ॐ Hindu Of Universe ॐ
“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”
Yudhisthira Maharaja said, “O Shri Krishna, what is the name of the Ekadashi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Pausa [December January]?
How is it observed, and which Deity is to be worshiped on that day? Please narrate this to me fully, O Janardana.”
The Supreme Personality of Godhead replied, “O best of kings, because you desire to hear, I shall fully describe to you the glories of Pausa-krishna Ekadashi.
“I do not become as pleased by sacrifice or charity as I do by My devotees’ observance of a full fast on Ekadashi To the best of one’s ability, therefore, one should fast on Ekadashi the day of Lord Hari.
O Yudhisthira, I urge you to hear with undivided intelligence the glories of Pausa-krishna Ekadashi which falls on Dvadasi.
As I explained previously, one should not differentiate among the many Ekadashis.
O king, to benefit humanity at large I shall now describe to you the process of observing Pausa-krishna Ekadashi.
Pausa-krishna Ekadashi is also known as Saphala Ekadashi.
On this sacred day one should worship Lord Narayana, for He is its ruling Deity.
One should follow the previously described method of fasting.
Just as among snakes Sesa-naga is the best, among birds Garuda is the best, among sacrifices the Asvamedha-yagya is the best, among rivers Mother Ganga is the best, among gods Lord Vishnu is best, and among two-legged beings the brahmanas are the best, so among all fasting days Ekadashi is the best.
O foremost of kings born in the Bharata dynasty, whoever strictly observes Ekadashi becomes very dear to Me and indeed worshipable by Me in every way.
Now listen as I describe the process for observing Saphala Ekadashi.
On Saphala Ekadashi.
My devotee should worship Me by offering Me fresh fruits according to time, place, and circumstance, and by meditating on Me as the all-auspicious Supreme Personality.
He should offer Me jambira fruit, pomegranate, betel, coconut, guava, nuts, cloves, mangoes, and different kinds of aromatic spices.
He should also offer Me incense and bright ghee lamps, for such an offering of lamps on Saphala Ekadashi.
is especially glorious.
The devotee should try to stay awake all night.
Now please hear with undivided attention as I tell you how much merit one gets if he fasts and remains awake throughout the entire night.
O best of kings, there is no sacrifice or pilgrimage that yields merit equal to or better than the merit one gains by fasting on Saphala Ekadashi.
Such fasting-particularly if one can remain awake and alert all night long bestows the same merit upon the faithful devotee as the performance of austerity for five thousand years.
O lion among kings, please hear the glorious history of this Ekadashi.
Once there was a city called Campavati, which was ruled by the saintly King Mahismata.
He had four sons, the eldest of whom, Lumpaka, always engaged in very sinful activities-illicit sex with the wives of others, gambling, and continual association with known prostitutes.
His evil deeds gradually reduced the wealth of his father, King Mahismata.
Lumpaka also became very critical of the demigods and brahmanas, and every day he would blaspheme Vaishnavas.
At last King Mahismata, seeing the condition of his son, exiled him to the forest.
Out of fear of the king, even compassionate relatives did not come to Lumpaka’s defense, so angry was the king and so sinful was Lumpaka.
Bewildered in his exile, Lumpaka thought to himself, ‘My father has sent me away, and even my kinsmen do not raise any objection.
What should I do now?’ He schemed sinfully and thought, I shall sneak back to the city under cover of darkness and plunder its wealth.
During the day I shall stay in the forest, and at night I’ll return to city.’
So thinking, Lumpaka entered the dark forest.
He killed many animals by day, and by night he stole valuable items from the city.
The city-dwellers apprehended him several times, but out of fear of the king they left him alone.
They thought that it must have been the sins of his previous births that had made him lose his royal facilities and act so sinfully.
Though a meat-eater, Lumpaka would also eat fruits every day.
He resided under an old banyan tree that happened to be very dear to Lord Vasudeva.
Indeed, many worshiped it as the god of all the trees in the forest.
