The Indian Panorama

Tag: Krishna Paksha

  • Varuthini Ekadashi

    Varuthini Ekadashi

    Varuthini Ekadashi, also known as Baruthani Ekadashi, is a Hindu holy day, which falls on the eleventh lunar day of the Hindu month of Chaitra. Varuthini Ekadashi falls in April or May. Like all Ekadashis, Lord Vishnu, especially his fifth incarnation Vamana, is worshiped.
    Dharmaraja Yudhishthira had asked Lord Krishna, what is the name of Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month? Shri Krishna said, O Rajeshwar! The name of this Ekadashi is Varuthini. It is a blessing, a destroyer of all sins, and a salvation in the end.

    Fasting on this day has the potential to give up gambling, sleep, dentistry, blasphemy, petty, theft, violence, rituals, anger and abandonment of lies. Doing so provides mental peace. The fast should be eaten as sattvik. Family members should do Bhagavad bhajan at night and do awakening. The donation of food is considered to be the biggest donation on this day.
    Story
    In ancient times, a king named Mandhata used to rule on the banks of Narmada. He was a very benevolent and ascetic king. One day while doing penance, a wild bear chewed the leg of King Mandhata. After a while, the bear dragged the king to the forest. King panicked and started praying to Lord Vishnu. Hearing the call of the devotee, Lord Vishnu protected his devotee by killing the bear with his Sudarshan Chakra. Lord Vishnu said to King Mandhata – O Watts! Worship my Varaha avatar idol in Mathura by observing the fast of Baruthni Ekadashi. With that effect, you will be able to regain your feet. This was your past life’s crime. The king performed this fast with great reverence and regained his feet.
    Varuthini Ekadashi Rituals
    Certain rules are prescribed for observing Varuthini Ekadashi. One should observe a fast with an all-night vigil, praying and singing hymns. The Varuthini Ekadashi vrat may start on Dashami (10th lunar day), the day before the Ekadashi. On the day of Varuthini Ekadashi, the devotees should wake up early, take a holy bath and worship Lord Vishnu. It is an occasion meant for spiritual attainment, and so, the day should be spent chanting prayers or singing bhajans. Full fasting without consuming any food or water is recommended for Varuthini Ekadashi vrat. Those who can’t afford this can observe a partial vrat by consuming fruits, nuts and water. The Varuthini Ekadashi vrat must only be broken the next day after offering prayers to Lord Vishnu.
    The worship of Lord Vishnu or his avatar Vamana is an important Varuthini Ekadashi ritual. One can do this at home using lamps, incense sticks, Tulsi leaves, flowers, sandal paste etc. If possible, those who observe vrat must visit the temples of Lord Vishnu and stay awake, reciting mantras and reading scriptures. One may choose to read Satyanarayana katha, Vishnu Sahasranama or Bhagavad Gita chapters.
    Varuthini Ekadashi Vrat
    It is advised that followers of the Varuthini Ekadashi vrat fast from dawn on Ekadashi to dawn on Dwadashi. Although a full fast is advised, one can begin fasting at sunset the day before to make sure that no undigested food is still present in the stomach. Varuthini Ekadashi vrat involves more than merely giving up food. Gambling, lying, criticising others, violence, athletics, and sexual activity are all forbidden. The devout person on vrat shouldn’t give in to sleep, rage, or greed. Consequently, vrat purifies the mind, body, and soul by overcoming temptations and sensations. Varuthini Ekadashi also forbids certain practices like shaving and applying oil on one’s body.
    The next day (Dwadashi), after sunrise, is appropriate to perform parana, or breaking the fast. In the event that Dwadashi does not end before sunrise, Parana must be performed the following day. Also, it is advised to avoid doing Parana in the first Dwadashi tithi quarter, which is the Hari Vasara time. While it is not advised to break the fast in Madhyahna, Pratahkal is thought to be the most fortunate moment to do so. A person should perform Parana after Madhyahna if they were unable to do it in Pratahkal.
    Two types of Ekadashi Vrats are recommended; one for Smarthas, those with family, and the other for Sanyasis and Moksha seekers. While a one-day fast is recommended for Smarthas or normal devotees, alternate fasting or a two-day fast is suggested for Sanyasis and Moksha seekers.
    Fasting
    Although complete fasting on Varuthini Ekadashi is advised, people who are unable to do so owing to health reasons can observe a partial fast by only eating once, at midday or in the evening. In that situation, a devotee should refrain from eating or drinking anything that is not vegetarian, including meat, fish, eggs, grains, onions, peas, beans, black gram, spinach, betel nuts, paan, red lentils, honey, sesame seeds, mustard, asafoetida, cloves, fennel, cardamom, nutmeg, tulsi, tamarind, custard, salt, baking soda and baking powder.
    Eating in bell metal utensils and eating from other houses are also prohibited. The devotee can choose to eat the Havishyanna food offered to Yajna on the previous day. It is said that even those who are not observing the vrat should avoid consuming grains, pulses, and non-vegetarian foods on Ekadashi.
    What is the significance of Varuthini Ekadashi?
    The significance of Varuthini Ekadashi is narrated by Lord Krishna to Yudhishtira in the Bhavishya Purana. He says that this Ekadashi can turn the unfortunate into the fortunate and release a soul from the cycle of birth and death. Observing this Ekadashi has helped the Ikshvaku King Dhundhumara to become free from the curse of Shiva and King Mandata to get enlightened. Also, according to various Hindu legends, observing fast on Varuthini Ekadashi is equivalent to one hundred Kanyadaans or donating gold at Kurukshetra on the day of a solar eclipse.
    Thus, Varuthini Ekadashi is an important observance for Hindus, offering countless benefits. It is believed that one who observes Varuthini Ekadashi vrat will be protected from all the evils and bestowed with blessings from Lord Vamana. Also, it is supposed to bestow cures for illnesses and sufferings, fame, happiness, prosperity, material pleasure etc.
    The ultimate power of Varuthini Ekadashi is granting of Moksha, freedom from the cycle of life and death. According to Hindu astrology, one who observes the vrat on this day will be freed from all sins and liberated from the cycle of re-birth.

