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Introduction to Shattila Ekadasi
The 11th day of the waning phase of the Moon (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Magha (January–February) is observed as Shattila Ekadasi.
The day is also known as Maha Krishna Ekadasi, Tilda Ekadasi, and Sat Tila Ekadasi.
Story of Shattila Ekadasi
Once, there was a rich woman who was religious and performed all the Ekadasi Vrats. She donated clothes, jewelry, and other things to poor brahmins, except food and grains.
One fine day, Lord Krishna disguised himself as a poor beggar and asked the woman for food.
The woman agreed to give him food if he reveals his gotra (similar to caste).
He continued to beg, which annoyed her, and she placed a ball of clay in his begging pot as alms.
The beggar blessed her and left.
To her shock, all the food and grains in her house turned into clay.
The woman ate no food for days and years and started turning pale and weak.
Though she had all the wealth, she could not buy any food for herself.
Then, she prayed to Lord Krishna in deep remorse, asking for an end to her misery.
The Lord appeared in her dreams and made her realize that donating food (Anna Dhanam) is the most sacred donation one can give others.
He asked her to observe Shattila Ekadasi Vrat, which would relieve her from her situation.
She devoutly kept fast for Lord Krishna and donated til or sesame seeds to the poor.
Eventually, all her food got back into its original form.
After that, she kept her doors always open to the hungry and deprived.
Significance of Shattila Ekadasi
‘Shat’ means six, and ‘Tila’ means sesame seeds.
This day indicates the use of sesame seeds in six different ways to worship Lord Vishnu.
By observing a fast on this day, it is believed that Lord Vishnu puts an end to one’s miseries and sins.
The day is considered highly auspicious for donating food to the poor and needy, so that you may never feel the shortage of food in your lifetime.
By donating Til or sesame seeds, devotees attain liberation from all the sins committed in the past and present lives.
The significance of the Vrat takes reference from the dialogue between Pulastya Muni and Sage Dalbhya in Bhavishyottara Purana.
Rituals of Shattila Ekadasi Vrat
On this auspicious day, devotees take a ritual bath with sesame seeds mixed in water. Vishnu, being the presiding deity of the ritual, is worshipped by offering Panchamrit (a mixture of 5 ingredients) in which sesame seeds are a necessary ingredient.
Devotees also consume sesame seeds on this day as a custom.
Usually, one refrains from eating or drinking all day.
However, partial fast can be observed by consuming fruits and milk.
Grains, pulses, and spices are strictly avoided.
Devotees stay awake all night and revere Lord Vishnu by reciting Mantras and reading his tales.
Benefits of Shattila Ekadasi Vrat
As per sacred texts, observing Shattila Ekadasi Vrat can bestow the following blessings:
- Liberation from sins performed knowingly or unknowing in one’s life.
- Bestow with immense wealth and health.
- Replete source of food, by donating food or sesame seeds.
- Attain salvation and liberate self from the cycle of birth and death.
- Solace to ancestors by offering Til (sesame seeds) mixed with water.
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.
Shattila Ekadashi Vrata
Magh Krishna Paksha Ekadashi is Shattila Ekadashi.
Shat means six and Tila means sesame seeds, these two words together have been called for this Ekadashi.
According to which sesame is used in divine bathing, sesame is coated, sesame is burnt in hawan, sesame is offered as Pinda and Tarpan, sesame is eaten and sesame is donated.
There is a religious belief that those who observe the Brat of Shattila Ekadashi will stay in heaven for as many years as they use sesame seeds during the Brat.
Similarly, like other Ekadashi brats, it is believed that all the sins will be destroyed by observing the brat of Shattila Ekadashi.
Shattila is called Shattila because sesame is used in six different ways during Ekadashi Brat.
Sesame is considered sacred in Sanatan civilization, it is considered important both religiously and spiritually.
Sesame donation is considered very important in this Ekadashi.
It is very important to donate sesame seeds and take the name of Lord Vishnu on this day.
It is also customary to cook sesame mixed khichdi and offer it to Bishnu during Shattila Ekadashi.
Also, at night, sesame seeds are taken in hand and chanted 108 times om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya Swahu.
Similarly, if there is a lack of materials to be offered to Bishnu, worship is also done by offering one hundred grains of supari (Betel Nut).
There is a religious belief that physical purity and health can be obtained from the brat of Shattila Ekadashi.
It is described in Ekadashi Mahatmeya that one should worship Lord Vishnu on this day without any salt, oil, or other grains, visit the temples and purify one’s mind.
