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How to fast
�One should therefore observe fasting on Bhagwan Hari's day either by eating only once
at midday, abstaining from grains and beans; by eating only once in the evening,
abstaining from grains and beans; or by fasting completely. The processes of staying
in places of pilgrimage, giving charity, and performing fire sacrifices may boast only
as long as Ekadashi has not arrived. Therefore, anyone afraid of the miseries of
material existence should observe Ekadashi. On Ekadashi, one should not drink water
from a conchshell, kill living entities such as fish or pigs, eat any grains or beans.
Thus I have described to you, Rajan the best of all methods of fasting, as you have
inquired from Me�.
Thousand Vedic sacrifices cannot equals this Ekadashi
Arjun then asked, �Bhagwan, according to You, a thousand Vedic sacrifices do not equal
even one Ekadashi fast. How can this be? How has Ekadashi become the most meritorious
of all days�?
A tale of Sath-yug
Bhagwan Shri Krishna replied, �I will tell you why Ekadashi is the most purifying of
all days. In the Sath-yug, there once lived an amazingly fearsome demon called Moor.
Always very angry, he terrified all Devtas, defeating even Indra, the king of heaven;
Vivasvan, the sun; the eight Vashus; Brahma; Vayu, (wind) and Agni,(fire). With his
terrible power, he brought them all under his control�.
Indra�s plight
Bhagwan Shri Krishna said �Kunti-nandan this is the story of Sat-Yugh days, there was a
Dhanav named Moor. He was so furious and horribly dangerous. He always cried loudly and
his noise was so terrible for every one and even for Devta too. Indra and all other
Devtas were defeated by this bad soul Mahsur, he overthrew Indra from Swarg (haven).
With sadness and fear, they were roaming on the earth. Desire to seek help, one fine
morning they went to Mahdevji for help�.
Indra then approached Bhagwan Shiv and prayed �Maheshwar all Devtas were thrown out of
Swarg by Moor Dahitiya�s furious activity and attack on Indra Lok, we are roaming on the
earth like normal human beings. Please advise us what to do and whose help should we take�.
Bhagwan Shiv instruct them to surrender
Bhagwan Shiv replied, �0 best of the Devs, go to that place where Bhagwan Vishnu, the
rider of Garud, resides. He is Jagannath, the master of all the universes and their
shelter as well. He is devoted to protecting all souls surrendered to Him. He will
surely protect you all".
Bhagwan Shri Krishna continued
�Arjun, winner of wealth, after Indra heard these words of Bhagwan Shiva's, he proceeded
with all the Devtas to the place where Bhagwan Jagannath, the master of the universe,
the protector of all souls, was resting. Seeing Bhagwan in his calm meditative sleep upon the water, Devtas
joined their palms and, led by Indra, recited the following prayers�:
Indra prayed
�Hey Dev-devesh-wer! I bow down to You, Devtas and Dhanav both worship You. Hey
Pundri-kak-ash! You are the enemy of Dhahityas, Hey Madhu-sudhan! (killer of the Madhu
demon) protect us. Hey Jagat-nath! All the Devtas fear Moor Dhanav and we have taken
Your refuge.Hey Bakth-watsal! Save us. Hey Dev-devesh-wer! Save us. Hey Janar-dhan!
Protect us, protect us. Destroyer of Dhanav, Hey Kamal-nayan! Protect us. Hey Prabhu!
We all have come closely to You and have taken Your refuge. Hey Bhagwan! Help Devtas who
have taken your refuge. Hey Dev! You are Pati (husband), Mati (mind), Karta (doer) and
Karen (reason). You are Mata (Mother), You are Pita (father) of this Jagat (Universe).
Hey Bhagwan! Dev-devesh-wer! Shar-nagat-watsal! Devta are afraid and have taken Your
refuge. Hey Prabhu! Dangerous, strong Daithiya Moor has been victorious over Devtas and
has thrown us out of the Swarg�.
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