Sarva Sayana Ekaadasi on July 2/ July 3, 2009

Dear Members:

This is about Sarva Sayana Ekaadasi (also known as Padma Ekaadasi) or Deva sayani Ekaadasi .

Days of the sayana ekaadasi fast for different regions of the world:

1) For USA, Canada, Brazil, Cuba, West Indies,(whole American continent), Europe, Africa, Gulf Countries, it should be observed on July 2, 2009.
2) Those living in India and in other countries to the East of India like Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, etc. should observe this on July 3, 2009.

Importance of this sayana ekaadashi

Sarva Sayana Ekaadasi falls on the bright fortnight of the month Aashaada. It is also known as Vishnu sayani ekaadasi. It is believed that after this Ekaadasi, Lord Vishnu goes to sleep along with the demi-gods (Yoga Nidra - not merely the senseless sleep of us mortals; God's sleep is Yoga Nidra - a yogic trance where His Will is still active!) till He wakes up on Prabhodini Ekaadasi after 4 months. Observance of this ekaadasi should be mainly for getting the Grace of Lord Vishnu. We should not fast on this day with any material gains in mind . Material gains like abundance and happiness of mind will follow automatically; but we are not supposed to make a sankalpa to this effect according to established traditions. We have seen that the other ekaadasis can also be observed with material gains like birth of child, or gain of fame or other material ends as sankalpa - but not this sayana ekaadasi. This ekaadasi automatically removes residual sins committed unknowingly.

LEGEND IN PURANAS DESCRIBING THE EFFICACY OF THIS SAYANA EKAADASHI

To illustrate this effect, there is the legend of a great famine during the rein of the Great Surya Vamsha king Maandaata who was known for his righteousness. There was a minor sin in the kingdom due to transgression of a natural law of dharma which had resulted in famine in the kingdom. On the advice of Sage Aangirasa, the King instructed all his subjects (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyaas, and Sudras - i.e. all castes) to observe this ekaadasi fast on Sayana Ekaadasi for obtaining the Grace of Lord Vishnu. Due to the observance, the kingdom was relieved from the grips of pestilence. If all of us observe this Sayana Ekaadasi with fervour to get Divine Grace, prosperity can ensure for the whole world! Of course, do not pray for removal of debts or prosperity - just do the sankalpam as "For Lord Hari's Grace upon the world"; prosperity will follow (do not make individual sankalpam for any material gains as this is against tradition - pray just for Lord Hari's Grace upon you and also for the whole world).

Those who cannot afford to observe a full fast may fast by just avoiding rice and grains, and by consuming uncooked fruits/ vegetables or by drinking fruit juices or milk. But, please observe this important fast in some form and meditate on Lord Hari on this day.

I hope our blog readers will utilize this fast to get closer to Divine and to burn off their latent sinful vaasanaas.

Sarvam vishnu mayam jagat.

Blessed be.

Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI

www.liveperson.com/pandit-dakshinamoorthi