“Achyutam keshavam rama narayanam krishna damodaram vasudevam hare”
Krishna, Hari, Achyuta,Vamana, Narayana, Narasimha, Kalki, Matsya, Madhava, Shesha, Ram, Keshava or just Lord Vishnu whatsoever you may call, holds the supreme power according to the Hindu sculptures.
Nirjalya Ekadashi is one of the 24 Ekadashi which is observed once in a year to worship Lord Vishnu and get elevated from the cycle of birth and death. The day is not just a fast but a festival to celebrate and worship the divine.
Meaning
The word ‘Nirjal’ stands for without water while ‘Ekadashi is the eleventh lunar day of Shukla paksha and Krishna paksha (they are decided on the positioning of the moon). On combining the two it denotes a day of fasting without food and water on the eleventh lunar day (Shukla paksha) in the month of Jyestha (June).
The Tale
It dates back to dwapar yug during the times of mahabharata. The pandav younger to Yudhishthir, named Bheem was very fond of food. He had the capacity to finish food of half the kingdom all by himself. The pandav family was Lord Vishnu’s devotees and used to fast on ekadashi excluding Bheem. He went to Pitamah to seek advice, who in return sent him to Krishna Dvaipayana also known as Maharishi Vyas, the author of mahabharata.
Bheem conveyed his dilemma and regretted not being able to keep fast on all the ekadashi like other family members. He asked the sage to tell him a better way around. On understanding the obstacle, the sage disclosed the fact that if anyone observes fast on nirjala ekadashi with full devotion, he will receive the sacred blessings which will be equal to the blessings received combined of the 24 ekadashis.
On learning the fact, Bheem’s eyes filled with delight and he along with the family started fasting on the auspicious occasion. Due to this incident the day is also called the ‘Pandav Nirjalya Ekadashi’.
Significance
The auspicious day is believed to bring good luck, peace and prosperity for the family. If a person performs the rituals with devotion and purity, it promises to add value to life with divine blessings. Establishing shaligram stone with a Tulsa plant is known to be quite auspicious.
The day signifies devotion and brings out a positive atmosphere around. Apart from these according to vedic science, the day is quite sacred and the stars and planets are in the right places indicating the best time to start off something new.
Glorious Path To Vaikunth
It is believed that if a person follows the path of truth and marks the fast with devotion, then the person gets beyond the cycle of life and death. He achieves ‘moksha’ and goes directly to ‘vaikunth’ where Lord Vishnu dwells.The decision of sending to ‘swarg’ and ‘narg’ no longer depends on the past ill deeds by the Yamraj.
Rulebook For The Day
The fast is considered the toughest of all as one cannot eat or drink even water for twenty four hours. This time is measured as the duration between the sunrise and the consecutive sunrise. The flag bearer needs to get fresh in the morning itself and spend the day reading holy books, Bhagavad Gita for instance.
Apart from this they need to help the needy and take care of the cows, donate things to bhraman, do charity, meditate and much more. The shaligram stone or statue of lord Vishnu is bathed with panchamrit consisting of water, milk, honey, sugar and jaggery.
The fast is considered complete on the next day with a pujan and the fast is opened with the sacrament offered.
Scientific significance
Fasting helps a person not only physically but mentally too. With the practice of meditation the human body gets filled with oxygen and the cells rejuvenate. The entire body gets cleansed, the digestive system gets a new life and according to some reports even the immune system gets stronger. Your mental abilities agitate and you feel your mind filled with positivity and liveliness.
Nirjalya ekadashi is considered one of the toughest yet most important of all fast. It is the celebration of the life of Lord Vishnu. It’s a day to know the history, the sculptures and to purify one’s body and soul. It is a festival of dedication and devotion which is the golden key to the supreme power. And it goes without saying that one must observe this fast at least once in a lifetime. Hare hare!!