Ekadashi Vrat - 2016

Ekadashi Vrat - 2016


Ekadashi is auspicious day dedicated to Lord Vishnu and there are 24 Ekadashis in an year, with 2 Ekadasi in each month. The Malmaas or Adhi maas year has 26 Ekadashis.

Below is the list of monthly ekadasi dates in 2016. All dates are according to Hindu Calendars followed in India.

 List of Ekadashi Days - 2016

Date Month, Year Paksh Day Ekadashi 05 January , 2016 K (Tuesday) Saphala Ekadashi (Smarta) 06 January , 2016 K (Wednesday)  Saphala Ekadashi (Vaishnava) 20 January , 2016 S (Wednesday) Pausha Putrada Ekadashi 04 February , 2016 K (Thursday) Shattila Ekadashi 18 February , 2016 S (Thursday) Jaya Ekadashi 05 March , 2016 K (Saturday) Vijaya Ekadashi 19 March , 2016 S (Saturday) Amalaki Ekadashi 03 April , 2016 K (Sunday) Papmochani Ekadashi Smarta) 04 April , 2016 K (Monday) Papamochani Ekadashi (Vaishnava) 17 April , 2016 S (Sunday) Kamada Ekadashi 03 May , 2016 K (Tuesday) Varuthini Ekadashi 17 May , 2016 S (Tuesday) Mohini Ekadashi 01 June, 2016 K (Wednesday) Apara Ekadashi 16 June , 2016 S (Thursday) Nirjala Ekadashi 30 June, 2016 K (Thursday) Yogini Ekadashi (Smarta) 01 July , 2016 K (Friday)  Yogini Ekadashi (Vaishnava) 15 July , 2016 S (Friday) Devshayani Ekadashi 30 July , 2016 K (Saturday) Kamika Ekadashi 14 August, 2016 S (Sunday) Shravana Putrada Ekadashi 28 August, 2016 K (Sunday) Aja Ekadashi 13 September , 2016 S (Tuesday) Parsva Ekadashi 26 September , 2016 K (Monday) Indira Ekadashi 12 October , 2016 S (Wednesday) Papankusha Ekadashi 26 October , 2016 K (Wednesday) Rama Ekadashi 10 November, 2016 S (Thursday) Devutthana Ekadashi (Smarta) 11 November, 2016 S (Friday) Devutthana Ekadashi (Vaishnava) 24 November, 2016 K (Thursday) Utpanna Ekadashi (Smarta) 25 November, 2016 K (Friday) Utpanna Ekadashi (Vaishnava) 10 December, 2016 S (Saturday) Mokshada Ekadashi 24 December, 2016 K (Saturday) Saphala Ekadashi
K =  Krishna Paksh  S = Shukla Paksh
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** The word 'Ekadashi is derived from Sanskrit word 'Ekadash' meaning 'Eleven (11)'.

** Literal meaning of Ekadshi is, the 11th day of Chandra month (as per Hindu calendar). Lunar (Moon) month have two parts (Paksha), Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha. The 11th date of both the Paksha is called Ekadashi.

** There are two Ekadashis celebrated in every Chandra (moon) Masa. So, there are overall 24 Ekadashi in one year. The year of Adhimasa (or Mal Maas) have 26 Ekadashis.

** Mal Maas or Adhi (adhik) Maas or Purushottam Maas
    =====================================================
The month which does not include Surya Sankranti is called Mal Maas or Adhi Masa or Purushottam Maas. This comes once in 2-3 years.
In whole of Mal Maas, Lord Shiva is specially worshipped. No auspicious work should be performed in this month. There is a tradition of worshiping the Ashiva incarnation of Lord Shiva. In the Adhi Masa, Shiva Linga is offered water, Bel-leaves, Dhatura and flowers.

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 ** Ekadashi Fasting is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is observed on the 11th day of waning and waxing phase of moon in a traditional Hindu calendar. This is one of the most popular Vrat observed in Hinduism. How to observe Ekadashi was narrated to Arjuna by Lord Krishna and is found in the Bhavisyottara Purana. 

** All Ekadashis have different names. They are named according to the month and Paksha. Observing the fast of Ekadashi increases the count of virtuous works of a person. And, the sins are removed.  Person keeping this fast get his Vrat related desires fulfilled. Every Ekadashi gives fruit according to their respective name.

** It is believed that result of observing Ekadashi fast is even more than the fruits earned by donating gold, land, cereals and cow. Lord Vishnu is worshipped on the day of Ekadashi.

** Ekadashi is the name of the Goddess that arose from Lord Vishnu to defeat Demon Mura. Happy with her divine act, Lord Vishnu blessed her that anyone who observes Ekadasi fast will be freed of their sins and will attain Moksha.

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LIST  OF  EKADASHIS  IN  A  YEAR
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** Margashirsha / Agrahayana Maas, [ Keshava ] (November–December ) 

   * Utpanna Ekadashi (Krishna paksha Ekadashi)
   * Mokshada / Vaikuntha ekadashi (Shukla paksha Ekadashi)

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** Pausha Maas [ Naaraayana ] (December–January) 

   * Safala Ekadashi (Krishna paksha Ekadashi)
   * Putrada Ekadashi (Shukla paksha Ekadashi)

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** Maagha Maas, Maadhava (January–February) 

   * Shattila Ekadashi (Krishna paksha Ekadashi)
   * Jaya Ekadashi (Shukla paksha Ekadashi)

....................................................................

** Phalguna Maas, Govinda (February–March) 

   * Vijaya Ekadasi (Krishna paksha Ekadashi)
   * Amalaki Ekadashi (Shukla paksha Ekadashi)

....................................................................

** Chaitra Maas [ Vishnu ] (March–April)   

 
   * Papamochani Ekadashi (Krishna paksha Ekadashi)
   * Kamada Ekadashi (Shukla paksha Ekadashi)

....................................................................

** Vaisakha Maas [ Madhusudana ] (April–May)

 
   * Varuthini Ekadashi (Krishna paksha Ekadashi)
   * Mohini Ekadashi (Shukla paksha Ekadashi)

....................................................................

** Jyeshta Maas [ Trivikrama ] (May–June)

 
   * Apara Ekadashi (Krishna paksha Ekadashi)
   * Nirjala Ekadashi (Shukla paksha Ekadashi)

....................................................................

** Ashaad Maas [ Vaamana ] (June–July) 

   * Yogini Ekadashi (Krishna paksha Ekadashi)
   * Devshayani Ekadashi (Shukla paksha Ekadashi)

....................................................................

** Shraavana Maas [ Sridhar ] (July–August)

 
   * Kamika Ekadashi ( Krishna paksha Ekadashi)
   * Pavitropana Ekadashi (Shukla paksha Ekadashi)

....................................................................

** Bhadrapada Maas [ Hrisikesha ] (August–September) 

   * Aja / Annanda Ekadashi (Krishna paksha Ekadashi)
   * Parivartini Ekadashi(Shukla paksha Ekadashi)

...................................................................

** Ashvin Maas [ Padmanabha ] (September–October) 

   * Indira Ekadashi (Krishna paksha Ekadashi)
   * Papankusha / Paashunkushaa Ekadashi (Shukla paksha Ekadashi)

....................................................................

** Adika / Mal Maas (once in 2–3 years) 

   * Parama Ekadashi (Krishna paksha Ekadashi)
   * Padmini / Visuddha Ekadashi(Shukla paksha Ekadashi)

....................................................................

** Kartik Maas [ Damodara ] (October–November)

 
   * Rama Ekadashi (Krishna paksha Ekadashi)
   * Prabodhini / Devotthani Ekadashi (Shukla paksha Ekadashi)

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Procedure of Ekadashi Vrat

* Wake up early in the morning and take a bath.
* After cleaning up the house, pure water is drizzled.
* Use Yamuna Ganga or Yamuna water.
* After that, worship lord Vishnu.
* After this, offer yellow-colored clothes to lord Vishnu or donate it.
* Read or listen to the saga related to the fast.
* Along with this, also worship lord Vishnu.
* Incense sticks, lotus flower,Tulsi leaves, Dhoop and Deep are used in the worship.
* Besides this, Vishnu Strota and Vishnu Sahstranama are recited.
* In the end, sweets offered during Aarti are distributed.
* The person observing Ekadashi fast gets more auspicious fruits in comparison to the fruits of Havana and Yajna.
* He also gets Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.

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AVOID -

* avoid rice, pulses and grains (wheat etc.) on Ekadashi.
* avoid salt.
* avoid non-vegetarian and food items made from beans, pulses and grains, especially rice.
* avoid onion and garlic.

TAKE -

*fresh and dried fruits,
*milk products,
*vegetables
*nuts.
*Drink lots of water
*The most preferred Ekadasi fasting food in western parts of India is Sabudana Khichadi with potatoes and ground nut .
* If possible, one should stay on water. Drinking luke warm water or lemon-mishri (crystalized sugar) water is very good as it cleanses the hidden undigested food in the body.
* If one feels hungry, then one can take milk or fruit.
* One should think that he/she is keeping this vrat to please God & to progress further in "sadhana".
* One should observe self-control.
* One should do more of maun-japa (repeating the name of God in mind) in the day time.
* One should do more of Dhyan & Bhajan by keeping awake for a longer time in the night.
* In Hinduism, Upvaas is meant to bring a person close to Brahman. So forget about the rules and regulations and what you are going to gain from the Ekadashi fast. Spend the day in purifying the mind and body.
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GLORY AND METHOD OF EKADASHI VRAT ACCORDING TO PADAM PURAN
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Suta Gosvami said, "O learned brahmanas, long ago Lord Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, explained the auspicious glories of Shri Ekadashi and the rules and regulations governing each observance of fasting on that holy day. O best of the brahmanas, whoever hears about the origins and glories of these sacred fasts on the Ekadashi days goes directly to the abode of Lord Vishnu after enjoying many different kinds of happiness in this material world.
 

                                                          
               Origin  Of   Ekadashi  Devi

"Arjuna, the son of Prtha, asked the Lord, 'O Janardana, what are the pious benefits of complete fasting, eating only supper, or eating but once at midday on Ekadashi, and what are the regulations for observing the various Ekadashi days? Kindly narrate all this to me.
"The Supreme Lord, Krishna, replied, 'O Arjuna, in the beginning of winter, on the Ekadashi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Margasirsa [November-December], a novice should begin his practice of observing a fast on Ekadashi. On Dasami, the day before Ekadashi. he should clean his teeth nicely. Then, during the eighth portion of Dasami, just as the sun is about to set, he should eat supper.

"'The next morning the devotee should make a vow, according to the rules and regulations, to observe fasting. At midday he should bathe properly in a river, lake, or small pond. A bath in a river is most purifying, that taken in a lake is less so, and a bath in a small pond is the least purifying. If neither a river, lake, nor pond is accessible, he may bathe with well-water.

" 'The devotee should chant this prayer containing the names of Mother Earth: "O Asvakrante! O Rathakrante! O Vishnukrante! O Vasundhare! 0 Mrttike! O Mother Earth! Kindly remove all the sins I have accumulated throughout my many past lives so that I may enter the sacred abode of the Supreme Lord." As the devotee chants, he should smear mud over his body.

"'During the day of fasting the devotee should not speak to those who are fallen from their religious duties, to dog-eaters, to thieves, or to hypocrites. He should also avoid speaking with slanderers; with those who abuse the demigods, the Vedic literatures, or brahmanas; or with any other wicked personalities, such as those who have sex with forbidden women,' those who are known plunderers, or those who rob temples. If any such person is spoken to or even seen during Ekadashi, one must purify oneself by looking directly at the sun.

"'Then the devotee should respectfully worship Lord Govinda with firstclass food, flowers, and so forth. In his home he should offer the Lord a lamp in pure devotional consciousness. He should also avoid sleeping during the daytime and should completely abstain from sex. Fasting from all food and water, he should joyfully sing the Lord's glories and play musical instruments for His pleasure throughout the night. After remaining awake all night in pure consciousness, the worshiper should give charity to qualified brahmanas and offer his humble obeisances unto them, begging their forgiveness for his offenses.

" 'Those who are serious about devotional service should consider the Ekadashis that occur during dark fortnights to be as good as those that occur during bright fortnights. 0 king, one should never discriminate between these two kinds of Ekadashi.

" 'Please listen as I now describe the results obtained by one who observes Ekadashi. in this way. Neither the merit one receives by taking a bath in the sacred place of pilgrimage known as Sankhoddhara where the Lord killed the Sankhasura demon, nor the merit one receives upon seeing Lord Gadadhara directly is equal to one sixteenth of the merit one obtains by fasting on Ekadashi. It is said that by giving charity on a Monday when the moon is full, one obtains a hundred thousand times the results of ordinary charity. O winner of wealth, one who gives charity on the day of the sankranti [equinox] attains four hundred thousand times the ordinary result. Yet simply by fasting on Ekadashi one obtains all these pious results, as well as whatever pious results one gets at Kuruksetra during an eclipse of the sun or moon. Furthermore, the faithful soul who observes complete fasting on Ekadashi achieves a hundred times more merit than one who performs an Asvamedha-yajna [horse sacrifice]. One who observes just a single Ekadashi fast perfectly earns the same merit as one who feeds a hundred thousand mendicants each day for sixty thousand years. And a person who properly observes Ekadashi just once earns ten times more merit than a person who gives a thousand cows in charity to a brahmana learned in the Vedas.

" 'A person who feeds just one brahmacari earns ten times more merit than one who feeds ten good brahmanas in his own house. But a thousand times more merit than is earned by feeding a brahmacari is achieved by donating land to a needy and respectable brahmana, and a thousand times more than that is earned by giving away a virgin girl in marriage to a young, well-educated, responsible man. Ten times more beneficial than this is educating children properly on the spiritual path, without expecting any reward in return. Ten times better than this, however, is giving food grains to the hungry. Indeed, giving charity to those in need is the best of all, and there never has been or ever will be a better charity than this .2 0 son of Kunti, all the forefathers and demigods in heaven become very satisfied when one gives food grains in charity. But the merit one obtains by observing a complete fast on Ekadashi cannot be measured. 0 Arjuna, best of all Kurus, the powerful effect of this merit is inconceivable even to the demigods, and half this merit is attained by one who eats only supper on Ekadashi.

"'One should therefore observe fasting on Lord 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, Dr eat any grains or beans. Thus I have described to you, O Arjuna, the best of all methods of fasting, as you have inquired from Me.'

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** When to start Ekadasi Fasting?

Lord Krishna advices Arjuna to begin the Ekadasi fasting in the autumn season with Utpanna or Uttpatti Ekadasi occurring during the waning phase of the moon in Margasirsa ( November – December). A novice should begin his practice of observing a fast on Ekadashi.

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Here we are presenting all the Ekadashis in detail :--

(1)   Utpanna / Utpatti Ekadashi

       (Krishna Paksh - Margshirsha)

This year Utpanna Ekadashi falls on Thurs, 24 Nov/Fri, 25 Nov 2016.

Utpanna Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Fast Story)
( As told by Lord Krishna to Arjuna) :--

"The Supreme Lord, Krishna, said, 'O Arjuna, in the beginning of winter, on the Ekadashi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Margasirsa , a novice should begin his practice of observing a fast on Ekadashi.

"Arjuna asked, '0 Lord, 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?'
"Lord Shri Krishna said to Arjuna, 'I will tell you why Ekadashi is the most purifying of all days. In the Satya-yuga there once lived an amazingly fearsome demon called Mura (Murasura). Always very angry, he terrified all the demigods, defeating even Indra, the king of heaven; Vivasvan, the sun-god; the eight Vasus; Lord Brahma; Vayu, the wind-god; and Agni, the fire-god. With his terrible power he brought them all under his control.

" 'Lord Indra then approached Lord Siva and said, "We have all fallen from our planets and are now wandering helplessly on the earth. 0 lord, how can we find relief from this affliction? What will be the fate of us demigods?"

"'Lord Siva replied, "0 best of the demigods, go to that place where Lord Vishnu, the rider of Garuda, resides. He is Jagannatha, the master of all the universes and their shelter as well. He is devoted to protecting all souls surrendered to Him."'

"Lord Krishna continued, '0 Arjuna, winner of wealth, after Lord Indra heard these words of Lord Siva's, he proceeded with all the demigods to the place where Lord Jagannatha, the Lord of the universe, the protector of all souls, was resting. 

Seeing the Lord sleeping upon the water, the demigods joined their palms and, led by Indra, recited the following prayers:

 " O Supreme Personality of Godhead, all obeisances to You. 0 Lord of lords, 0 You who are praised by the foremost demigods, 0 enemy of all demons, 0 lotus-eyed Lord, 0 Madhusudana [killer of the Madhu demon], please protect us. Afraid of the demon Mura, we demigods have come to take shelter of You. 0 Jagannatha, You are the doer of everything and the creator of everything. You are the mother and the father of all universes. You are the creator, the maintainer, and the destroyer of all. You are the supreme helper of all the demigods, and You alone can bring peace to them. You alone are the earth, the sky, and the universal benefactor.

" ' "You are Siva, Brahma, and also Vishnu, the maintainer of the three worlds. You are the gods of the sun, moon, and fire. You are the clarified butter, the oblation, the sacred fire, the mantras, the rituals, the priests, and the silent chanting of japa. You are the sacrifice itself, its sponsor, and the enjoyer of its results, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Nothing within these three worlds, whether movable or immovable, can exist independent of You. 0 Supreme Lord, Lord of lords, You are the protector of those who take shelter of You. 0 supreme mystic, O shelter of the fearful, please rescue and protect us. We demigods have been defeated by the demons and have thus fallen from the heavenly realm. Deprived of our positions, O Lord of the universe, we are now wandering about this earthly planet."'

"Lord Krishna continued, 'Having heard Indra and the other demigods speak these words, Shri Vishnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, replied, "What demon possesses such great powers of delusion that he has been able to defeat all the demigods? What is his name, and where does he live? Where does he get his strength and shelter? Tell Me everything, O Indra, and do not fear."

" 'Lord Indra replied, "0 Supreme Godhead, 0 Lord of lords, 0 You who vanquish the fear in Your pure devotees' hearts, 0 You who are so kind to Your faithful servants, there was once a powerful demon of the Brahman dynasty whose name was Nadijangha. He was extraordinarily fearsome and wholly dedicated to destroying the demigods, and he begot an infamous son named Mura.

""'Mura's great capital city is Candravati. From that base the terribly evil and powerful Mura demon has conquered the whole world and brought all the demigods under his control, driving them out of their heavenly kingdom. He has assumed the roles of Indra, the king of heaven; Agni, the fire-god; Yama, the lord of death; Vayu, the wind-god; Isa or Lord Siva Soma, the moon-god; Nairrti, the lord of the directions; and Pa§i, or Varuna, the watergod. He has also begun emanating light in the role of the sun-god and has turned himself into the clouds as well. It is impossible for the demigods to defeat him. 0 Lord Vishnu, please kill this demon and make the demigods victorious."

" 'Hearing these words from Indra, Lord Janardana became very angry and said, "0 powerful demigods, all together you may now advance on Mura's capital city of Candravati." Encouraged thus, the assembled demigods proceeded to Candravati with Lord Hari leading the way.

"'When Mura saw the demigods, that foremost of demons started roaring very loudly in the company of countless thousands of other demons, who were all holding brilliantly shining weapons. The mighty-armed demons struck the demigods, who began abandoning the battlefield and fleeing in the ten directions. Seeing the Supreme Lord Hrsikesa, the master of the senses, present on the battlefield, the furious demons rushed toward Him with various weapons in their hands. As they charged the Lord, who holds a sword, disk, and club, He immediately pierced all their limbs with His sharp, poisonous arrows. Thus many hundreds of demons died by the Lord's hand.

"'At last the chief demon, Mura, began fighting with the Lord. Mura used his mystic power to render useless whatever weapons the Supreme Lord Hrsikesa unleashed. Indeed, to the demon the weapons felt just like flowers striking him. When the Lord could not defeat the demon even with various kinds of weaponswhether those that are thrown or those that are held-He began fighting with His bare hands, which were as strong as iron-studded clubs. The Lord wrestled with Mura for one thousand celestial years and then, apparently fatigued, left for Badarikasrama. There Lord Yogesvara, the greatest of all yogis, the Lord of the universe, entered a very beautiful cave named Himavati to rest. O Dhananjaya winner of wealth, that cave was ninety-six miles in diameter and had only one entrance. I went there out of fear, and also to sleep There is no doubt about this, O son of Pandu, for the great fight made Me very tired. The demon followed Me into that cave and, seeing Me asleep, started thinking within his heart, "Today I will kill this slayer of all demons, Hari."

"'While the wicked-minded Mura was making plans in this way, from My body there manifested a young girl who had a very bright complexion. O son of Pandu, Mura saw that she was equipped with various brilliant weapons and was ready to fight. Challenged by that female to do battle, Mura prepared himself and then fought with her, but he became very astonished when he saw that she fought him without cessation. The king of the demons then said, "Who has created this angry, fearsome girl who is fighting me so powerfully, just like a thunderbolt falling upon me?" After saying this, the demon continued to fight with the girl.
"'Suddenly that effulgent goddess shattered all of Mura's weapons and in a moment deprived him of his chariot. He ran toward her to attack her with his bare hands, but when she saw him coming she angrily cut off his head. Thus the demon at once fell to the ground and went to the abode of Yamaraja. The rest of the Lord's enemies, out of fear and helplessness, entered the subterranean Patala region.

"'Then the Supreme Lord woke up and saw the dead demon before Him, as well as the maiden bowing down to Him with joined palms. His face expressing His astonishment, the Lord of the universe said, "Who has killed this vicious demon? He easily defeated all the demigods, Gandharvas, and even Indra himself, along with Indra's companions, the Maruts, and he also defeated the Nagas [snakes], the rulers of the lower planets. He even defeated Me, making Me hide in this cave out of fear. Who is it that has so mercifully protected Me after I ran from the battlefield and went to sleep in this cave?"

"'The maiden said, "It is I who have killed this demon after appearing from Your transcendental body. Indeed, 0 Lord Hari, when he saw You sleeping he wanted to kill You. Understanding the intention of this thorn in the side of the three worlds, I killed the evil rascal and thus freed all the demigods from fear. I am Your great mahd-sakti, Your internal potency, who strikes fear into the hearts of all Your enemies. I have killed this universally terrifying demon to protect the three worlds. Please tell me why You are surprised to see that this demon has been killed,O Lord."

"'The Supreme Personality of Godhead said, "O sinless one, I am very satisfied to see that it is you who have killed this king of the demons. In this way you have made the demigods happy, prosperous, and full of bliss. Because you have given pleasure to all the demigods in the three worlds, I am very pleased with you. Ask any boon you may desire, 0 auspicious one. I will give it to you without a doubt, though it be very rare among the demigods."

"'The maiden said, "O Lord, if You are pleased with me and wish to give me a boon, then give me the power to deliver from the greatest sins that person who fasts on this day. I wish that half the pious credit obtained by one who fasts will accrue to one who eats only in the evening [abstaining from grains and beans], and that half of this pious credit will be earned by one who eats only at midday. Also, may one who strictly observes a complete fast on my appearance day, with controlled senses, go to the abode of Lord Vishnu for one billion kalpas after he has enjoyed all kinds of pleasures in this world. This is the boon I desire to attain by Your mercy, my Lord. 0 Lord Janardana, whether a person observes complete fasting, eats only in the evening, or eats only at midday, please grant him a religious attitude, wealth, and at last liberation."

"'The Supreme Personality of Godhead said, "O most auspicious lady, what you have requested is granted. All My devotees in this world will surely fast on your day, and thus they will become famous throughout the three worlds and finally come and stay with Me in My abode. Because you, My transcendental potency, have appeared on the eleventh day of the waning moon, let your name be Ekadashi. If a person fasts on Ekadashi, I will burn up all his sins and bestow upon him My transcendental abode."

 "These are the days of the waxing and waning moon that are most dear to Me: Trtiya [the third day], Astami [the eighth day], Navami [the ninth day], Caturdasi [the fourteenth day], and especially Ekadashi [the eleventh day]."

"The merit one attains by fasting on Ekadashi is greater than that achieved by observing any other kind of fast or by going to a place of pilgrimage, and even greater than that achieved by giving charity to brdhmanas. I tell you most emphatically that this is true."

"Having thus given the maiden His benediction, the Supreme Lord suddenly disappeared. From that time onward the Ekadashi day became most meritorious and famous all over the universe. 0 Arjuna, if a person strictly observes Ekadashi, I kill all his enemies and grant him the highest destination. Indeed, if a person observes this great Ekadashi fast in any of the prescribed ways,' I remove all obstacles to his spiritual progress and grant him the perfection of life."

"Thus, O son of Prtha, I have described to you the origin of Ekadashi. This one day removes all sins eternally. Indeed, it is the most meritorious day for destroying all kinds of sins, and it has appeared in order to benefit everyone in the universe by bestowing all varieties of perfection.
« cone should not discriminate between the Ekadashis of the waxing and waning moons; both must be observed, O Naha, and they should not be differentiated from Maha-dvadasi. Everyone who fasts on Ekadashi should recognize that there is no difference between these two Ekadashis, for they comprise the same tithi."

"Whoever completely fasts on Ekadashi, following the rules and regulations, will achieve the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu, who rides upon Garuda. They are glorious who devote themselves to Lord Vishnu and spend all their time studying the glories of Ekadashi, One who vows not to eat anything on Ekadashi, but to eat only on the next day achieves the same merit as one who executes a horse sacrifice. Of this there is no doubt."

"On Dvadasi, the day after Ekadashi, one should pray, "O Pundarikaksa, O lotus-eyed Lord, now I will eat. Please shelter me." After saying this, the wise devotee should offer some flowers and water at the Lord's lotus feet and invite the Lord to eat by chanting the eight-syllable mantra thrice.' If the devotee wants to gain the fruit of his fast, he should then drink water taken from the sanctified vessel in which he offered water at the Lord's lotus feet."

"On Dvadasi, one must avoid sleeping during the day, eating in another's home, eating more than once, having sex, eating honey, eating from a bell-metal plate, eating urad dal, and rubbing oil on one's body. The devotee must give up these eight things on Dvadasi. If he wants to speak to an outcaste on that day, he must purify himself by eating a tulasi leaf or an amalaki fruit. 0 best of kings, from noon on Ekadashi, until dawn on Dvadasi, one should engage himself in taking baths, worshiping the Lord, and executing devotional activities, including the giving of charity and the performance of fire sacrifices. If one finds himself in difficult circumstances and cannot break the Ekadashi fast properly on Dvadasi, one can break it by drinking water, and then one is not at fault if he eats again after that."

"A devotee of Lord Vishnu who day and night hears these all-auspicious topics concerning the Lord from the mouth of another devotee will be elevated to the Lord's planet and reside there for ten million kalpas. And one who hears even one sentence about the glories of Ekadashi is freed from the reactions to such sins as killing a brahmana. There is no doubt of this. For all eternity there will be no better way of worshiping Lord Vishnu than observing a fast on Ekadashi."

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Margasirsa-krsna Ekadasi, or Utpanna Ekadasi, from the Bhavisya-uttara Purana.

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Significance
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 While in North India, Utpatti / Utpanna Ekadashi falls in the month of Margashirsh, it occurs in the Kartik month according to the Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat calendars. In the Tamil calendar, the month is Aippasi or Karthigai Masam while it is Thulam or Vrischika Masam in the Malayalam calendar. Furthermore, this Ekadashi falls in the month of Margashar in the Orissa calendar. All devotees practicing this fast start their vrat from sunrise on the Ekadashi day and break it only on the next day, that is, Dwadashi day. Along with Lord Vishnu, Ekadashi Mata is also worshipped on this day.


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(2)  Mokshda / Vaikuntha Ekadashi (Geeta Jayanti)

       (Shukla Paksh - Margshirsha)

This year Mokshda Ekadashi falls on Sat,10 Dec, 2016.

Mokshda / Vaikuntha Ekadashi (Geeta Jayanti) Vrat Katha

(As told by Shri Krishna to Yudhisthir Maharaj):-


Yudhisthir Maharaj said, “Hey Baghwan Vishnu, Hey Swami, Hey Trilokinath, Hey Vishwa ke Swami, hey Sarva-sresth Pursh, I offer my most respectful obeisances unto You. Hey Devo ke Dev, for the benefit of all living entities, kindly answer some questions I have. What is the name of the Ekadashi that occurs during the sukla paksh of Margasirsh and how it helps in removing all sins? How does one observe it properly, and which Swaroop of your's is worshiped on that holy day? Hey Bhagwan, please fully explain this to me”.