  • Varuthini Ekadashi

    Varuthini Ekadashi

    Varuthini Ekadashi, also known as Baruthani Ekadashi, holds great significance and importance for Hindus. On the day of Varuthini Ekadashi, devotees worship and offer prayers to Lord Vamana, who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. According to the North Indian Purnimant calendar, Varuthini Ekadashi is observed during Krishna Paksha of Vaishakha month and, according to the South Indian Amavasyant calendar, Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month. However, both North Indians and South Indians observe it on the same day. According to the Gregorian calendar, the day falls in the month of April or May. Read on to find out more about Varuthini Ekadashi. This year, Varuthini Ekadashi Vrat will be observed on May 7.

    Puja vidhi

    Vaishnava Varuthini Ekadashi is dedicated to Lord Vamana – the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On this day, devotees worshipped Lord Vishnu with dhoop, sandalwood paste, fruits, incense sticks, and flowers in order to evoke the deity.

    The fasting begins from the day of Dashami tithi and is broken on Dwadashi tithi after praying to Lord Vishnu. It is believed that any person who devotedly observes fast on this day can change their bad luck and attain prosperity, abundance and good luck in their lives.

    By performing various acts of donations and charities on this particular day, the devotees get blessed with the divine blessings of their ancestors and the deities.

    Among the twenty-four Ekadasis of the year, Varuthini Ekadashi is considered as the most efficacious, as it confers amazing benefits to the devotees who observe fast on this day.

    Significance

    The greatness and glories of Vaishnava Varuthini Ekadashi finds mention in several religious scriptures like ‘Bhavishya Purana’ in the form of conversation between Sri Krishna and King Yudhisthira, the eldest of Pandavas. Various Maharajas observed this sacred fast and obtained uncountable benefits. The merits of the Vaishnava Varuthini Ekadashi outpowers all kinds of charities including ‘Kanyadaan’ that is believed to be most pious of all the ‘daans’. The word ‘Varuthini’ in Hindi signifies ‘protected or armoured’ and hence by observing a religious vrat on Vaishnava Varuthini Ekadashi a person will be shielded from all the evils and misfortunes and in the end gain good fortune.

