Nirjala Ekadashiis the most important and significant Ekadashis out of all twenty four Ekadashis in a year. Nirjala means without water and Nirjala Ekadashi fasting is observed without water and any type of food. Nirjala Ekadashi Vratam is the toughest among all Ekadashi fasting due to strict fasting rules. Devotees abstain not only from food but also from water while observing Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat. Benefits- Devotees who are unable to observe all twenty fours Ekadashi fasting in a year should observe single Nirjala Ekadashi fasting as fasting on Nirjala Ekadashi brings all benefits of twenty four Ekadashi fasting in a year. Nirjala Ekadashi is also known asPandava Ekadashiand Bhimseni orBhima Ekadashidue to one legend associated with Nirjala Ekadashi. Bhimsen, the second Pandava brother and voracious eater, was not able to control his desire of having food and was not able observe Ekadashi fasting. Except Bhima, all Pandava brothers and Draupadi used to observe all Ekadashi fasting. Bhima, being upset due to his weak determination and doing a dishonor toLord Vishnu, metMaharishi Vyasato find some solution. Sage Vyasaadvised Bhima to observe single NirjalaEkadasi fasting to compensate for not observing all Ekadashi fasting in a year. Due to this legend Nirjala Ekadashi is also known asBhimseni Ekadashior Pandava Ekadashi. Time- Nirjala Ekadashi fasting falls during Shukla Paksha of Jyaishta month and currently falls in month of May or June. Nirjala Ekadashi falls just after Ganga Dusshra but in some years Ganga Dussehraand Nirjala Ekadashi might fall on the same day. Paranameans breaking the fast. Ekadashi Parana is done after sunrise onnext day of Ekadashi fast. It is necessaryto 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 duringHari 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 Madhyana. If due to some reasons one is not able to break the fast during Pratahkal then one should do it after Madhyana. 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 forSanyasis, widows and for those who wantMoksha. 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.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Jun 2013 06:35:42 +0000
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