This Ekadashi should be used for the purification of both body and mind.
Good luck.
Shattila Ekadashi
Shattila Ekadasi is observed during the waning phase of moon in the month of January/February.
The importance of Sat Tila Ekadasi was narrated to Yudhishtira by Lord Krishna and is found in the Bhavishyottara Purana.
Shattila Ekadasi is February
Ekadashi Fasting is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is observed on the 11th day of waning and waxing phase of moon in traditional Hindu calendar.
How to do Puja on Shattila Ekadashi? The name of the Ekadashi is Sat-Tila as it is believed that donating Til (Sesame) seeds on this day will help in redeeming sins.
It is also considered highly auspicious to take bath in water mixed with til (sesame seeds) and offer oblations to dead ancestors with water mixed with sesame seeds.
It is also believed that Til should be used in six different types of ways on the day.
That is why the Ekadasi got the name Shattila – six types of til.
It must be noted that Sat-tila Ekadasi takes place in North India during winter season and Sesame seeds is considered to be highly beneficial during the period.
All the normal rules associated with Ekadasi fasting are observed on the day.
Food made of rice and grains are avoided.
Some people do consume some sesame seeds on the day.
Six Different Use of Til – Sesame on Shattila Ekadashi
- Take bath by mixing Til in water.
- Apply Til paste on face and hands and wash it away.
- Offer Til to Bhagavan while doing puja. (black til should be used)
- Offer Til in Havan.
- Eat Til as food.
- Donate Til (black til should be used).
Shattila Ekadashi Mantra
The mantra ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya’ should be chanted 108 times if possible using a Tulsi Mala.
How to Observe Shattila Ekadashi?
- Wake up just before sunrise and take bath in water mixed with til (sesame).
- The puja should be performed early in the morning or during sunset.
- The person performing the puja should wear yellow or pink color clothes.
- After performing bath, the person should take a vessel fill it with water. Put a handful of black or white til in the water. Close the mouth of the vessel using coconut and mango leaves.
- This should kept on a yellow or pink color cloth along with picture, sculpture of painting of Bhagavan Vishnu.
- The lamp on the day should be lit using sesame oil or ghee. It is advised to make the lamp using atta (flour).
- Light a camphor or agarbatti and keep some til on it. This is equal to offering Til in Havan.
- Yellow or pink flowers should be offered.
- Dhoop or agarbatti should be of chandan or gulab (rose).
- Til ladoo should be kept as prasad or any sweet preparation using sesame. This should be later distributed among family members.
- ॐ नमो भगवाते वासुदेवाय॥ Chant the mantra 108 times using a chandan mala.
- At night, arghya should be performed to Chandra. Take water in a vessel mix it with Til and show to Chandra Bhagavan (moon god).
- In the evening, pour tulsi mixed water under a tulsi plant.
- Visit a Vishnu temple.
- Keep vigil at night by reading Srimad Bhagavad Purana
Shattila Ekadashi Totke – Simple Observances
- Worshipping peepal tree on the day will help in having and long and peaceful married life.
- Worshipping peepal and planting a new tree and taking care of it will help the spouse in having an incident free life.
- For victory in court cases, feed yellow color bananas to cow.
- To avoid financial trouble, chant ‘ऊँ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय’ sitting under a Peepal tree. It should be chanted 108 times.
- For success in business, donate books and yellow color clothes to poor children.
Shat Tila Ekadashi
Shat Tila Ekadashi is observed on the 11th day of the Krishna Paksha (the waning phase of moon) during the month of ‘Magh’ in the Hindi calendar and in the Gregorian calendar the date falls generally during the month of January.
In the northern regions of India, this ekadashi is celebrated during the Hindu month of ‘Magh’ while in some states it is observed during the ‘Paush’ month of the Hindu calendar.
Like the other ekadashi observances, Shat Tila Ekadashi is also dedicated to worshipping Lord Vishnu and by observing a fast on this day; devotees can end all their miseries and misfortunes.
Shat Tila Ekadashi is also called as ‘Magh Krishna Ekadashi’, ‘Tilda Ekadashi’, or ‘Sattila Ekadashi’ and is derived from the word ‘shat’ implying ‘six’ and ‘til’ meaning ‘sesame seeds’.
On this day til or sesame seeds are used in six different ways.
Use of ‘til’ is considered to be very auspicious on this day as it provides both, religious merits and spiritual purification.
On this day there is a great implication of donating sesame seeds to the poor and hungry.