Bhagwan Shri Krishna replied, “Yudhisthir, your inquiry is very auspicious and will bring you fame. Just as I previously explained to you the dearest Utpathit Maha-duvadashi, which occurs during krishna paksh of Marghsirsh, this is the day when Devi-Ekadashi appeared from My body to kill the demon Moor. This will benefit every animate and inanimate in the three worlds, so I shall now explain to you the Ekadashi that occurs during sukla paksh of Marghsirsh. This Ekadashi is famous as Moksada because it purifies the faithful devotee of all sinful reactions and bestows liberation upon him. The worshipable Swaroop of this day is Bhagwan Shri Damodar. With full attention, one should worship Him with incense, a ghee lamp, flowers, and tulsi manjaris (buds).

Servasresth Rajan, please listen as I narrate to you the old and auspicious history of this Ekadashi, simply by hearing this history one can attain the merit earned by performing a Aksha-wa-megh Yaghya (horse sacrifice). By the influence of this merit, one's ancestors, mothers, sons, and other relatives who have gone to hell can go to heaven. For this reason alone, Rajan, you should listen carefully to this narration”.

Shri Krishna continued, “There was once a beautiful city named Champak-nagar, which was decorated with devoted Vaishnavas. There the best of saintly king, Maharaj Vaikhanas, ruled his subjects as if they were his own sons and daughters. The Brahmins in that capital city were all expert in four kinds of Vedic knowledge. The king, while ruling properly, had a dream one night in which his father was suffering the pangs of torture in a hellish planet. The king was overwhelmed with compassion and shed tears”.

The next morning, Maharaj Vaikhanas described his dream to his council of twice-born Brahmins, the king said, in a dream last night I saw my father suffering on a hellish planet. He was crying out, ‘O son, please deliver me from the torment of this hell! Now I have no peace, and even this beautiful kingdom has become unbearable to me. Not even my horses, elephants, and chariots give me any joy, and my vast treasury gives me no pleasure at all’.

‘Everything, O best of the Brahmins, even my own wife and sons, has become a source of unhappiness since I beheld my dear father suffering the tortures of hell. Where can I go, and what can I do, Brahmins, to alleviate this misery? My body is burning with fear and sorrow! Please tell me what kind of charity, what mode of fasting, what austerity, or what deep meditation I may perform to deliver my father from his agony and bestow liberation upon my ancestors. O best of Brahmins, what is the use of one's being a powerful son if one's father must suffer on a hellish planet? Truly, such a son's life is utterly useless’!

The twice-born Brahmins replied, “Rajan, in the mountainous forest not far from here is the asram where the great sage Parvata Muni resides. Please go to him, for he knows the past, present and future of everything and everyone and he can for sure help you in your misery”.
Upon hearing this advice, the distressed king immediately set out on a journey to the ashram of the famous sage Parvata Muni. The ashram was very big and housed many learned sages expert in chanting the sacred hymns of the four Veds. Approaching the holy ashram, the king beheld Parvata Muni seated among the sages like another Brahma, the unborn creator.

Maharaj Vaikhanas offered his humble obeisances to the muni, bowing his head and then prostrating his entire body. After the king had seated himself, Parvata Muni asked him about the welfare of the seven limbs of his extensive kingdom. The Muni also asked him if in his kingdom everyone was peaceful and happy and was free of troubles. To the inquiries the king replied, “By your mercy, O glorious sage, all seven limbs of my kingdom are doing very well. Yet there is a problem that has recently arisen, and to solve it I have come to you, Munni-ver, for your expert guidance”.

Then Parvata Muni, the best of all sages, closed his eyes and meditated on the king's past, present and future. After a few moments he opened his eyes and said, “Your father is suffering the results of committing a great sin, and I have discovered what it is. In his previous life, he quarreled with his wife when he enjoyed her sexually during her menstrual period. She tried to resist his advances and yelled out, someone please save me! Please, husband, do not interrupt my monthly period! Still he did not leave her alone. It is on account of this grievous sin that your father has fallen into such a hellish condition”.

"King Vaikhanasa then said, 'O greatest of sages, by what process of fasting or charity may I liberate my dear father from such a condition? Please tell me how I can remove the burden of his sinful reactions, which are a great obstacle to his progress toward ultimate liberation.'
"Parvata Muni replied, 'During the light fortnight of the month of Margasirsa there occurs an Ekadashi called Moksada. If you observe this sacred Ekadashi strictly, with a full fast, and give directly to your suffering father the merit you thus obtain, he will be freed from his pain and instantly liberated.'

"Hearing this, Maharaja Vaikhanasa profusely thanked the great sage and then returned to his palace. 0 Yudhisthira, when the light part of the month of Margasirsa at last arrived, Maharaja Vaikhanasa faithfully and perfectly observed the Ekadashi fast with his wife, children, and other relatives. He dutifully gave the merit from this fast to his father, and as he made the offering, beautiful flowers showered down from the sky. The king's father was then praised by the messengers of the demigods and escorted to the celestial regions. As he passed his son, the father said to the king, 'My dear son, all auspiciousness unto you!' At last he reached the heavenly realm.

O son of Pandu, whoever strictly observes the sacred Moksada Ekadashi, following the established rules and regulations, achieves full and perfect liberation after death. There is no better fasting day than this Ekadashi of the light fortnight of the month of Margasirsa, O Yudhisthira, for it is a crystal-clear and sinless day. Whoever faithfully observes this Ekadashi fast, which is like cintamini [a gem that yields all desires], obtains special merit that is very hard to calculate, for this day can elevate one to the heavenly planets and beyond-to perfect liberation."

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Mokshda / Vaikuntha Ekadasi from the Brahmanda Purana.

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Significance:
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This is also known as the Vaikuntha Ekadashi. It is believed the vaikunta dwaram is opened on this day. By doing this ekadashi one attains moksha equivalent phala, hence this is also known as as the "mokshda" ekadashi. on the margashirsha shuddha ekadashi day we worship Damodara  roopi Sri Hari, with Tulsi leaflets, flowerlets along with dhoopa, deepa, Naivedya and other pooja procedures. In the night during jagar, recite/listen Puran, nritya, geeta etc., in the glory of Damodara.

This also marks the begining of Dhanurmasa. Huggi (mixture of moong daal and rice ) becomes the staple diet during this time. Dhanurmasa lasts till makara sankranthi. This is also celebrated as Geeta Jayanti. On this day Sri Krishna rendered Bhgavad Geeta to Arjuna.

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(3)  Safala Ekadashi
     (Krishna Paksh - Paush)

** This year Safala Ekadashi falls on Tue/Wed, 5/6 Jan 2016.
** This year Safala Ekadashi falls on Sat, 24 Dec 2016.

 Note: There are two  Safala Ekadashis (Krishna Paksh Paush) in 2016.

Safala Ekadasi Vrat Katha (Story)


Once there lived a very powerful and famous king named Mahishmata. He had four sons but the eldest son Lumpaka was arrogant and was indulged in all sort of bad activities including harming the citizens. The king was not ready to tolerate the behavior of his eldest son and exiled him.

 Lumpaka began to live in a forest on the outskirts of the kingdom and started robbing travelers. He used to sleep during the day time under a peepal ree where there was a small idol of Lord Vishnu but he never bothered to worship it. His meals consisted of raw meat and fruits.
He lived like this for several years and once a couple of days before Safala Ekadasi he fell ill and became very weak. Due to illness, he became unconscious and woke up on Safala Ekadashi day but as he was weak he could not hunt or rob travelers. Unable to move, he prayed to Lord Vishnu idol under the peepal tree for recovery from illness and offered some fruits that had fallen from the banyan tree, which were eaten by birds.

He fasted the whole day and remained awake at night. Thus unknowingly Lumpaka performed the Saphala Ekadasi Vrat.

The next day morning he felt some kind of renewed energy. He felt sad about his wanton life and tears started trickling down from his eyes. He wept before the Vishnu idol and suddenly he heard a voice from the sky. The voice said that he had performed the Safala Ekadasi Vrat and Lord Vishnu has washed away all his sins and he should return to his father and start a new life.


As directed by the voice from the sky, Lumpaka reached the kingdom and started leading a good life and showed interest in the welfare of the people and in the course of time he became the king and was noted for his just and kind rule.

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Significance :
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 The moral of the legend is that even if one loses his health, wealth, belongings, honour, affection, and love, he will get it back if he observes Safala Ekadashi with devotion.

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(4) Paush Putrada Ekadashi
      (Shukla Paksh - Paush)

** This year Paush Putrada Ekadashi falls on Wed, 20 Jan 2016. :--

Putrada Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Story)

( as told by Sri Krishna to Dharmaraja Yudhisthira )

Shri Yudhisthira Maharaja said, “Oh Madhusudana, Oh killer of the Madhu demon, please be merciful to me and describe to me the Ekadashi that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Shravana (July-August).” The Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, replied, “Yes, Oh king, I shall happily narrate its glories to you, for just by hearing about this sacred Ekadashi one attains the merit of performing a horse sacrifice.

“At the dawn of Dvapara-yuga there lived a king by the name of Mahijita, who ruled the kingdom of Mahismati-puri. Because he had no son, his entire kingdom seemed utterly cheerless to him. A married man who has no son gains no happiness in this life or the next. For a long time this king tried very hard to obtain an heir, but to no avail. Seeing his years advancing ever onwards, King Mahijita became increasingly anxious. One day he told an assembly of his advisers: ‘I have committed no sin in this life, and there is no ill-gotten wealth in my treasury. I have never usurped the offerings to the demigods or Brahmans. When I waged war and conquered kingdoms, I followed the rules and regulations of the military art, and I have protected my subjects as if they were my own children. I punished even my own relatives if they broke the law, and if my enemy was gentle and religious I welcomed him. Oh twice-born souls, although I am a religious and faithful follower of the Vedik standards, still my home is without a son. Kindly tell me the reason for this.

“Hearing this, the king’s Brahman advisers discussed the subject among themselves, and with the aim of benefiting the king they visited the various ashrams of the great sages. At last they came upon a sage who was austere, pure, and self-satisfied, and who was strictly observing a vow of fasting. His senses were completely under control, he had conquered his anger, and he was expert at performing his occupational duty. Indeed, this great sage was expert in all the conclusions of the Vedas, and he had extended his life span to that of Lord Brahma himself. His name was Lomasa Rishi, and he knew part, present, and future. After each kalpa passed, one hair would fall out of his body. All the king’s Brahman advisers very happily approached him one by one to offer their humble respects. “Captivated by this great soul, King Mahijita’s advisers offered obeisance's to him and said very respectfully, ‘Only because of our great good fortune, Oh sage, have we been allowed to see you.

“Lomasa Rishi saw them bowing down to him and replied, ‘Kindly let me know why you have come here. Why are you praising me? I must do all I can to solve your problems, for sages like me have only one interest: to help others. Do not doubt this.’ “The king’s representatives said, ‘We have come to you, Oh exalted sage, to ask for your help in solving a very serious problem. Oh sage, you are like Lord Brahma. Indeed, there is no better sage in the entire world. Our king, Mahijita, is without a son, though he has sustained and protected us as if we were his sons. Seeing him so unhappy on account of being sonless, we have become very sad, Oh sage, and therefore we have entered the forest to perform severe austerities. By our good fortune we happened upon you. Everyone’s desires and activities become successful just by your darshana. Thus we humble ask that you tell us how our kind can obtain a son.

“Hearing their sincere plea, Lomasa Rishi absorbed himself in deep meditation for a moment and at once understood the king’s previous life. Then he said, ‘Your ruler was a merchant in his past life, and feeling his wealth insufficient, he committed sinful deeds. He traveled to many villages to trade his goods. Once, at noon on the day after the Ekadashi that comes during the light fortnight of the month of Jyeshtha , he became thirsty while traveling from place to place. He came upon a beautiful pond on the outskirts of a village, but just as he was about to drink at the pond a cow arrived there with her new-born calf. These two creatures were also very thirsty because of the heat, but when the cow and calf started to drink, the merchant rudely shoved them aside and selfishly slaked his own thirst. This offense against a cow and her calf has resulted in your king’s being without a son now. But the good deeds he performed in his previous life have given him ruler ship over an undisturbed kingdom.

“Hearing this, the king’s advisers replied, ‘Oh renowned rishi, we have heard that the Vedas say one can nullify the effects of one’s past sins by acquiring merit. Be so kind as to give us some instruction by which our king’s sins can be destroyed; please give him your mercy so that a prince will take birth in his family.

“Lomasa Rishi said, ‘There is an Ekadashi called Putrada, which comes during the light fortnight of the month of Shravan. On this day all of you, including your king, should fast and stay awake all night, strictly following the rules and regulations. Then you should give the king whatever merit you gain by this fast. If you follow these instructions of mine, he will surely be blessed with a fine son.

“All the king’s advisers became very pleased to hear these words from Lomasa Rishi, and they all offered him their grateful obeisance's. Then, their eyes bright with happiness, they returned home.

“When the month of Shravan arrived, the king’s advisers remembered the advice of Lomasa Rishi, and under their direction all the citizens of Mahismati-puri, as well as the king, fasted on Ekadashi. And on the next day, DvAdasi, the citizens dutifully offered their accrued merit to him. By the strength of all this merit, the queen became pregnant and eventually gave birth to a most beautiful son.

“O Yudhisthira,” Lord Krishna concluded, “the Ekadashi that comes during the light fortnight of the month of Shravan has thus rightfully become famous as Putrada . Whoever desires happiness in this world and the next should certainly fast from all grains and legumes on this holy day. Indeed, whoever simply hears the glories of Putrada Ekadashi becomes completely free of all sins, is blessed with a good son, and surely ascends to heaven after death.”
  
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Significance:
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This way the person who observes this fast, all his obstacles in having a child are removed and gets blessed with a son. A person who hears and follows the greatness of this vrata achieves salvation after his death.

According to the Hindu calendar, Putrada Ekadashi vrata is observed every year on Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha, Paush month. This day Lord Narayana is worshiped. After taking bath early in the morning and completing daily work, clean clothes are worn and Lord Hari is worshiped. First of all, Lord Narayana is worshiped with incense stick and small lamp(deepak). After this, a person, as per his capacity, offers flowers, fruits, coconut, betel leaf, betel nut, clove, berries, Amla etc. to the Lord. After observing fast for the whole day, Katha is heard in the evening and fruits are eaten. Gifting lamps(deep) on this day is considered auspicious.

The fruits of this fast is according to its name. This vrata is beneficial for people having problems in conceiving a child or for those who wish to have a boy child. Henceforth, the people who wish to have a child should observe this vrata and get his wish fulfilled.


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 (5) Shattila / Tilda Ekadashi
      (Krishna Paksh - Magh) 
 

** This year Shattila Ekadashi falls on Thurs, 4 Feb, 2016.
 
Shattila /Tilda Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Story)  
 
A long time ago in the ages of satya yug there lived a Brahmin female. She was pure and very religious spending most of her time in devotion of God. She made donations and contributed huge amounts of clothes, jewellery and various other items to the poor. But she had never donated food and grains at all. Once the Lord took a form of a rishi and came to her house to receive alms. On that occasion the Brahmin female must have been in one of her angry moods and gave a rolled ball of clay in the bowl of the Lord. The Lord accepted it, blessed her and departed back to His divine abode. 

As time went by, due to constant devotion to God, she had achieved a blessed gift of high spirituality and could go into deep trance (Samadhi) and visit the heavenly abodes at her own will. Once she went into Samadhi and entered the heavenly abode of Swarg. She saw a very beautiful fully furnished house already prepared for her. But inside there was not a single food grain. She wondered why this was and approached God for a reason. “O Lord of the universe, I have performed constant devotion, japa, tapa, daana but what could be the reason, for You Almighty, not providing me with food grains?”. The Lord replied, “O devi, you have pleased me with your great devotion but there is a little bit left in your contribution to the society and that is food. You have not endowed any kind of food grains and that is the reason for this. I will help you find an easy solution to come out of this. I am the Almighty and I always help My devotees reach My divine abode. Go back to your house on earth. You will be visited by the many wives of the devtas. When they knock on your door, do not let them in and instead ask them to explain the vrat of Shatila Ekadashi. You can let them in once they have explained the vrat. Perform this vrat on Shatila Ekadashi and your wish will be granted”. 

As the month of Paush came by the Brahmin devotee was visited by the wives of the devtas and she followed the instructions given. Upon listening and learning the vrat of this Ekadashi, she received blessings from the devis and on the day of Ekadashi, performed the full vrat and as per the Lord’s wish, was rewarded duly in return.

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Significance:
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Shatila Ekadashi (also known as Tilda Ekadashi) takes place on the eleventh day of Krishnapaksh in the month of Paush. “Til” means sesame seeds (commonly known as “Tal”). “Da” means to donate. Hence on this day, one has to donate seeds and clothes to the Brahmins and the needy. 

On this day of Ekadashi, one must donate “Tal” seeds to God and the needy. One should go through the day by observing fast and constant devotion to God. In return, one will achieve good health and everlasting happiness in this life and the next.

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(6) Jaya / Bheeshma Ekadashi
      (Shukla Paksh - Magh) 

This year Jaya Ekadashi falls on Thurs, 18 Feb, 2016.:--

Jaya Ekadasi Vrat Katha (Story)

Once in the gathering of God Indra, a demigod (Gandharva) Malyavan was singing a song. But, his mind was remembering his beloved Pushpwati. So, while singing his rhythm went out of the path. On this, God Indra cursed him saying  “The girl in whose memories you are lost will become a monster.”

Listening this, demigod asked for forgiveness from Lord Indra and pleaded him to take back these words. But, Lord Indra was unmoved. God moved him out of that gathering. When Gandharva returned home, he saw his wife had turned to a demon.

Demigod tried many methods to remove the curse from her wife, but he failed. Suddenly, one day he met Narad Rishi. Narad Rishi said him to observe fast on Ekadasi of Magh Shukla Paksha and perform Bhagwat Kirtan, do get free from the curse. So, the demigod observed the fast and his wife became normal like before.

Bheeshma Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Story)


 The Bheeshma Ekadasi falls in the Uttarayana Punyakalam which has many auspicious days dedicated to Bheeshma like the Bheeshma Ashtami and Bheeshma Dwadasi. It is widely acknowledged that Bheeshma chose this period of Uttarayana Punyakalam to leave his mortal coil and unite with the Supreme Soul. In the northern states of India on this particular day Jaya Ekadashi is observed.

As per the puranas, it is believed that Bhishma revealed the Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram to the Pandavas in the presence of Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, on this day particular day while lying on the bed of arrows during the great war of Mahabharata. The Vishnu Sahastranama Stotram is a verse dedicated to Lord Vishnu containing his one thousand names and each name explains numerous attributes of the Lord in an incredible manner.


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Significance:
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** Jaya Ekadashi 


Jaya Ekadasi  fast is celebrated on Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha, Magh month. Lord Keshav is worshipped whith flowers, water, Akshat, Roli and sweet smelling materials on this day. On Jaya Ekadasi, Aarti of Lord Krishna is performed after observing fast. Pasaad offered to God is distributed and then eaten.
 
Lord Vishnu is worshipped in Ekadashi fast. But in Jaya Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu is also worshipped with Lord Krishna. Person observing this fast should mentally prepare himself a day before fast. After taking meal in evening on 10th day (one day before Ekadasi) the resolution of fast should be taken in the morning of Ekadashi. Then, Lord Krishna should be worshipped with incense stick, lamp, fruits. Now, Lord Vishnu should be worshipped with Panchamrit.

Fast is observed the whole day and Jagran is performed at night. Reading Vishnu Sahastranaam and doing Jagran for the whole night is considered favorable. If it is not possible to observe the fast at night, in such a case one can have fruits. In the morning of Dvadashi, after bathing, Brahmans are gifted food and alms as per the capacity of an individual. By this, a person gets free from all his sins. 

Jaya Ekadashi  fast is celebrated on Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha, Magh month. This Ekadashi removes all sorts of sin and is considered favorable. Observing this fast every year increases the virtuous works of a person and help him get salvation. A person can get free from evil works life Brahma Hatya


** Bheeshma Ekadashi


Devotees believe that listening to the Vishnu Sahastranama Stotram leads to Moksha, i.e. freedom from the cycle of life. Staunch followers fast on the day of Bheeshma Ekadasi. In the Hindu religion Ekadasi has come to signify a day to fasting. The auspicious Upavaas (fasting) of Bheeshma Ekadasi is important as it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Devotees abstain from food completely on this day.


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(7) Vijaya Ekadashi

This year Vijaya Ekadashi falls on Sat, 5 Mar, 2016.
(Krishna Paksh – Phalgun)

Vijaya Ekadashi Vrat Katha (story)

According to the story, Lord Ram reached the sea cost to invade in Lanka, on the day of Vijaya Ekadashi. Lord Ram saw the vast sea infront of him. His wife Sita was in Ravan’s prison. So, Lord Ram requested Sea God (Samundra Devta) to give him way. But, Samundra did not gave Lord the way of going to Lanka. Then, God Ram asked the Rishi Vakdalabhya for the solution.

He explained Lord that before starting any auspicious work, fast and rituals are performed. This way the work started will get completed successfully. Rishi said “Dear Lord, you should systematically observe the Ekadasi fast of Krishna Paksha, Falgun Masa. 

To observe the fast, feel a pitcher of mud with seven types of cereals. On top of this, leaves of pipal, mango, Gular (wild fig tree) and Banyan tree are placed. Also, in a separate urn, barley is kept. In this urn a picture of Lakshmi Narayan is placed and worshipped. Observe fast on the day of Ekadashi and perform Jagran at night. Offer the urn with water to Samundra, next day.
This Vrat will help you get the way to Lanka from sea and make you win over Ravana.” So, Lord Ram Observed the fast as explained by Rishi Vakdalabhya. This incident gave the Name Vijaya Ekasashi to this fast of Ekadashi.


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Significance:
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On the day of Vijaya Ekadashi, seven cereals are placed. The seven cereals include wheat, Urad, Moong, gram, rice, barley, lentils. On this, idol of Lord Vishnu is established. A person should observe this fast for the whole day and perform Jagran at night by reading Vishnu Path, Vishnu Sahasranama.

A night before the fast day, Satvik Bhojan (simple food with no garlic and onions) should be eaten. After the night meal nothing else should be eaten. This Vrat is observed for 24 hours. Fast is concluded on Dvadashi (next day of Ekadasi) morning by gifting a pitcher full of cereal to Brahman. Observing this fast removes grief and problems. As per the name, Vijaya Ekadashi gives success to a person in difficult circumstances of life.


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(8) Amalaki Ekadashi

    (Shukla Paksh– Phalgun)
 

This year Amalaki Ekadashi falls on Sat, 19 Mar, 2016..

Brahmanda Puran Amalaki Ekadashi Vrat Katha (story)
(As told by  Vasishtha Muni to King Mandhata)

King Mandhata once said to Vasishtha Muni, "O great sage, kindly be merciful to me and tell me of a holy fast that will benefit me eternally."

Vasishtha Muni replied. "O king, kindly listen as I describe the best of all fast days, Amalaki Ekadashi. He who faithfully observes a fast on this Ekadashi obtains enormous wealth, gets free of the effects of all kinds of sins, and attains liberation. Fasting on this Ekadashi is more purifying than donating one thousand cows in charity to a pure brahmana. So please hear me attentively as I tell you the story of a hunter who, though daily engaged in killing innocent animals for his living, achieved liberation by observing a fast on Amalaki Ekadashi following the prescribed rules and regulations of worship.

"There was once a kingdom named Vaidisha, where all the brahmanas, kshatriyas, vaishyas, and shudras were equally endowed with Vedic knowledge, great bodily strength, and fine intelligence. Oh lion among kings, the whole kingdom was full of Vedic sounds, not a single person was atheistic, and no one sinned. The ruler of this kingdom was King Pashabinduka, a member of the dynasty of Soma, the moon. He was also known as Chitraratha and was very religious and truthful. It is said that King Chitraratha had the strength of ten thousand elephants and that he was very wealthy and knew the six branches of Vedic wisdom perfectly. 

"During the reign of Maharaja Chitraratha, not a single person in his kingdom attempted to practice another's dharma (duty) so perfectly engaged in their own dharmas were all the brahmanas, kshatriyas, vaishyas, and shudras. Neither miser nor pauper was to be seen throughout the land, not was there ever a drought or flood. Indeed, the kingdom was free of disease, and everyone enjoyed good health. The people rendered loving devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Vishnu, as did the king, who also rendered special service to Lord Shiva. Moreover, twice a month everyone fasted on Ekadashi."

"In this way, O best of kings, the citizens of Vaidisha lived many long years in great happiness and prosperity. Giving up all varieties of materialistic religion, they completely dedicated themselves to the loving service of the Supreme Lord, Hari."

"Once, in the month of Phalguna (February - March), the holy fast of Amalaki Ekadashi arrived, conjoined with Dvadasi. King Chitraratha realised that this particular fast would bestow especially great benefit, and thus he and all the citizens of Vaidisha observed this sacred Ekadashi very strictly, carefully following all the rules and regulations."

"After bathing in the river, the king and all his subjects went to the temple of Lord Vishnu, where an Amalaki tree grew. First the king and his leading sages offered the tree a pot filled with water, as well as a fine canopy, shoes, gold, diamonds, rubies, pearls, sapphires, and aromatic incense. Then they worshiped Lord Parashurama with these prayers: 'Oh Lord Parashurama, Oh son of Renuka, Oh all-pleasing one, Oh liberator of the worlds, kindly come beneath this holy Amalaki tree and accept our humble obeisances."

Then they prayed to the Amalaki tree: "Oh Amalaki, Oh offspring of Lord Brahma, you can destroy all kinds of sinful reactions. Please accept our respectful obeisances and these bumble gifts. O Amalaki, you are actually the form of Brahman, and you were once worshiped by Lord Ramachandra Himself. Whoever circumambulates you is therefore immediately freed of all his sins."

"After offering these excellent prayers, King Chitraratha and his subjects remained awake throughout the night, praying and worshiping according to the regulations governing a sacred Ekadashi fast. It was during this auspicious time of fasting and prayer that a very irreligious man approached the assembly, a man who maintained himself and his family by killing animals. Burdened with both fatigue and sin, the hunter saw the king and the citizens of Vaidisha observing Amalaki Ekadashi by performing an all-night vigil, fasting, and worshiping Lord Vishnu in the beautiful forest setting, which was brilliantly illuminated by many lamps. The hunter hid nearby, wondering what this extraordinary sight before him was.

"What is going on here?" he thought. What he saw in that lovely forest beneath the holy Amalaki tree was the Deity of Lord Damodara being worshiped upon the Asana of a waterpot, and what he heard were devotees singing sacred songs describing Lord Krishna's transcendental forms and pastimes. Despite himself, that staunchly irreligious killer of innocent birds and animals spent the entire night in great amazement as he watched the Ekadashi celebration and listened to the glorification of the Lord. 

"Soon after sunrise, the king and his royal retinue - including the court sages and all the citizens - completed their observance of Ekadashi and returned to the city of Vaidisha. The hunter then returned to his hut and happily ate his meal. In due time the hunter died, but the merit he had gained by fasting on Amalaki Ekadashi and hearing the glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as well as by being forced to stay awake all night, made him eligible to be reborn as a great king endowed with may chariots, elephants, horses, and soldiers. His name was Vasuratha, the son of King Viduratha, and he ruled over the kingdom of Jayanti.
"King Vasuratha was strong and fearless, as effulgent as the Sun, and as handsome as the Moon. In strength he was like Sri Vishnu, and in forgiveness like the Earth itself. Very charitable and every truthful, King Vasuratha always rendered loving devotional service to the Supreme Lord, Sri Vishnu. He therefore became very well versed in Vedic knowledge. Always active in the affairs of state, he enjoyed taking excellent care of his subjects, as though they were his own children. He disliked pride in anyone and would smash it when he saw it. He performed many kinds of sacrifices, and he always made certain that the needy in his kingdom received enough charity. 

"One day, while hunting in the jungle, King Vasuratha strayed from the footpath and lost his way. Wandering for some time and eventually growing weary, he paused beneath a tree and, using his arms as a pillow, fell asleep. As he slept, some barbarian tribesmen came upon him and, remembering their longstanding enmity toward the king, began discussing among themselves various ways to kill him. 'It is because he killed our fathers, mothers, brothers-in-law, grandsons, nephews, and uncles that we are forced to aimlessly wander like so many madmen in the forest.' So saying, they prepared to kill King Vasuratha with various weapons, including spears, swords, arrows, and mystic ropes. 

