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�If possible, the devotee should then dress the Swaroop of Shri Radha-Krishna out of gold and offer them nice devotional worship. He should fill a copper or clay pot with pure water mixed with scents and then he should cover the pot with a cloth lid and a gold or silver lid, in this way preparing an asan upon which the Shri Radha-Krishna may sit for worship. According to his capacity, the devotee should then worship these Swaroops with fragrant incense, a bright ghee lamp and sandalwood paste, along with camphor, musk, kunkum and other scents, as well as selected aromatic flowers like white lotuses and other seasonal blooms and also very nicely prepared foods.
On this special Ekadashi, the devotee should dance and sing ecstatically before the Swaroop. He should be careful to speak the truth and should not criticize anyone before Bhagwan Vishnu, the Brahmin or the spiritual master. Rather, with other devotees he should listen to Vaishnavas, read the glories of Bhagwan Vishnu from the Puranas. One should not drink or even touch water to his lips on this Ekadashi and one who is unable to perform this austerity should drink only water or milk. Otherwise, the fast is considered broken. One should remain awake that night, singing and playing musical instruments for the transcendental pleasure of Purna Prushotam.�
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�During the first quarter of the Ekadashi night the devotee should offer some coconut fruit to his worshipable Swaroop, during the second part he should offer bel fruit, during the third part an orange and as the night draws to a close some betel nut. Remaining awake during the first part of Ekadashi night bestows on the devotee the same merit as that gained by performing the Agnistom-yagna. Staying awake during the second part of the night bestows the same merit as that gained by performing a Vajapey-yagna. Staying awake during the third part gives one the same merit as that attained by performing an Asvamedh-yagna. In addition, one who remains awake throughout the night receives all of the above-mentioned merit, as well as the grand merit of having performed a Rajasuy-yagna. Thus, there is no better fasting day in the year than Padmini Ekadashi. Nothing can be compared to it as a giver of merit, whether it be a fire sacrifice, knowledge, education or austerity. Indeed, whoever observes this sacred Ekadashi fast receives all the merit attained by bathing in all the places of pilgrimage in the world.�
�After remaining awake throughout the night, the devotee should bathe at sunrise and then worship Me nicely. He should then feed a Brahmin and respectfully give him the Swaroop of Bhagwan Kesav and the pot filled with pure scented water. This gift will guarantee the devotee success in this life and liberation in the hereafter.
Sinless Yudhisthir, as you have requested, I have described the rules and regulations, as well as the benefits, regarding the Ekadashi that occurs during the sukla paksh of Adik maas. Fasting on this Padmini day bestows merit equal to that gained by fasting on all other Ekadashis. The Ekadashi that occurs during the krishna paksh of Adik maas, which is known as Parama/Kamala Ekadashi, is as powerful at removing sin as this one, Padmini. Now please listen carefully as I narrate to you a fascinating account connected with this sacred day. Pulastya Muni once recited this history to Naradji.�
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Naradji's question for Pulastya Muni
�Pulastya Muni once had occasion to rescue Ravan from the prison of Kartaviryarjun and upon hearing of this event, Narad Muni asked his friend, Hai Muni sreyast, since Ravan defeated all the Devs, including Indra Dev, how could Kartaviryarjun defeat Ravan, who was so skilled in battle.�
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Pulastya Muni replied, �Hai Narad, during the Treta-yug, Kartaviry (Kartaviryarjun's father]) took birth in the Haihaya dynasty. His capital city was Mahismati and he had one thousand queens, whom he loved very dearly. None of them, however, was able to give him a son he wanted so badly. He performed sacrifices and worshiped Devs and forefathers, but due to the curse of some Rushi he was unable to beget a son and without a son, a king cannot enjoy his kingdom, just as a hungry man can never really enjoy his senses.�King Kartaviry carefully considered his plight and then decided to perform severe austerities to achieve his goal. Thus he donned a loincloth made of bark, grew matted locks and turned over the reins of his kingdom to his ministers. One of his queens, Padmini-who was born in the Iksvaku dynasty, who was the best of all women and who was the daughter of King Hariscandra saw the king leaving.