In due course of time, while Lumpaka was doing so many sinful and condemnable activities, Saphala Ekadashi arrived.
On the eve of Ekadashi, Lumpaka had to pass the entire night without sleep because of the severe cold and his scanty bedclothes.
The cold not only robbed him of all peace but almost killed him.
By the time the sun rose, his teeth were chattering and he was almost comatose, and all during the morning of that day, Ekadashi, he could not awaken from his stupor.
When midday of Saphala Ekadashi, arrived, the sinful Lumpaka finally came to and managed to rise up from his place under the banyan tree.
But with every step he stumbled to the ground.
Like a lame man, he walked slowly and hesitantly, suffering greatly from hunger and thirst in the midst of the jungle.
So weak was Lumpaka that he could not kill a single animal that day. Instead, he was reduced to collecting whatever fruits had fallen to the ground.
By the time he returned to the banyan tree, the sun had set.
Placing the fruits on the ground next to him, Lumpaka began to cry, ‘Oh, woe is me! What should I do?
Dear father, what is to become of me?
O Shri Hari, please be merciful to me and accept these fruits!’ Again he was forced to lie awake the whole night without sleep, but in the meantime the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Madhusudana, had become pleased with Lumpaka’s offering of the forest fruits, and He accepted them.
Lumpaka had unwittingly observed a full Ekadashi, fast, and by the merit he reaped on that day he regained his kingdom with no further obstacles.
Listen, O Yudhisthira, to what happened to the son of King Mahismata when but a fragment of merit sprouted up within his heart.
As the sun rose beautifully on the day following Ekadashi, a handsome horse approached Lumpaka and stood next to him.
At the same time, a voice suddenly spoke from out of the clear blue sky: ‘This horse is for you, Lumpaka! Mount it and swiftly ride out to greet your family! O son of King Mahismata, by the mercy of Lord Vasudeva and the strength of the merit you acquired by observing Saphala Ekadashi, your kingdom will be returned to you without any further hindrances.
Such is the benefit you have gained by fasting on this auspicious day.
Go now to your father and enjoy your rightful place in the dynasty.’
Upon hearing these celestial words, Lumpaka mounted the horse and rode back to the city of Campavati.
By the merit he had accrued by fasting on Saphala Ekadashi, he had become a handsome prince once more and was able to absorb his mind in the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari.
In other words, he had become My pure devotee.
Lumpaka offered his father, King Mahismata, his humble obeisances and once more accepted his princely responsibilities.
Seeing his son decorated with Vaishnava ornaments and tilaka, King Mahismata gave him the kingdom, and Lumpaka ruled unopposed for many, many years.
Whenever Ekadashi came, he worshiped the Supreme Lord with great devotion.
And by the mercy of Shri Krishna he obtained a beautiful wife and a fine son.
In old age Lumpaka handed his kingdom over to his sonjust as his own father, King Mahismata, had handed it over to him-and then went into the forest to serve the Supreme Lord with controlled mind and senses.
Purified of all material desire, he left his body and returned home, back to Godhead, attaining a place near the lotus feet of Lord Shri Krishna.
O Yudhisthira, one who approaches Me as Lumpaka did will become completely free of lamentation and anxiety.
Indeed, anyone who properly observes this glorious Saphala Ekadashi – even if unknowingly, like Lumpaka-will become famous in this world.
He will become perfectly liberated at death and return to Vaikuntha.
Of this there is no doubt.
Moreover, one who simply hears the glories of Saphala Ekadashi, obtains the same merit derived by one who performs a Rajasuya-yajna and at the very least he goes to heaven in his next birth.”
Saphala Ekadashi
Parana means breaking the fast.
Ekadashi Parana is done after sunrise on next day of Ekadashi fast.
It is necessary to do Parana within Dwadashi Tithi unless Dwadashi is over before sunrise.
Not doing Parana within Dwadashi is similar to an offence.
Parana should not be done during Hari Vasara.
One should wait for Hari Vasara to get over before breaking the fast.