On Shat Tila Ekadashi there is also a custom of offering sesame seeds and water to the forefathers or ancestors.
This ekadashi also has the supremacy to wash away all the evil deeds or sins of a person, committed during one’s lifetime.
Rituals during Shat Tila Ekadashi:
- On the day of Shat Tila Ekadashi there is great significance of taking a bath with water that is mixed with sesame seeds. Devotees also consume ‘til’ on Shat Tila Ekadashi. On this day, devotees must only have spiritual thoughts and do not let greed, lust and anger take over their thoughts.
- Devotees keep a religious fast on Shat Tila Ekadashi and refrain from eating or drinking all day long. If however, you are unable to keep complete fast, partial fasting is also allowed. This is so because affection to Lord is more significant than strict fasting rules. However there are specific foods that all must avoid on the day of ekadashi like grains, rice and pulses.
- Lord Vishnu is the main deity on Shat Tila Ekadashi. The statue of the lord is bathed in Panchamrit, to which sesame seeds should definitely be mixed. Later various offerings are made to please Lord Vishnu.
- On Shat Tila Ekadashi, devotees stay awake all night and chant Lord Vishnu’s name with immense devotion and perseverance. In some places, devotees also organize yagna on this revered day in which sesame seed preparations constitute an important ingredient.
Significance of Shat Tila Ekadashi:
The greatness of Shat Tila Ekadashi is explained in the ‘Bhavishyottara Purana’ as a conversation between Pulastya Muni and Sage Dalbhya.
It is believed that a person observing Shat Tila Ekadashi will be bestowed with infinite wealth and good health.
As per the Hindu legends they will attain salvation and get freedom from the continuous cycle of rebirth.
By donating sesame seeds or ‘til’ on Shat Tila Ekadashi, devotees will be liberated from all their sins done knowingly or unknowingly in their present or past life.
Furthermore by offering sesame seeds mixed with water one can even provide solace to the dead ancestors.
Shattila Ekadashi Vrat
Shattila Ekadashi, also known as Sattila Ekadashi or Tilda Ekadashi, is observed usually in the month of January during the waning phase of the moon.
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Shattila Ekadashi is performed on the 11th day in the month of Magh, in North India and Paush, in other regions, as per the traditional Hindu calendar.
The name Sat-Tila has been derived from ’til’ which means sesame seeds which are donated to the poor and hungry.
The devotees also consider it highly auspicious to bath in water mixed with sesame seeds.
They also offer oblations by mixing water with sesame seeds to their dad ancestors.
An interesting story lies behind the observance of the Shattila Ekadashi fasting.
Read on further to know the same and also find how to observe the fast.
How To Observe Shattila Ekadashi Vrat
A religious and devoted rich woman performed all the Ekadashi vrats unfailingly.
She fed the poor and Brahmins heavily with clothes, jewelry and various other items, the exception being food and grains.
Once, Lord Krishna appeared disguised as a poor mendicant wearing torn clothes begging for food on Shattila Ekadashi day.
The rich woman agreed to give food but only after the mendicant mentioned his gothra. Nonetheless, the mendicant continued to beg for food.
Angrily, the rich woman placed a rolled ball of clay in the begging pot of the mendicant.
He blessed her and left.
To the woman’s surprise when she went indoors to have her food, all the food items that she had cooked turned into clay.
Even the fruits, rice and vegetables had become clay.
Hence, the woman became hungry and started turning pale over the days and years.
She grew weaker and weaker.
With all the wealth in her hand, she could not get food for herself.
She began praying to Lord Krishna for repentance and soon, the Lord appeared in her dreams.
He then brought to the knowledge of the woman that the biggest dhanam is Anna Danam, or feeding the hungry, which she had been ignoring.
He further informed that by performing Sattila Ekadashi, she would be relieved of her all miseries.
While performing this ritual, she donated til (sesame) seeds to all the poor and hungry that arrived at her door.
Eventually, all the food items turned back to their original forms.
Thereafter, the woman kept her doorways open for any hungry passing by her way.
Thus, since then, Sattila Ekadashi is practiced continuously on the pretext of redeeming one’s sins.
While observing the Shattila Ekadashi vrat, foods made from rice and grains are avoided while the other Ekadashi fasting rules apply to this day as well.
Some devotees even eat sesame seeds as part of the vrat.
About Shattila Ekadashi
Shattila Ekadashi is also known as Shat-Tila Ekadashi, Stilla Ekadashi, Sattila Ekadashi, and Tilda Ekadashi.
This day is celebrated on the 11th day in the month of Magh and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and also to Lord Krishna.
