Ekadasi Vrat

The period from new moon to full moon is known as Shukla Paksha. The period from full moon to new moon is known as Krishna Paksha. The movement of moon from full moon to new moon is divided into 15 equal cores. Each core corresponds to lunar day or Tithi. Thus the 11th Tithi is known as Ekadashi. It corresponds to a precise phase in the waxing (Shukla) and waning (Krishna) of moon. The moon will be almost ¾ dark in Krishna Paksha and ¾ full in Shukla Paksha. In puranas there is a reference regarding the importance of Ekadasi Fast (vrat). in Bhagavatha Purana there is a note on the fast observed by Ambarisha (devotee of Vishnu). The importance of Ekadashi vrat is highlighted in Brahma Purana as well as Padma Purana.

The following table lists the Ekadasis according to lunar month.

Month	Presiding Deity	Krishna Paksha Ekadasi Name	Shukla Paksha Ekadasi Name
Chaitra (March-April)	Vishnu	Papamochani	Kamada
Vaishakh (April-May)	Madhusudan	Varuthini	Mohini
Jyeshtha (May-June)	Trivikrama	Apara	Nirjala
Ashadh (June-July)	Vamana	Yogini	Shayani
Shravan (July-Aug)	Sridhar	Kamika	Putrada
Bhadrapada (Aug-Sept)	Hrishikesh	Ananda	Parsva
Ashwin (Sept-Oct)	Padmanabha	Indira	Passhunkusha
Karthik (Oct-Nov)	Damodara	Rama	Prabodhini
Margashirsha (Nov-Dec)	Keshava	Utpanna	Mokshada
Pausha (Dec-Jan)	Narayana	Saphala	Putrada
Maagh (Jan-Feb)	Madhava	Sat tila	Bhaimi
Phalgun (Feb-Mar)	Govinda	Papamokshada	Amalaki
Adhik Masa (once in 2-3 years)	Purushottama	Parama	Padmini Vishuddha

The observance of Ekadasi vrat for Vaishnavites and Smarthas differ slightly.

According to puranas Ekadasi is the name of the Goddess who rose from Lord Vishnu to defeat the demon “MURA”. Lord Vishnu granted her a boon for defeating the demon. According to this boon those who observed a fast on the Ekadasi day (i.e.) the day on which the Goddess appeared should be absolved of all the sins and should go to the abode of Lord Vishnu i.e. Vaikuntha.

Vaikuntha Ekadasi

The Ekadasi that occurs during the month Dhanurmaas (according to Solar calendar late Dec-Jan) in Shukla paksha is known as Vaikuntha Ekadasi.

Vaishnavas believe that Gate of Lord Vishnu’s abode (Vaikuntha Dwar) is opened on this day. The margashirsha shukla paksha Ekadasi in lunar calendar is known as Mokshada or Vaikuntha Ekadasi. Fasting on Vaikuntha Ekadasi is equivalent of fasting on other 23 ekadasis of the Hindu year according to Vishnu Purana. Fasting on Ekadasi is considered to be holier than any other religious observation.

This year Vaikuntha Ekadasi falls on January 11 th 2014 (Saturday) and December 31st 2014 (Wednesday).

We will describe the mythological details of Ekadasi Vrat in one of our future articles.