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She felt that, since she was a Sati (chaste wife), her duty was to follow in the footsteps of her beloved husband. Removing all the regal ornaments from her beautiful body and donning over one piece of cloth, she thus followed her husband into the forest. At last Kartavirya reached the summit of Mount Gandha madam, where he performed severe austerities and penance for ten thousand years, meditating and praying to Bhagwan Gadadhar, who wields a Gadha (club). But still he did not get a son. Seeing her dear husband waste away to mere skin and bone, Padmini thought of a solution to the problem. She went to the Sati Anasuyaji.
With great reverence, Padmini said, �0 great lady, my dear husband, Kartavirya, has been performing austerities for the last ten thousand years, but Bhagwan Kesav, who alone can remove one's past sins and present difficulties, has not yet become pleased with him. 0 most fortunate one, please tell me a fast day we can observe and thus please the Purna Prushotam with our devotion, so much so that He will bless me with a nice son who will later rule the world as emperor�.
Upon hearing the words of Padmini who was Sati, a deeply devoted to her husband. The great Anasuya replied to her in a very cheerful mood: �0 beautiful, lotus-eyed lady, usually there are twelve months in a year, but after every thirty-two months an extra month is added and the two Ekadashis that occur during this month are called Padmini Ekadashi and Parama Ekadashi. They fall on the Duvadasis of sulka and krishna paksh of the Adik month, respectively. You should fast on these days and remain awake throughout the night. If you do so, Purna Prushotam Bhagwan Shri Hari, will bless you with a son."
"0 Narad, in this way Anasuya, the daughter of Kardam Rushi, explained the potency of these special Ekadashis�. Hearing this, Padmini faithfully followed the instructions to fulfill her desire for a son. Padmini fasted completely, even from water and remained awake all night, chanting the glories of Bhagwan and dancing in ecstasy. Bhagwan Kesav, thus became most pleased with her devotion and appeared before her, riding on the back of the great Garuda. Bhagwan said, '0 beautiful one, you have greatly pleased Me by fasting on the special Ekadashi of Adik maas. Please ask Me for a benediction.�
Hearing these sublime words from the overseer of the entire universe, Padmini offered Purna Prushotam the devotional prayers and asked Him for the boon her husband desired. Bhagwan Shri Krishna was moved to reply, �0 gentle lady, I am very happy with you, for there is no month dearer to Me than this, and the Ekadasis that occur during this month are the most dear to Me of all Ekadashis. You have followed Anasuya's instructions perfectly and therefore I shall do what will please you. You and your husband will have the son you desire�. Bhagwan, who removes the distress of the world, then spoke to King Kartavirya: �0 king, please ask of Me any boon that will fulfill your heart's desire, for your dear wife has pleased Me greatly�.
The king was very happy to hear this. Naturally he asked for the son he had desired for so long: �Hai Jagat Swami, 0 killer of the Madhu demon, kindly grant me a son who will never be conquered by Devs, human beings, snakes, demons or hobgoblins, but whom only You can defeat�. Purna Prushotam immediately replied, �So be it!� and disappeared.
The king became very pleased with his wife and returned to his palace in her company. Padmini soon became pregnant, and the mighty armed Kartaviryarjun appeared as her son. He was the mightiest person in all the three worlds and thus even tenheaded Ravan could not defeat him in battle. Except for Bhagwan Narayan, who holds Shank,Gadha, Chakra and Padma in his hands, no one could overcome him. By the merit that resulted from his mother's strict and faithful observance of Padmini Ekadashi, he could defeat even the dreaded Ravan. This is not at all surprising, �0 Naradji, for Kartaviryarjun was the fulfillment of the benediction of Purna Prushotam Bhagwan�.
With these words, Pulastya Muni departed. Purna Prushotam Bhagwan Shri Krishna, concluded, �O sinless Yudhisthir, as you have inquired from me, I have explained to you the power of this special Ekadashi. O best of kings, whoever observes this fast will surely attain to My personal abode. And similarly, if you want all your desires fulfilled, you should do likewise�.
Hearing these words from his beloved Kesav, Dharmaraj (Yudhisthira) became filled with joy, and when the time came he faithfully observed Padmini Ekadashi. Sutji concluded, �Hai Saunaka Rusiyo, I have explained to you all about this meritorious Ekadashi. Anyone who devotedly fasts on the Ekadashis that occur during Adik maas, carefully following all the rules, becomes glorious and happily goes back to Purna Prushotam. And one who merely hears or reads about these Ekadashis will also obtain great merit and ultimately enter the abode of Bhagwan Hari�.
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