"But none of these deadly weapons could even touch the sleeping king, and soon the uncivilised, dog-eating tribesmen grew frightened. Their fear sapped their strength, and before long they lost what little intelligence they had and became almost unconscious with bewilderment and weakness. Suddenly a beautiful woman appeared from the king's body, startling the aborigines. Decorated with many ornaments, emitting a wonderful fragrance, wearing an excellent garland around her neck, her eyebrows drawn in a mood of fierce anger, and her fiery red eyes ablaze, she looked like death personified. With her blazing chakra discus she quickly killed all the tribal hunters, who had tried to slay the sleeping king. 

"Just then the king awoke, and seeing all the dead tribesmen lying around him, he was astonished. He wondered, 'These are all great enemies of mine! Who has slain them so violently? Who is my great benefactor?' 

"At that very moment he heard a voice from the sky: 'You ask who helped you. Well, who is that person who alone can help anyone is distress? He is none other than Sri Keshava, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He who saves all who take shelter of Him without any selfish motive.' 

"Upon hearing these words, King VasUratha became over-whelmed with love for the Personality of Godhead Shri Keshava (Krishna). He returned to his capital city and ruled there like a second lord Indra (king of the heavenly regions), without any obstacles at all.
"Therefore, Oh King Mandhata," the venerable Vasishtha Muni concluded, "...anyone who observes this holy Amalaki Ekadashi will undoubtedly attain the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu, so great is the religious merit earned from the observance of this most sacred fast day."

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Significance:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Amalaki Ekadashi falls in the month of Phalgun (feb-mar). It is also known as 'Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi'. Amalaki Ekadashi is considered very auspicious for worshipping lord Vishnu with the Amalas and taking food made of amalas only. Anyone who observes this holy Amalaki Ekadashi will undoubtedly attain the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu, so great is the religious merit earned from the observance of this most sacred fast day.

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(9) Papmochani Ekadashi

     (Krishna Paksh - Chaitra) 

** This year Papmochani Ekadashi falls on Sun/Mon, 3/4 Apr, 2016.

Papmochani Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Story)

In the Lok of Swarag, there is a beautiful garden in the name of Chaitrarath. Nearly all devtas go to the garden and spend most of their time for relaxation. The Rishis spent their time performing penance in order to please the Supreme Almighty God. Once Kamdeva, out of revenge wanted to disturb and break the continuous penance of a Rishi named as Medhavi. The path Kamdev chose was to send an attractive dancer named "Manjughosha" and encourage Medhavi Rishi into loosing concentration to God and instead focus on the dancing and falling into the cage of fantasy illusion. Upon dancing, Medhavi Rishi got entangled with the dancer and began living with her. The Rishi spent most of his time in looking after the dancer and overlooked the meditation of God. He would not let her out of his sight for even a second.

As this was getting too much for the dancer, she called upon the Rishi and pleaded, “O Rishi, please allow me to go home now. My parents and family must be waiting for my arrival.” Listening to her request, Medhavi Rishi asked her to stay until nightfall and thereafter she was free to go. Scared to say, the dancer replied, “O Rishi, Are you in any sense how many nights I have been with you?” When the Rishi began thinking, he realized that 75 years had passed by staying with the dancer. Furious at this, the Rishi realized that he had been setup with this evil act of the devtas and the dancer. Angrily, he cursed the dancer to become a ghost. But on constant pleading of the dancer, Rishi's heart melted. So the Rishi told the dancer and said, “O Devi, keep a full fast vrat on Papmochani Ekadashi which arrives in the month of Fagan. You will be freed from my curse.” 

Medhavi Rishi went to his father Chavan Rishi and pleaded, “O Father, I have broken the continuous communion to God and ended up in living in sin with this dancer. Please guide me and show me how I can get released from these sins.” Chavan Rishi replied, “O Son, by keeping full vrat of Papmochni Ekadashi frees you from all sins.” 

Medhavi Rishi and the dancer both performed the vrat of Papmochani Ekadashi and were ultimately freed from their sins.

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Significance:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Ekadashi that fall in Krishna paksha of Fagan month is called Papmochani Ekadashi. This is the giver of wealth and the destroyer of many sins.

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(10)  Kamada Ekadashi
       (Shukla Paksh - Chaitra)
 
** This year Kamada Ekadashi falls on Sun, 17 Apr, 2016.

Kamada Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Story)

( as told by Sri Krishna to Dharmaraja )

Once Yudhishthira Maharaja said, 'Oh Lord Krishna, Oh Vasudeva, please accept my humble obeisance's. Please describe to me the Ekadashi that occurs during the light part of the month of Chaitra . What is its name, and what are its glories?' 

Lord Shri Krishna replied, 'Oh Yudhishthira, please listen to Me attentively as I relate the ancient history of this sacred Ekadashi, a history Vasishtha Muni once related to King Dilipa, the great-grandfather of Lord Ramachandra.

King Dilipa asked the great sage Vasishtha, "Oh wise brahman, I wish to hear about the Ekadashi that comes during the light part of the month of Chaitra. Please describe it to me."
Vasishtha Muni replied, "Oh king, your inquiry is glories. Gladly shall I tell you what you wish to know. The Ekadashi that occurs during the light fortnight of Chaitra is named Kamada Ekadashi. It consumes all sins. It is very purifying, and it bestows the highest merit upon one who faithfully observes it. Oh king, now hear an ancient history which is so meritorious that it removes all one's sins simply by being heard. 

Once, long ago, there was a city named Ratnapura and King Pundarika was its ruler. It had mostly Gandharvas, Kinnaras, and Apsaras among its citizens.
Among the Gandharvas were Lalit and his wife Lalita, who was an  lovely couple. These two were intensely attracted to each other. Lalita loved her husband dearly, and likewise he constantly thought of her within his heart. They were inseparable. 

Once, in the court of King Pundarika, many Gandharvas were singing, Lalit was one among them. While singing Lalit  could not help thinking about his beloved, and because of this distraction he lost track of the song's melody. Lalit sang the song improperly, and one of the envious snake named kakort who was in attendance at the king's court complained to the king that Lalit ws lost in the thought's of his wife that's because he lost track and sang improperly. The king became furious upon hearing this, and he shouted, 'Oh foolish knave, because you were lustfully thinking of a woman instead of reverently thinking of your king as you performed your court duties, I curse you to at once become a Demon !, a man-eating demon with a terrified apperance.

Lalit immediately became a fearful Demon. His arms were eight miles long, his mouth was as big as a huge cave, his eyes were as awesome as the sun and moon, his nostrils resembled enormous pits in the earth, his neck was a veritable mountain, his hips were four miles wide, and his gigantic body stood a full sixty-four miles high. Thus poor Lalit, the Gandharva singer, had to suffer the reaction of his offense against King Pundarika. 

Seeing her husband suffering as a horrible monster, Lalita became overwhelmed with grief. She thought, 'Now that my dear husband is suffering the effects of the kings' curse, what is left for me? What should I do? Where should I go?' In this way Lalita grieved day and night. Instead of enjoying life as a Gandharvas wife, she wandered everywhere in the thick jungle with her husband, who had fallen completely under the spell of the king's curse. He wandered fitfully across forbidding region, a once-beautiful Gandharva now reduced to the  behavior of a man-eater. 

One day, while wandering in the jungle, Lalita met  the sage Shringi . He was sitting on the peak of the Vindhyachala Hmountain. Approaching him, she immediately offered the ascetic her respectful obeisance's. The sage noticed her bowing down before him and said, 'Who are you and why have you come here? Why you look so gloomy. Please tell me everything in truth.'
Lalita replied, 'Oh Brahmana,  my name is Lalita. I wander in  the jungle with my dear husband, whom King Pundarika has cursed to become a man-eating demon. I am greatly aggrieved to see him like this. Oh Saint, please tell me how I can perform some act of atonement on behalf of my husband. How can I free him from this demonic form, please help me. The sage replied, 'There is an Ekadashi named Kamada that occurs in the light fortnight of the month of Chaitra. It is coming up soon. Whoever fasts on this day has all his desires fulfilled. If you observe this Ekadashi fast according to its rules and regulations and give the merit you thus earn from your fast to your husband, he will be freed from the curse at once.'
Lalita faithfully observed the fast of Kamada Ekadashi according to the instructions of the sage Shringi, and on Dvadasi she appeared before him and the Deity of Lord Vasudeva and said, 'I have faithfully observed the fast of Kamada Ekadashi. By the merit earned through my observance of this fast, let my husband be free from the curse that has turned him into a beast. May the merit I have gained thus free him from his misery.' 

And Lalita's  husband, who stood nearby, was at once freed from the king's curse. He immediately regained his original form as the Gandharva Lalit, a handsome heavenly singer adorned with many beautiful ornaments. All this was accomplished by the power and glory of Kamada Ekadashi. At last the Gandharva couple boarded a celestial airplane and ascended to heaven.

Lord Sri Krishna continued, 'Oh Yudhishthira!, anyone who hears this story should certainly observe holy Kamada Ekadashi to the best of his ability, such great merit does it bestow upon the faithful devotee. I have therefore described its glories to you for the benefit of all humanity.

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Significance:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Amavasaya of Chaitra month is the last day of Hindu year and on the next day begins the new year according to Hindu calendar and the Chaitra Navratras. The ekadashi that falls after the navratras is called Kamada ekadashi or Chaitra shukla ekadashi. Chaitra Sudi Ekadashi grants all the wishes.

There is no better Ekadashi than Kamada Ekadashi. It can eradicate even the sin of killing a brahmana, and it also nullifies demoniac curses. In all the three worlds and moreover it grants all the wishes'

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(11) Varuthini Ekadashi
        (Krishna Paksh -Vaishakh) 

** This year Varuthini Ekadashi falls on Tues, 3 May, 2016.


Varuthini Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Story)
( as told by Sri Krishna to Dharmaraja )

Once King Yudhisthira asked Shree Krishna - “Oh Madhusudan,  Please describe to me the Ekadashi of the krishna paksha of the month of Vaisakha (April-May), including its name, specific merits and influence.” 

Lord Shree Krishna replied, “Oh King, in this world and the next, the most auspicious and magnanimous Ekadashi is Varuthini Ekadashi, which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Vaisakha.

Whosoever observes a complete fast on this sacred day has his sins completely removed, obtains continuous happiness, and achieves all good fortune. 

Fasting on Varuthini Ekadashi makes even an unfortunate woman fortunate. Upon anyone who observes it, this Ekadashi bestows material enjoyment in this life and liberation after the death of this present body. It destroys the sins of all and saves people from the miseries of repeated rebirth. 

“By observing this Ekadashi properly, King Mandhata was liberated." Whatever merit one obtains by performing austerities and penances for ten thousand years is achieved by a person who observes Varuthini Ekadashi. "

The merit one achieves by donating a great amount of gold during a solar eclipse at Kurukshetra is gained by one who observes this one Ekadashi with love and devotion, and certainly attains his goals in this life and the next. In short, this Ekadashi is pure and very enlivening and the destroyer of all sins. 

“Better than giving horses in charity is giving elephants, and better than giving elephants is giving land. But better still than giving land is the giving of sesame seeds, and better than that is giving of gold. Still better than giving gold is giving food grains - for all the forefathers, demigods (devtas), and human beings become satisfied by eating grains. Thus there is no better gift of charity than this in the past, present or future.” 

“Yet learned scholars have declared that giving away a young maiden in marriage to a worthy person is equal to giving away food grains in charity. Moreover,giving cows in charity is equal to giving food grains. Still better than all these charities is teaching spiritual knowledge to the ignorant. Yet all the merits one can attain by performing all these acts of charity are attained by one who fasts on the Varuthini Ekadashi.” 

“One who lives off the wealth of his daughters suffers a hellish condition until the inundation of the entire universe, therefore one should be especially careful not to use the wealth of his daughter. Oh best of kings, any householder who takes his daughter’s wealth out of greed, who tries to sell his daughter, or who takes money from the man to whom he has given his daughter in marriage – such a householder becomes a lowly cat in his next life. Therefore it is said that whoever, as a sacred act of charity, gives away in marriage a maiden i.e. does kanyadaan. That very same merit, however, can be easily achieved by one who fasts on the Varuthini Ekadashi.
“The following things should be given up on the Dashami, (the tenth phase of the Moon), the day before the Ekadashi: (1) eating on bell-metal plates, (2) eating any kind of urid-dahl, (3) eating red-lentils, (4) eating chick-peas, (5) eating kondo (a grain that is primarily eaten by poor people and that resembles poppy seeds or agarpanthas seeds), (6) eating honey, (7) eating in another person’s house/home, (8) eating more than once, (9) eating Channa and (10) participating in sex of any kind. 

“On the Ekadashi itself one should give up the following: gambling, sports, sleeping during the daytime, betal nuts and its leaf, brushing one’s teeth, spreading rumours, faultfinding, talking to the spiritually fallen, anger, and lying. 

“On the Dwadashi the day after Ekadashi (the twelfth phase of the Moon), one should give up the following: eating on bell-metal plates, eating urad-daal, red-lentils, or honey, lying, strenuous exercise or labor, eating more than once, any sexual activity, shaving the body, face or head, smearing oils on one’s body, and eating in another’s home.” 

Lord Sri Krishna continued, “Whoever observes the Varuthini Ekadashi in this way becomes free from all sinful reactions and returns to the eternal, spiritual abode. One who worships Lord Madhusudan (Krishna) on this Ekadashi by staying awake throughout the entire night, also becomes free from all his previous sins and attains to the spiritual abode. Therefore, Oh king, he who is frightened of his accumulated sins and their attendant reactions, and thus of death itself, must observe Varuthini Ekadashi by fasting very strictly. 

“Finally,  he who hears or reads this glorification of the sacred Varuthini Ekadashi obtains the merit earned by donating one thousand cows in charity, and at last attains heaven."

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Significance:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Varuthini Ekadashi falls in the month of Vaisakh (April-May). It is also known as 'Vaishakh Krishna Ekadashi'. It is believed that whosoever observes a complete fast on this sacred day has his sins completely removed, obtains continuous happiness, and achieves all good fortune. Giving the daughter away as a daan on her wedding (kanyadaan) is termed as the most absolute daan a person can give to anyone in this world. However this varuthini ekadashi vrat gives a person similar fruits to a hundred kanyadaan.

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(12)  Mohini Ekadashi
            (Shukla Paksh - Vaishakh)

This year  Mohini Ekadashi falls on Tues, 17 May, 2016.

Mohini Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Story)
(as told by Sri Krishna to Dharmaraja Yudhishthir)

Once Yudhisthira Maharaja asked Shree Krishna, "Oh Natwar Nagar! what is the name of the Ekadashi that occurs during the light fortnight (shukla paksha) of the month of Vaisakha. What is the process for observing it properly. Kindly narrate all of these details to me.

Lord Sri Krishna replied, "Oh Kunti's son ! After Sitaji's kidnap, when lord Rama was very disturbed, he came to his guru Vasistha and said- I am going through great grief and sadness in my life. Please enlighten me and the people of this world by showing us a means of overcoming great sorrows and troubles of this life. what Vasishtha Muni once told to Lord Ramachandra I shall now describe to you. Please hear Me attentively.

"Lord Rama asked Vasishtha Muni, 'Oh great sage, I would like to hear about the best of all fasting days that day which destroys all kinds of sins and sorrows. I have suffered long enough in separation from My dear Sita, and so I wish to hear from you about how My suffering can be ended.'

Vasishtha Muni replied, “O Prabhu, just by chanting your divine name makes a person happy in this life, but yet for the benediction of mankind the vrat of Mohini Ekadashi relieves one from all troubles of life and society.”

'On the banks of the Sarasvati River there was once a beautiful city named Bhadravati, which was ruled by King Dyutiman. Oh Rama, that steadfast, truthful, and highly intelligent king was born in the dynasty of the Moon. In his kingdom was a merchant named Dhanapal, who possessed a great deal of wealth of food grains and money. He was also very pious. Dhanapal arranged for lakes to be dug, sacrificial arenas to be erected, and beautiful gardens to be cultivated for the benefit of all the citizens of Bhadravati. He was an excellent devotee of Lord Vishnu and had five sons: Sumana, Dyutiman, Medhavi, Sukriti, and Dhrishthabuddhi.

'Unfortunately, his son Dhrishthabuddhi was a great sinner and performed dreadful acts to the people of the village, such as sleeping with prostitutes and associating with similar degraded persons. He enjoyed illicit sex, gambling, and many other illegal acts. Dhrishthabuddhi spent up his father's wealth indiscriminately, always feasting on untouchable foods and drinking alcohol to excess. 

Upon learning of his son’s misconduct, Dhanpal and his sons kicked him out of their house. After being disowned by his father and brothers Dhrishthabuddhi was left with no money to spend on prostitutes and other illegal activities, therefore his friends and prostitutes distanced themselves from him. Dhrishthabuddhi was now full of anxiety, and also hungry.  He then began to steal. The king's constables arrested him, but when they learned who it was, and that his father was the famous Dhanapal, they released him. He was caught again but time the ill-mannered Dhrishthabuddhi was apprehended, handcuffed, and then beaten. After whipping him, the king's marshals warned him and threw him out of their kingdom.

Dhrishthabuddhi thereafter entered the dense forest. He wandered here and there, hungry and thirsty and suffering greatly. Eventually he began killing the jungle animals for food. Dhrishthabuddhi was always miserable and anxious, but one day, during the month of Vaisakha, by the force of some of his past merit he chanced upon the sacred Ashram of Kaundinya Muni. The great sage had just finished bathing in the Ganges River, and water was dripping from him still. Dhrishthabuddhi had the great good fortune to touch some of those droplets of water that were falling from the great sage's wet clothing. Instantly Dhrishthabuddhi was freed of his ignorance, and his sinful reactions were reduced. Offering his humble obeisance's to Kaundinya Muni, Dhrishthabuddhi prayed to him with joined palms; "Oh great brahman!  I have committed so many sins in my life, please describe to me some of the atonement I may perform without too much Endeavour and expense. 

The Rishi replied, “Oh Dhrishthabuddhi! you have overcome most of your suffering by just realizing your mistake. To get yourself cleansed further and achieve salvation you must perform the great vrat of Mohini Ekadashi with full reliance and devotion to God Almighty. This vrat will bestow you with a place in the heavens.”

Thereafter on the next Vaisakha, Dhrishthabuddhi performed the vrat as advised by Kaundinya Rishi. As time went by, Dhrishthabuddhi became free from sins and after his death, achieved a divine body, sat on Garud and ascended to the heavenly abode Vaikunth.”
‘Oh Rama! the fast of Mohini Ekadashi removes the darkest illusory attachments to material existence. There is thus no better fast day in all the three worlds than this. And He who hears and studies the glories of Mohini Ekadashi achieves the merit of giving away one thousand cows in charity."

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Significance:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mohini Ekadashi falls in the month of Vaisakh or Shukla paksha (April-May) . Purshottam lord Rama is worshipped on this day. It is believed that whosoever observes a complete fast on this sacred day gets great benefits  to live happily in this life and the next. Observing this ekadashi vrat  helps achieve peace, honour and the divine pleasure of God to all mankind on this earth.

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(13) Apara (Achala) Ekadashi

       (Krishna Paksh - Jyeshtha)

** This year Apara Ekadashi falls on Wed, 1 Jun, 2016.

Apara (Achala) Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Story)
(as told by Sri Krishna to Dharmaraja Yudhishthir)

Once Yudhishthira Maharaja said, 'Oh Lord Krishna, Oh Vasudeva, please accept my humble obeisance's. Please describe to me the Ekadashi that oc24


Lord Sri Krishna said, "Oh great king ! the name of this meritorious Ekadashi is Apara Ekadashi. Whoever fasts on this holy day becomes famous all over the universe. Even such sins as killing a brahman, a cow, or an embryo, blasphemy, or having sex with another man’s wife are completely eradicated by observing Apara Ekadashi. People who bear false witness, a person who falsely or sarcastically glorifies another, one who cheats while weighing something on a scale, one who invents his own scripture, one who cheats others, one who is a false astrologer, a cheating accountant, or a false Ayurvedic doctor. All these are surely as bad as persons who bears false witness, and they are all destined for hellish punishments. But simply by observing Apara Ekadashi, all such sinners become completely free of their sinful reactions. Warriors who fall from their kshatriya-dharma and flee the battlefield go to a ferocious hell. Even such a fallen kshatriya, if he observes fasting on the Apara Ekadashi, is freed of that great sinful reaction and goes to heaven. That disciple is the greatest sinner who, after receiving a proper spiritual education from his spiritual master, turns around and blasphemes him. Such a so-called disciple suffers unlimitedly. But even he simply observes Apara Ekadashi, can attain to the spiritual world.

The merit attained by one who performs all of the following acts of piety is equal to the merit achieved by one who observes Apara Ekadashi: bathing three times daily in Pushkara-kshetra during Kartika,bathing at the time of a solar eclipse at Kurukshetra,  bathing at Prayag in the month of Magh  when the sun is in the zodiac of Capricorn; rendering service to Lord Shiva during Shivratri, offering oblations to one’s forefathers , bathing in the sacred Gomti River when Jupiter transits Leo (Singha);  and and giving cows, elephants, and gold in charity. All the merit one gets from performing these pious acts is gained by a person who observes the Apara Ekadashi fast. Also, the merit attained by one who donates a pregnant cow, along with gold and fertile land, is attained by one who fasts on this day. This Ekadashi is an axe that cuts down the fully matured forest full of trees of sinful deeds, it is a forest fire that burns sins as if they were kindling firewood, it is the sun blazing before one’s dark misdeeds. Therefore one who faithfully observes the Apara Ekadashi and worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Shri Trivikrama. One who does so is freed of all his sins and promoted to the abode of Lord Vishnu.
"Oh King ! for the benefit of all humanity I have thus described to you this the importance of the Apara Ekadashi. Anyone who hears or reads this description is freed from all kinds of sins.

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Significance:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Apara Ekadashi falls in the month of Jayestha (May-June). It is also known as 'Jayestha Krishna Ekadashi'. Apara Ekadashi is the giver of good deeds, destroyer of sins and one who observes the vrat with a full fast on this day attains great esteem and honor in this world.

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(14)  Nirjala Ekadashi

       (Shukla Paksh - Jyeshtha)

** This year Nirjala Ekadashi falls on Thurs, 16 Jun, 2016.

Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Story)

Once Bhimasena, the younger brother of Maharaja Yudhisthira, asked the great sage Shrila Vyasa ji, the grandfather of the Pandavas, if it is possible to return to the spiritual world without having observed all the rules and regulations of the Ekadashi fasts.

Bhimasena then spoke as follows, "Oh greatly intelligent and learned grandfather, my brother Yudhisthira, my dear mother Kunti, and my beloved wife Draupadi, as well as Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva, fast completely on each Ekadashi and strictly follow all the rules, guidelines and regulative injunctions of that sacred day. Being very religious, they always tell me that I should also fast on that day too. But, Oh learned grandfather, I tell them that I cannot live without eating, because as the son of Vayudeva - Samanaprana, hunger is unbearable to me. I can give widely in charity and worship Lord Keshava properly with all manner of wonderful upacharas (items), but I cannot be asked to fast on Ekadashi. Please tell me how I can obtain the same merits result without fasting."

Hearing these words, the grandsire of Bhima, Srila Vyasa ji said, "If you want to go to the heavenly planets and avoid the hell, you should indeed observe a fast on both the light and dark Ekadashi's."

Bhima replied, "Oh great saintly intelligent grandfather, please listen to my plea. Oh greatest of munis, since I cannot live if I eat only once in a day, how can I possibly live if I fast completely? Within my stomach burns a special fire named Vrika, the fire of digestion. Agni the fire-god, descends from Lord Vishnu through BrahmA, from BrahmA to Angirasa, from Angirasa to Brihaspathi, and from Brihaspathi to Samyu, who was Agni'' father. He is the gatekeeper in charge of Nairritti, the south-eastern direction. He is one of the eight material elements, and Parikshit MahArAja, he is very expert at examining things. He examined Maharaja Shibi once by turning into a dovE.

Agni is divided into three categories; Davagni, the fire in wood, JatharAgni, the fire in the digestion in the stomach, and Vadavagni, the fire that creates fog when hot and cold streams mix in for example the ocean. Another name for the fire of digestion is Vrika. It is this powerful fire that resided in Bhima's stomach.

Only when I eat to my full satisfaction does the fire in my stomach become satisfied. Oh great sage, I might possibly be able to fast only once, so I beg that you tell me of an Ekadashi that is worthy of my fasting and that includes all other Ekadashi's. I shall faithfully observe that fast and hopefully still become eligible for liberation's release."

Shri Vyasa ji replied, Oh king, you have heard from me about the various kinds of occupational duties, such as elaborate Vedic ceremonies and pujas. In the Kali-yuga, however, no one will be able to observe all these occupational & functional duties properly. I shall therefore tell you how, at practically no expense, one can endure some small austerity and achieve the greatest benefit and resultant happiness. The essence of what is written in the Vedic literatures known as the Puranas is that one should not eat on either the dark or light fortnight Ekadashi's." As stated in Srimad Bhagavatam (Mahabhagavat Puran)) the Bhagavat Puran is itself the essence or cream of all Vedanta philosophy (sara-vedanta-saram), and the Srimad Bhagavatam's unequivocal message is that of full surrender to Lord Sri Krishna and the rendering of loving devotional service to Him. Observing Ekadashi strictly is a great aid in that process, and here Shrila Vyasa ji is simply stressing to Bhima the importance of the Ekadashi vrat.  "One who fasts on Ekadashi's saved from going to the hell"

Hearing Shri Vyasa ji's words, the son of Vayu, Bhimasena, the strongest of all warriors, became frightened and began to shake like a leaf on a banyan tree in a strong wind. The frightened Bhimasena then said, "Oh grandfather, what should I do? I am completely unable and ill equipped to fast twice in a month throughout the year! Please tell me of the one fasting day that will bestow the greatest benefit upon me!"

Vyasa ji replied, "Without drinking even water, you should fast on the Ekadashi that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Jyeshtha (May-June) when the sun travels in the sign of Taurus (Vrishabh) and Gemini (Mithun), According to learned personalities, on this day one may bathe and perform Achaman for pratiprokshana purification. But while performing Achaman one may drink only that amount of water equal to a drop of gold, or that amount it takes to immerse a single mustard seed. Only this amount of water should be placed in the right palm for sipping, which one should form to resemble a cow's ear. If one drinks more water than this, he might as well have drunk wine - despite the soaring heat of summer (in the northern hemisphere and cold in the southern hemisphere).

"One must certainly not eat anything, for if he does so he breaks his fast. This rigid fast is in effect from sunrise on the Ekadashi day to sunrise on the Dwadashi day. If a person endeavors to observe this great fast very strictly, he easily achieves the result of observing all twenty-four other Ekadashi fasts throughout the entire year.

"On Dwadashi the devotee should bathe early in the morning. Then, according to the prescribed rules, guidelines and regulative injunctions, and of course depending on his ability, he should give some gold and water to worthy brAhmaNas. Finally, he should cheerfully honor prasadam with a brahmana.

"Oh Bhimasena, one who can fast on this special Ekadashi in this manner reaps the benefit of having fasted on every Ekadashi during the year. There is no doubt of this, nor should there be. Oh Bhima, now hear the specific merit one gets by fasting on this Ekadashi. The Supreme Lord Keshava, who holds a conch, discus, club and lotus, personally told me, `Everyone should take shelter of Me and follow My instructions.' Then He told me that one who fasts on this Ekadashi, without taking even drinking water or eating, becomes free of all sinful reactions, and that one who observes the difficult Nirjala fast on Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadashi truly reaps the benefit of all other Ekadashi fasts.

"Oh Bhimasena, in the Kali-yuga, the age of quarrel and hypocrisy, when all the principles of the Vedas will have been destroyed or greatly minimized, and when there will be no proper charity or observance of the ancient Vedik principles and ceremonies, how will there be any means of purifying the self? But there is the opportunity to fast on Ekadashi and become free of all one's past sins.

"Oh son of Vayu (air), what more can I say to you? You should not eat during the Ekadashi's that occur during the dark and light fortnights, and you should even give up drinking water (nir = no jalaa= water) on the particularly auspicious Ekadashi day of Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadashi. Oh Vrikodara (veracious eater), whoever fasts on this Ekadashi receives the merits of bathing in all the places of pilgrimage, giving all kinds of charities to worthy persons, and fasting on all the dark and light Ekadashi's throughout the year, in one go. Of this there is no doubt.