This day teaches the importance of food i.e. consumption of sesame seeds. Bathing with some sesame seeds in the water is considered auspicious.
Story of Shattila Ekadashi :
Once there was an elderly woman.
She was wealthy and affluent.
She used to give lot for charity like clothing, jewellery and other precious items.
But she never offered them grains or food.
Once Lord Krishna converted himself in the form of a beggar and asked the lady to offer him some food.
But the woman denied and got angry over the incident.
In return, she put a ball of clay in his pot.
Beggar blessed her and went away
When the lady entered in the room, she noticed that the food is getting converted into clay.
She wasn’t able to eat anything.
She was getting weaker day by day.
She then prayed to Lord Krishna for the help to get relieved from the miseries.
Lord Krishna reminded her about the incident of the beggar.
He told her to pray Shattila Ekadashi by observing fast of her.
This will help her in removing the sins.
She offered prayers to Shattila and offered Til and food to the poor.
All the food items turned back to their original forms.
Utilities of Sesame Seeds on this day :
- Mix some sesame seeds in the water for bathing.
- Make the paste of seeds by rubbing it on your body
- Make usage of sesame seeds in your food
- Sacrifice sesame seeds in seeds
- Offer sesame seeds to the poor
Importance of the day : Praying Shattila on this day will give you :
- Prosperity
- Wealth
- Person gains freedom from the cycle of birth and death and attains Moksha
Shattila Ekadashi – Celebrations And Significance
Shattila Ekadashi, also famous as Tilda or Sattila Ekadashi, takes place on the 11th day during the Paush Month in the Krishna Paksha.
According to the Gregorian calendar, this festival occurs either in the month of February or January.
The Significance of Shattila Ekadashi
The importance of Shattila Ekadashi is to make the people understand about the divine blessings and benefits associated with making donations and offering food to the needy and poor.
Hence, the most significant part of this observance is to feed the poor and perform the puja of Lord Vishnu as by performing this the devotees get blessed and are bestowed with abundant wealth and happiness.
What is The Importance of Sesame Seeds on Shattila Ekadashi?
One of the most vital and significant aspects of the day is to take maximum use of sesame seeds (Til) in diverse ways:
- The seeds can be used for bathing by mixing them in the water used for the bathing purpose.
- Til can be used for preparing a paste which can be applied on the body before taking a bath.
- The devotees must offer Til to the sacred fire
- They can also donate the sesame seeds to the needy and poor
- People can also consume savories made up of til on the day of Shattila Ekadashi
Puja Vidhi of Shattila Ekadashi Vrat
- The devotees who observe a fast of Shattila Ekadashi must wake up early morning and should take a bath.
- They should clean the place of worship, decorate and adorn the altar and then install the statue, idol or the picture of deities Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna.
- Devotees must offer prayers and worship the deities by performing pujas and reciting the hymns of Lord Krishna and readingVishnu Sahasranama.
- Prasad (sacred food), tulsi water, fruits, coconut, incense sticks, and flowers should be offered to the deities, and continuously chant the mantras and sing devotional songs.
- The same puja must be repeated on the next morning i.e. on Dwadashi and devotees can conclude their Shattila Ekadashi vrat after consuming the sacred food.
Fasting Rules of Shattila Ekadashi
- The fast of Shattila Ekadashi initiates at Ekadashi dawn and concludes on Dwadashi morning.
- The fast can only be concluded on the day of Dwadashi during Parana after performing puja rituals of Lord Vishnu.
- During the fast, devotees refrain themselves from consuming food and grains but few people consume sesame seeds on this particular day.
- In the milder form of the fast, devotees can also observe the fast by consuming fruits and milk in the day.
Vrat Story of Shattila Ekadashi
As per the legend and Hindu scriptures, there was a lady who had immense wealth. She used to donate a lot to poor people and usually perform huge charities to the needy.
She used to distribute valuable products, clothes and a lot of money to them but never donate food to the poor.
It is believed that among all the donations and charities, the most significant and divine one is the donation of food as it offers great merits to the one who perform donations. By seeing this, Lord Krishna decided to make the lady aware of this fact.
He appeared in form of a beggar in front of that lady and asked for food.
As expected, she denied giving food in donation and drove him away.
The beggar kept on asking for food again and again.
As a result, the lady insulted Lord Krishna who was in the form of a beggar and in anger put a clay ball in the begging bowl instead of giving food.
Seeing this, he thanked the lady and left the place.
