Aja/ Annadaa Ekaadasi 2009

Dear Members:
Aja Ekaadasi also known as Annadaa Ekaadasi falls on August 16/17, 2009. This year, Vishnupati Punya kaalam also falls on the same day adding to the auspiciousness of the fast today infusing in it the potential to multiply the effects of the fast manifold! We are all indeed lucky to have it thus!

The dates of observance of Ekaadashi fast for different places on the globe are as follows:
1) Sarva Ekaadashi for those living in USA/ Canada, Caribberan Isles, and other countries of American continents, European countries, all nations in African continent, Gulf Countries, etc. on August 16, 2009. (Vishnupati Punya kaalam for these countries is on the same date).
2) Smaartha Ekaadashi for those living in India, Pakistan, Srilanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, and Burma on August 16, 2009. (Vishnupati PUnya kaalam is on August 16, 2009)
3) Vaishnava Ekaadashi for those living in India, Pakistan, Srilanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore,and Burma on August 17, 2009. (Though Vaishnava ekaadasi is on August 17, 2009, Vishnupati punya kaalam for these places is on August 16th only).
4) Sarva Ekaadashi for all other countries (countries in Australian continent, Fiji, Japan, etc.)on August 17, 2009. (Vishnupati punya kaalam for these Eastern countries is to be observed on August 17, 2009).

Glory of this Aja Ekaadasi

The glory of this Aja Ekaadasi has been explained in Brahma- Vaivarta Puraanaa in a discussion between King Yudhishtra and Lord Krishna.

Lord Krishna narrates the legend of King Harischandra, who though a great king of the Surya dynasty, fell from fortune (due to a test of dharma kept by Sage Viswamitra), and lived a miserable existence as a keeper of crematorium - separated from his virtous wife and loving son who even died due to circumstances.

One day King Harischandra came across Sage Gautama and thought "Lord Brahma has created Brahmins just to help others" (i.e. they can suggest powerful remedies to help negotiate vagaries of Fate). He payed his obeisances to the great sage and narrated his tale of woe and requested a remedy to come out of his sorry state of affairs.

Sage Gautama recommended observance of this Aja Ekaadasi Fast which is reputed to absolve one of the karmic effects of sinful activities of the past. King Harischandra duly observed the fast and was reunited with his relatives and also got back his Kingship. After his demise from this Earth, he ascended to Higher Spiritual Regions with all his relatives by the power of this fast.
Lord Krishna says that even those who hear of the glory of this fast or read about this with devotion will get merit equivalent to that obtained by Aswamedha sacrifice!

My notes: This is a shuddha ekaadasi, i.e. it is preferable to fast completely if possible (even avoiding water and fruits/ milk), and keep awake throughout the night. Please note that a full fast is not to be followed by pregnant ladies observing this ritual, or by ailing patients. They should subsist on fruits and milk, and as per shastras they will enjoy the full merit of a full fast due to their special condition.

Observance of this fast rigorously even without other accompanying rituals like Vishu pooja is very powerful. Just chant the name "Om HrishikEshaaya namah" with devotion throughout the day whenever you have time between your regular activities. This has the potential to remove the troubles that we are facing in this existence due to the effect of our past sins, and help us to enjoy peaceful existence.

May our members observe this fast and become freed from the clutches of negative karma, and enjoy peaceful and prosperous lives in a spiritual way.

Blessed be.
Pandit R.DAKSHINAMOORTHI

Astrological and Remedial consultant
dakshinastrologer@yahoo.co.in
www.liveperson.com/pandit-dakshinamoorthi