Oh tiger among men, whoever fasts on this Ekadashi truly becomes a great person and achieves all manner of opulence and wealth, grains, strength, and health. And at the fearful moment of death, the terrible Yamadutas, whose complexions are yellow and black and who brandish huge maces and twirl mystic pasha ropes in the air for binding their victims, will refuse to approach him. Rather, such a faithful soul will at once be taken to the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu by the Vishnu-dutas, whose transcendentally beautiful forms are clothed in gorgeous yellowish garments and who each hold a disk, club, conch and lotus in their four hands, resembling Lord Vishnu. It is to gain all these benefits that one should certainly fast on this very auspicious and important Ekadashi, even from water."

When the other Pandavas heard about the benefits to be gained by following Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadashi, they resolved to observe it exactly as their grandfather Srila Vyasa ji had explained it to their brother, Bhimasena. All the Pandavas observed it by refraining from eating or drinking anything, and thus this day is also known as Pandava Nirjala Dvadashii (technically it is a Maha-Dvadashii).

Shri Vyasa ji continued, Oh Bhimasen, therefore you should observe this important fast to remove all your past sinful reactions. You should pray to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna in this way making your sankalp declaration, `Oh Lord of all the devtas (demigods), Oh Supreme Personality of Godhead, today I shall observe Ekadashi without taking any water. Oh unlimited Anantadev, I shall break fast on the next day, DwAdashii.' Thereafter, to remove all his sins, the devotee should honour this Ekadashi fast with full faith in the Lord and with full control over his senses. Whether his sins are equal in volume to Mount Sumeru or to Mandarachala Hill, if he or she observes this Ekadashi, the sins that have been accumulated all become nullified and are burned to ashes. Such is the great power of this Ekadashi.

"Oh best of human beings, although a person should also give water and cows in charity during this Ekadashi, if for some reason or other he cannot, then he should give a qualified brahmana some cloth or a pot filled with water. Indeed, the merit achieved by giving water alone equals that gained by giving gold ten million times a day.

"Oh Bhima, Lord Sri Krishna has said that whoever observes this Ekadashi should take a Holy bath, give charity to a worthy person, chant the Lord's Holy names on a japa-mala, and perform some kind of recommended sacrifice, for by doing these things on this day one receives imperishable benefits. There is no need to perform any other kind of religious duty. Observance of this Ekadashi fast alone promotes one to the supreme abode of Sri Vishnu. Oh best of the Kurus, if one donates gold, cloth, or anything else on this day, the merit one obtains is imperishable.

"Remember, whosoever eats any grains on Ekadashi becomes contaminated by sin and verily eats only sin. In effect, he has already become a dog-eater, and after death he suffers a hellish existence. But he who observes this sacred Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadashi and gives something in charity certainly achieves liberation from the cycle of repeated birth and death and attains to the supreme abode. Observing this Ekadashi, which is merged with Dwadashi, frees one from the horrible sin of killing a brahmana, drinking liquor and wine, becoming envious of one's spiritual master and ignoring his instructions, and continually telling lies.

"Furthermore, Oh best of beings (Jivottama), any man or woman who observes this fast properly and worships the Supreme Lord Jalshayi (He who sleeps on the water), and who on the next day satisfies a qualified brahmana with nice sweets and a donation of cows and money - such a person certainly pleases the Supreme Lord Vasudeva, so much so that one hundred previous generations in his family undoubtedly go to the Supreme Lord's abode, even though they may have been very sinful, of bad character, and guilty of suicide, etc. Indeed, one who observes this amazing Ekadashi rides on a glorious celestial airplane (vimana) to the Lord's abode.

"One who on this day gives a brahmana a water pot, an umbrella, or shoes surely goes to the heavenly planets. Indeed, he who simply hears these glories also attains to the transcendental abode of the Supreme Lord, Shri Vishnu. Whoever performs the Shraddha ceremony to the forefathers on the dark-moon day called amavasya, particularly if it occurs at the time of a solar eclipse undoubtedly achieves great merit. But this same merit is achieved by him who simply hears this sacred narration - so powerful and so dear to the Lord is this Ekadashi.
"One should clean his teeth properly and, without eating or drinking, observe this Ekadashi to please the Supreme Lord, Keshava. On the day after Ekadashi one should worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His form as Trivikrama by offering Him water, flowers, incense, and a brightly burning lamp. Then the devotee should pray from the heart, `Oh God of gods, Oh deliverer of everyone, Oh Hrishikesha, master of the senses, kindly bestow upon me the gift of liberation, though I can offer you nothing greater than this humble pot filled with water.' Then the devotee should donate the water pot to a brahmana.

"Oh Bhimasena, after this Ekadashi fast and donating the recommended items according to his ability, the devotee should feed brahmanas and thereafter honour prasadam silently."
Shri Vyasa ji concluded, "I strongly urge you to fast on this auspicious, purifying, sin-devouring Dwadashi in just the way I have outlined. Thus you will be completely freed of all sins and reach the supreme abode."

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadashi, or Bhimaseni-Nirjala Ekadashi, from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.

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Significance:
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Nirjala  Ekadashi falls in the month of Jyestha in the Shukla paksha (June), therefore it is also called "Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi" or "Bhimsani Ekadashi" (Bhim sen, the seond Pandav Brother, had observed this difficult fast). Amongst the 24 Ekadashi's observed throughout the year, the fast (Vrat) observed on Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi is considered to be the most beneficial, if one properly observes a fast on this day it is said to give the fruits of 24 Ekadashi observed throughout the year. Complete fast is observed on this day with even water not being taken. People observe strict fast and offer pooja to Lord Vishnu to ensure happiness, prosperity and forgiveness of transgressions and sins. On the preceding day that is on the 10th lunar day, Sandhya (evening prayer) is performed and only one meal is taken.

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(15)  Yogini Ekadashi

       (Krishna Paksh - Aashad)

This year Yogini Ekadashi falls on Thurs/Fri, 30/1, Jun/Jul 2016.

Yogini Ekadasi Vrat Katha (Story)
(as told by Sri Krishna to Dharmaraja Yudhishthir)

Legend has it that Kuvera, the King of Alakapuri, was a devotee of Lord Shiva and his gardener (Mali) Hem , a Yaksha, provided the flowers for the daily Shiva puja performed by the king.

Hem used to collects flowers from the Manasarovar Lake and used to provide it to the King. Hem had a beautiful wife named Visalakshi and he was very attached to her. One day, Hem forgot to provide the flowers for the daily Shiv puja of the king and instead he stayed with his wife.

The king sent a messenger to find out why he did not receive the flowers for puja and discovered that Hem was spending time with his wife instead of collecting flowers.

Hem was immediately summoned to the court. He pleaded for forgiveness. But the king cursed Hem that he will be afflicted with white leprosy. He was cursed for forgetting his duty and indulging in sense gratification and there by disrespecting Lord Shiva and breaking king’s daily puja schedule. 

Hem was thrown out of the palace and soon got afflicted with white leprosy. Hem roamed the forests for several years and finally arrived at the ashram of sage Markandeya. Hem narrated his story to the sage. Saint Markandeya advised Hema to observe Yogini Ekadasi which will help in liberating him from the curse. 

Hem observed Yogini Ekadasi and got back his divine form of Yaksha and he got reunited with his wife.

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Significance:
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Yogini Ekadasi is observed during the waning phase of moon in the month of June or July i.e. krishna paksha of Ashad month.

The punya of this vrat is equal to feeding eighty-eight thousand brahmins (vipras), all evil deeds ( pap-karmas) demolish and swarga is achieved in the end.


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(16)  Deva Shayani Ekadashi

        (Shukla Paksh - Aashad)

** This year Deva Shayani Ekadashi falls on Fri, 15 Jul, 2016.

Deva Shayani Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Story)
(as told by Sri Krishna to Dharmaraja Yudhishthira)

Devashayani Ekadashi Vrat Katha was first narrated by Lord Brahma to Narada. The story was later told to Yudhishthira by Lord Krishna and is found in the Bhavisyottara Purana.
Legend has it that in Satyuga once there lived a pious King named Mandata and he ruled over a highly prosperous kingdom. 

But the prosperity of the kingdom was once affected by lack of rain for three years. There was widespread famine the kingdom. No farming activity was taking place in the kingdom.

There is a popular belief that a kingdom suffers due to the sinful activity of the King. But King Mandata was not able to find what fault he had committed to invite the wrath of Narayana, who is believed to produce the rains. 

The king decided to go on a journey and he met several holy men and discussed the problem but none of them offered any solutions. Finally, King Mandata met Sage Angira who said that
in Satayuga, even a small sin can also affect a lot. He further indicated that there is some person in his kingdom doing wrong prayers. The sage advised the King that if he would kill that man then his kingdom may get a relief. But the King didn’t agree to that as he did not want to kill an innocent person just because of performing wrong rituals.

The King asked the sage another way out. Sage Angira told him that the one and only alternative is that he and his people should fast on Harishayani Ekadashi which falls during the Shukla Paksha of Ashada month. It has the power to the remove the sinful reactions. Hearing this, the King returned to his Kingdom and followed the sage’s advice. 

King Mandata went back to the palace and he along with his family members and courtiers observed the Deva Sayani Ekadasi and soon the rains arrived. This also helped in regaining the lost glory of the Kingdom.


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Significance:
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The ancient Hindu mythology tells - on this Ekadahi Lord Hari goes to Ksheer Sagar, the Ocean of Milk, rest there for 4 months on Shesha Naga and then returns back to Vaikunth Vas on Shukla Paksha Ekadashi in Kartik Month which is also known as the Prabodhani Ekadashi. The period between Shayani Ekadashi and Prabodhani Ekadashi is considered best for events like marriage etc. and is known as Chaturmas. This Chatur Mas period is a 4 months period of rainy season.

Usually the sages and saints worship Lord Vishnu as well as goddess Lakshmi while staying at a single place only during these four months. Due to torrential rains in most parts of India, it is considered better to travel less in the Chatur Mas period.

Keeping a fast on Hari Shayani Ekadashi is considered very pious as this vrata brings happiness and prosperity. This vrata also solves the problems which the devotees are suffering from. Devotees worship Lord Vishnu and refrain themselves from consuming cereals, grains, onion, certain spices and the non-vegetarian food.


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(17) Kamika Ekadashi

       (Krishna Paksh - Shravana)
 
**This year Kamika Ekadashi falls on Sat, 30 Jul, 2016.

Kamika Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Story)
( as told by Sri Krishna to Dharmaraja Yudhisthira )

The saintly king Yudhisthira maharaj said, “Oh Supreme Lord, I would like to hear from You the glories of the Ekadashi that occurs during the dark fortnight (Krishna paksha) of the month of Shravana (July –August). Oh Govinda deva, please be merciful to me and explain its glories.”

Shri Krishna, replied, “Oh King, please listen attentively as I describe the auspicious influence of this Holy fast (vrata) day, which removes all sins. Narada Muni once asked Lord Brahma about this same topic. ‘Oh you who sit upon a water born lotus throne, please tell me the names of the Ekadashi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the sacred month of Shravana. Please also tell me which Deity is to be worshipped on that Holy day, the process one must follow to observe it, and the merit it awards.’

Lord Brahma replied, ‘My dear son Narada, for the benefit of all humanity I shall happily tell you everything you wish to know, for just hearing the glories of the Kamika Ekadashi bestows merit equal to that obtained by one who performs a horse sacrifice. Certainly, great merit is attained by one who worships, and who also meditates on the lotus feet of the four-armed Lord Gadadhara, who holds conch shell, disc, club and lotus in His hands and who is also known as Sridhara, Hari, Vishnu, Madhava, and Madhusudana. And the blessings achieved by such a person / devotee, who worships Lord Vishnu exclusively are far greater than those achieved by one who takes a sacred bath in the Ganges at Kashi (Varanasi), in the forest of Naimisharanya, or at Pushkara, which is the only place on the planet where I am formally worshipped. But one who observes this Kamika Ekadashi and also worships Lord Shri Krishna achieves greater merit than one who has darshana of Lord Kedaranatha in the Himalayas, or one who bathes at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse, or one who donates the whole Earth in charity, including its forests and oceans, or one who bathes in the Gandaki River (where the sacred Saligrams are found) or the Godavari River on a full moon (purnima) day that falls on a Monday when Leo (Simha) and Jupiter (Guru) are conjoined (conjunct).

’Observing Kamika Ekadashi bestows the same merit as donating a milk-cow and her auspicious calf, along with their feed. On this all auspicious day, whosoever worships Lord Sri Sridhara-deva, Vishnu, is glorified by all the devas, Gandharvas, Pannagas, and Nagas.
‘Those who are afraid of their past sins and completely immersed in sinful materialistic life should at least observe this best of Ekadashis according to their ability and thus attain liberation. This Ekadashi is the purest of all days and the most powerful for removing sins of the native. Oh Narada, Lord Shri Hari Himself once said about this Ekadashi, “One who fasts on Kamika Ekadashi attains much more merit than one who studies all the spiritual literatures.”

‘Anyone who fasts on this particular day remains awake throughout the night will never experience the anger of Yamaraja, the king of death personified. It has been seen that whoever observes Kamika Ekadashi will not have to suffer future births, and in the past too, many Yogis of devotion who fasted on this day went to the spiritual world. One should therefore follow in their auspicious footsteps and strictly observe a fast on this most auspicious of Ekadashis.’
‘Whosoever worships Lord Shri Hari with Tulasi leaves is freed from all implication of sin. Indeed, he lives untouched by sin, as the lotus leaf, although in the water, is untouched by it. Whosoever offers Lord Shri Hari but a single leaf from the sacred Tulasi tree attains as much merit as one who gives away in charity two hundred grams of gold and eight hundred grams of silver. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is more pleased by one who offers Him a single Tulasi leaf than by one who worships Him with pearls, rubies, diamonds, etc. One who offers Lord Keshava newly grown manjari buds from the Tulasi plant gets rid of all the sins he has committed during this or any other lifetime. Indeed, mere darshana of Tulasi on Kamika Ekadashi removes all sins, and merely touching her and praying to her removes all kinds of disease. One who waters Tulasi devi need never fear the Lord of death, Yamaraja. One who plants or transplants Tulasi on this day will eventually reside with Lord Shri Krishna in His own abode. To Srimati Tulasi devi, who awards liberation in devotional service, one should therefore daily offer one’s full obeisances.’

‘Even Chitragupta, Yamaraja’s secretary, cannot calculate the merit obtained by one who offers Srimati Tulasi-devi a perpetually burning ghee lamp. So dear is this sacred Ekadashi to the Supreme Personality of Godhead that all the forefathers of one who offers a bright ghee lamp to Lord Shri Krishna on this day ascend to the heavenly planets and drink the celestial nectar there. Whoever offers a ghee or sesame oil lamp to Shri Krishna on this day is freed from all his sins and enters the abode of Surya, the Sun-god, with a body as bright as ten million lamps. This Ekadashi is so powerful that if one who is unable to fast simply follows the practices as mentioned herein, he / she is elevated to the heavenly planets, along with all their fore-fathers.’

Oh Maharaj Yudhisthira, Lord Shri Krishna concluded, “…these were the words of Prajapati Brahma to his son Narada Muni concerning the incalculable glories of this Kamika Ekadashi, which removes all sins. This sacred day nullifies even the sin of killing a brahmana or the sin of killing an unborn child in the womb, and it promotes one to the spiritual world by making one supremely meritorious.”

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Significance:
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Kamika Ekadasi is observed during the waning phase of moon in the month July or early August. In 2012, the date of Kamika Ekadasi is July 14. The importance of this Ekadashi was narrated by Lord Krishna to Yudhisthira and is found in the Brahmavaivarta Purana. Originally, it was narrated by Lord Brahma to Narada Maharishi. It is believed that observing this Ekadashi is equal to bathing in sacred rivers on auspicious days.

Offering Tulsi leaves to Lord Vishnu on this day is considered highly auspicious. Another important offering made is lighting ghee or sesame oil filled lamps at Sri Krishna Temples. Observing this Ekadasi is also equal to reading all the scriptures dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
It is believed that all the sins and remorse will be washed away if a devotee strictly observes the Kamika Ekadashi fast. It is mentioned in scriptures that those devotees fasting on this day wins the favor of Yamraj, the lord of death. For fasting the usual method is followed.

One who kills the innocent, i.e., a brahmin (brahmana), a child in the womb, a pious and spotless woman, etc., and then later hears about the glories of Kamika Ekadashi will be relieved of the reaction to one’s sins. However, one should NOT think beforehand that one can kill a brahmin or other innocent folk and then go unpunished simply by hearing of this Ekadashi. Such knowing commission of sin is an abomination.

Whosoever hears these glories of the Kamika Ekadashi with faith becomes free of all sins and returns home, back to Godhead, – Vaikuntha.

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(18)  Pavitropanna or Putrada Ekadashi

         (Shukla Paksh – Shravan)

** This year Pavitropanna Ekadashi falls on Sun, 14 Aug, 2016. 
 Pavitropanna or Putrada Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Story)

( as told by Sri Krishna to Dharmaraja Yudhisthira )

Shri Yudhisthira Maharaja said, “Oh Madhusudana, Oh killer of the Madhu demon, please be merciful to me and describe to me the Ekadashi that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Shravana (July-August).”  The Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, replied, “Yes, Oh king, I shall happily narrate its glories to you, for just by hearing about this sacred Ekadashi one attains the merit of performing a horse sacrifice.

“At the dawn of Dvapara-yuga there lived a king by the name of Mahijita, who ruled the kingdom of Mahismati-puri.  Because he had no son, his entire kingdom seemed utterly cheerless to him. 

For a long time this king tried very hard to obtain an heir, but to no avail. One day he told an assembly of his advisers: 'Although I am a religious and faithful follower of the vedic standards and always performed all my duties with full sincerity still my home is without a son.  Kindly tell me the reason for this.’ 

“Hearing this, the king’s Brahman advisers discussed the subject among themselves, and with the aim of benefiting the king they visited the various ashrams of the great sages.  At last they came upon a sage who was austere, pure, and self-satisfied, and who was strictly observing a vow of fasting. Indeed, this great sage was expert in all the conclusions of the Vedas, and he had extended his life span to that of Lord Brahma himself.  His name was Lomasa Rishi, and he knew part, present, and future.  After each kalpa passed, one hair would fall out of his body.
The king’s representatives said,"kindly tell us how our kind can obtain a son." 

“Hearing their sincere plea, Lomasa Rishi absorbed himself in deep meditation for a moment and at once understood the king’s previous life.  Then he said, ‘Your ruler was a merchant in his past life, and feeling his wealth insufficient, he committed sinful deeds.  He traveled to many villages to trade his goods.  Once, at noon on the day after the Ekadashi that comes during the light fortnight of the month of Jyeshtha , he became thirsty while traveling from place to place.  He came upon a beautiful pond on the outskirts of a village, but just as he was about to drink at the pond a cow arrived there with her new-born calf.  These two creatures were also very thirsty because of the heat, but when the cow and calf started to drink, the merchant rudely shoved them aside and selfishly slaked his own thirst.  This offense against a cow and her calf has resulted in your king’s being without a son now.  But the good deeds he performed in his previous life have given him ruler ship over an undisturbed kingdom.’ 

“Hearing this, the king’s advisers replied, ‘please give him your mercy so that a prince will take birth in his family.’ 

“Lomasa Rishi said, ‘There is an Ekadashi called Putrada, which comes during the light fortnight of the month of Shravan.  On this day all of you, including your king, should fast and stay awake all night, strictly following the rules and regulations. Then you should give the king whatever merit you gain by this fast. If you follow these instructions of mine, he will surely be blessed with a fine son.’ 

All the king’s advisers became very pleased to hear these words from Lomasa Rishi, and their eyes bright with happiness, they returned home. 

When the month of Shravan arrived, the king’s advisers remembered the advice of Lomasa Rishi, and under their direction all the citizens of Mahismati-puri, as well as the king, fasted on Ekadashi and observed ratri-jagaran. And on the next day, DvAdashi, the citizens dutifully offered their accrued merit to him.  By the strength of all this merit, the queen became pregnant and eventually gave birth to a most beautiful son. 

“O Yudhisthira,” Lord Krishna concluded, "whoever desires happiness in this world he should certainly fast from all grains and legumes on this holy day.  Indeed, whoever simply hears the glories of Putrada Ekadashi becomes completely free of all sins, is blessed with a good son, and surely ascends to heaven after death.”

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Significance:
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The Ekadashi that fall in Shukla paksha of Shravan month is called Pavitropana or Putrada Ekadashi . Whoever desires happiness in this world and the next should certainly fast from all grains and legumes on this holy day.  Indeed, whoever simply hears the glories of Putrada Ekadashi becomes completely free of all sins, is blessed with a good son, and surely ascends to heaven after death.

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(19) Annada / Aja Ekadashi

       (Krishna Paksh - Bhadrapad)
 
** This year Aja Ekadashi falls on Sun, 28 Aug, 2016.. 

Annada / Aja Ekadashi Vrat Katha (story)
( as told by Sri Krishna to Dharmaraja Yudhishtira )

The story of Annada Ekadashi is associated with the famous king Harischandra and is found in the Brahmavaivarta Purana. 

King Harischandra was famous for his truthfulness and honesty. Once Sage Vashista praised the truthfulness of Raja Harischandra but Sage Vishwamitra was not ready to accept it and he decides to test King Harischandra. Vishwamitra vows to prove that Harischandra also lies.

As a result of Vishwamitra’s tests, King Harischandra had to give up his kingdom and family and had to take refuge in Kashi. He became an undertaker in Kashi. But never lied. He always upheld truthfulness and proper code of conduct.

One day the great Gautama Muni met King Harischandra and the king narrated his sad tale to him. Sage Gautama advised King Harischandra to observe Aja Ekadasi which has the power to remove all sins. 

The King observed Aja Ekadasi and continued his firm faith in truthfulness.
Soon Sage Vishwamitra accepted his defeat and restored the kingdom, half of his power and all the glory to Harischandra. 

Legend has it that the great King Harishchandra got back his kingdom, wife and dead son after performing the Ananda or Aja Ekadashi. The king got back all that he had lost and was able to rule his kingdom without any difficulties.

King Harischandra ruled the kingdom for several years and finally got Moksha and reached the Vaikunta all with the influence of observing Aja Ekadashi.

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Significance:
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Aja Ekadashi falls in waning phase of the moon in the month of Bhadrapada (August – September) according to Hindi Hindu Calendar. Aja, or Annada Ekadasi, is observed during the waning phase of moon (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Bhadrapad in North India. The corresponding period in other regions is the Krishna Paksha of Shravan month. 

It is said that whoever fasts on this Ekadashi is surely freed from all the sins. There are no separate rules for fasting on the day. Rice and grains are avoided on the day.

It is believed that a person who observes this Ekadashi becomes free from the reactions of his/her sinful activities.
 
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(20) Parivartini / Parsva / Vamana Ekadashi

           (Shukla Paksh – Bhadrapad)

** This year Parivartini Ekadashi falls on Tues, 13 Sep, 2016.

Parivartini / Parsva Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Story)
( it  extols the glory of the legendary King Bali)

King Bali was popular on earth for his honesty, compassion, justice and there was all-round prosperity in his kingdom. He made the utopia a reality. Although born into a family of Demons, King Bali was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. 

His glory and power made Indra (the lord of Demi Gods) weak. Soon King Bali overthrew Indra and took over the heavenly kingdom. Indra took refuge at the feet of Lord Vishnu.

Lord Vishnu took the form of Vamana (Vaman Avtar)– a dwarf Brahmin and went to the palace of King Bali who was conducting a huge Yajna. King Bali was distributing gifts to all gathered there and the young Vamana asked for three steps of land. 

King Bali thought that three steps of land was too little and asked the young Brahman to ask for something more. But Vamana was adamant and he wanted only three steps of land. King Bali agreed and asked him to take three steps of land wherever he wanted.

Suddenly, Lord Vamana grew in gigantic proportions and those stood there could no longer see the face of Vamana Deva. In one step, Lord Vamana measured the heaven and in another step earth and there was no place to keep the third step. King Bali readily bowed his head and asked Lord Vamana to place the third step on this head. King Bali was thus pushed to the netherworld.

Satisfied with King Bali’s devotion, Lord Vishnu blessed him that he will live constantly with King Bali. The popular belief is that Lord Vishnu in the form of Vamana lives in the abode of King Bali.


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Significance:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Parivartini Ekadashi is  associated with incarnation of Lord Vamana of Lord Vishnu and also with sleep of Vishnu during Chatur Mas period. 

This Ekadashi happens during the Dakshinayana Punyakalam (night time of Gods). There is a popular belief that Lord Vishnu who takes rest during this period changes his position of sleep – turns from left side to right side. Therefore this Ekadashi is also known as Parsva Parivartini Ekadashi. 

Vamana Avatar of Lord Vishnu is worshipped on this Ekadashi day. It is believed that the Vamana Avatar took place during this period and therefore, the Ekadasi is also known as Vamana Ekadashi. King Mahabali was sent to the netherworld (pathalam) on this day. Onam festival, which celebrates the return of Mahabali, takes place during this period.
It is believed that those who observe this Ekadashi will be absolved of their sins. 

This Ekadashi also happens during the Chaturmas period.

Those who undertake a fast on this day avoid grains and rice. 

The Parsava Parivartini Ekadasi is observed during the waxing phase of moon in Bhadra month.

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(21) Indira Ekadashi

       (Krishna Paksh – Ashwin)

** This year Indira Ekadashi falls on Mon, 26 Sep, 2016.

Indira Ekadasi Vrat Katha (story)

( as told by Sri Krishna to Dharmaraja Yudhishthira)

The Indira Ekadasi Vrat Katha is mentioned in the Brahmavaivarta Purana. The story of this Ekadashi fasting was narrated to Yudhishthira by Lord Krishna. This Ekadasi falls during the Pitru Paksha Shradh period and therefore observing it is considered apt for redemption of sins of one’s own and that of forefathers.

Once there lived a powerful, honest and popular king named Indrasena. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Once Sage Narada visited King Indrasena and mentioned about his visit to the abode of Lord Yama, the Hindu God of death.

At the abode of Lord Yama, Sage Narada found the father of King Indrasena. He had not got moksha and was living in the house of Yamraj. The father of Indrasena asked Sage Narada to ask his son to observe Indira Ekadasi so that he will escape from the house of Yama and attain Moksha and reach the feet of Lord Vishnu.

Indrasena immediately agreed to observe Indira Ekadasi for his father and asked Sage Narada to guide him in observing the Ekadasi fasting. Sage Narada explained to the King on how to observe Indira Ekadasi.

Procedure :
The day before Ekadasi one should perform Shradh rites and rituals for dead ancestors and parents. On the day one should only take a single meal.

On the Ekadasi day it is a complete fast. At noon, one should pray for the wellbeing of the ancestors and for their souls to rest in peace. Devotees do not sleep during the night and stay awake by chanting prayers or listening to stories of Lord Vishnu. The next day after morning prayers, the fast is broken by eating with family members.

King Indrasena on Narada Muni’s advice observed Indira Ekadasi and saved his father from the remorse of sins committed during earthly life. 

As a result of observing Indira Ekadasi, father of King Indrasena got Moksha and reached the abode of Lord Vishnu.

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Significance:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Indira Ekadashi occurs during the waning phase of moon in the month of Ashwin (September – October) in traditional North Indian calendar. It is believed that observing this Ekadasi will help in removing the sins committed by oneself and one’s forefathers. The Ekadasi falls during the Pitru Paksh Shradh period in North India. Ekadashi fasting is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Indira Ekadasi falls during the Pitru Paksh Shradh period in North India.

Prayers and rituals are performed in the name of forefathers and dead relatives on the day before Indira Ekadasi. A single meal is only eaten on the day before Ekadashi. A complete fast is observed on the Indira Ekadashi day by staunch devotees. In the afternoon on the Ekadasi day, some people perform rituals dedicated to the dead.

The fasting of Indira Ekadasi ends on the next day and is broken by having food with family members.
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(22)  Pashankusha /Papankusha Ekadashi

       (Shukla Paksh – Ashwin)

** This year Pashankusha Ekadashi falls on Wed, 12 Oct, 2016.

Pashankusha Ekadashi Vrat Katha (story)

( as told by Sri Krishna to Dharmaraja Yudhishthira )

Yudhishthira Maharaj said, “Oh Madhusudana, what is the name of the Ekadashi that comes during the light fortnight of the month of Ashvina (September - October)? Please be merciful and disclose this truth to me."

The Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna replied, "Oh king, please listen as I explain the glories of Pashankusha Ekadashi - which removes all sins. On this day one should worship the Deity of Padmanabha, the lotus naveled Lord Vishnu, according to the rules of archana viddhi (regulations). By so doing, one achieves whatever heavenly pleasures one may want in this world, and at last attains liberation from this world thereafter. Simply by offering one's humble obeisances unto Lord Vishnu, one can achieve the same merit as is gained by performing great penances for a long time restraining and controlling the senses. Although a person might have committed unlimited and abominable sins, he can still escape hellish punishment just by paying his obeisances to Lord Sri Hari, the taker away of all sin."

"The merits gained by going on pilgrimage to the Holy Tirthas of this earthly planet can also be achieved simply by chanting the Holy names of Lord Vishnu. Whosoever chants these sacred names - such as Rama, Vishnu, Janardana or Krishna - especially on Ekadashi, never sees Yamaraj, the king of death's punishing abode. Nor does such a devotee who fasts on Pashankusha (Papankusha) Ekadashi, which is very dear to Me, see that hellish place."
"Both the Vaishnava who criticizes Lord Shiva and the Shaivite who criticizes Me certainly go to hell. The merit obtained by performing one hundred horse sacrifices and one hundred Rajasurya sacrifices is not even equal to one sixteenth of the merit a devotee is able to attain by fasting on Ekadashi. There is no higher merit one can achieve than that attained by fasting on Ekadashi. Indeed, nothing in all the three worlds is as pleasing or as able to purify one of accumulated sin as Ekadashi, the day of the lotus-naveled Lord, Padmanabha.”

"O king, until a person observes a fast on the day of Lord Padmanabha named Papankusha Ekadashi, he remains sinful, and the reactions of his past sinful activities never leave him like a chaste wife. There is no merit in all the three worlds that can match the merit that one gains by observing a fast on this Ekadashi. Whosoever observes it faithfully never has to see death personified, Lord Yamaraj. One who desires liberation, elevation to the heavens, good health, wealth, and food grains should simply fast on this Pashankusha Ekadashi. O king, neither the Ganges, Gaya, Kashi, nor Pushkara, nor even the Holy site of Kurukshetra, can grant as much auspicious merit as this Papankusha Ekadashi.

O Maharaj Yudhishthira, protector of the earth, after observing Ekadashi during the daytime, the devotee should remain awake through the night, absorbed in hearing, chanting and serving the Lord - for by so doing he easily attains to the Supreme abode of Lord Vishnu. Not only that, but ten generations of ancestors on his mother's side, ten generations on his father's side, and ten generations on his wife's side are all liberated by a single observance of a fast on this Ekadashi. All these ancestors attain their original, four armed transcendental Vaikuntha forms. Wearing yellow garments and beautiful garlands, they ride to the spiritual realm on the back of Garuda, the renowned great enemy of the snakes. This is the benediction My devotee earns simply by observing one Papankusha Ekadashi properly.
"O best of kings, whether one is a child, a youth, or in old age, fasting on Papankusha Ekadashi frees him from all sins and makes him immune to suffering a hellish rebirth. Whosoever observes a fast on the Papankusha Ekadashi becomes free of all his sins and returns to the spiritual abode of Lord Sri Hari. Whosoever donates gold, sesame seeds, fertile land, cows, grain, drinking water, an umbrella, or a pair of shoes on this most auspicious of Holy days will never have to visit the abode of Yamaraj, who always punishes the sinners. But if a resident of earth fails to perform spiritual deeds, especially the observance of a fast on days such as Ekadashi, his breathing is said to be no better, or of as much use as the breathing/puffing of a blacksmith's bellows.

O best of the kings, especially on this Papankusha Ekadashi, even the poor should first bathe and then give some charity according to their means, and perform other auspicious activities in accordance with their ability.

Whosoever performs sacrifices and benefits the people, or builds public ponds, resting places, gardens, or houses do not suffer the punishments of Yamaraj. Indeed, one should understand that a person must have performed such pious activities as these in the past life if he is long lived, wealthy, of high birth, or free from all diseases. But a person who observes Papankusha Ekadashi goes to the abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu.”

Thus ends the narration of the glories of the Pashankusha Ekadashi or Papankusha Ekadashi, or Ashwina-shukla Ekadashi, from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.

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Significance:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Also known as Ekadasi Papankusa, observing it is believed to destroy all the sins. Lord Vishnu is worshipped in the form of Ananta Padmanabha on this day. 

It is believed that a person who observes Pasankusa will be able to fulfill his dreams and observing it is equal to performing numerous yajnas and making several offerings. Some of the other results obtained by observing Pashankusha Ekadashi include Mokasha, freedom from vices and diseases. Doing community service and helping the poor on the day is considered to help in realizing one’s true nature.


Staunch Vishnu devotees keep vigil at night on the day. Fasting is for 24 hours and all the usual fasting rules associated with Ekadasi are followed.

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(23)  Rama Ekadashi

        (Krishna Paksh – Kartik)

** This year Rama Ekadashi falls on Wed, 26Oct, 2016.

Rama Ekadashi Vrat Katha (story)
( as told by Sri Krishna to Dharmaraja Yudhisthir )

Yudhisthir said, “Janardhan, protector of all beings, what is the name of the Ekadashi that occurs during krishna paksh of Kartika? Please impart this sacred knowledge to me”.

Bhagwan Shri Krishna, replied, “Rajan, please listen: The Ekadashi that occurs during krishna paksh of Kartik is called Rama Ekadashi. It is most auspicious, for it at once eradicates the greatest sins and awards passage to the spiritual abode. I shall narrate its history and glories to you”.

“There once lived a famous king named Muchukund, who was friendly with Indra, the king of heaven, as well as with Yamaraj, Varun, and Vibhisan, the demon Ravana's pious brother. Muchukund always spoke the truth and constantly rendered devotional service to Me. Because he ruled according to religious principles, there were no disturbances in his kingdom”.“Mucukund's daughter was named Chandra bhagha, after a sacred river, and the king gave her in marriage to Shobhan, the son of Chandrasen. One day, Shobhan visited his father-in-law's palace on the auspicious Ekadashi day. This visit made Shobhan's wife, Chandra bhagha, quite anxious, for she knew that her husband was physically very weak and unable to bear the austerity of a day-long fast. She said to him, My father is very strict about following Ekadashi On Dasami, the day before Ekadashi he arranges his service to strike a large kettledrum and announces, Nobody should eat on Ekadashi, the day of Bhagwan Shri Hari”!

When Shobhan heard the sound of the kettledrum, he said to his wife, “0 beautiful one, what am I to do now? Please tell me how I can save my life and obey your father's strict rule of following ekadashi at the same time”!

Candra bhagha replied, “My dear husband, in my father's kingdom and palace nobody not even the elephants and horses, what to speak of human beings; eats on Ekadashi day. Indeed, none of the animals are given their ration of grains, leaves, or straw-or even water!-on Ekadashi, the day of Bhagwan Shri Hari. So how can you escape fasting? My beloved, if you must eat something, then you should leave here at once. Now, with firm conviction decide what to do”.
Prince Shobhan replied, “I have decided to fast on the sacred Ekadashi day. Whatever my fate is, it will surely come to pass”. Deciding thus, Sobhan attempted to fast on that Ekadashi, but he became unbearably disturbed with excessive hunger and thirst. Eventually the sunset in the west, and the arrival of the auspicious night made all the Vaisnavas very happy.
Shri Krishna continued “Yudhisthir, all the devotees enjoyed worshiping Bhagwan Shri Hari and remaining awake through the night, but to Prince Shobhan that night became absolutely unbearable. Indeed, when the sun rose on Duvadashi, Sobhan starved to death. King Muchukund observed his son-in-law's funeral, ordering a large stack of wood assembled for the fire, but he instructed his daughter Chandra bhagha not to join her husband on the funeral pyre. Thus Chandra bhagha, after performing all the purificatory processes honoring her deceased husband, continued to live in her father's house".

Bhagwan Shri Krishna continued, “Dharmaraj, even though Shobhan died because of observing Rama Ekadashi the merit he accrued enabled him, after death, to become the ruler of a kingdom high on the peak of Mandarachal Mountain. This kingdom was like a city of the Devtas: very lustrous, with unlimited jewels set in the walls of its buildings. The pillars were made of rubies, and gold inlaid with diamonds shone everywhere. As King Shobhan sat upon a throne beneath a pure white canopy, servants fanned him with yak-tail whisks. A stunning crown rested upon his head, beautiful earings adorned his ears, a necklace graced his throat, and bejeweled armlets and bracelets encircled his arms. Gandharvas (heaven’s best singers) and Apsaras (celestial dancers) served him. Verily, he resembled a second Indra”.

One day, a Brahmin named Soma sarma, who lived in Mucukund's kingdom, happened upon Shobhan's kingdom while traveling to various places of pilgrimage. The Brahmin saw Shobhan in all his resplendent glory and thought he might be the son-in-law of his own king, Mucukund. When Shobhan saw the Brahmin approaching, he immediately rose from his throne and welcomed him. After Shobhan had paid his respectful obeisances, he asked the Brahmin about his wellbeing and about the health and welfare of his (Shobhan's) father-in-law, his wife, and all the residents of the city.

Soma sarma replied, “Rajan, all the subjects are well in your father-in-law's kingdom, and Chandra bhagha and your other family members are also quite well. Peace and prosperity reign throughout the land. However, Rajan, I am astonished to find you here! Please tell me about yourself. Nobody has ever seen such a beautiful city as this! Kindly tell me how you obtained it”. 

King Shobhan said, “Because I observed Rama Ekadasi, I was given this splendid city to rule. However, for all its grandeur, it is only temporary. I beg you to do something to correct this deficiency. You see, this is only an ephemeral city. How may I make its beauties and glories permanent? Kindly instruct me”.

The Brahmin asked, “Why is this kingdom unstable, and how will it become stable? Please fully explain this to me, and I shall try to help you”.

Shobhan answered,”Because I fasted on Ekadashi without any faith, this kingdom is impermanent. Now hear how it can become permanent. Please return to Chandra bhagha, the beautiful daughter of King Mucukund, and tell her what you have seen and understood about this place and about me. Surely, if you tell her this, my city will soon become permanent”.
Thus, the Brahmin returned to his city and related the entire episode to Chandra bhagha, who was both surprised and overjoyed to hear this news. She said, “0 Brahmin, is this a dream you have seen, or is it actually a fact”? Soma sarma replied, “0 princess, I have indeed seen your late husband face to face in that wonderful kingdom, which resembles one of Devta’s realms. However, he says that his entire kingdom is unstable and could vanish into thin air at any moment. Therefore, he hopes you can find a way to make it permanent”.

Chandra bhagha said, “O sage among the Brahmins, please take me to my husband at once, for I greatly desire to see him again! Surely, I shall make his kingdom permanent with the merit I have acquired by fasting on every Ekadashi throughout my life. Please reunite us once again. It is said that one who reunites separated people obtains very great merit”. ” 

The Brahmin Soma sarma then led Chandra bhagha to Shobhan's effulgent kingdom. Before reaching it, however, they stopped at the foot of Mount Mandarachal, at the sacred ahsram of Vamdev. Upon hearing their story, Vamdev chanted hymns from the Vedas and sprinkled holy water on Chandra bhagha. By the influence of that great Risi's rites, the merit she had accrued by fasting for so many Ekadashis made her body transcendental. Ecstatic, her eyes beaming in wonder, Chandra bhagha continued her journey. When Shobhan saw his wife approaching him high on Mandarachal Mountain, he was overwhelmed with joy and called out to her in great happiness. After she arrived, he seated her on his left, and she said to him, "O dearest one, please listen as I tell you something that will benefit you greatly. Since I was eight years old I have fasted regularly and faithfully on every Ekadashi. If I transfer to you all the merit I have thus accumulated, your kingdom will surely become permanent, and its prosperity will grow and grow until the coming of the great inundation"! 

Bhagwan Shri Krishna continued, "Yudhisthir, in this way Chandra bhagha, who was beautifully decorated with the finest ornaments and had an exquisite transcendental body, at last enjoyed peace and happiness with her husband. By the potency of Rama Ekadashi, Shobhan found his kingdom on the peaks of Mandarachal Hill able to fulfill all his desires and bestow upon him everlasting happiness, like that achieved from the Kama-dhenu cow.

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Significance:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rama Ekadasi is observed during the waning phase of moon in the month of September/October.  It is said that this Ekadasi is a wish fulfilling one. Anyone who observes sacred Ekadashi during both the sukla paksh and the krishna paksh of each month is undoubtedly freed from the reactions to the sin of killing a Brahmins One should not differentiate between the Ekadashis of sukla paksh and krishna paksh of the month.
As we have seen, both can award pleasure in this world and liberate even the most sinful and fallen souls. Just as black cows and white cows give milk of equal quality, the Ekadashis of krishna paksh and sukla paksh award the same high degree of merit and eventually liberate one from the cycle of birth and death. Anyone who simply hears the glories of this sacred day, Rama Ekadashi, is freed from all kinds of sin and attains the supreme abode of Bhagwan Shri Vishnu. 

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24  Dev Uthani / Prabodhini Ekadashi

      (Shukla Paksh – Kartik) 

** This year Dev Uthani Ekadashi falls on Fri, 11 Nov 2016.

Dev Uthani / Prabodhini Ekadashi Vrat Katha story

Legends state that the consort of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi was unsatisfied with the way Lord Vishnu slept. Sometimes, he remained awakened for days and sometimes, he slept continuously for several days. Hence, Goddess Lakshmi visited Lord Vishnu and complained about his indiscipline followed. She also informed him that several lords, such as Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, Devas and Saints, are forced to wait for many days in order to meet him. Hence, they returned disappointed without having Lord Vishnu’s Darshan. Furthermore, this neutral situation of Lord Vishnu is highly taken advantage of by the demons. They make the most of this opportunity in causing pain to human beings, thereby leading to the spread of Adharma on earth.

After patiently listening to Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu replied that he would soon come up with a solution. Meanwhile, the Devas and Saints visit Lord Vishnu and inform him about the robbery of the Vedas by a Demon named Shankhyayan. The demon had committed this act in order to deprive the human beings about the knowledge of the Vedas and spread Adharma all around. On hearing this, Lord Vishnu promised the sages that he would get back the Vedas. After fighting for several days with Demon Shankhyayan, he was successful in getting the Vedas back. He returned the Vedas to Goddess Lakshmi, Devas and Saints. Additionally, he insisted on continuing with a long sleep but only for four months.

This sleep started from Ashadha Shuddha Ekadashi until Kartik Shuddha Ekadashi, which is also known as Prabhodhini Ekadashi or Dev Uthani Ekadashi.

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Significance:
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The Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha, Kartik Masa is known as Devthan / Dev Uthani /Prabodhini  Ekadashi. There is a popular belief about Devthan Ekadashi. Lord Vishnu concluded his rest of four months on the Ekadashi of Bhadrapada. Auspicious works of marriages etc. are conducted after this day. In the year 2012, this Ekadasi will be on 24th November. 

The fruit of observing this Ekadashi is equal to the result of thousand Ashvamedha Yagya. Sins of past seven births are removed on observing this fast. It is said, the thing which is difficult to be obtained, can be achieved easily by observing this fast. 

A person who systematically observe the fast of Prabodhini Ekadasi, get the auspicious fruits of this Vrat. A person should perform Jagran, in the night of Ekadashi. This way, his next ten generations receive Vishnu Lok after death. Also, his ancestors suffering problems in hell, reach to the heaven, through this fast. 

The benefits of performing Jagran in the night of this Ekadashi is equal to the fruits of visiting all pilgrims, or donating cow, gold, land etc. Only the person who observe the fast of Prabodhini Ekadashi is successful in this world. By observing this fast, a person becomes rich, a great devotee, Yogi etc. He becomes very dear to Lord Vishnu, by keeping this fast. 

 Prabodhini Ekadashi Fast Method

Person observing this fast should not eat meat, onion, Masoor dal etc. on Dashmi (a day before Ekadashi). He should follow Brahmacharya on the night of Dashmi. Datun, made of twigs should not be used in the morning. Leaves of lemon, mango or berries can be chewed and throat can be cleaned using finger. Plucking of leaves from a tree is also considered inauspicious. For chewing, leaves which are already broken must be used. Then, the person should take bath and go to the temple. Geeta Path should be read or heard. The resolution is taken, of observing fast with full devotion and faith, infront of Lord. On the day of fast, the mantra " Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya " should be chanted.

On the day of Ekadasi, a person should not use broom, as small organisms are killed by it. Also, one should not cut hairs or say any lie. He should not borrow food or take any donations of cereals. He should speak less. Sweet, mango, grapes, banana and almonds are used as offerings, on this day. On the day of Dvadashi (a day after Ekadashi), Brahmans are gifted sweets and donations. 

Various pujas and prayers are carried on this day dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The important Pandarpur Yatra also takes place on this day in Lord Vitthal Temple. The most popular Tulsi Vivah Festival and Shaligram Puja rituals also commence on Prabhodhini Ekadashi in some regions while in other communities, they take place on the day after Ekadashi. By observing the Prabhodhini Ekadashi vrat, devotees believe that they would be able to get rid off their sins and attain salvation, or Moksha. At some places, devotees observe a complete fast, that is, they do not eat anything or even drink water on this day.

Prabhodhini Ekadashi, also known as Dev Uthani Ekadashi, Utthana Ekadashi, Bodhini Ekadashi and Dev Utthana Ekadashi, is observed in the month of Kartik in the traditional Hindu lunar calendar. The vrat is observed on the 11th day during the waxing phase of the moon, or Shukla Paksha. The Hindu devotees believe that Lord Vishnu woke up from his Yoga Nidra (cosmic sleep) on this day, thereby marking the end of the Chaturmaas vrat. Prabhodhini Ekadashi corresponds in the month of October or November as per the Gregorian calendar. The Pandarpur Yatra is performed in Lord Vithal Temple in Pandarpur on this day. People also observe a vrat in order to be relieved from the various sins and evil actions committed.

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Mal Maas or Adhi (Adhik) Masa or Purushottam Maas
=========================================
The month which does not include Surya Sankranti is called Mal Maas or Adhi Masa. In whole of Mal Maas, Lord Shiva is specially worshipped. No auspicious work should be performed in this month. There is a tradition of worshiping the Ashiva imcarnation of Lord Shiva. In the Adhi Masa, Shiva Linga is offered water, Bel-leaves, Dhatura and flowers.

(25)   Mal Masa (Padmini) Ekadasi Vrat
(Shukla Paksh - Aashad Purushottam Maas)

( Mal Masa) Padmini Ekadasi Vrat Katha (Story)

The story of Padmini Ekadashi is related of Ravan, the king of Lanka. Once, Ravan went for Digvijay (getting victories in all directions). In this journey of victory, he got defeated by Kartavirya Sahastrarjun. On getting defeated, he had to stay in prison of that king for many years. Finally he got free by the grace of Agastya Rishi. God Narad was very happy by the imprisonment of Ravan and he asked Rishi the reason behind Ravan’s defeat.

Then, Rishi said that Kartavirya Arjun can be defeated only by Lord Vishnu, Because, his mother Padmini and father Kartavirya performed strong meditation in wish of a child. And, as told by Mahasati Anusuiya, both of them observed the fast of Padmini Ekadashi. Pleased by their devotion, Lord Vishnu appeared before them. And, blessed them with a heroic son, Arjun. That is why, Ravan also got defeated by Arjun.

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Significance:
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The Ekadasi of Malmasa or Purushotam Maas (Adhimasa) is called the Padmini Ekadashi. On this day, fast is observed and Puja of Shiva-Parvati and Radha-Krishna is performed. This Ekadashi has a special significance, since it does not occur every year. Person should perform full day fasting on Padmini Ekadashi. And, performing Jagran in the night is really significant, on this day. Person observing this fast must hear the story of fast, on this day.

Padmini Ekadashi Fast Method


Fast is started on Dashmi. Person needs to mentally prepares himself for the fast, on the night of Dashmi Tithi only. After having night meal on Dashmi, nothing else should be eaten. A person should have only Satvik (food with no garlic and onion) meal on this night. Person should not eat food in utensils of bronze, he should not eat meat, masoor, gram, honey, leafy vegetables, and borrowed food, on the Dashmi. On this day, pure and Satvik meal should be eaten and use of salt should be avoided. Person observing fast should sleep on earth on the day of Dashmi and should follow Brahmacharya.

He should wake up early in the morning, on the day of Ekadashi. And, after completing the routine works, he should do the Datun and rinse his mouth 12 times. Mud, Til, Kush and Amla should be used for bathing. While bathing, first of all , mud is applied and a prayer is performed- “O! mud, make me pure like yourself, by which a shall become capable to worship God.“ Bath can be taken at home, if not possible to go to a spiritual place.

Then a person should wear clean and good clothes. In the evening, Tarpan should be done and Puja should be performed by going to temple. Idol of Parvati- Shiva and Radha- Krishna is prepared and worshiped. An urn made of mud or copper is placed on the cereals. The urn is decorated with a cloth and on its mouth a dish of copper, silver or gold is placed. 

On this utensil, idol of God is placed and worshipped with incense stick, lamp, navedy, saffron etc. After that, Bhajans are performed. Avoid speaking lie and saying bad about master should be avoided.On the day of fast, the story of fast should be read or heard. Jagran should be performed at night and Lord Shiva should be worshipped.

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(26) Mal maasa (Parama / Kamla) Ekadashi
(Krishna Paksh - Aashad Purushottam Maas)

Mal maasa (Parama / Kamla) Ekadashi Vrat Katha (story)
( as told by Sri Krishna to Dharmaraja Yudhishthira )

Sri Yudhishthira Maharaja said, "Oh Supreme Lord, what is the name and character of that Ekadasii that occurs during the dark fortnight (krishna paksha) of the extra, leap year month of Purushottama.
Also, Oh master of all the universes, what is the process for observing it properly?
Kindly narrate all of this to me?"
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, replied, "Oh Yudhishthira, this meritorious day is called Parama Ekadasi.
It bestows the great benediction of an enjoyable life and ultimate liberation, release from birth and death.
The process for observing it is similar to that for observing the Ekadasii that occurs during the light part of this month of Kartika.
That is to say, on this Ekadasi one should worship Me, the best of all living beings, with full love and devotion.
In this connection I will now tell you a wonderful history, just as I heard it from the great sage in the city of Kampilya.
"Once a very pious brahmin named Sumedha resided in Kampilya with his wife, Pavitra, who was extremely chaste and devoted to her husband.

On account of having committed some sin in his previous life, Sumedha was without any money or food grains, and even though he begged many people for food, he could not obtain any substantial amount.

He hardly had adequate food, clothing, or shelter for himself and his beautiful young wife, who was of such excellent character that she continued to serve Sumedha faithfully despite their poverty.

When guests would come to their home, Pavitra mataji would give them her own food, and although she often went hungry, her beautiful, lotuslike face never faded.
This fasting made her weak, but her affection for Sumedha remained unbreakable.
"Seeing all this, and lamenting his bad luck, Sumedha one day said to Pavitra, 'My dear wife, Oh most beautiful one, I beg alms from the rich but receive scarcely a scrap.
What am I to do? What possible relief is there for our plight?
Where should I go for relief? Oh most obedient and loving wife, without enough wealth, household affairs are never successful, - na vandhu madhye dhanahina jivanam.
Therefore please permit me to go abroad and attain some wealth.

If I make such an effort, I shall certainly obtain whatever fortune I am destined to enjoy.
Without making some endeavour a person cannot satisfy his desires or meet his needs.
Thus wise men have said that enthusiastic endeavour is always auspicious.'

The revealed scriptures declare, udyoginah siNgham upaiti laxmi daivena deyati ka purushah vadantii: "One who endeavours enthusiastically will certainly attain success, but one who merely says, 'I accept my lot in life is a lazy man".

"Upon hearing this from her husband as he spoke these words, Pavitra joined her palms and, her eyes brimming with tears, spoke to him with great respect and affection: 'I think there is no one greater or more learned than you, my dear.

One who, though in misery, is interested in the welfare of others speaks just as you have.
However, the scriptures state that whatever wealth a person attains in his life is due to his having given charity in previous lives, and that if one has not given charity in previous lives, then even though he may sit a top a mound of gold as big as Mount Sumeru, he will still remain poor.

purva-janmarjitam vidya purva-janmarjitam dhanam purva-janmarjitam kanya agre dhavati dhavatih

"Transcendental knowledge, spiritual education, satisfying wealth, and pleasing family members are acquired by a person who has given profuse charity.
Whatever good a person does returns to him many fold."

In Manu-nitii, Manu Maharaja says, bhagyam phalanti sarvatra na cha vidya na cha paurusham:

"Whatever is predestined by Viddhata, the fortune-maker, will surely happen.
One's so called good education, skill, and enthusiasm will not necessarily guarantee to bring one success."

Whatever charity a person gives in the form of education, money, fertile land, and the like is returned to him in a future lifetime.

We gain what we have given, when given with a good heart.

Indeed, whatever the Lord of destiny, the creator, has written as one's fortune will certainly come to pass.

No one attains any wealth without having given in charity in his previous life.
Oh best of the brahmins, since we are now poor, in our previous lives neither you nor I must have given any/sufficient charity to worthy persons.

Therefore, Oh gracious husband, you should remain here with me.
Without you I cannot live even a moment.
"'Bereft of her husband, a woman is not welcomed by her father, mother, brother, father-in-law, or any other family members.
Everyone will say, "You have lost your husband; you are bad luck/fortune personified!"
In this way I shall be criticised severely!
The Nitii-shastras says, vinaashraye na tishthanti panditah vanita latah:
"Without proper shelter and support, the following three things cannot survive; a learned man/brahmin, a woman, and a creeper."
Therefore the modern women's liberation movement is a total failure.
Furthermore, the GaruDa Purana states, pati dharma pati sargah pati hi paramam tapah patiri pritim Apanne priiyante sarva devata
"A chaste woman always thinks that pleasing her spiritually situated husband is her heavenly pleasure, utmost duty, and greatest austerity.
If her husband is pleased (as Kulottama, Vishnu personified), she thinks the Supreme lord and all the demigods are pleased.
The Supreme Lord includes all the devatas (demigods)."
Pavitra continued, 'Please, therefore, stay with me and be satisfied with whatever wealth we get.
Whatever is destined, we shall obtain in due course of time and enjoy here in perfect happiness.'
"Hearing these plaintive words from his wife, Sumedha decided to remain in their native village.
One day the great sage Kaundinya arrived at their place, and upon seeing him the brahmin Sumedha and his wife stood up before him and then offered him their respectful obeisances.
With his head bowed, Sumedha welcomed him: 'We are very fortunate to behold you here today, Oh wisest of sages.
My life has become successful, and I am much obliged to you.'
"Sumedha offered Kaumdinya Muni a comfortable seat and highly praised his austerities and learning.
''Just by having your darshan today,' said Sumedha, 'I have become very fortunate.'
The poor brahmin couple fed the sage as sumptuously as they could afford to according to their means, and afterwards Pavitra asked the mendicant, 'Oh most learned one, what process can we follow to be relieved of our poverty?
How can a person who has not given anything in charity in his previous life get a good family, much wealth, and a fine education in this life?
My husband wants to leave me here and go abroad to beg alms, but I have earnestly prayed to him to stay here with me.
I humbly told him that if one lacks wealth in the present life, it is because of not having given sufficient charity in previous life times.
And so he has consented to remain here.
It is only due to my great fortune that you have so mercifully come here today.
Now we are certain to see the end of our poverty very soon.
"Oh best of the brahmanas, please tell us how we can be free of this perpetual misery brought on by poverty.
Oh merciful one, kindly describe some means - a place of pilgrimage we may visit, a day of fasting we may observe, or an austerity we may perform - by which our ill fortune will end forever.'
"Hearing this sincere supplication from the patient lady, the great sage Kaundinya reflected silently for a moment and then said, 'There is a fast day very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Hari.

