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Prabhodhini Ekadashi - Vrat Katha
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Falls on:Kartik sukla paksh
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Shri Krishna tells to His Sakha
Bhagwan Shri Krishna said, �Arjun, I am going to tell you about the conversation between Brahmaji and Naradji regarding Kartik sukla paksh Prabhodhini Ekadashi that is going to liberate you�.
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Conversation between Brahmaji and his son Narad
Brahmaji said to Narad Muni, �Dear son, you are best among sages, I am narrating you the glories of Prabhodhini Ekadashi, which eradicates all kinds of sins and bestows great merit, and ultimately liberation, upon the wise persons who surrender unto Purna Prushotam�.
The merits of Ekadashi, explains Brahmaji
�Best of the Brahmin, the merits acquired by bathing in the Ganges remain significant only as long as Prabhodhini Ekadashi does not come. This Ekadashi, which occurs during sukla paksh of Kartika, is much more powerful in purifying than a bath in the ocean, at a place of pilgrimage, or in a lake. This sacred Ekadashi is more powerful in nullifying sin than one thousand Akshva-Megh Yagyah sacrifices and one hundred Raj-Suya Yagyah sacrifices�.
Pita-ma explains the merits related to food code
Narad Muni, the saint among the Devs, inquired,from Bramha Ji "Pitama, please describe the relative merits of fasting completely on Ekadashi, eating supper (without grains or beans) or eating., but once at midday (without grains or beans)�.
Brahmaji replied, �if a person eats once at midday on Ekadashi, the sins of his previous birth are erased, if he eats only supper, the sins acquired during his previous two births are removed, and if he fasts completely, the sins accumulated during his previous seven births are eradicated�.
Additional merits
�He who strictly observes Prabhodhini Ekadashi., obtains my son, whatever is only rarely achieved within the three worlds. A person whose sins equal to mount Sumeru in volume sees them all reduced to nothing if he simply fasts on Papaharini Ekadashi (another name for Prabhodhini Ekadashi). Additionally Oh Son., The sins a person has accumulated over a thousand previous births are burned to ashes by fasting and also remaining awake throughout Ekadashi night, just as a mountain of cotton can be burned to ashes if one lights a small fire in it�.
�Best of sages, Narad, a person who strictly observes this fast achieves the results I have mentioned. Even, if one does a small amount of pious activity on this day, following the rules and regulations, one will earn merit equal to mount Sumeru in volume�.
However, the sins of one who, after due consideration, decides to fast on Prabhodhini Ekadashi are erased from one hundred previous lives, and whoever fasts and remains awake overnight on this Ekadashi achieves unlimited merit and after death goes to the supreme abode of Bhagwan Vishnu, and ten thousand of his ancestors, relatives, and descendants also reach that abode. Even if one's ancestors were implicated in many sins and are suffering in hell, they still attain beautifully ornamented spiritual bodies and happily go to Vishnu's abode�.
�0 Narad, even one who has committed the heinous sin of killing a Brahmin is freed of all stains on his character by fasting on Prabodhini Ekadashi and remaining awake that night. The merit that cannot be won by bathing in all the places of pilgrimage, performing a Aksva-megh Yagya (sacrifice), or giving cows, gold, or fertile land in charity can easily be achieved by fasting on this holy day and remaining awake throughout the night.
Anyone who observes Prabodhini Ekadashi is celebrated as highly qualified and makes his dynasty famous. Death is certain, so losing one's wealth is also certain. Knowing this, 0 best of sages, one should observe a fast on this day so dear to Shri Hari Prabodhini Ekadashi�.
�All places of pilgrimage in the three worlds at once come to reside in the house of a person who fasts on this Ekadashi. Therefore, to please Bhagwan Shri Vishnu, who holds a Shank, Chakra, Gadha and Padma in His hands, one should give up all engagements, surrender, and observe this Ekadashi fast. One who fasts on this Prabodhini day is acknowledged as a wise man, a true yogi, an ascetic, and one whose senses are truly under control. He alone enjoys this world properly, and he will certainly achieve liberation. This Ekadashi is very dear to Bhagwan Shri Vishnu, and thus it is the very essence of religiosity. Even one observance of it bestows the topmost reward in all the three worlds. Narad, whoever fasts on this Ekadashi will definitely not enter a womb again, and thus faithful devotees of Purna Prushotam give up all varieties of religion and simply surrender to fasting on this Ekadashi. For that great soul who honors this Ekadashi by fasting and remaining awake throughout the night, Shri Govinda, personally terminates the sinful reactions that soul has acquired by the actions of his mind, body, and words�.
