Padma Ekadashi Vrat

Padma Ekadashi Vrat And Its Importance

This vrat is the destroyer of inimical forces like pride and ego of the mankind by awakening their self-consciousness. It’s a known fact that downfall of a man begins at the stage when he is entirely drowned up in the deluge of his arrogance and ignorance. And this also leads to receding effect of his mental peace and prosperity in his life. This vrat is dedicated to lord Vishnu. The effect of Ekadashi vrat is that it emancipates the devotee from the temporal affairs like birth & death. This Ekadashi vrat eliminates all sins. Just as Spring is called the king of all seasons, at the same way, Ekadashi vrat is called the king of all vrats. According to ancient mythological stories, any male and female who observes Ekadashi fast can become the recipient of most auspicious results. This vrat also liberates their fore-fathers in terms of salvations. Padma Ekadashi falls on the day of Ekadashi of Shukla paksha during Bhadrapada month. In addition, it is also called Parivartini Ekadashi, because lord Vishnu changes his position from one side to another while taking a rest. On this day, worshipping lord Vamana, an incarnation of lord Vishnu, in shadopchar method is a mandated ritual. This gives desired results to the devotees. Puranas like Vishnu Purana and Varaha Purana consist of elaborated details about Ekadashi vrat. This lends more gravity on the importance of Ekadashi vrat.

Puja Methods For Padma Ekadashi Vrat

On the very day of Ekadashi, a devotee (male or female) must adhere to all rules, self-restrain, and purity. Avoid consuming non-vegetarian diets. Dedicating your puja to lord Vishnu, on the day of Ekadashi, wake up early in the morning, finish your morning chores (like attending washroom etc.), collect essential puja-related materials, be seated on a consecrated seat, remember lord Vishnu, take Achamana among other activities, do self-purification, and start worshiping lord Vamana. To the best of your capacity, worship the gold-embedded idol of the lord or get the puja done by a learned Brahman priest. Never eat any food while performing the puja or in vrat. Extol the virtues of the lord through devotional songs. Take no heed to trivial matters, like backbiting or being angry. There is a ritual of having a food to break off the fast on Dwadashi.

Story Of Padma Ekadashi

Once dutiful king Yudhishthira asked lord Krishna about Padma Ekadashi, requesting him to narrate its rituals and results, as well as its story. At this, lord Krishna told him a story about a very great, pious and mighty king, Bali, in Treta Yuga. The king was truthful, and giver of alms to brahmans. However, he was full of his vanity due to his activities. Driven to his pride, he announced that he would give anything to anyone if asked. To pacify the height of vanity of the king, lord Vishnu took the form of dwarf, known as Vamana. He asked for just three yards of lands to the king, and took away Triloka. This brought the king to his sense, that there is someone far mightier than him. His vanity died away. Another story relates to Mandhata, whose kingdom suffered great famine, thereby causing his subjects sustain a great deal of pains. When he wanted to know the root cause of the famine, an omniscient sage told him that a low-caste (Shudra) is observing a meditation against the mandated religions causing drought in his kingdom. Then the sage advised the king to observe Padma Ekadashi Vrat. The king followed the advice, which consequently caused rainfalls in his kingdom, prospering it with abundant food grains and happiness of the subjects.

Don’t forget to read: Aja Ekadashi Vrat and Devshayani Ekadashi