Fasting on this day nullifies all kinds of sins and removes all miseries caused by poverty.
This fast day, which occurs during the dark part (krishna paksha) of the extra, leap-year month, is known as Parama Ekadasi.
It is the topmost day of Lord Vishnu, hence the name Parama.
This extra month (Purushottam Mase), dark fortnight Ekadasi bestows all the necessities of life, such as money and food grains, and at last gives liberation/release.
When the evening of this day comes, one should begin singing the glories of the Lord and dancing in ecstasy, and one should continue through the entire night.
This holy fast was once observed faithfully by Lord Kuvera (the treasurer of the devas).
When Lord Shiva saw how strictly he had fasted, Shiva became very pleased and made Kuvera the treasurer of heaven.
Also, king Harishchandra fasted on this Ekadasi after his dear wife and son had been sold, and the king was able to get them back.

Thereafter he ruled his kingdom with no further impediments.
Therefore, Oh broad-eyed lady, you also should observe the sacred fast of Parama Ekadasi, following all the appropriate rules and regulations and remaining awake all night.'"
Lord Sri Krishna continued, "Oh Yudhishthira, son of Pandu, in this way Kaundinya Muni mercifully and affectionately instructed PavitrA about the Parama Ekadasi fast.
Then he said to Sumedha, 'On the Dvadashi, the day after Ekadasi, you should vow to observe Pancharatriki fasting according to all the rules and regulations.
After taking a bath early in the morning, you and your good wife, along with both your parents and hers, should fast for five days according to your ability.
Then you will all become eligible to return home, to the abode of Lord Vishnu.
'A person who simply makes use of only one seat during these five days goes to the heavenly planets.

Whoever feeds qualified brahmins nicely on these five days has in effect fed all the demigods, all human beings, and even all the demons.

Whoever donates a pot of drinking water to a twice born brahmin during this five-day period will gain merit equal to that gained by donating the entire planet in charity.

Anyone who gives a learned person a pot filled with sesame seeds resides in heaven for as many years as there are seeds in the pot.

One who donates a pot filled with golden ghee will surely go to the abode of the sun god after fully enjoying the pleasures of this earthly planet.

Whoever remains celibate during these five-days will attain celestial happiness and enjoy with the maidens of Indraloka.

Therefore both of you - Sumedha and Pavitra - should fast during these five days of Pancharatrika in order to be rewarded with ample grains and wealth for the rest of your lives on this planet.

The spiritual world will be your abode thereafter.'

Hearing this sublime advice, the brahmin couple, Sumedha and Pavitra, properly observed the Parama Ekadasi and the fast of Pancharatrika, and very soon thereafter they beheld a handsome prince approaching them from the royal palace.

On the orders of Lord Brahma, the prince gave them a beautiful, exquisitely furnished house and invited them to live in it.

Praising their austerity and patience, he also gave them an entire village for their livelihood.
Then he returned to the palace.

Thus Sumedha and his wife enjoyed all kinds of facilities in this world and at last went to the abode of Lord Vishnu.

Anyone who observes a fast on Parama Ekadasi and also the fast of Pancharatrika is freed from all his sins, and after enjoying life he returns to Vishnuloka, as did the brahmin Sumedha and his faithful wife, Pavitra.

It is impossible, Oh Yudhishthira, to calculate the extent of the merit one obtains by fasting on Parama Ekadasi, for such an observance is equal to bathing in places of pilgrimage such as Pushkara Lake and the Ganges river, giving cows in charity, and performing all sorts of other religious activities.

One who fasts on this day has also completed the offerings of oblations to his forefathers in Gaya.

He has, in effect, fasted on all other auspicious days.

"As in the social order the brahmin are considered the best, as amongst four-legged creatures the cow is best, and as among demigods Lord Indradev is the best, so among all months the extra month of leap-year is the best.

The Pancharatrika fast - the fast of five days (panch = five, ratri = nights) in the extra, leap year month - is said to remove all kinds of abominable sins.

But the Pancharatriki fast, together with the fasts of Parama and Paramai Ekadasi, destroys all a person's sins.

If a person is unable to fast on these days, he should observe the fasts during the extra month according to his ability.

A person who, having received a human birth, does not take a proper bath during this extra month and then observes these Ekadashis, which are very dear to Lord Hari, commits suicide and suffers in the cycle of 8,400,000 species.

The rare human birth is meant for accumulating merit and at last achieving liberating release from this material world.

Therefore one should by all means observe fasting on this auspicious Parama Ekadasi."

Lord Sri Krishna concluded, "Oh sinless Yudhishthira, as you have requested, I have described to you the wonderful merit one can attain by fasting on the Ekadasi named Parama, which occurs during the dark part of the extra, leap-year month.
You should observe this fast if at all possible."

King Yudhishthira did exactly as Lord Krishna had instructed, and so did all his brothers and their wife, Draupadi.

After enjoying pleasures rarely achieved in the material world, they returned home, back to Godhead.

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Parama Ekadashi, the Ekdashi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the extra, leap-year month, from the Skanda Purana.

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Significance:
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Whoever, after taking a proper bath, observes a fast on these two extra-month Ekadasis will go to heaven and finally attain to the abode of Sri Vishnu, and as he travels there he will be praised and prayed to by all the demigods.

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SHRI  VISHNU STUTI

shaanta-kaaram bhujaga-shayanam padma-naabham suresham
vishwa-dhaaram gagana-sadrisham megha-varanam shubhaangam.
lakshmi-kaantam kamala-nayanam yogi-bhi-dhyaana-agamyam
vande vishnum bhava-bhaya-haram sarva-lokaika-naatham.

श्री विष्णु स्तुति

शांताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्यनाभं सुरेशम् । विश्वा धारं गगन सदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभांगम् ।
लक्ष्मीकांतं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ज्ञानगम्यम् । वंदे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैक नाथम् ॥


Vishnu sahastranaam
1. Om Vishvasmai namah
2. Om Vishnave namah
3. Om Vashatakaaraya namah
4. Om Bhuthabhavyabhavathprabhave namah
5. Om Bhutakrte namah
6. Om Bhutabhrte namah
7. Om Bhaavaya namah
8. Om Bhutatmane namah
9. Om Bhutabhaavanaaya namah
10. Om Putaatmane namah
11. Om Paramaatmane namah
12. Om Muktaanam Paramayai Gataye namah
13. Om Avyayaaya namah
14. Om Purushaaya namah
15. Om Saakshine namah
16. Om Kshethrajnaaya namah
17. Om Aksharaaya namah
18. Om Yogaaya namah
19. Om Yogavidaam netre namah
20. Om Pradhanapurusheshwaraaya namah
21. Om Naarasimhavapushe namah
22. Om Srimathe namah
23. Om Keshavaaya namah
24. Om Purushottamaaya namah
25. 0m Sarvasmai namah
26. Om Sharvaya namah
27. Om Shivaya namah
28. Om Sthanave namah
29. Om Bhutaadaye namah
30. Om Nidhayevyayaaya namah
31. Om Sambhavaya namah
32. Om Bhaavanaaya namah
33. Om Bhartre namah
34. Om Prabhavaaya namah
35. Om Prabhave namah
36. Om Ishvaraaya namah
37. Om Svayambhuve namah
38. Om Shambhave namah
39. Om Aadityaaya namah
40. Om Puskaraakshaaya namah
41. Om Mahasvanaaya namah
42. Om Anaadinidhanaaya namah
43. Om Dhaatre namah
44. Om Vidhaatre namah
45. Om Dhaatave uttamaaya namah
46. Om Aprameyaya namah
47. Om Hrishikeshaya namah
48. Om Padmanabhaaya namah
49. Om Amaraprabhave namah
50. Om Vishwakarmane namah
51. Om Manave namah
52. Om Twashtre namah
53. Om Sthaavishtaaya namah
54. Om Sthaviraaya dhruvaaya namah
55. Om Agrahyaaya namah
56. Om Shaashwathaaya namah
57. Om Krishnaaya namah
58. O m LohithaakShaaya namah
59. Om Pratadardhanaaya namah
60. Om Prabhoothaaya namah
61. Om TrikakubDhaamne namah
62. Om Pavitraaya namah
63. Om Mangalaaya parasmai namah
64. Om Eeshaanaaya namah
65. Om PraaNadhaaya namah
66. Om PraaNaaya namah
67. Om JyeshTaaya namah
68. Om SreshTaaya namah
69. Om Prajaapathaye namah
70. Om Hiranyagarbhaaya namah
71. Om Bhoogarbhaaya namah
72. Om Madhavaaya namah
73. Om Madhusudhanaaya namah
74. Om Ishwaraaya namah
75. Om Vikramine namah
76. Om DhanvinE namah
77. Om MedhavinE namah
78. Om Vikramaya namah
79. Om Kramaaya namah
80. Om Anuttamaaya namah
81. Om DuraaDharshaaya namah
82. Om Krathajnaaya namah
83. Om Krtaye namah
84. Om Aatmavate namah
85. Om Sureshaya namah
86. Om Sharanaaya namah
87. Om Sharmane namah
88. Om Vishwaretase namah
89. Om Prajaabhavaaya namah
90. Om Ahne namah
91. Om Samvatsaraaya namah
92. Om Vyaalaaya namah
93. Om Pratyayaaya namah
94. Om Sarvadarshanaaya namah
95. Om Ajaya namah
96. Om Sarvseshwaraaya namah
97. Om Siddhaaya namah
98. Om Siddhaye namah
99. Om sarvaadhaye namah
100. Om Achyutaaya namah
101. Om Vrashaakapaye namah
102. Om Ameyaatmane namah
103. Om sarvayogavinihi srutaaya namah
104. Om Vasave namah
105. Om Vasumanase namah
106. Om Satyaaya namah
107. Om Samaatmane namah
108. Om Asammitaaya namah
109. Om Samaaya namah
110. Om Amoghaya namah
111. Om Pundareekaakshaaya namah
112. Om VrashakarmaNe namah
113. Om VrashaakruthayE namah
114. Om Rudraaya namah
115. Om Bahushirase namah
116. Om Babhrave namah
117. Om VishwayOnaye namah
118. Om Shuchishravase namah
119. Om Amrataaya namah
120. Om ShaashwathassThaaNave namah
121. Om Varaarohaaya namah
122. Om Mahaatapase namah
123. Om sarvagaaya namah
124. Om SarvavidhbhaanavE namah
125. Om Vishwaksenaaya namah
126. Om Janardhanaaya namah
127. Om Vedaaya namah
128. Om VedavidE namah
129. Om Avyangaaya namah
130. Om Vedaangaaya namah
131. Om VedavidE namah
132. Om Kavaye namah
133. Om LokaDhyakShaaya namah
134. Om SuraaDhyakShaaya namah
135. Om DharmaaDhyakShaaya namah
136. Om Kritaakritaaya namah
137. Om Chaturaatmane namah
138. Om Chaturvyoohaaya namah
139. Om Chaturdamshtraaya namah
140. Om Chathurbhujaaya namah
141. Om BhrajiShNavE namah
142. Om Bhojanaaya namah
143. Om Bhoktre namah
144. Om SahishNave namah
145. Om Jagadaadijaaya namah
146. Om Anaghaaya namah
147. Om Vijayaaya namah
148. Om Jetre namah
149. Om VishwayonayE namah
150. Om PunarvasavE namah
151. Om Upendraaya namah
152. Om Vamanaaya namah
153. Om Praamshave namah
154. Om Amoghaaya namah
155. Om ShuchayE namah
156. Om Oorjithaaya namah
157. Om Ateendraaya namah
158. Om Samgrahaaya namah
159. Om Sargaaya namah
160. Om DhrutaatmanE namah
161. Om Niyamaaya namah
162. Om Yamaaya namah
163. Om Vedyaaya namah
164. Om Vaidyaaya namah
165. Om SadaayoginE namah
166. Om ViraghnE namah
167. Om Madhavaaya namah
168. Om MadhavE namah
169. Om Ateendriyaaya namah
170. Om Mahaamaayaaya namah
171. Om Mahotsaahaaya namah
172. Om Mahabalaaya namah
173. Om MahabuddhayE namah
174. Om Mahaveeryaaya namah
175. Om Mahashaktye namah
176. Om MahadhyutayE namah
177. Om Anirdeshyavapushe namah
178. Om Shrimate namah
179. Om Ameyaatmane namah
180. Om MahadhiDhrushe namah
181. Om Maheshwaasaaya namah
182. Om MaheebharthrE namah
183. Om Srinivaasaaya namah
184. Om SataamgatayE namah
185. Om Aniruddhaaya namah
186. Om Suraanandaaya namah
187. Om Govindaaya namah
188. Om GovidaampatayE namah
189. Om MareechayE namah
190. Om Damanaaya namah
191. Om Hamsaaya namah
192. Om Suparnaaya namah
193. Om Bhujagottamaaya namah
194. Om HiraNyanaabhaaya namah
195. Om SutapasE namah
196. Om Padmanaabhaaya namah
197. Om PrajaapatayE namah
198. Om AmrthyavE namah
199. Om Sarvadhrshe namah
200. Om Simhaaya namah
201. Om SanDhaathrE namah
202. Om SanDhimathE namah
203. Om SThiraaya namah
204. Om Ajaaya namah
205. Om DurmarshaNaaya namah
206. Om ShaasthrE namah
207. Om VishrutaathmanE namah
208. Om SuraarighnE namah
209. Om GuravE namah
210. Om Gurootamaaya namah
211. Om DhaamnE namah
212. Om Satyaayai namah
213. Om Satyaparaakramaaya namah
214. Om Nimishaaya namah
215. Om Animishaaya namah
216. Om SragviNE namah
217. Om VaachaspathayE UdaaraDhiyE namah
218. Om AgraNyE namah
219. Om GraamaNyE namah
220. Om SrimatE namah
221. Om Nyaayaaya namah
222. Om NetrE namah
223. Om SameeraNaaya namah
224. Om SahasramurDhnE namah
225. Om VishwaatmanE namah
226. Om Sahasraakshaaya namah
227. Om SahasrapadE namah
228. Om Aavartanaaya namah
229. Om NivrttaatmanE namah
230. Om Samvrataaya namah
231. Om Sampramardanaaya namah
232. Om Ahah Samvartakaaya namah
233. Om VahnayE namah
234. Om Anilaaya namah
235. Om DharaNeeDharaaya namah
236. Om Suprasaadaaya namah
237. Om PrasannaatmanE namah
238. Om VishwaDhrushE namah
239. Om VishwabhujE namah
240. Om VibhavE namah
241. Om SatkartrE namah
242. Om Satkrutaaya namah
243. Om SaaDhavE namah
244. Om JahnavE namah
245. Om Narayanaya namah
246. Om Naraaya namah
247. Om Asamkhyeyaaya namah
248. Om AprameyaatmanE namah
249. Om Vishishtaaya namah
250. Om ShishtakrutE namah
251. Om ShuchayE namah
252. Om Siddharthaaya namah
253. Om Siddhasamkalpaaya namah
254. Om Siddhidaaya namah
255. Om Siddhisaadhanaaya namah
256. Om VrishaahiNE namah
257. Om Vrushabhaaya namah
258. Om VishnavE namah
259. Om VrishaparvaNE namah
260. Om Vrishodaraaya namah
261. Om Vardhanaaya namah
262. Om Vardhamaanaaya namah
263. Om Viviktaaya namah
264. Om Shrutisaagaraaya namah
265. Om Subhujaaya namah
266. Om Durdharaaya namah
267. Om VaagminE namah
268. Om Mahendraaya namah
269. Om Vasudaaya namah
270. Om VasavE namah
271. Om Naikaroopaaya namah
272. Om Brahadroopaaya namah
273. Om Shipivishtaaya namah
274. Om Prakashanaaya namah
275. Om OjastejOdhyuthiDharaaya namah (ojas-tejo-dhyuthi-dharaaya)
276. Om PrakashaatmanE namah
277. Om Prataapanaaya namah
278. Om Ruddhaaya namah
279. Om Spashtaaksharaaya namah
280. Om Mantraaya namah
281. Om ChandramshavE namah
282. Om BhaskaraDhyutayE namah
283. Om Amruthaamshoodhbhavaaya namah
284. Om BhanavE namah
285. Om ShashabindavE namah
286. Om Sureshwaraaya namah
287. Om AushaDhaaya namah
288. Om Jagataha SEthavE namah
289. Om Satyadharmaparaakramaaya namah
290. Om BhoothabhavyabhavannaaThaaya namah (Bhoota-Bhavya-Bhavan-NaaThaaya)
291. Om Pavanaaya namah
292. Om Paavanaaya namah
293. Om Analaaya namah
294. Om KaamaghnE namah
295. Om KaamakrutE namah
296. Om Kaantaaya namah
297. Om Kaamaaya namah
298. Om Kaamapradaaya namah
299. Om PrabhavE namah
300. Om YugaadikrutE namah
301. Om Yugaavartaaya namah
302. Om Naikamaayaa namah
303. Om Mahaashanaaya namah
304. Om Adrshyaaya namah
305. Om Vyaktaroopaaya namah
306. Om SahsrajitE namah
307. Om AnantajitE namah
308. Om Ishtaaya namah
309. Om Avishishtaaya namah
310. Om Shishteshtaaya namah
311. Om ShikhandinE namah
312. Om Naushaaya namah
313. Om Vrushaaya namah
314. Om KrodhaagnE namah
315. Om Krodhakruthkarthre namah
316. Om VishwabaahavE namah
317. Om Mahidharaaya namah
318. Om Achyutaaya namah
319. Om PraThitaaya namah
320. Om PraaNaaya namah
321. Om PraaNadaaya namah
322. Om Vaasavaanujaaya namah
323. Om Apaam niDhayE namah
324. Om ADhishTaanaaya namah
325. Om Apramattaaya namah
326. Om PrathiShTitaaya namah
327. Om Skandaaya namah
328. Om Skntatharaaya namah
329. Om Dhuryaaya namah
330. Om Varadaaya namah
331. Om Vaayuvaahanaaya namah
332. Om Vaasudevaaya namah
333. Om BruhadbhaanavE namah
334. Om Aadidevaaya namah
335. Om Purandaraaya namah
336. Om Ashokaaya namah
337. Om TaaraNaaya namah
338. Om Taaraaya namah
339. Om Shooraaya namah
340. Om Shauraye namah
341. Om Janeshwaraaya namah
342. Om Anukoolaaya namah
343. Om Shataavartaaya namah
344. Om PadminE namah
345. Om PadmanibhEkshaNaaya namah
346. Om Padmanaabhaaya namah
347. Om AravindaakShaaya namah
348. Om Padmagarbhaaya namah
349. Om ShareerabhrutE namah
350. Om MaharddhayE namah
351. Om Ruddhaaya namah
352. Om VruddhaatmanE namah
353. Om MahaakShaaya namah
354. Om Garudadhwajaaya namah
355. Om Atulaaya namah
356. Om Sharabhaaya namah
357. Om Bhimaaya namah
358. Om Samayajnaaya namah
359. Om HavirharayE namah
360. Om SarvalakshaNalakshaNaaya namah
361. Om LakshmeevatE namah
362. Om Samitimjayaaya namah
363. Om Viksharaaya namah
364. Om Rohitaaya namah
365. Om Maargaaya namah
366. Om HetavE namah
367. Om Damodaraaya namah
368. Om Sahaaya namah
369. Om Mahidharaaya namah
370. Om Mahaabhaagaaya namah
371. Om VegavatE namah
372. Om Amitaashanaaya namah
373. Om Udhbhavaaya namah
374. Om KshobhaNaaya namah
375. Om Devaaya namah
376. Om Srigarbhaaya namah
377. Om Parameshwaraaya namah
378. Om KaraNaaya namah
379. Om KaaraNaaya namah
380. Om KartrE namah
381. Om VikartrE namah
382. Om Gahanaaya namah
383. Om Guhaaya namah
384. Om Vyavasaayaaya namah
385. Om VyavasThaanaaya namah
386. Om SamsThaanaaya namah
387. Om Sthaanadaaya namah
388. Om Dhruvaaya namah
389. Om PararddhayE namah
390. Om Paramaspashtaaya namah
391. Om Tushtaaya namah
392. Om Pushtaaya namah
393. Om ShubhekshaNaaya namah
394. Om Raamaya namah
395. Om Viraamaaya namah
396. Om Virataaya namah
397. Om Maargaaya namah
398. Om NEyaaya namah
399. Om Nayaaya namah
400. Om Anayaaya namah
401. Om Veeraaya namah
402. Om Shaktimataam ShrEshTaaya namah
403. Om Dharmaaya namah
404. Om Dharmaviduttamaaya namah
405. Om VaikunTaaya namah
406. Om Purushaaya namah
407. Om PraaNaaya namah
408. Om PraaNadaaya namah
409. Om PraNavaaya namah
410. Om PruThavE namah
411. Om HiraNyagarbhaaya namah
412. Om Shatrughnaaya namah
413. Om Vyaaptaaya namah
414. Om VaayavE namah
415. Om ADhokshajaaya namah
416. Om RutavE namah
417. Om Sudarshanaaya namah
418. Om Kaalaaya namah
419. Om ParameshTinE namah
420. Om Parigrahaaya namah
421. Om Ugraaya namah
422. Om Samvatsaraaya namah
423. Om Dakshaaya namah
424. Om Vishraamaaya namah
425. Om VishwadakshiNaaya namah
426. Om Vistaaraaya namah
427. Om SthaavarasThaaNavE namah
428. Om PramaaNaaya namah
429. Om Beejaayaavyayaaya namah
430. Om ArThaaya namah
431. Om AnarThaaya namah
432. Om Mahaakoshaaya namah
433. Om Mahaabhogaaya namah
434. Om MahaaDhanaaya namah
435. Om AnirviNNaaya namah
436. Om SthavishTaaya namah
437. Om AbhuvE namah
438. Om Dharmayoopaaya namah
439. Om Mahaamakhaaya namah
440. Om NakshatranemayE namah
441. Om NakshatriNE namah
442. Om Kshamaaya namah
443. Om Kshaamaaya namah
444. Om Sameehanaaaya namah
445. Om Yajnaaya namah
446. Om Ijyaaya namah
447. Om MahEjyaaya namah
448. Om KrutavE namah
449. Om Satraaya namah
450. Om Sataam GatayE namah
451. Om SarvadarshinE namah
452. Om VimuktaatmanE namah
453. Om sarvajnaaya namah
454. Om Jnaanayottamaaya namah
455. Om Suvartaaya namah
456. Om Sumukhaaya namah
457. Om Sookshmaaya namah
458. Om Sughoshaaya namah
459. Om Sukhadaaya namah
460. Om SuhrdE namah
461. Om Manoharaaya namah
462. Om JitakroDhaaya namah
463. Om VirabaahavE namah
464. Om VidaaraNaaya namah
465. Om Swaapnaaya namah
466. Om Svavashaaya namah
467. Om VyaapinE namah
468. Om NaikaatmanE namah
469. Om NaikakarmakrathE namah
470. Om Vatsaraaya namah
471. Om Vatsalaaya namah
472. Om VatsinE namah
473. Om Ratnagarbhaaya namah
474. Om Dhaneshwaraaya namah
475. Om DharmagupE namah
476. Om DharmakrutE namah
477. Om DharmiNE namah
478. Om SatE namah
479. Om AsatE namah
480. Om Ksharaaya namah
481. Om Aksharaaya namah
482. Om AvijnaatrE namah
483. Om SahasraamshavE namah
484. Om VidhaatrE namah
485. Om KrutalakshaNaaya namah
486. Om Gabhasti-NemayE namah
487. Om SatwasThaaya namah
488. Om Simhaaya namah
489. Om Bhutamaheshwaraaya namah
490. Om Aadidevaaya namah
491. Om Mahadevaaya namah
492. Om Deveshaaya namah
493. Om DevabhrudhguravE namah
494. Om Uttaraaya namah
495. Om GopatayE namah
496. Om GoptrE namah
497. Om Jnaanagamyaaya namah
498. Om Puraatanaaya namah
499. Om ShareerabhootabhrtE namah
500. Om BhoktrE namah
501. Om Kapindraaya namah
502. Om BhooridakshiNaaya namah
503. Om Somapaya namah
504. Om Amrutapaaya namah
505. Om Somaya namah
506. Om PuroojitE namah
507. Om Purusattamaaya namah
508. Om Vinayaaya namah
509. Om Jayaaya namah
510. Om Satyasandhaaya namah
511. Om Daashaarhaaya namah
512. Om Saatwataam PatayE namah
513. Om Jeevaaya namah
514. Om VinayitaasaakshiNE namah
515. Om Mukundaaya namah
516. Om Amitavikramaaya namah
517. Om AmbhOnidhayE namah
518. Om AnantaatmanE namah
519. Om MahOdadhishayaaya namah
520. Om Antakaaya namah
521. Om Ajayaa namah
522. Om Mahaarhaaya namah
523. Om Swaabhaavyaaya namah
524. Om Jitaamitraaya namah
525. Om Pramodanaaya namah
526. Om Anandaaya namah
527. Om Nandanaaya namah
528. Om Nandaaya namah
529. Om SathyadharmaNE namah
530. Om Trivikramaaya namah
531. Om MaharshayE Kapilaachaaryaaya namah
532. Om Krutajnaaya namah
533. Om MedineepatayE namah
534. Om Tripadaaya namah
535. Om Tridashaadhyakshaaya namah
536. Om Mahaashrungaaya namah
537. Om KrutaantakrutE namah
538. Om Mahaavaraahaaya namah
539. Om Govindaaya namah
540. Om SusheNaaya namah
541. Om KanakaangadinE namah
542. Om Guhyaaya namah
543. Om Gabheeraaya namah
544. Om Gahanaaya namah
545. Om Guptaaya namah
546. Om Chakragadaadharaaya namah
547. Om Vedase namah
548. Om Swaanghaaya namah
549. Om Ajitaaya namah
550. Om Krishnaaya namah
551. Om DruDaaya namah
552. Om SamkrashaNaayaachyutaaya namah
553. Om Varunaaya namah
554. Om Vaarunaaya namah
555. Om Vrikshaaya namah
556. Om Pushkaraakshaaya namah
557. Om MahaamanasE namah
558. Om BhagavatE namah
559. Om BhagaghnE namah
560. Om AnandinE namah
561. Om VanamaalinE namah
562. Om Halaayudhaaya namah
563. Om Adityaaya namah
564. Om Jyotiraadityaaya namah
565. Om SahishNavE namah
566. Om Gatisattamaaya namah
567. Om SudhanvanE namah
568. Om KhandaparashavE namah
569. Om DaaruNaaya namah
570. Om DraviNapradaaya namah
571. Om DivasprashE namah
572. Om Sarvadgrvyaasaaya namah
573. Om VaachaspatayE' Yonijaaya namah
574. Om TrisaamnE namah
575. Om Saamagaaya namah
576. Om SaamnE namah
577. Om NirvaaNaaya namah
578. Om Bheshajaaya namah
579. Om BhishajE namah
580. Om SamnyaasakrutE namah
581. Om Shamaaya namah
582. Om Shaantaaya namah
583. Om NishTaayai namah
584. Om Shaantyai namah
585. Om ParaayaNaaya namah
586. Om Shubhaangaaya namah
587. Om Shaantidaaya namah
588. Om SrashtE namah
589. Om Kumudaaya namah
590. Om Kuvaleshayaaya namah
591. Om Gohitaaya namah
592. Om GopatayE namah
593. Om GoptrE namah
594. Om Vrushabhaakshaaya namah
595. Om Vrushapriyaaya namah
596. Om AnivartinE namah
597. Om NivruttaatmanE namah
598. Om SamksheptrE namah
599. Om KshemakrutE namah
600. Om Shivaaya namah
601. Om SrivatsavakshasE namah
602. Om Srivaasaaya namah
603. Om SripatayE namah
604. Om Srimataam Varaaya namah
605. Om Sridaaya namah
606. Om Srishaaya namah
607. Om Srinivaasaaya namah
608. Om SrinidhayE namah
609. Om Srivibhaavanaaya namah
610. Om Sridharaaya namah
611. Om Srikaraaya namah
612. Om ShreyasE namah
613. Om SrimatE namah
614. Om Lokatrayaashrayaaya namah
615. Om Swakshaaya namah
616. Om Swangaaya namah
617. Om Shataanandaaya namah
618. Om NandayE namah
619. Om JyothirganEshwaraaya namah
620. Om VijitaatmanE namah
621. Om AvidheyaatmanE namah
622. Om SathkeerthayE namah
623. Om Chinnasamshayaaya namah
624. Om UdheerNaaya namah
625. Om Sarvataschakshushe namah
626. Om Aneeshaaya namah
627. Om ShaashwatasThiraaya namah
628. Om Bhushayaaya namah
629. Om BhushaNaaya namah
630. Om BhutayE namah
631. Om Vishokaaya namah
632. Om Shokanaashanaaya namah
633. Om ArchishmatE namah
634. Om Architaaya namah
635. Om Kumbhaaya namah
636. Om VishuddhaatmanE namah
637. Om Vishodhanaaya namah
638. Om Aniruddhaaya namah
639. Om Apratirathaaya namah
640. Om Pradyumnaaya namah
641. Om Amitavikramaaya namah
642. Om Kaalaneminighne namah
643. Om Viraaya namah
644. Om ShaurayE namah
645. Om Shoorajaneshwaraaya namah
646. Om TrilokaatmanE namah
647. Om Trilokeshaaya namah
648. Om Keshavaaya namah
649. Om KeshighnE namah
650. Om HarayE namah
651. Om Kaamadevaaya namah
652. Om Kaamapaalaaya namah
653. Om KaaminE namah
654. Om Kaantaaya namah
655. Om Kruta Gamaaya namah
656. Om AnirdeshyavapushE namah
657. Om VishnavE namah
658. Om Veeraaya namah
659. Om Anantaaya namah
660. Om Dhananjayaaya namah
661. Om BrahmaNyaaya namah
662. Om BrahmakrutE namah
663. Om BrahmaNE namah
664. Om BrahmaNE namah
665. Om Brahmavivardhanaaya namah
666. Om BrahmavidE namah
667. Om BrahmaNaaya namah
668. Om BrahmiNE namah
669. Om Brahmajnaaya namah
670. Om Brahmanapriyaaya namah
671. Om Mahaakramaaya namah
672. Om MahaakarmaNE namah
673. Om MahaatEjasE namah
674. Om Mahoragaaya namah
675. Om MahaakratavE namah
676. Om MahaayajvanE namah
677. Om Mahaayajnaaya namah
678. Om MahaahavishE namah
679. Om Sthavyaaya namah
680. Om Sthavapriayaaya namah
681. Om Stotraaya namah
682. Om Stutyai namah
683. Om StotrE namah
684. Om RaNapriyaaya namah
685. Om PoorNaaya namah
686. Om PurayitrE namah
687. Om PuNyaaya namah
688. Om PuNyakeerthayE namah
689. Om Anaamayaaya namah
690. Om Manojavaaya namah
691. Om Theerthankaraaya namah
692. Om VasuretasE namah
693. Om Vasupradaaya namah
694. Om Vasupradaaya namah
695. Om Vaasudevaaya namah
696. Om VasavE namah
697. Om VasumansE namah
698. Om HavishE namah
699. Om sadgatayE namah
700. Om SatkratayE namah
701. Om Sattaayai namah
702. Om SadbhootayE namah
703. Om SatparaayaNaaya namah
704. Om Shoorasenaaya namah
705. Om YadushreshTaaya namah
706. Om Sannivaasaaya namah
707. Om Suyaamunaaya namah
708. Om Bhootaavaasaaya namah
709. Om Vaasudevaaya namah
710. Om Sarvaasunilayaaya namah
711. Om Analaaya namah
712. Om DarpaghnE namah
713. Om Darpadaaya namah
714. Om Drptaaya namah
715. Om Durdharaaya namah
716. Om Aparaajithaaya namah
717. Om VishwamoorthayE namah
718. Om MahaamoorathayE namah
719. Om DeeptamoortayE namah
720. Om AmoortimatE namah
721. Om AnekamoortayE namah
722. Om Avyaktaaya namah
723. Om ShatamoortayE namah
724. Om Shataananaaya namah
725. Om Ekasmai namah
726. Om Naikasmai namah
727. Om Savaaya namah
728. Om Kaaya namah
729. Om Kasmai namah
730. Om Yasmai namah
731. Om Tasmai namah
732. Om Padaayaanuttamaaya namah
733. Om LokabandhavE namah
734. Om Lokanaathaaya namah
735. Om Madhavaaya namah
736. Om Bhaktavatsalaaya namah
737. Om Suvarnavarnaaya namah
738. Om Hemaangaaya namah
739. Om Varaangaaya namah
740. Om ChandanaangadinE namah
741. Om VeeraghnE namah
742. Om Vishamaaya namah
743. Om Shoonyaaya namah
744. Om GhrataashishE namah
745. Om Achalaaya namah
746. Om Chalaaya namah
747. Om AmaaninE namah
748. Om Maanadaaya namah
749. Om Maanyaaya namah
750. Om LokaswaaminE namah
751. Om TrilokadhrushE namah
752. Om SumedhasE namah
753. Om Medhajaaya namah
754. Om Dhanyaaya namah
755. Om SatyamedhasE namah
756. Om Dharaadharaaya namah
757. Om Tejovrishaaya namah
758. Om Dyutidharaaya namah
759. Om Sarvashastrabhrutaamvaraaya namah
760. Om Pragrahaaya namah
761. Om Nigrahaaya namah
762. Om Vygraaya namah
763. Om Naikashringaaya namah
764. Om Gadaagrajaaya namah
765. Om ChaturmoortayE namah
766. Om ChaturbaahavE namah
767. Om Chaturvyoohaaya namah
768. Om ChaturgatayE namah
769. Om ChaturaatmanE namah
770. Om Chaturbhaavaaya namah
771. Om ChaturvedavidE namah
772. Om EkapadE namah
773. Om Samaavartaaya namah
774. Om AnivrattaatmanE namah
775. Om Durjayaaya namah
776. Om Duraatikramaaya namah
777. Om Durlabhaaya namah
778. Om Durgamaaya namah
779. Om Durgaaya namah
780. Om Duraavaasaaya namah
781. Om DuraarighnE namah
782. Om Shubhaangaaya namah
783. Om Lokasaarangaaya namah
784. Om SutantavE namah
785. Om Tantuvardhanaaya namah
786. Om IndrakarmaNE namah
787. Om MahaakarmaNE namah
788. Om KrutakarmaNE namah
789. Om Krutaagamaaya namah
790. Om Udbhavaaya namah
791. Om Sundaraaya namah
792. Om Sundaaya namah
793. Om Ratnanaabhaaya namah
794. Om Sulochanaaya namah
795. Om Arkaaya namah
796. Om Vaajasanaaya namah
797. Om SringiNE namah
798. Om Jayantaaya namah
799. Om Sarvavijjayine namah
800. Om Suvarnabindave namah
801. Om Akshobhyaaya namah
802. Om SarvavaageeshwarEshwaraaya namah
803. Om Mahaahrudaaya namah
804. Om Mahagartaaya namah
805. Om Mahabhootaaya namah
806. Om MahanidhayE namah
807. Om Kumudaaya namah
808. Om Kundaraaya namah
809. Om Kundaaya namah
810. Om Parjanyaaya namah
811. Om Paavanaaya namah
812. Om Anilaaya namah
813. Om Amritaashaaya namah
814. Om AmruthavapushE namah
815. Om Sarvajnaaya namah
816. Om Sarvatomukhaaya namah
817. Om Sulabhaaya namah
818. Om Suvrataaya namah
819. Om Siddhaaya namah
820. Om ShatrujitE namah
821. Om Shatrutaapanaaya namah
822. Om Nyagrodhaaya namah
823. Om Udumbaraaya namah
824. Om Ashwatthaaya namah
825. Om ChaNooraandhranishoodhanaaya namah
826. Om Sahasraarchishe namah
827. Om Saptajihwaaya namah
828. Om SaptaidhasE namah
829. Om Saptavaahanaaya namah
830. Om AmoorthayE namah
831. Om Anaghaaya namah
832. Om Achinthyaaya namah
833. Om BhayakruthE namah
834. Om Bhayanaashanaaya namah
835. Om ANavE namah
836. Om BrhatE namah
837. Om Krushaaya namah
838. Om Sthoolaaya namah
839. Om GuNabhrutE namah
840. Om NirguNaaya namah
841. Om MahatE namah
842. Om Adhrutaaya namah
843. Om Svadhrutaaya namah
844. Om Swaasyaaya namah
845. Om Praagwamshaaya namah
846. Om Vamshavardhanaaya namah
847. Om BhaarabhrutE namah
848. Om KaThitaaya namah
849. Om YoginE namah
850. Om Yogishaaya namah
851. Om sarvakaamadaaya namah
852. Om Aashramaaya namah
853. Om ShramaNaaya namah
854. Om Kshaamaaya namah
855. Om SuparNaya namah
856. Om Vaayuvaahanaaya namah
857. Om Dhanurdharaaya namah
858. Om Dhanurvedaaya namah
859. Om Dandaaya namah
860. Om DamayitrE namah
861. Om Damaaya namah
862. Om Aparaajitaaya namah
863. Om Sarvasahaaya namah
864. Om NiyantrE namah
865. Om Aniyamaaya namah
866. Om Ayamaaya namah
867. Om SatwavatE namah
868. Om Saattvikaaya namah
869. Om Satyaaya namah
870. Om SatyadharmaparaayaNaaya namah
871. Om Abhipraayaaya namah
872. Om Priyaarhaaya namah
873. Om Arhaaya namah
874. Om PriyakratE namah
875. Om Preetivardhanaaya namah
876. Om VihaayasagatayE namah
877. Om JyotishE namah
878. Om SuroochayE namah
879. Om HutabhujE namah
880. Om VibhavE namah
881. Om RavayE namah
882. Om Virochanaaya namah
883. Om Sooryaaya namah
884. Om SavitrE namah
885. Om Ravilochanaaya namah
886. Om Anantaaya namah
887. Om HutabhujE namah
888. Om BhoktrE namah
889. Om Sukhadaaya namah
890. Om Naikajaaya namah
891. Om Agrajaaya namah
892. Om AnirviNNaaya namah
893. Om SadaamarshiNE namah
894. Om LokaadhishTaanaaya namah
895. Om Adbhutaaya namah
896. Om Sanaannamaha
897. Om Sanaatanatamaaya namah
898. Om Kapilaaya namah
899. Om KapayE namah
900. Om Apyayaaya namah
901. Om Swastidaaya namah
902. Om SwastikrutE namah
903. Om SwastayE namah
904. Om SwastibhujE namah
905. Om SwastidakshiNaaya namah
906. Om Araudraaya namah
907. Om KundalinE namah
908. Om ChakriNE namah
909. Om VikramiNE namah
910. Om Oorjitashaasanaaya namah
911. Om Shabdaatigaaya namah
912. Om Sabdasahaaya namah
913. Om Shishiraaya namah
914. Om Sharvareekaraaya namah
915. Om Akrooraaya namah
916. Om Peshalaaya namah
917. Om Dakshaaya namah
918. Om DakshiNaaya namah
919. Om KshamiNaam varaaya namah
920. Om Vidvattamaaya namah
921. Om Veetabhayaaya namah
922. Om PuNyashravaNakeerthanaaya namah
923. Om UttaraaNaaya namah
924. Om DushkruthighnE namah
925. Om PuNyaaya namah
926. Om Duswapnaashanaaya namah
927. Om VeeraghnE namah
928. Om RakshaNaaya namah
929. Om SadbhyO namah
930. Om Jeevanaaya namah
931. Om ParyavasThitaaya namah
932. Om Anantaroopaaya namah
933. Om AnantashriyE namah
934. Om JitamanyavE namah
935. Om Bhayaapahaaya namah
936. Om Chaturashraaya namah
937. Om GabheeraatmanE namah
938. Om Vidishaaya namah
939. Om Vyaadishaaya namah
940. Om Dishaaya namah
941. Om AnaadayE namah
942. Om BhuvobhuvE namah
943. Om Lakshmai namah
944. Om Suveeraaya namah
945. Om Ruchiraangadaaya namah
946. Om Jananaaya namah
947. Om JanajanmaadayE namah
948. Om Bheemaaya namah
949. Om Bheemaparaakramaaya namah
950. Om Aadhaaranilayaaya namah
951. Om AdhaathrE namah
952. Om Pushpahaasaaya namah
953. Om Prajaagaraaya namah
954. Om Oordhwagaaya namah
955. Om SatpaThaachaaraaya namah
956. Om PraaNadaaya namah
957. Om PraNavaaya namah
958. Om PaNaaya namah
959. Om PramaaNaaya namah
960. Om PraaNanilayaaya namah
961. Om PraaNabhrutE namah
962. Om PraaNajeevanaaya namah
963. Om Tattwaaya namah
964. Om TattwavidE namah
965. Om EkaatmanE namah
966. Om Janmamrutyujaraatigaaya namah
967. Om Bhoorbhuvaha' swastharave namah
968. Om Taaraaya namah
969. Om SavitrE namah
970. Om Prapitaaamahaaya namah
971. Om Yajnaaya namah
972. Om YajnapatayE namah
973. Om YajvanE namah
974. Om Yajnaangaaya namah
975. Om Yajnavaahanaaya namah
976. Om yajnabhrutE namah
977. Om YajnakrutE namah
978. Om YajninE namah
979. Om YajnabhujE namah
980. Om YajnasaaDhanaaya namah
981. Om YajnaanthakrutE namah
982. Om Yajnaguhyaaya namah
983. Om Annaaya namah
984. Om Annaadaaya namah
985. Om AatmayOnayE namah
986. Om Swayamjaataaya namah
987. Om Vaikhanaaya namah
988. Om Saamagaayanaaya namah
989. Om Devakeenandanaaya namah
990. Om SrashtrE namah
991. Om Kshithishaaya namah
992. Om Paapanaashanaaya namah
993. Om ShankhabhrutE namah
994. Om NandakinE namah
995. Om ChakriNE namah
996. Om ShaarnghaDhanwanE namah
997. Om GadaaDharaaya namah
998. Om RaThaangapaaNayE namah
999. Om AkshObhyaaya namah
1000. Om SarvapraharaNaayudhah namah
=====================
THE ONE THOUSAND NAMES OF LORD VISHNU TRANSLATIONS AND MEANINGS.