�0 son, for anyone who bathes in a place of pilgrimage, gives charity, chants the holy names of Purna Prushotam, undergoes austerities, and performs sacrifices for Bhagwan on Prabhodhini Ekadashi, the merit thus earned all becomes imperishable. A devotee who worships Bhagwan Madhava on this day with first-class paraphernalia becomes free from the great sins of a hundred lifetimes. A person who observes this fast and worships Bhagwan Vishnu properly is freed from great danger�.
�This Ekadashi fast pleases Bhagwan Janardan so much that He takes the person who observes it back to His abode, and while going there the devotee illuminates the ten universal directions. Whoever desires beauty and happiness should try to honor Prabhodhini Ekadashi, especially if it falls on Duvadasi. The sins of one's past hundred births the sins committed during childhood, youth, and old age in all those lifetimes, whether those sins are dry or wet-are nullified by the Bhagwan Shri Govinda if one fasts on Prabhodhini Ekadashi with devotion�.
�Prabhodhini Ekadashi is the best Ekadashi nothing is unobtainable or rare in this world for one who fasts on this day, for it gives food grains, great wealth, and high merit, as well as eradication of all sin, the terrible obstacle to liberation. Fasting on this Ekadashi is a thousand times better than giving charity on the day of the solar or lunar eclipse. Again, I say to you, Naradji, one who bathes in a place of pilgrimage, gives charity, chants Jap, recites Vedic mantras, performs sacrifices, and studies the Veds is only one ten-millionth the merit earned by the person who fasts but once on Prabodhini Ekadashi, earn whatever merit. Whatever merit one has acquired in his life by some pious activities becomes completely fruitless if one does not observe the Ekadashi fast and worship Bhagwan Vishnu in the month of Kartik. Therefore, Mirada, you should always worship Bhagwan Janardan, and render service to Him. Thus, you will attain the desired goal, the highest perfection�.
�On Prabodhini Ekadashi, a devotee of the Bhagwan should not eat in another's house or eat food cooked by a nondevotee. If he does so, he achieves only the merit of fasting on a full moon day. Philosophical discussion of scriptures in the month of Kartik pleases Shri Vishnu more than, if one gives elephants and horses in charity or performs a costly sacrifice. Whoever chants or hears descriptions of Bhagwan Vishnu's qualities and pastimes, even if but a half or even a fourth of a verse, attains the wonderful merit derived from giving away a hundred cows to a Brahmin. Narad, during the month of Kartik one should give up all kinds of ordinary duties and devote one's full time and energy, especially while fasting, to discussing the transcendental pastimes (Lilas) of the Purna Prushotam. Such glorification of Shri Hari on the day so dear to the Bhagwan, Ekadashi, liberates a hundred previous generations. One who spends his time enjoying such discussions, especially in the month of Kartik, achieves the results of performing ten thousand fire sacrifices and burns all his sins to ashes�.
�He, who hears the wonderful narrations concerning Bhagwan Shri Vishnu, particularly during the month of Kartik, automatically earns the same merit as that bestowed upon someone who donates a hundred cows in charity. 0 great sage, a person who chants the glories of Shri Hari on Ekadashi achieves the merit earned by donating seven islands�.
For non fasters
Brahmaji continued �However, a person who does not follow the rules and regulations given in the scriptures may perform pious activity equal to mount Sumeru in volume, but he will not earn even a small amount of merit. One who does not chant the Gayatri mantra three times a day, and who disregards fast days, does not believe in Bhagwan. Also who criticizes the Vedic scriptures, who thinks the Veds bring only ruination to one who follows their injunctions, who enjoy's another's wife, who is utterly foolish and wicked, who does not appreciate any service that has been rendered to him, or who cheats others-such a sinful person, 0 son, can never perform any religious activity effectively. Be he a Brahmin or a Sudra, whoever tries to enjoy another man's wife, is said to be no better than a dog-eater�.
�0 best of the sages, any Brahmin who enjoys sex with a widow or a Brahmin woman married to another man brings ruin to himself and his family. Any Brahmin who enjoys illicit sex will have no children in his next life, and any past merit he may have earned is ruined. Indeed, if such a person displays any arrogance toward a Brahmin or a spiritual master, he loses all his spiritual advancement immediately, as well as his wealth and children�.