Hari Vasara is first one fourth duration of Dwadashi Tithi.
The most preferred time to break the fast is Pratahkal.
One should avoid breaking the fast during Madhyahna.
If due to some reasons one is not able to break the fast during Pratahkal then one should do it after Madhyahna.
At times Ekadashi fasting is suggested on two consecutive days.
It is advised that Smartha with family should observe fasting on first day only.
The alternate Ekadashi fasting, which is the second one, is suggested for Sanyasis, widows and for those who want Moksha.
When alternate Ekadashi fasting is suggested for Smartha it coincides with Vaishnava Ekadashi fasting day.
Ekadashi fasting on both days is suggested for staunch devotees who seek for love and affection of Lord Vishnu.
Introduction to Saphala Ekadasi
The 11th day of Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the Moon) in the month of Pausha (December–January) is celebrated as Saphala Ekadasi.
This day is also known as Pausa Krishna Ekadasi.
Story of Saphala Ekadasi
Once, there lived a King with four sons, of which the one named Lumbaka was very cruel and distrusted Lord Vishnu.
Due to his arrogant nature, he was expelled from the kingdom.
Even then, he was unaffected and started to steal from others and eat meat by killing animals.
He started living under a banyan tree while he remained unkind to others.
One day, he fell ill and was unable to eat or drink anything, which made him stay awake the whole night.
Fortunately, this fell on Saphala Ekadasi, and thus, he unknowingly received the virtue of observing the fast.
When he woke up, he felt a massive difference in him physically and mentally and understood that Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, is the reason behind this incident.
Instantly, he became an ardent devotee of the Lord and returned to his father, apologizing for his faults.
Lord Vishnu then granted him a blissful life, and he attained salvation after death.
Significance of Saphala Ekadasi
‘Saphala’ means to prosper, and this day is extremely auspicious to worship Lord Vishnu to achieve success in all your ventures.
Lord Krishna narrated the significance of Saphala Ekadasi and observing fast on this day to King Yudhishthira (eldest of the 5 Pandavas) in Brahmanda Purana.
Rituals of Saphala Ekadasi Vrat
Devotees commence their fasting on Dasami (10th Moon) with Sattvic food before sunset and observe a strict fast on Ekadasi, which continues till the sunrise of Dwadasi (12th Moon).
If one cannot keep complete fasting, partial fasting with fruits and milk is allowed.
Lord Vishnu is worshipped devoutly on this day, and fruits, coconut, incense sticks, betel leaves, and betel nuts are offered to the Lord.
Presenting Tulsi leaves to the Lord is considered more sacred and is believed to remove all the past sins of an individual.
The observer of the fast must keep vigil and indulge oneself in singing hymns or listening to famous tales of Lord Vishnu.
Benefits of Saphala Ekadasi Vrat
As per sacred texts, observing Saphala Ekadasi Vrat can bestow the following blessings:
- Success, abundance, and prosperity.
- Fulfill dreams and desires.
- Transform bad luck into good fortune.
- Absolve sins and put an end to miseries.
- Bring more merits than those achieved from performing 100 Rajasuya Yagnas and 1000 Ashvamedha Yagnas (Fire Rituals to attain power and sovereignty).
- Give inner peace and salvation.
Connect With The Divine
The sacred scriptures prescribe fire ceremony, Abishekam (hydration ceremony), Pooja/Archana (Light and Sound ceremony), Yantra and Mantra (special sounds) as the ways to offer your prayer to the divine.
Out of these, fire ceremony is the most evolved spiritual technology on earth to connect with the divine beings.
Participate in the remedial services to clear your karma and receive the blessings.
Vishnu Pooja
Any form of ceremonial or organized worship can generally be termed a pooja.
Rituals like an abhishekam, alankaram, archana, etc.
can qualify to be so called.
A pooja, in the present context, can be taken to specify an archana.
Vishnu Homa
Lord Vishnu is the preserver and protector of the universe and one among the Trinity. Performing a sacred homa to Lord Vishnu can bestow you with wealth, good health, happiness, and prosperity.
