to be Dashimi
sometime during that day, then the Ekadashi fast is performed on the following
day.
Most of the people follow Dharma Sindhu or Nirnaya Sindhu to obtain more accurate result while performing
rituals.
Significance
Ekadashi Tithi, the eleventh lunar day (Shukla Ekadashi), also known as Hari Vasara because it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is a day of fasting and prayers for all Hindus. Those who fast on this day are considered to get rid of malefic planetary influences, experience happiness, and gain the right peace of mind to think of Ishvara and attain moksha.