    Rituals

    Fasting on Vaishnava Varuthini Ekadashi is believed to be highly rewarding for Hare Krishna followers. The rituals start right from the previous day ‘dashami’ and the observer of this vrat eat selective meal once before sunset. Eating on bell metal plates is also not allowed on this day. This is done to make sure no traces of food are left in the stomach on the ekadashi day.

    On ekadashi, devotees do not eat anything or even take a sip of water all day. However if someone cannot keep a strict vrat, partial fasting or even fasting from morning till sunset is also allowed. While keeping the fast, the person should not sleep during the daytime and stay away from sinful thoughts and actions. It is popular belief that one who stays awake all night chanting religious hymns on ekadashi will gain freedom from all their sins.

    Ekadashi is meant for spiritual attainment and therefore the day is spent chanting mantras or singing bhajans in praise of Lord Vishnu. Devotees worship Lord Vamana, the fifth incarnation of Sri Hari Vishnu, on this day and make several offerings to their beloved deity. It is also important to visit temples of Lord Vishnu in the evening and witness the celebrations of the day.

    Vaishnava Varuthini Ekadashi vrat is broken next day on ‘dwadashi’ (12th day) after praying to Lord Vishnu and offering food and money to some respectful Brahmins.

    Varuthini Ekadashi Vrat

    Devotees observing Varuthini Ekadashi vrat are recommended to fast from sunrise in Ekadashi to sunrise in Dwadashi. Since a complete fast is recommended, one can start fasting from the previous day’s sunset to ensure that no undigested food remains in the stomach. Observing Varuthini Ekadashi vratis not just abstaining food. One should not indulge in gambling, lying, criticizing others, violence, sports, and sexual activity. The devotee on vrat should not succumb to sleep, anger and greed too. Thus, by resisting the feelings and temptations, vrat purifies the mind, body, and soul. Certain activities such as shaving, smearing oil on the body, etc. are also prohibited on Varuthini Ekadashi.

    Parana or breaking the fast should be done on the next day (Dwadashi) after the sunrise. It is necessary to do Parana on the next day unless Dwadashi is over before sunrise. Also, one should take care not to do Parana on Hari Vasara period, which is the first quarter of the Dwadashi tithi. Pratahkal is considered as the most auspicious time to break the fast while breaking the fast in Madhyahna is not recommended. So, if one couldn’t do Parana in Pratahkal, then he/she should do it after Madhyahna.

    Two types of Ekadashi Vrats are recommended; one for Smarthas, those with family, and the other for Sanyasis and Moksha seekers. While a one-day fast is recommended for Smarthas or normal devotees, alternate fasting or a two-day fast is suggested for Sanyasis and Moksha seekers.

    Though full fasting is recommended on Varuthini Ekadashi, those who can’t bear it due to health issues can observe a partial fast by eating once, at midday, or in the evening. In that case, a devotee should avoid non-veg food (meat, fish, egg, etc.), beverages (tea, coffee, cola, and other energy drinks), mushrooms, grains, onion, peas, beans, black gram, spinach, betel nut, paan, red lentil, honey, sesame seeds, mustard, asafoetida, cloves, fenugreek, cardamom, nutmeg, fennel, tulsi, tamarind, custard, salt, baking soda, baking powder, etc.

    Eating in bell metal utensils and eating from other houses are also prohibited. The devotee can choose to eat the Havishyanna food offered to Yajna on the previous day. It is said that even those who are not observing the vrat should avoid consuming grains, pulses, and non-vegetarian foods on Ekadashi.

    Fasting Procedure

    –              A complete fast is recommended. So, a devotee can start fasting from the previous day’s sunset to avoid any undigested food remaining in the stomach.

    –              On Ekadashi day, the devotee should wake up before sunrise, take a bath and worship Lord Vishnu.

    –              Visiting a Vishnu temple, chanting prayers, and reciting Vishnu Sahasranamaor Bhagavad Gita will intensify the spiritual drive.

    –              Breaking the fast or Parana should be done on the next day (Dwadasi) after taking a bath and worshiping Lord Vishnu. It should be done in the Parana time, which varies with each Dwadasi.

    –              Parana or breaking the fast shouldn’t be done during Hari Vasaraperiod, the first quarter of Dwadashi.

    –              The most auspicious time for Parana is Pratahkal. If the devotee couldn’t do it duringPratahkal, then he/she should do it after Madhyahna.