1) vishvam: He who is the universe, the virat-purusha
2) vishnuh: He who pervades everywhere
3) vashatkaarah: He who is invoked for oblations
4) bhoota-bhavya-bhavat-prabhuh: The Lord of past, present and future
5) bhoota-krit: The creator of all creatures
6) bhoota-bhrit: He who nourishes all creatures
7) bhaavo: He who becomes all moving and nonmoving things
8) bhootaatmaa: The aatman of all beings
9) bhoota-bhaavanah: The cause of the growth and birth of all creatures
10) pootaatmaa: He with an extremely pure essence
11) paramaatmaa: The Supersoul
12) muktaanaam paramaa gatih: The final goal, reached by liberated souls
13) avyayah: Without destruction
14) purushah: He who dwells in the city of nine gates
15) saakshee: The witness
16) kshetrajnah: The knower of the field
17) akshara: Indestructible
18) yogah: He who is realized through yoga
19) yoga-vidaam netaa: The guide of those who know yoga
20) pradhaana-purusheshvarah: Lord of pradhaana and purusha
21) naarasimha-vapuh: He whose form is man-lion
22) shreemaan: He who is always with shree
23) keshavah: He who has beautiful locks of hair
24) purushottamah: The Supreme Controller
25) sarvah: He who is everything
26) sharvas: The auspicious
27) shivah: He who is eternally pure
28) sthaanuh: The pillar, the immovable truth
29) bhootaadih: The cause of the five great elements
30) nidhir-avyayah: The imperishable treasure
31) sambhavah: He who descends of His own free will
32) bhaavanah: He who gives everything to his devotees
33) bhartaa: He who governs the entire living world
34) prabhavah: The womb of the five great elements
35) prabhuh: The Almighty Lord
36) eeshvarah: He who can do anything without any help
37) svayambhooh: He who manifests from Himself
38) shambhuh: He who brings auspiciousness
39) aadityah: The son of Aditi (Vaamana)
40) pushkaraakshah: He who has eyes like the lotus
41) mahaasvanah: He who has a thundering voice
42) anaadi-nidhanah: He without origin or end
43) dhaataa: He who supports all fields of experience
44) vidhaataa: The dispenser of fruits of action
45) dhaaturuttamah: The subtlest atom
46) aprameyah: He who cannot be perceived
47) hrisheekeshah: The Lord of the senses
48) padmanaabhah: He from whose navel comes the lotus
49) amaraprabhuh: The Lord of the devas
50) vishvakarmaa: The creator of the universe
51) manuh: He who has manifested as the Vedic mantras
52) tvashtaa: He who makes huge things small
53) sthavishtah: The supremely gross
54) sthaviro dhruvah: The ancient, motionless one
55) agraahyah: He who is not perceived sensually
56) shaashvatah: He who always remains the same
57) krishno: He whose complexion is dark
58) lohitaakshah: Red-eyed
59) pratardanah: The Supreme destruction
60) prabhootas: Ever-full
61) trikakub-dhaama: The support of the three quarters
62) pavitram: He who gives purity to the heart
63) mangalam param: The Supreme auspiciousness
64) eeshanah: The controller of the five great elements
65) praanadah: He who gives life
66) praano: He who ever lives
67) jyeshthah: Older than all
68) shreshthah: The most glorious
69) prajaapatih: The Lord of all creatures
70) hiranyagarbhah: He who dwells in the womb of the world
71) bhoogarbhah: He who is the womb of the world
72) maadhavah: Husband of Lakshmi
73) madhusoodanah: Destroyer of the Madhu demon
74) eeshvarah: The contoller
75) vikramee: He who is full of prowess
76) dhanvee: He who always has a divine bow
77) medhaavee: Supremely intelligent
78) vikramah: He who stepped (Vaamana)
79) kramah: All-pervading
80) anuttamah: Incomparably great
81) duraadharshah: He who cannot be attacked successfully
82) kritajnah: He who knows all that is
83) kritih: He who rewards all our actions
84) aatmavaan: The self in all beings
85) sureshah: The Lord of the demigods
86) sharanam: The refuge
87) sharma: He who is Himself infinite bliss
88) visva-retaah: The seed of the universe
89) prajaa-bhavah: He from whom all praja comes
90) ahah: He who is the nature of time
91) samvatsarah: He from whom the concept of time comes
92) vyaalah: The serpent (vyaalah) to athiests
93) pratyayah: He whose nature is knowledge
94) sarvadarshanah: All-seeing
95) ajah: Unborn
96) sarveshvarah: Controller of all
97) siddhah: The most famous
98) siddhih: He who gives moksha
99) sarvaadih: The beginning of all
100) achyutah: Infallible
101) vrishaakapih: He who lifts the world to dharma
102) ameyaatmaa: He who manifests in infinite varieties
103) sarva-yoga-vinissritah: He who is free from all attachments
104) vasuh: The support of all elements
105) vasumanaah: He whose mind is supremely pure
106) satyah: The truth
107) samaatmaa: He who is the same in all
108) sammitah: He who has been accepted by authorities
109) samah: Equal
110) amoghah: Ever useful
111) pundareekaakshah: He who dwells in the heart
112) vrishakarmaa: He whose every act is righteous
113) vrishaakritih: The form of dharma
114) rudrah: He who makes all people weep
115) bahu-shiraah: He who has many heads
116) babhrur: He who rules over all the worlds
117) vishvayonih: The womb of the universe
118) shuchi-shravaah: He who has beautiful, sacred names
119) amritah: Immortal
120) shaashvatah-sthaanur: Permanent and immovable
121) varaaroho: The most glorious destination
122) mahaatapaah: He of great tapas
123) sarvagah: All-pervading
124) sarvavid-bhaanuh: All-knowing and effulgent
125) vishvaksenah: He against whom no army can stand
126) janaardanah: He who gives joy to good people
127) vedah: He who is the Vedas
128) vedavid: The knower of the Vedas
129) avyangah: Without imperfections
130) vedaangah: He whose limbs are the Vedas
131) vedavit: He who contemplates upon the Vedas
132) kavih: The seer
133) lokaadhyakshah: He who presides over all lokas
134) suraadhyaksho: He who presides over all devas
135) dharmaadhyakshah: He who presides over dharma
136) krita-akritah: All that is created and not created
137) chaturaatmaa: The four-fold self
138) chaturvyoohah: Vasudeva, Sankarshan etc
139) chaturdamstrah: He who has four canines (Nrsimha)
140) chaturbhujah: Four-handed
141) bhraajishnur: Self-effulgent consciousness
142) bhojanam: He who is the sense-objects
143) bhoktaa: The enjoyer
144) sahishnuh: He who can suffer patiently
145) jagadaadijah: Born at the beginning of the world
146) anaghah: Sinless
147) vijayah: Victorious
148) jetaa: Ever-successful
149) vishvayonih: He who incarnates because of the world 150) punarvasuh: He who lives repeatedly in different bodies
151) upendrah: The younger brother of Indra (vaamana)
152) vaamanah: He with a dwarf body
153) praamshuh: He with a huge body
154) amoghah: He whose acts are for a great purpose
155) shuchih: He who is spotlessly clean
156) oorjitah: He who has infinite vitality
157) ateendrah: He who surpasses Indra
158) samgrahah: He who holds everything together
159) sargah: He who creates the world from Himself
160) dhritaatmaa: Established in Himself
161) niyamo: The appointing authority
162) yamah: The administrator
163) vedyah: That which is to be known
164) vaidyah: The Supreme doctor
165) sadaa-yogee: Always in yoga
166) veerahaa: He who destroys the mighty heroes
167) maadhavo: The Lord of all knowledge
168) madhuh: Sweet
169) ateendriyo: Beyond the sense organs
170) mahaamayo: The Supreme Master of all Maayaa
171) mahotsaaho: The great enthusiast
172) mahaabalah: He who has supreme strength
173) mahaabuddhir: He who has supreme intelligence
174) mahaa-veeryah: The supreme essence
175) mahaa-shaktih: All-powerful
176) mahaa-dyutih: Greatly luminous
177) anirdeshya-vapuh: He whose form is indescribable
178) shreemaan: He who is always courted by glories
179) ameyaatmaa: He whose essence is immeasurable
180) mahaadri-dhrik: He who supports the great mountain
181) maheshvaasah: He who wields shaarnga
182) maheebhartaa: The husband of mother earth
183) shreenivaasah: The permanent abode of Shree
184) sataam gatih: The goal for all virtuous people
185) aniruddhah: He who cannot be obstructed
186) suraanando: He who gives out happiness
187) govindah: The protector of the cows
188) govidaam-patih: The Lord of all men of wisdom
189) mareechih: Effulgence
190) damanah: He who controls rakshasas
191) hamsah: The swan
192) suparnah: Beautiful-winged (Two birds analogy)
193) bhujagottamah: The serpent Ananta
194) hiranyanaabhah: He who has a golden navel
195) sutapaah: He who has glorious tapas
196) padmanaabhah: He whose navel is like a lotus
197) prajaapatih: He from whom all creatures emerge
198) amrityuh: He who knows no death
199) sarva-drik: The seer of everything
200) simhah: He who destroys
201) sandhaataa: The regulator
202) sandhimaan: He who seems to be conditioned
203) sthirah: Steady
204) ajah: He who takes the form of Aja, Brahma
205) durmarshanah: He who cannot be vanquished
206) shaastaa: He who rules over the universe
207) visrutaatmaa: He who is called atma in the Vedas
208) suraarihaa: Destroyer of the enemies of the devas
209) guruh: The teacher
210) gurutamah: The greatest teacher
211) dhaama: The goal
212) satyah: He who is Himself the truth
213) satya-paraakramah: Dynamic Truth
214) nimishah: He who has closed eyes in contemplation
215) animishah: He who remains unwinking; ever knowing
216) sragvee: He who always wears a garland of undecaying flowers
217) vaachaspatir-udaara-dheeh: He who is eloquent in championing the Supreme law of life; He with a large-hearted intelligence
218) agraneeh: He who guides us to the peak
219) graamaneeh: He who leads the flock
220) shreemaan: The possessor of light, effulgence, glory
221) nyaayah: Justice
222) netaa: The leader
223) sameeranah: He who sufficiently administers all movements of all living creatures
224) sahasra-moordhaa: He who has endless heads
225) vishvaatmaa: The soul of the universe
226) sahasraakshah: Thousands of eyes
227) sahasrapaat: Thousand-footed
228) aavartanah: The unseen dynamism
229) nivritaatmaa: The soul retreated from matter
230) samvritah: He who is vieled from the jiva
231) sam-pramardanah: He who persecutes evil men
232) ahassamvartakah: He who thrills the day and makes it function vigorously
233) vahnih: Fire
234) anilah: Air
235) dharaneedharah: He who supports the earth
236) suprasaadah: Fully satisfied
237) prasanaatmaa: Ever pure and all-blissful self
238) vishva-dhrik: Supporter of the world
239) vishvabhuk: He who enjoys all experiences
240) vibhuh: He who manifests in endless forms
241) satkartaa: He who adores good and wise people
242) satkritah: He who is adored by all good people
243) saadhur: He who lives by the righteous codes
244) jahnuh: Leader of men
245) naaraayanah: He who resides on the waters
246) narah: The guide
247) asankhyeyah: He who has numberlesss names and forms
248) aprameyaatmaa: A soul not known through the pramanas
249) vishishtah: He who transcends all in His glory
250) shishta-krit: The law-maker
251) shuchih: He who is pure
252) siddhaarthah: He who has all arthas
253) siddhasankalpah: He who gets all He wishes for
254) siddhidah: The giver of benedictions
255) siddhisaadhanah: The power behind our sadhana
256) vrishaahee: Controller of all actions
257) vrishabhah: He who showers all dharmas
258) vishnuh: Long-striding
259) vrishaparvaa: The ladder leading to dharma (As well as dharma itself)
260) vrishodarah: He from whose belly life showers forth
261) vardhanah: The nurturer and nourisher
262) vardhamaanah: He who can grow into any dimension
263) viviktah: Separate
264) shruti-saagarah: The ocean for all scripture
265) subhujah: He who has graceful arms
266) durdurdharah: He who cannot be known by great yogis 267) vaagmee: He who is eloquent in speech
268) mahendrah: The lord of Indra
269) vasudah: He who gives all wealth
270) vasuh: He who is Wealth
271) naika-roopo: He who has unlimited forms
272) brihad-roopah: Vast, of infinite dimensions
273) shipivishtah: The presiding deity of the sun
274) prakaashanah: He who illuminates
275) ojas-tejo-dyutidharah: The possessor of vitality, effulgence and beauty
276) prakaashaatmaa: The effulgent self
277) prataapanah: Thermal energy; one who heats
278) riddhah: Full of prosperity
279) spashtaaksharo: One who is indicated by OM
280) mantrah: The nature of the Vedic mantras
281) chandraamshuh: The rays of the moon
282) bhaaskara-dyutih: The effulgence of the sun
283) amritaamsoodbhavo: The moon who gives flavor to vegetables
284) bhaanuh: Self-effulgent
285) shashabindhuh: The moon who has a rabbit-like spot 286) sureshvarah: A person of extreme charity
287) aushadham: Medicine
288) jagatas-setuh: A bridge across the material energy
289) satya-dharma-paraakramah: One who champions heroically for truth and righteousness
290) bhoota-bhavya-bhavan-naathah: The Lord of past, present and future
291) pavanah: The air that fills the universe
292) paavanah: He who gives life-sustaining power to air
293) analah: Fire
294) kaamahaa: He who destroys all desires
295) kaamakrit: He who fulfills all desires
296) kaantah: He who is of enchanting form
297) kaamah: The beloved
298) kaamapradah: He who supplies desired objects
299) prabhuh: The Lord
300) yugaadi-krit: The creator of the yugas
301) yugaavartah The law behind time
302) naikamaayah: He whose forms are endless and varied 303) mahaashanah: He who eats up everything
304) adrishyah: Imperceptible
305) vyaktaroopah: He who is perceptible to the yogi
306) sahasrajit: He who vanquishes thousands
307) anantajit: Ever-victorious
308) ishtah: He who is invoked through Vedic rituals
309) visishtah: The noblest and most sacred
310) sishteshtah: The greatest beloved
311) shikhandee: He who wears a peacock feather
312) nahushah: He who binds all with maya
313) vrishah: He who is dharma
314) krodhahaa: He who destroys anger
315) krodhakrit-kartaa: He who generates anger against the lower tendency
316) visvabaahuh: He whose hand is in everything
317) maheedharah: The support of the earth
318) achyutah: He who undergoes no changes
319) prathitah: He who exists pervading all
320) praanah: The prana in all living creatures
321) praanadah: He who gives prana
322) vaasavaanujah: The brother of Indra
323) apaam-nidhih: Treasure of waters (the ocean)
324) adhishthaanam: The substratum of the entire universe
325) apramattah: He who never makes a wrong judgement 326) pratishthitah: He who has no cause
327) skandah: He whose glory is expressed through Subrahmanya
328) skanda-dharah: Upholder of withering righteousness
329) dhuryah: Who carries out creation etc without hitch
330) varadah: He who fulfills boons
331) vaayuvaahanah: Controller of winds
332) vaasudevah: Dwelling in all creatures although not affected by that condition
333) brihat-bhaanuh: He who illumines the world with the rays of the sun and moon
334) aadidevah: The primary source of everything
335) purandarah: Destroyer of cities
336) ashokah: He who has no sorrow
337) taaranah: He who enables others to cross
338) taarah: He who saves
339) shoorah: The valiant
340) shaurih: He who incarnated in the dynasty of Shoora
341) janeshvarah: The Lord of the people
342) anukoolah: Well-wisher of everyone
343) sataavarttah: He who takes infinite forms
344) padmee: He who holds a lotus
345) padmanibhekshanah: Lotus-eyed
346) padmanaabhah: He who has a lotus-navel
347) aravindaakshah: He who has eyes as beautiful as the lotus
348) padmagarbhah: He who is being meditated upon in the lotus of the heart
349) shareerabhrit: He who sustains all bodies
350) maharddhi: One who has great prosperity
351) riddhah: He who has expanded Himself as the universe
352) Vriddhaatmaa: The ancient self
353) mahaakshah: The great-eyed
354) garudadhvajah: One who has Garuda on His flag
355) atulah: Incomparable
356) sharabhah: One who dwells and shines forth through the bodies
357) bheemah: The terrible
358) samayajnah: One whose worship is nothing more than keeping an equal vision of the mind by the devotee
359) havirharih: The receiver of all oblation
360) sarva-lakshana-lakshanyah: Known through all proofs
361) lakshmeevaan: The consort of Laksmi
362) samitinjayah: Ever-victorious
363) viksharah: Imperishable
364) rohitah: The fish incarnation
365) maargah: The path
366) hetuh: The cause
367) daamodarah: Whose stomach is marked with three lines
368) sahah: All-enduring
369) maheedharah: The bearer of the earth
370) mahaabhaago: He who gets the greates share in every Yajna
371) vegavaan: He who is swift
372) amitaashanah: Of endless appetite
373) udbhavah: The originator
374) kshobhanah: The agitator
375) devah: He who revels
376) shreegarbhah: He in whom are all glories
377) parameshvarah: The Supreme Lord
378) karanam: The instrument
379) kaaranam: The cause
380) kartaa: The doer
381) vikartaa: Creator of the endless varieties that make up the universe
382) gahanah: The unknowable
383) guhah: He who dwells in the cave of the heart
384) vyavasaayah: Resolute
385) vyavasthaanah: The substratum
386) samsthaanah: The ultimate authority
387) sthaanadah: He who confers the right abode
388) dhruvah: The changeless in the midst of changes
389) pararddhih: He who has supreme manifestations
390) paramaspashtah: The extremely vivid
391) tushtah: One who is contented with a very simple offering
392) pushtah: One who is ever-full
393) shubhekshanah: All-auspicious gaze
394) raamah: One who is most handsome
395) viraamah: The abode of perfect-rest
396) virajo: Passionless
397) maargah: The path
398) neyah: The guide
399) nayah: One who leads
400) anayah: One who has no leader
401) veerah: The valiant
402) shaktimataam-shresthah: The best among the powerful
403) dharmah: The law of being
404) dharmaviduttamah: The highest among men of realisation
405) vaikunthah: One who prevents men from straying on wrong paths
406) purushah: One who dwells in all bodies
407) praanah: Life
408) praanadah: Giver of life
409) pranavah: He who is praised by the gods
410) prituh: The expanded
411) hiranyagarbhah: The creator
412) shatrughnah: The destroyer of enemies
413) vyaaptah: The pervader
414) vaayuh: The air
415) adhokshajah: One whose vitality never flows downwards
416) rituh: The seasons
417) sudarshanah: He whose meeting is auspicious
418) kaalah: He who judges and punishes beings
419) parameshthee: One who is readily available for experience within the heart
420) parigrahah: The receiver
421) ugrah: The terrible
422) samvatsarah: The year
423) dakshah: The smart
424) vishraamah: The resting place
425) vishva-dakshinah: The most skilful and efficient
426) vistaarah: The extension
427) sthaavarah-sthaanuh: The firm and motionless
428) pramaanam: The proof
429) beejamavyayam: The Immutable Seed
430) arthah: He who is worshiped by all
431) anarthah: One to whom there is nothing yet to be fulfilled
432) mahaakoshah: He who has got around him great sheaths
433) mahaabhogah: He who is of the nature of enjoyment
434) mahaadhanah: He who is supremely rich
435) anirvinnah: He who has no discontent
436) sthavishthah: One who is supremely huge
437) a-bhooh: One who has no birth
438) dharma-yoopah: The post to which all dharma is tied
439) mahaa-makhah: The great sacrificer
440) nakshatranemir: The nave of the stars
441) nakshatree: The Lord of the stars (the moon)
442) kshamah: He who is supremely efficient in all undertakings
443) kshaamah: He who ever remains without any scarcity
444) sameehanah: One whose desires are auspicious
445) yajnah: One who is of the nature of yajna
446) ijyah: He who is fit to be invoked through yajna
447) mahejyah: One who is to be most worshiped
448) kratuh: The animal-sacrifice
449) satram: Protector of the good
450) sataam-gatih: Refuge of the good
451) sarvadarshee: All-knower
452) vimuktaatmaa: The ever-liberated self
453) sarvajno: Omniscient
454) jnaanamuttamam: The Supreme Knowledge
455) suvratah: He who ever-perfoeming the pure vow
456) sumukhah: One who has a charming face
457) sookshmah: The subtlest
458) sughoshah: Of auspicious sound
459) sukhadah: Giver of happiness
460) suhrit: Friend of all creatures
461) manoharah: The stealer of the mind
462) jita-krodhah: One who has conquered anger
463) veerabaahur: Having mighty arms
464) vidaaranah: One who splits asunder
465) svaapanah: One who puts people to sleep
466) svavashah: He who has everything under His control
467) vyaapee: All-pervading
468) naikaatmaa: Many souled
469) naikakarmakrit: One who does many actions
470) vatsarah: The abode
471) vatsalah: The supremely affectionate
472) vatsee: The father
473) ratnagarbhah: The jewel-wombed
474) dhaneshvarah: The Lord of wealth
475) dharmagub: One who protects dharma
476) dharmakrit: One who acts according to dharma
477) dharmee: The supporter of dharma
478) sat: existence
479) asat: illusion
480) ksharam: He who appears to perish
481) aksharam: Imperishable
482) avijnaataa: The non-knower (The knower being the conditioned soul within the body)
483) sahasraamshur: The thousand-rayed
484) vidhaataa: All supporter
485) kritalakshanah: One who is famous for His qualities
486) gabhastinemih: The hub of the universal wheel
487) sattvasthah: Situated in sattva
488) simhah: The lion
489) bhoota-maheshvarah: The great lord of beings
490) aadidevah: The first deity