When the lady returned back to her home, she was surprised by observing that all the food which was there in the house converted into clay.
Even whatever she purchased too also turned into clay only.
Her health started deteriorating due to hunger.
She prayed to the deity to save her from all this.
Listening to the request of the lady, Lord Krishna appeared in her dreams and reminded her of the day when she drove away that beggar and the way she insulted him by throwing the clay ball instead of food in his bowl.
Lord Krishna made her understand that by doing such deed she invited her misfortune and this is why all such circumstances are taking place.
He advised her to donate food to the poor and needy on the day of Shattila Ekadashi and also observe a strict fast of Shattila Ekadashi with complete devotion.
The lady observed a fast as well as donated a lot of food to the needy and poor and as a result, she gained back all her wealth, good health and happiness in life.
Benefits of Shattila Ekadashi Vrat
- By observing the fast of Shattila Ekadashi with complete devotion, the devotees get bestowed with an abundance of wealth, good health and prosperity in all their births.
- By donating money, clothes, and food to the needy on the day of Shattila Ekadashi, the devotees get a lot of merits and they never run short of food or face loss of wealth and prosperity in their homes.
Significance of Shattila Ekadashi
Observing a fast of the day of Shattila Ekadashi and donating to poor and needy pleases Lord Vishnu.
People who keep fast on the day of Shattila Ekadashi never goes poor and hungry and all his/ her wishes are fulfilled by Lord Vishnu.
Devotees who seek salvation should observe this vrat with complete dedication.
Lord Vishnu forgives all the sins committed unknowingly of His devotees who observe Shattila Ekadashi fast, fills their house with food and happiness and provide them salvation (Moksha) after death.
However, observing a fast on the day of Shattila Ekadashi is believed to be beneficial only if the devotees donate food grain and other items to the poor or Brahmins.
Shattila Ekadashi Vrat Kaise Kare?
The day of Shattila Ekadashi begins with devotees taking a holy bath early in the morning.
Prayers are then offered to Lord Vishnu along with prasad made of til, preferably black.
Til is used in six forms on this day (and therefore the name Shattila- Shat (six) and til (sesame seeds))- bathing with til mixed water, boiling of til, tilak of til, consumption of til mixed water, food of til and offering prayers with sesame.
Reciting Vishnu mantras and Shattila Ekadashi Vrat Katha are also considered very important.
Devotees should avoid consumption of onion, garlic and rice on this day.
The fast is opened on the next day, also known as Parana, by consuming the prasad that was offered to Lord Vishnu.
Shattila Ekadashi Vrat Katha
Devotees who observe a fast on the day of Shattile Ekadashi must recite the story behind it.
The fasting is considered beneficial only if the devotees read the story and Vishnu mantras on this day.
The story goes as follows:
Narada Muni once visited Vaikunth, the abode of Lord Vishnu and asked Him about the story of Shattila Ekadashi, its significance and its benefits.
Lord Vishnu smiled at a curios Narad and went on with the sory.
He said- In ancient times, there was a Brahmin woman living on the earth who had great reverence and devotion in me.
She used to keep all the fast for me and there was one time when she observed fasting for a month to seek my blessings.
Due to all these good deeds, the body of the woman was purified.
However, this woman never donated anything to brahmins and poor.
One day I decided to visit the woman in the form of a Brahmin and ask for alms.
But instead of giving any food, she picked soil from the ground and gave it to me.
When time came and the woman’s soul left her body, she was given place in heaven due to the effect of fasting she used to do.
She was given a hut and a mango tree in front of it, but the inside of the house was empty.
Watching this, she asked me why is her hut empty even though she worshipped me with complete devoutness.
I told her that even you worshipped me with utter devotion, observed fast, offered prayers but one thing you forgot to do was donating to poor and needy.
She then asked if there was any way she could make it up.
I said, when Devakanyas come to meet you, ask them how to observe Shattila Ekadashi fast.
Upon observing that fast with total devotion along with donating til and other food grains will get you rid of all your sins.
She does as told and within no time her hut was filled by grains.
Observing fast on this day is important but if done without donating til and food grains to poor, the devotees will not get complete benefit of observing the fast.
Shattila Ekadashi Vrat Parana
Parana means breaking the fast and is done after sunrise on next day of fasting.
It is necessary that the devotees do Parana within Dwadashi Tithi unless Dwadashi is over before sunrise.
Not doing Parana within Dwadashi does not give any benefit of the vrat and is similar to an offense.
On Parana Day, Dwadashi will end on 01:18 PM and therefore devotees must open their fast before that.