These three kinds of men ruin their acquired merits: he whose character is immoral, he who has sex with the wife of a dog-eater, and he who appreciates the association of rogues. Whoever associates with sinful people and visits their homes without a spiritual purpose will go directly to the abode of Yamaraj. In addition, if someone eats in such a home, his acquired merit is destroyed, along with his fame, duration of life, children, and happiness�.
�Any sinful and degraded person who insults a saintly person soon loses his religiosity, economic development, and sense gratification, and he at last burns in the fire of hell. Anyone who likes to offend saintly persons, or who does not interrupt someone who is insulting saintly persons, is considered no better than an ass. Such a wicked man sees his dynasty destroyed before his very eyes�.
�A person whose character is unclean, who is a rogue or a swindler, or who always finds fault with others does not achieve a higher destination after death, even if he gives charity generously or performs other pious deeds. Therefore, one should refrain from performing inauspicious acts and perform only pious ones, by which one will acquire merit and avoid suffering�
Way to observe Ekadashi
Narad Muni asked his glorious father, �0 universal sire, 0 best of all Devs, please tell me how to observe this most sacred Ekadashi, What kind of merit does it bestow upon the faithful�?
Brahmaji replied, �0 son, a person who wants to observe this Ekadashi should rise early on Ekadashi morning, during the brahmamuhurt (an hour and a half before sunrise until fifty minutes before sunrise). He should then clean his teeth and bathe in a lake, river, pond, or well, or in his own home, as the situation warrants. After worshiping Bhagwan Shri Kesav, he should listen carefully to the sacred descriptions of the Bhagwan. He should pray to Bhagwan thus: hai Kesava, I shall fast on this day, which is so dear to You, and tomorrow I shall honor Your sacred prasad. Hai Kamal Nain Bhagwan, 0 infallible one, You are my only shelter. Kindly protect me.Having spoken this solemn prayer before the Bhagwan with great love and devotion, one should fast cheerfully. 0 Mirada, whoever remains awake all night on this Ekadashi, singing beautiful songs glorifying the Bhagwan, dancing in ecstasy, playing delightful instrumental music for His transcendental pleasure, and reciting the pastimes of Bhagwan Shri Krishna as
recorded in bona fide Vedic literatures such a person will most assuredly reside far beyond the three worlds, in the eternal, spiritual realm of Bhagwan�.
�On Prabhodhini Ekadashi one should worship Shri Krishna with camphor, fruits, and aromatic flowers, especially the yellow agaru flower. One should not absorb oneself in making money on this important day. In other words, greed should be exchanged for charity. This is the process for turning loss into unlimited merit. One should offer many kinds of fruits to the Bhagwan and bathe Him with water from a conchshell. Each of these devotional practices, when performed on Prabodhini Ekadashi, is ten million times more beneficial than bathing in all the places of pilgrimage and giving all forms of charity�.
�Even Indra joins his palms and offers his obeisances to a devotee who worships Bhagwan Janardan with first-class agastya flowers on this day. Bhagwan Shri Hari is very pleased when He is decorated with nice agastya flowers. 0 Mirada, I give liberation to one who devotedly worships Bhagwan Shri Krishna on this Ekadashi in the month of Kartik with Tulshi leaves. In addition, for one who worships Bhagwan Janardan with fresh Tulsi leaves and fragrant flowers during this month, 0 son, I personally burn to ashes all the sins he has committed for ten thousand births�.
Importance of Tulsi
�One, who merely sees Tulsi Maharani, touches Her, meditates on Her, narrates Her history,
offers obeisances to Her, prays to Her for Her grace, plants Her, worships Her, or waters
Her lives in the abode of Bhagwan Shri Hari eternally. 0 Narad, one who serves Tulsi-devi
in these nine ways achieves happiness in the higher world for as many thousands of yugas
as there are roots and subroots growing from a mature Tulsi plant. When a full-grown
Tulsi plant produces seeds, many plants grow from those seeds and spread their branches,
twigs, and flowers, and these flowers also produce numerous seeds. For as many thousands
of kalpas as there are seeds produced in this way, the forefathers of one who serves
Tulsi in these nine ways will live in the abode of Bhagwan Shri Hari. Those who worship Bhagwan Kesav with kadamba flowers, which are very pleasing to Him, get His mercy and do not see the abode of Yamaraj, death personified. What is the use of worshiping someone else if all desires can be fulfilled by pleasing Bhagwan Shri Hari? For example, a devotee who offers Him bakula, asoka, and patali flowers is freed from misery and distress for as long as the sun and moon exist in this universe, and at last he achieves liberation. 0 best of the Brahmins, an offering of kannera flowers to Bhagwan Jagannath brings as much mercy upon the devotee as that earned by worshiping Bhagwan Kesav for four yugas. One who offers Tulsi flowers (manjaris) to Shri Krishna during the month of Kartik receives more merit than can be obtained by donating ten million cows. Even a devotional offering of newly grown sprouts of grass brings with it a hundred times the benefit obtained by ordinary ritualistic worship of Purna Prushotam�.
