Kaamada Ekaadasi, Mesha Sankraanthi on April 14, 2011

Dear Members:

Kaamadaa Ekaadashi falls on April 14, 2011 this year. It is to be observed on the same day throughout the world.

Kaamada Ekaadashi is the ekaadashi that falls in the bright half of the month Chaitra (immediately after the Vasantha Navarathri). Kaamadaa - as the Sanskrit name implies is the fast that has the potential to grant us all our legitimate desires:)

The glory of this Ekaadashi was explained by Lord Krishna to King Yudhishtra.

Lord Krishna references a legend narrated by Sage Vasishta to King Dileepa (the great-grandfather of Shri Raama!) about the glory of this kaamadaa ekaadashi.

Once in a city-state called Ratnapura ruled by the Gandharva King Pundariika, there lived a court-musician couple - Lalit and Lalitha. They loved each other intimately and always had each other in thoughts.

Once it so happened that when Lalit had court duty his mind was dwelling upon his dear wife and so he made some mistakes in the tune of the melody he was singing with other Gandharvas for the king. A jealous naaga (entity of the snake clan) who was jealous of Lalit brought it to the notice of the king Pundariik who cursed him to become a canibalistic demon as he had been lustfully thinking of a woman instead of concentrating on his duty towards his king.

Due to the effect of the curse, Lalit - the beautiful Gandharva became a dreaded cannibalistic monster. His faithful wife - besotten by grief continued to follow him with a heavy heart wherever he went; poor Lalit had taken after the attitude of a man-eater and was no longer the gentle Gandharva that he once was!

Once during such wanderings Lalita came across a sage called Shringi. She requested the learned sage to suggest a remedy for redeeming her husband from his terrible form. The learned sage suggested that she should observe the Holy Kaamada Ekaadashi and willingly donate that merit to her husband, and by the efficacy of that fast, her husband will recover his Gandharva life. Lalita duly observed this kaamada Ekaadashi and donated it in honour of her husband, which restored his status as a Gandharva; they returned back to their realms in a Divine Chariot that manifested due to this merit.

Such is the glory of the kaamadaa Ekaadashi; it can bless one with realization of all desires, and effect removal of curses and sins that are as severe as having the potential to cause demonaic incarnations for the soul.

This year it is significant that this kaamadaa Ekaadasi falls on Mesha Sankranthi day itself; so the benefits of the fast will be manifold; but, consistent with dharma shastraic traditions, those who wish to fast on this day may try fasting by eating just once (instead of a full fast). Since consumption of certain delicacies - like a preparation from the flower of neem tree is mandatory in connection with Vishu celebrations, and also it is not traditional to remain hungry on a solar new year day, those who wish to fast on this day might try the via-media of fasting by skipping meals at night and morning, and consuming the traditional course of meal as per traditions for solar new year in the afternoon alone. Those who are of ascetic tendencies might, however, undertake the full fast; those in family life may fast in the modified form of fast suggested above.

May our members observe this holy fast and enjoy realization of all their legitimate desires in life.

Blessed be.

Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI

www.liveperson.com/pandit-dakshinamoorthi

email-id: dakshinastrologer@yahoo.co.in