Vaikuntha Ekadashi

The origin of Ekadashi is told in the Puranas, in the story of the demon Mura (Muran), who threatened the devas. As Vishnu rested, a radiant maiden emerged from his body and slew the demon. Pleased, Vishnu named her Ekadashi and blessed anyone who observes the vrata with freedom from sin and the grant of liberation.

Vaikuntha Ekadashi has its own tradition. According to the Padma Purana, the devas who were troubled by the demons Madhu and Kaitabha sought help from Vishnu, who defeated them. It is said that at the moment of their death the demons asked that anyone who enters Vaikuntha through the northern gate on this day be liberated, and Vishnu granted the wish. This is the origin of the Vaikuntha Dwaram. Another tradition says the 33 crore devas, led by Brahma, came to Vishnu’s abode on this Ekadashi to seek his protection, which gives it the name Mukkoti Ekadashi. It is also associated with the Samudra Manthana (churning of the ocean of milk), when Lord Vishnu as Mohini is said to have distributed the nectar (amrita).

The festival is closely linked with the Alvars, the Tamil Vaishnava saints. Tradition holds that Nathamuni (10th century) revived the Divya Prabandham and began the practice of reciting it before the deity at Srirangam, which grew into the Adhyayana Utsavam. It is also said that Nammalvar attained Paramapada on this Ekadashi, and the Paramapada Vasal at Srirangam recalls this. At Srirangam, the festival is traditionally held over 21 days, divided into Pagal Pathu (ten days of daytime recitation), and Rapathu (ten days of night recitation), with Vaikuntha Ekadashi falling on the first day of Rapathu. Over the centuries the festival has spread through the temples of South India, and at Tirumala it draws lakhs of devotees to pass through the Vaikuntha Dwaram around the sanctum.

The Bhagavad Gita is also associated with this Ekadashi in the north. Gita Jayanti, the day Lord Krishna is said to have taught the Gita to Arjuna at Kurukshetra, is celebrated on the Shukla Ekadashi of Margashira, which is called Mokshada Ekadashi.

1.Preparation on Dashami (the day before). Take only a light, sattvic meal once, ideally before sunset, and avoid rice at night. Resolve (sankalpa) to observe the vrata with devotion.
2.Wake in Brahma Muhurta on Ekadashi. Take an early bath, wear clean clothes and apply the Vaishnava tilak (urdhva pundra) if it is part of your tradition.
3.Take the vrata sankalpa. In front of the Vishnu idol or picture, state your intention to observe Vaikuntha Ekadashi, and seek the Lord’s grace for completing it.
4.Perform the morning puja. Decorate the shrine with flowers and Tulsi leaves. Offer incense, a lamp, fruit and Tulsi, and perform arati to Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.
5.Observe the fast. The strictest form is nirjala (without food or water). Many people take only water, fruit, milk or light fasting foods. Avoid rice, wheat, pulses and other grains, as well as onion and garlic. Salt is avoided by some families.
6.Visit the temple. Devotees go to the Vishnu temple before dawn, especially to pass through the Vaikuntha Dwaram, and receive darshan of the Lord, who is decorated in special jewels and alankaram on this day.
7.Spend the day in prayer. Recite the Vishnu Sahasranama, Narayana Kavacham, Bhagavad Gita, Tiruppavai, Divya Prabandham or Vishnu stotras, and avoid worldly distractions, arguments and idle talk.
8.Keep the night vigil (jagarana). Stay awake through the night with bhajans, kirtans, Harinama sankirtana and listening to stories of the Lord’s glory. In temples, the Rapathu (night recitation) is part of the Adhyayana Utsavam.
9.Daana (charity). Give food, clothes, Tulsi plants, lamps or grain to the needy and to temples, and feed Brahmins or devotees if possible.
10.Break the fast on Dwadashi (Parana). The next morning, after bathing and worshipping Vishnu, break the fast during the parana window of Dwadashi, which is set by the panchang. The traditional first food is Tulsi water, followed by a simple meal that includes amla (gooseberry) and agathi keerai (sesbania leaves), which are considered auspicious. Do not delay the parana beyond the stated time.
11.Avoid sleep and daytime rice on Ekadashi. Many families also avoid rice and sleeping through the day, to keep the body and mind in a state of discipline.