�One who worships Bhagwan Vishnu with the leaves of the samika tree is freed from the
clutches of Yamaraj. One who worships Shri Vishnu during the rainy season with campaka
or jasmine flowers never returns to the planet earth again. One who worships Bhagwan with
but a single kumbhi flower achieves the boon of donating a pala of gold (two hundred
grams). If a devotee offers a single yellow flower of the ketaki, or wood-apple, tree to
Bhagwan Shri Vishnu, who rides on Garuda, he is freed from the sins of ten million births.
Furthermore, one who offers Bhagwan Jagannath flowers and also a hundred leaves anointed
with red and yellow sandalwood paste will certainly come to reside in Svetadvipa, far
beyond the coverings of this material creation�.
�0 greatest of Brahmins, Shri Mirada, after thus worshiping Bhagwan Kesav, the bestower
of all material and spiritual happiness, on Prabodhini Ekadashi, one should rise early
the next day, bathe in a river, chant japa of Krishna's holy names, and render loving
devotional service to the Bhagwan at home to the best of one's ability. To break the
fast, the devotee should first offer some prasad to Brahmins and only then, with their
permission, eat some grains. Thereafter, to please Purna Prushotam, the devotee should
worship his spiritual master, the purest of the Bhagwan's devotees, and offer him
sumptuous food, nice cloth, gold, and cows, according to the devotee's means. This will
certainly please Bhagwan�.
�Next the devotee should donate a cow to a Brahmin, and if the devotee has neglected some
rules and regulations of spiritual life, he should confess them before Brahmin devotees
of Bhagwan. Then the devotee should offer them some daksina (money). 0 king, those who
have eaten supper on Ekadashi should feed a Brahmin the next day. That is very pleasing
to Purna Prushotam�.
�0 son, if a man has fasted without asking the permission of his priest, or if a woman
has fasted without asking her husband's permission, he or she should donate a bull to a
Brahmin Honey and yogurt are also proper gifts for a Brahmin. Someone who has eaten only
fruits on Ekadashi should donate fruits the next day. One who has fasted from oil should
give ghee in charity, one who has fasted from ghee should donate milk, one who has fasted
from grains should donate rice, one who has slept on the floor should donate a bedstead
with a quilt, one who has eaten on a leaf plate should donate a pot of ghee, one who has
remained silent should donate a bell, and one who has fasted from sesame should give gold
in charity and feed a Brahmin couple with sumptuous food. A man who wants to prevent
baldness should donate a mirror to a Brahmin one who has second-hand shoes should donate
shoes, and one who has fasted from salt should donate some sugar to a Brahmin. During
this month everyone should regularly offer a ghee lamp to Bagwan Shri Vishnu or to Shri
Tulsi in a temple�.
�An Ekadashi fast is complete when one offers a qualified Brahmin a gold or copper pot
filled with ghee and ghee wicks, along with eight waterpots containing some gold and
covered by cloths. One who cannot afford these gifts should at least offer a Brahmin
some sweet words. One who does so will surely attain the full benefit of fasting on
Ekadashi�.
After offering his obeisances and begging permission, the devotee should eat his meal.
On this Ekadashi Caturmasya ends, so whatever one gave up during Caturmasya should now be donated to Brahmins. One who follows this process of Caturmasya receives unlimited merit, 0 king of kings, and goes to the abode of Bhagwan Vasudev after death. 0 king, anyone who observes the complete Caturmasya without a break attains eternal happiness and does not receive another birth. But if someone breaks the fast, he becomes either a blind man or a leper�.
�Thus I have narrated to you the complete process for observing Prabodhini Ekadashi.
Someone who reads or hears about this Ekadashi achieves the merit earned by donating
cows to a qualified Brahmin�.
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