Maha Vishnu Yantra
Maha Vishnu is the protector of this Universe; he guards all the living beings on this earth plane.
When you worship him, you will be gifted with long life, prosperity, peace, happiness and success.
Impediments will no longer stand on your way of achievements.
Ekadashi in Krishna Paksha during Paush month is known as Saphala Ekadashi.
As Saphala means success, so it is believed that by fasting on this day all tasks of a person get successful.
On this day, Lord Achyuta is worshipped.
Saphala Ekadashi Vrat Puja Vidhi
People fasting for Saphala Ekadashi must worship Lord Achyuta on this day.
The Puja Vidhi for the fast is as follows:
1. One should have Sattvic food only one time on the day of Dashami, and should follow the rules of this fast strictly.
2. Take vows for the fast after bathing in the morning and offer incense, lamp (Diya), fruits and Panchamrit to the God.
3. Worship Lord Achyuta with Coconut, Supari, Amla, Pomegranate, clove, etc.
4. On this day, singing devotional songs (Bhajans and Jagrans) devoted to Lord Shri Hari at night is considered important.
5. Next day on Dwadashi, feed and donate things to the needy or Brahmins. After that, open your fast.
Four Donts of Saphala Ekadashi
● Avoid sleeping on bed, instead sleep on the ground.
● Avoid eating meat, intoxicating things (Nashili Vastu), garlic and onion.
● Avoid brushing your teeth in the morning of this Ekadashi.
● Avoid plucking fruits and leaves of any tree as it is considered inauspicious.
Importance of Saphala Ekadashi
In religious scriptures, significance of Saphala Ekadashi is mentioned during the conversation between Lord Krishna and Dharmaraj Yudhisthira.
It is believed that 1000 Ashwamedha Yagya can not give as much result as one can obtained by fasting for this Ekadashi.
So, if a person fasts on this day, all his/her pain and suffering ends, luck becomes favourable and wishes gets fulfilled.
Story of Saphala Ekadashi
In ancient times, King Mahishmat used to rule the Champawati city.
He had four sons, among which Lumbhak was very cruel and immoral.
He used to spent his father’s money on bad deeds.
Getting saddened by his wrong doings, the King exiled him; still Lumbhak’s habits of loot and theft did not end.
One time, he did not get food for 3 days.
Wandering around, he reached the hut of a hermit.
Fortunately, it was Saphala Ekadashi on that day.
So, the hermit welcomed him and offered him food.
Witnessing this behaviour of the sage changed Lumbhak.
He fell to the hermit’s feet and asked for his blessings.
The hermit made him his disciple and with time, Lumbhak’s character became good and clean.
As per his guidance, Lumbhak started fasting for the Ekadashi.
When he changed completely and became a good man, the hermit showed his true form to him.
It was his father in the form of the hermit.
After this, Lumbhak handled his responsibilities greatly as King and set an example in front of everyone. And he kept on fasting for Saphala Ekadashi till he lived.
Glories of Ekadashi in Brahma Purana
This Ekadashi happens during the waning moon in the month of November, December or January.
The glories of this Ekadashi are described in the Brahman Purana, between the conversation of Lord Krishna and Maharaja Yudhishthir.
An excerpt of the conversation is as follows:
Yudhisthir said, “O Krishna! What is the name of the Ekadashi that occurs at the waning moon in December or January and how should one observe it? Please explain this to me in detail.”
Krishna replied, “O best of the Bharat dynasty, just as Shesha is best among the snakes, Garuda is best among the birds, Ashwamedha or the horse sacrifice is best among the sacrifices, Ganga is best among the rivers, Lord Vishnu is best among the demi-gods and the Brahmans are best among the human beings.
Similarly, among all the vows the day of Ekadashi is best.
Anyone who observes Ekadashi is very dear to me.
The amount of piety that accumulates by undergoing austerities, five thousand years, is achieved simply by observing Ekadashi.”
In the conversation, Lord Krishna specifically mentioned that one should stay awake all night on Saphala Ekadashi.
