
Dear Members:
The
auspicious Varuthini Ekaadashi (Chaitra Krishna ekaadashi) falls on
April 25, 2014 this year and is to be observed on the same date around
world except in places in USA and Canada, that follow Hawaii time, PST and MST time zones = where this should be observed on April 24th itself.
Glory of the Varuthini ekaadashi
The
glory of the Varuthini Ekaadashi has been explained in the Bhavishya
uttara puraaana in the form of a discourse between Yudhishtira Maharaaj
and Lord Krishna.
On a specific
request from Shri Yudhisthira, Lord Krishna explains that whosoever
observes a complete fast on this sacred day has his sins completely
removed, obtains happiness, and achieves all good fortune. Fasting on
Varuthini Ekaadasi makes even an unfortunate woman fortunate (There are
some horoscopic combinations in a female chart - like Visha Kanya yoga,
vaidavya yoga, vandhya dosha, etc. that can spoil family happiness and
bring much ill luck; Lord Krishna's saying that this fast will make even
an unfortunate woman fortunate refers to such horoscopes. So, this
ekaadasi fast on Varuthini ekaadashi can be suggested as remedy for such
horoscopes). Lord Krishna further says that this ekaadashi has the
potential of freeing a soul from the miseries of repeated rebirth.
Various
kings like King Maandaatta, Dhundhumaaraa, etc. have been benefitted by
this. King Mandaattaa obtained liberation; King Dhundhumaara - who
suffered from leprosy as a result of curse from Lord Shiva was freed
from it.
Whatever merit one
obtains by performing austerities and penances for ten thousand years is
achieved by a person who observes this Varuthini ekaadashi properly.
The method of observing this ekaadashi
The
following things should be given up on the Dashami thithi (the day
before the fast) - eating on bell-metal plates, eating any kind of
urad-dhal, eating red-lentils, consuming honey, eating in other's
houses, conjugal relationships.
On
the day of ekaadashi, one should observe fast (complete fast is
recommended), and listen to Shri Hari's stories from the mouth of
spiritual persons, or engage oneself in Divine Contemplation quietly.
One should avoid speaking ill of others (even sinners should not be
spoken about badly on this day), keep oneself ritually clean, and spend
the day in Divine Worship and contemplation. [My notes: Those who cannot
fast completely should at least avoid eating beans and rice/ whole
grains on this day, and should just consume fruit juices/ milk without
honey].
On the Dwaadashi thithi,
again one should avoid eating in bell-metal plates, eating urud-dhal
(black-gram), hard exercises, eating more than once, having oil bath,
shaving body, face, or head, and eating in other's home. [Eating in
other's home refers to eating outside; home of parents, in-laws,
daughter/ son, disciple's house/ Guru's house, close friend who is alike
oneself in observance of spiritual duties are not considered other's
houses as per shastras; so, one can consume food in these places as long
as the food has been prepared as per ritual conditions of purity].
One
who remains awake on this ekaadashi night and meditates upon/ worships
Lord Janaardhana will nullify all sins of previous birth and will attain
Supreme Abode of Lord Vishnu.
Lord
Krishna says that listening to/ reading the glory of this Varuthini
Ekaadashi with devotion is equivalent to the merit obtained by gifting
1000 cows!
May our members
observe this holy fast and become more lucky, and also become blessed
enough to attain Ultimate Salvation by the Grace of Shri Hari Vishnu.
Subham Bhavantu!
Blessed be.
Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI
www.kasamba.com/psychic/pandit-dakshinamoorthi