Devotees should offer him fresh fruits, betel nuts, leaves, spices, seeds, nuts, etc.
Saphala Ekadashi Vrat Katha
This Is How It Started
In the city of Champavati, this king, Mahishmati, had 4 sons.
Among them, the eldest son, Lumpaka, was very sinful.
He used to blaspheme the Brahmanas, Vaishnavas and the demigods.
Consequently, his father exiled him.
The exiled Lumpaka lived in a jungle but at night would sneak into the kingdom and steal various things including food.
Despite him stealing, the citizens would set him free because he was the son of the king.
Lumpaka spent his life regularly eating raw meats and fruits.
The Tale of Lumpaka
There was a banyan tree in this forest.
It was as worshippable as the demigods.
Lumpaka lived underneath this tree for some time.
Lumpaka happened to be living this way on the Ekadashi of the waning moon in the month of November-December.
Due to fatigue and weakness, Lumpaka became unconscious a day before Ekadashi and regained his consciousness at midday of Ekadashi.
Lumpaka couldn’t possibly kill any animal that day since he was so feeble.
He was severely afflicted by hunger.
He eventually found some fruits but offered them to Lord Vishnu praying for his mercy.
He was up for the entire Ekadashi night.
He unwittingly observed Saphala Ekadashi as a result of fasting and staying up.
Blessings Of Lord Vishnu For Lumpaka
Lord Vishnu accepted the worship and vows of this Ekadashi offered by the Lumpaka. Lord Vishnu blessed Lumpaka with a return of his kingdom.
The next morning a divine horse came and stood by Lumpaka.
At that time, a voice from the sky was heard, “Oh Prince, by the mercy of Lord Madhusudana and by the influence of Saphala Ekadashi, you will receive your kingdom and rule without any difficulty.
Return to your father and enjoy the kingdom.”
In accordance with these instructions, Lumpaka returned to his father and accepted the responsibilities of ruling the kingdom.
Thereafter, he got a beautiful wife and good sons.
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Saphala Ekadashi Significance
In the Hindu calendar, the Ekadashi that is observed during the month of Paush is Saphala Ekadashi.
It is also referred to as Paush Krishna Ekadashi.
The word ‘Saphala’ means to prosper, therefore Saphala Ekadashi is rightfully described as a day when devotees are rewarded with good fortune by ending the miseries.
This day of fasting is considered as a medium to open the doors of abundance, success, prosperity and fortune.
While keeping the Saphala Ekadashi fast, devotees must only eat Satvik food and donate essentials to the Brahmanasand needy people.
It is believed that the devotees can wash away sins and attain liberation by fasting on this day.
This vrat has the ability to assist a person to accomplish his or her desires and dreams. On this day, by observing Vrat, one can reclaim everything that has been lost.
And there’s a lot more, like wealth, affection, honour, health, and so on.
Saphala Ekadashi Puja Vidhi
- Get up early on the day of Saphala Ekadashi. Perform your routine activities.
- Take a vow of fast by wearing clean clothes and offering water to the Sun.
- Offer yellow flowers and yellow objects to Vishnu.
- Worship the Lord by offering incense, lamp, fruits, coconut, betel nut, amla, pomegranate, clJanuary 08, 2024 at 00:46ove and Panchamrit, etc.
- After this, recite Aarti, Chalisa, Mantra and a thousand names of God.
- Chant “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” 108 times.
- The donation has special significance on this day, donate according to your ability.
- Stay awake all night, sing bhajans, kirtans, or hymns in the name of Shri Hari.
- End the fast on the day of Dwadashi.
- Offer food and other donations to Brahmins and the needy. After this, you can eat too.
Conclusion
Saphala Ekadashi is an extremely auspicious day.
One who observes fast on this day bears favourable results in life.
It generates a different kind of reverberations into your whole being that takes you towards your betterment.
All the fast and festivals in the Hindu culture were not about religion but about the highest way of living that transforms you into a conscious human being.