491) mahaadevah: The great deity
492) deveshah: The Lord of all devas
493) devabhrit-guruh: Advisor of Indra
494) uttarah: He who lifts us from the ocean of samsara
495) gopatih: The shepherd
496) goptaa: The protector
497) jnaanagamyah: One who is experienced through pure knowledge
498) puraatanah: He who was even before time
499) shareera-bhootabhrit: One who nourishes the nature from which the bodies came
500) bhoktaa: The enjoyer
501) kapeendrah: Lord of the monkeys (Rama)
502) bhooridakshinah: He who gives away large gifts
503) somapah: One who takes Soma in the yajnas
504) amritapah: One who drinks the nectar
505) somah: One who as the moon nourishes plants
506) purujit: One who has conquered numerous enemies
507) purusattamah: The greatest of the great
508) vinayah: He who humiliates those who are unrighteous
509) jayah: The victorious
510) satyasandhah: Of truthful resolution
511) daashaarhah: One who was born in the Dasarha race
512) saatvataam-patih: The Lord of the Satvatas
513) jeevah: One who functions as the ksetrajna
514) vinayitaa-saakshee: The witness of modesty
515) mukundah: The giver of liberation
516) amitavikramah: Of immeasurable prowess
517) ambho-nidhir: The substratum of the four types of beings
518) anantaatmaa: The infinite self
519) mahodadhishayah: One who rests on the great ocean
520) antakah: The death
521) ajah: Unborn
522) mahaarhah: One who deserves the highest worship
523) svaabhaavyah: Ever rooted in the nature of His own self
524) jitaamitrah: One who has conquered all enemies
525) pramodanah: Ever-blissful
526) aanandah: A mass of pure bliss
527) nandanah: One who makes others blissful
528) nandah: Free from all worldly pleasures
529) satyadharmaa: One who has in Himself all true dharmas
530) trivikramah: One who took three steps
531) maharshih kapilaachaaryah: He who incarnated as Kapila, the great sage
532) kritajnah: The knower of the creation
533) medineepatih: The Lord of the earth
534) tripadah: One who has taken three steps
535) tridashaadhyaksho: The Lord of the three states of consciousness
536) mahaashringah: Great-horned (Matsya)
537) kritaantakrit: Destroyer of the creation
538) mahaavaraaho: The great boar
539) govindah: One who is known through Vedanta
540) sushenah: He who has a charming army
541) kanakaangadee: Wearer of bright-as-gold armlets
542) guhyo: The mysterious
543) gabheerah: The unfathomable
544) gahano: Impenetrable
545) guptah: The well-concealed
546) chakra-gadaadharah: Bearer of the disc and mace
547) vedhaah: Creator of the universe
548) svaangah: One with well-proportioned limbs
549) ajitah: Vanquished by none
550) krishnah: Dark-complexioned
551) dridhah: The firm
552) sankarshanochyutah: He who absorbs the whole creation into His nature and never falls away from that nature
553) varunah: One who sets on the horizon (Sun)
554) vaarunah: The son of Varuna (Vasistha or Agastya)
555) vrikshah: The tree
556) pushkaraakshah: Lotus eyed
557) mahaamanaah: Great-minded
558) bhagavaan: One who possesses six opulences
559) bhagahaa: One who destroys the six opulences during pralaya
560) aanandee: One who gives delight
561) vanamaalee: One who wears a garland of forest flowers
562) halaayudhah: One who has a plough as His weapon
563) aadityah: Son of Aditi
564) jyotiraadityah: The resplendence of the sun
565) sahishnuh: One who calmly endures duality
566) gatisattamah: The ultimate refuge for all devotees
567) sudhanvaa: One who has Shaarnga
568) khanda-parashur: One who holds an axe
569) daarunah: Merciless towards the unrighteous
570) dravinapradah: One who lavishly gives wealth
571) divah-sprik: Sky-reaching
572) sarvadrik-vyaaso: One who creates many men of wisdom
573) vaachaspatir-ayonijah: One who is the master of all vidyas and who is unborn through a womb
574) trisaamaa: One who is glorified by Devas, Vratas and Saamans
575) saamagah: The singer of the sama songs
576) saama: The Sama Veda
577) nirvaanam: All-bliss
578) bheshajam: Medicine
579) bhishak: Physician
580) samnyaasa-krit: Institutor of sannyasa
581) samah: Calm
582) shaantah: Peaceful within
583) nishthaa: Abode of all beings
584) shaantih: One whose very nature is peace
585) paraayanam: The way to liberation
586) shubhaangah: One who has the most beautiful form
587) shaantidah: Giver of peace
588) shrashtaa: Creator of all beings
589) kumudah: He who delights in the earth
590) kuvaleshayah: He who reclines in the waters
591) gohitah: One who does welfare for cows
592) gopatih: Husband of the earth
593) goptaa: Protector of the universe
594) vrishabhaaksho: One whose eyes rain fulfilment of desires
595) vrishapriyah: One who delights in dharma
596) anivartee: One who never retreats
597) nivrittaatmaa: One who is fully restrained from all sense indulgences
598) samksheptaa: The involver
599) kshemakrit: Doer of good
600) shivah: Auspiciousness
601) shreevatsa-vakshaah: One who has sreevatsa on His chest
602) shrevaasah: Abode of Sree
603) shreepatih: Lord of Laksmi
604) shreemataam varah: The best among glorious
605) shreedah: Giver of opulence
606) shreeshah: The Lord of Sree
607) shreenivaasah: One who dwells in the good people
608) shreenidhih: The treasure of Sree
609) shreevibhaavanah: Distributor of Sree
610) shreedharah: Holder of Sree
611) shreekarah: One who gives Sree
612) shreyah: Liberation
613) shreemaan: Possessor of Sree
614) loka-trayaashrayah: Shelter of the three worlds
615) svakshah: Beautiful-eyed
616) svangah: Beautiful-limbed
617) shataanandah: Of infinite varieties and joys
618) nandih: Infinite bliss
619) jyotir-ganeshvarah: Lord of the luminaries in the cosmos
620) vijitaatmaa: One who has conquered the sense organs
621) vidheyaatmaa: One who is ever available for the devotees to command in love
622) sat-keertih: One of pure fame
623) chinnasamshayah: One whose doubts are ever at rest
624) udeernah: The great transcendent
625) sarvatah-chakshuh: One who has eyes everywhere
626) aneeshah: One who has none to Lord over Him
627) shaashvata-sthirah: One who is eternal and stable
628) bhooshayah: One who rested on the ocean shore (Rama)
629) bhooshanah: One who adorns the world
630) bhootih: One who is pure existence
631) vishokah: Sorrowless
632) shoka-naashanah: Destroyer of sorrows
633) archishmaan: The effulgent
634) architah: One who is constantly worshipped by His devotees
635) kumbhah: The pot within whom everything is contained
636) vishuddhaatmaa: One who has the purest soul
637) vishodhanah: The great purifier
638) anniruddhah: He who is invincible by any enemy
639) apratirathah: One who has no enemies to threaten Him
640) pradyumnah: Very rich
641) amitavikramah: Of immeasurable prowess
642) kaalanemi-nihaa: Slayer of Kalanemi
643) veerah: The heroic victor
644) shauri: One who always has invincible prowess
645) shoora-janeshvarah: Lord of the valiant
646) trilokaatmaa: The self of the three worlds
647) trilokeshah: The Lord of the three worlds
648) keshavah: One whose rays illumine the cosmos
649) keshihaa: Killer of Kesi
650) harih: The destroyer
651) kaamadevah: The beloved Lord
652) kaamapaalah: The fulfiller of desires
653) kaamee: One who has fulfilled all His desires
654) kaantah: Of enchanting form
655) kritaagamah: The author of the agama scriptures
656) anirdeshya-vapuh: Of Indescribable form
657) vishnuh: All-pervading
658) veerah: The courageous
659) anantah: Endless
660) dhananjayah: One who gained wealth through conquest
661) brahmanyah: Protector of Brahman (anything related to Narayana)
662) brahmakrit: One who acts in Brahman
663) brahmaa: Creator
664) brahma: Biggest
665) brahma-vivardhanah: One who increases the Brahman
666) brahmavid: One who knows Brahman
667) braahmanah: One who has realised Brahman
668) brahmee: One who is with Brahma
669) brahmajno: One who knows the nature of Brahman
670) braahmana-priyah: Dear to the brahmanas
671) mahaakramo: Of great step
672) mahaakarmaa: One who performs great deeds
673) mahaatejaah: One of great resplendence
674) mahoragah: The great serpent
675) mahaakratuh: The great sacrifice
676) mahaayajvaa: One who performed great yajnas
677) mahaayajnah: The great yajna
678) mahaahavih: The great offering
679) stavyah: One who is the object of all praise
680) stavapriyah: One who is invoked through prayer
681) stotram: The hymn
682) stutih: The act of praise
683) stotaa: One who adores or praises
684) ranapriyah: Lover of battles
685) poornah: The complete
686) poorayitaa: The fulfiller
687) punyah: The truly holy
688) punya-keertir: Of Holy fame
689) anaamayah: One who has no diseases
690) manojavah: Swift as the mind
691) teerthakaro: The teacher of the tirthas
692) vasuretaah: He whose essence is golden
693) vasupradah: The free-giver of wealth
694) vasupradah: The giver of salvation, the greatest wealth
695) vaasudevo: The son of Vasudeva
696) vasuh: The refuge for all
697) vasumanaah: One who is attentive to everything
698) havih: The oblation
699) sadgatih: The goal of good people
700) satkritih: One who is full of Good actions
701) satta: One without a second
702) sadbhootih: One who has rich glories
703) satparaayanah: The Supreme goal for the good
704) shoorasenah: One who has heroic and valiant armies
705) yadu-shresthah: The best among the Yadava clan
706) sannivaasah: The abode of the good
707) suyaamunah: One who attended by the people who dwell on the banks of Yamuna
708) bhootaavaaso: The dwelling place of the elements
709) vaasudevah: One who envelops the world with Maya
710) sarvaasunilayah: The abode of all life energies
711) analah: One of unlimited wealth, power and glory
712) darpahaa: The destroyer of pride in evil-minded people
713) darpadah: One who creates pride, or an urge to be the best, among the righteous
714) driptah: One whio is drunk with Infinite bliss
715) durdharah: The object of contemplation
716) athaaparaajitah: The unvanquished
717) vishvamoortih: Of the form of the entire Universe
718) mahaamortir: The great form
719) deeptamoortir: Of resplendent form
720) a-moortirmaan: Having no form
721) anekamoortih: Multi-formed
722) avyaktah: Unmanifeset
723) shatamoortih: Of many forms
724) shataananah: Many-faced
725) ekah: The one
726) naikah: The many
727) savah: The nature of the sacrifice
728) kah: One who is of the nature of bliss
729) kim: What (the one to be inquired into)
730) yat: Which
731) tat: That
732) padam-anuttamam: The unequalled state of perfection
733) lokabandhur: Friend of the world
734) lokanaathah: Lord of the world
735) maadhavah: Born in the family of Madhu
736) bhaktavatsalah: One who loves His devotees
737) suvarna-varnah: Golden-coloured
738) hemaangah: One who has limbs of gold
739) varaangah: With beautiful limbs
740) chandanaangadee: One who has attractive armlets
741) veerahaa: Destroyer of valiant heroes
742) vishama: Unequalled
743) shoonyah: The void
744) ghritaaseeh: One who has no need for good wishes
745) acalah: Non-moving
746) chalah: Moving
747) amaanee: Without false vanity
748) maanadah: One who causes, by His maya, false identification with the body
749) maanyah: One who is to be honoured
750) lokasvaamee: Lord of the universe
751) trilokadhrik: One who is the support of all the three worlds
752) sumedhaa: One who has pure intelligence
753) medhajah: Born out of sacrifices
754) dhanyah: Fortunate
755) satyamedhah: One whose intelligence never fails
756) dharaadharah: The sole support of the earth
757) tejovrisho: One who showers radiance
758) dyutidharah: One who bears an effulgent form
759) sarva-shastra-bhritaam-varah: The best among those who wield weapons
760) pragrahah: Receiver of worship
761) nigrahah: The killer
762) vyagrah: One who is ever engaged in fulfilling the devotee's desires
763) naikashringah: One who has many horns
764) gadaagrajah: One who is invoked through mantra
765) chaturmoortih: Four-formed
766) chaturbaahuh: Four-handed
767) chaturvyoohah: One who expresses Himself as the dynamic centre in the four vyoohas
768) chaturgatih: The ultimate goal of all four varnas and asramas
769) chaturaatmaa: Clear-minded
770) chaturbhaavas: The source of the four
771) chatur-vedavid: Knower of all four vedas
772) ekapaat: One-footed (BG 10.42)
773) samaavartah: The efficient turner
774) nivrittaatmaa: One whose mind is turned away from sense indulgence
775) durjayah: The invincible
776) duratikramah: One who is difficult to be disobeyed
777) durlabhah: One who obtained with effort
778) durgamah: One who is realised with great effort
779) durgah: Not easy to storm into
780) duraavaasah: Not easy to lodge
781) duraarihaa: Slayer of the asuras
782) shubhaangah: One with enchanting limbs
783) lokasaarangah: One who understands the universe
784) sutantuh: Beautifully expanded
785) tantu-vardhanah: One who sustains the continuity of the drive for the family
786) indrakarmaa: One who always performs gloriously auspicious actions
787) mahaakarmaa: One who accomplishes great acts
788) kritakarmaa: One who has fulfilled his acts
789) kritaagamah: Author of the Vedas
790) udbhavah: The ultimate source
791) sundarah: Of unrivalled beauty
792) sundah: Of great mercy
793) ratna-naabhah: Of beautiful navel
794) sulochanah: One who has the most enchanting eyes
795) arkah: One who is in the form of the sun
796) vaajasanah: The giver of food
797) shringee: The horned one
798) jayantah: The conquerer of all enemies
799) sarvavij-jayee: One who is at once omniscient and victorious
800) suvarna-binduh: With limbs radiant like gold
801) akshobhyah: One who is ever unruffled
802) sarva-vaageeshvareshvarah: Lord of the Lord of speech
803) mahaahradah: One who is like a great refreshing swimming pool
804) mahaagartah: The great chasm
805) mahaabhootah: The great being
806) mahaanidhih: The great abode
807) kumudah: One who gladdens the earth
808) kundarah: The one who lifted the earth
809) kundah: One who is as attractive as Kunda flowers
810) parjanyah: He who is similar to rain-bearing clouds
811) paavanah: One who ever purifies
812) anilah: One who never slips
813) amritaashah: One whose desires are never fruitless
814) amritavapuh: He whose form is immortal
815) sarvajna: Omniscient
816) sarvato-mukhah: One who has His face turned everywhere
817) sulabhah: One who is readily available
818) suvratah: One who has taken the most auspicious forms
819) siddhah: One who is perfection
820) shatrujit: One who is ever victorious over His hosts of enemies
821) shatrutaapanah: The scorcher of enemies
822) nyagrodhah: The one who veils Himself with Maya
823) udumbarah: Nourishment of all living creatures
824) ashvattas: Tree of life
825) chaanooraandhra-nishoodanah: The slayer of Canura
826) sahasraarchih: He who has thousands of rays
827) saptajihvah: He who expresses himself as the seven tongues of fire (Types of agni)
828) saptaidhaah: The seven effulgences in the flames
829) saptavaahanah: One who has a vehicle of seven horses (sun)
830) amoortih: Formless
831) anaghah: Sinless
832) acintyo: Inconceivable
833) bhayakrit: Giver of fear
834) bhayanaashanah: Destroyer of fear
835) anuh: The subtlest
836) brihat: The greatest
837) krishah: Delicate, lean
838) sthoolah: One who is the fattest
839) gunabhrit: One who supports
840) nirgunah: Without any properties
841) mahaan: The mighty
842) adhritah: Without support
843) svadhritah: Self-supported
844) svaasyah: One who has an effulgent face
845) praagvamshah: One who has the most ancient ancestry
846) vamshavardhanah: He who multiplies His family of descendents
847) bhaarabhrit: One who carries the load of the universe
848) kathitah: One who is glorified in all scriptures
849) yogee: One who can be realised through yoga
850) yogeeshah: The king of yogis
851) sarvakaamadah: One who fulfils all desires of true devotees
852) aashramah: Haven
853) shramanah: One who persecutes the worldly people
854) kshaamah: One who destroys everything
855) suparnah: The golden leaf (Vedas) BG 15.1
856) vaayuvaahanah: The mover of the winds
857) dhanurdharah: The wielder of the bow
858) dhanurvedah: One who declared the science of archery
859) dandah: One who punishes the wicked
860) damayitaa: The controller
861) damah: Beautitude in the self
862) aparaajitah: One who cannot be defeated
863) sarvasahah: One who carries the entire Universe
864) aniyantaa: One who has no controller
865) niyamah: One who is not under anyone's laws
866) ayamah: One who knows no death
867) sattvavaan: One who is full of exploits and courage
868) saattvikah: One who is full of sattvic qualities
869) satyah: Truth
870) satya-dharma-paraayanah: One who is the very abode of truth and dharma
871) abhipraayah: One who is faced by all seekers marching to the infinite
872) priyaarhah: One who deserves all our love
873) arhah: One who deserves to be worshiped
874) priyakrit: One who is ever-obliging in fulfilling our wishes
875) preetivardhanah: One who increases joy in the devotee's heart
876) vihaayasa-gatih: One who travels in space
877) jyotih: Self-effulgent
878) suruchih: Whose desire manifests as the universe
879) hutabhuk: One who enjoys all that is offered in yajna
880) vibhuh: All-pervading
881) ravih: One who dries up everything
882) virochanah: One who shines in different forms
883) sooryah: The one source from where everything is born
884) savitaa: The one who brings forth the Universe from Himself
885) ravilochanah: One whose eye is the sun
886) anantah: Endless
887) hutabhuk: One who accepts oblations
888) bhoktaaA: One who enjoys
889) sukhadah: Giver of bliss to those who are liberated
890) naikajah: One who is born many times
891) agrajah: The first-born
892) anirvinnah: One who feels no disappointment
893) sadaamarshee: One who forgives the trespasses of His devotees
894) lokaadhishthaanam: The substratum of the universe
895) adbhutah: Wonderful
896) sanaat: The beginningless and endless factor
897) sanaatanatamah: The most ancient
898) kapilah: The great sage Kapila
899) kapih: One who drinks water
900) apyayah: The one in whom the universe merges
901) svastidah: Giver of Svasti
902) svastikrit: One who robs all auspiciousness
903) svasti: One who is the source of all auspiciouness
904) svastibhuk: One who constantly enjoys auspiciousness
905) svastidakshinah: Distributor of auspiciousness
906) araudrah: One who has no negative emotions or urges
907) kundalee: One who wears shark earrings
908) chakree: Holder of the chakra
909) vikramee: The most daring
910) oorjita-shaasanah: One who commands with His hand
911) shabdaatigah: One who transcends all words
912) shabdasahah: One who allows Himself to be invoked by Vedic declarations
913) shishirah: The cold season, winter
914) sharvaree-karah: Creator of darkness
915) akroorah: Never cruel
916) peshalah: One who is supremely soft
917) dakshah: Prompt
918) dakshinah: The most liberal
919) kshaminaam-varah: One who has the greatest amount of patience with sinners
920) vidvattamah: One who has the greatest wisdom
921) veetabhayah: One with no fear
922) punya-shravana-keertanah: The hearing of whose glory causes holiness to grow
923) uttaaranah: One who lifts us out of the ocean of change
924) dushkritihaa: Destroyer of bad actions
925) punyah: Supremely pure
926) duh-svapna-naashanah: One who destroys all bad dreams
927) veerahaa: One who ends the passage from womb to womb
928) rakshanah: Protector of the universe
929) santah: One who is expressed through saintly men
930) jeevanah: The life spark in all creatures
931) paryavasthitah: One who dwells everywhere
932) anantaroopah: One of infinite forms
933) anantashreeh: Full of infinite glories
934) jitamanyuh: One who has no anger
935) bhayapahah: One who destroys all fears
936) chaturashrah: One who deals squarely
937) gabheeraatmaa: Too deep to be fathomed
938) vidishah: One who is unique in His giving
939) vyaadishah: One who is unique in His commanding power
940) dishah: One who advises and gives knowledge
941) anaadih: One who is the first cause
942) bhoor-bhuvo: The substratum of the earth
943) lakshmeeh: The glory of the universe
944) suveerah: One who moves through various ways
945) ruchiraangadah: One who wears resplendent shoulder caps
946) jananah: He who delivers all living creatures
947) jana-janmaadir: The cause of the birth of all creatures
948) bheemah: Terrible form
949) bheema-paraakramah: One whose prowess is fearful to His enemies
950) aadhaaranilayah: The fundamental sustainer
951) adhaataa: Above whom there is no other to command
952) pushpahaasah: He who shines like an opening flower
953) prajaagarah: Ever-awakened
954) oordhvagah: One who is on top of everything
955) satpathaachaarah: One who walks the path of truth
956) praanadah: Giver of life
957) pranavah: Omkara
958) panah: The supreme universal manager
959) pramaanam: He whose form is the Vedas
960) praananilayah: He in whom all prana is established
961) praanibhrit: He who rules over all pranas
962) praanajeevanah: He who maintains the life-breath in all living creatures
963) tattvam: The reality
964) tattvavit: One who has realised the reality
965) ekaatmaa: The one self
966) janma-mrityu-jaraatigah: One who knows no birth, death or old age in Himself
967) bhoor-bhuvah svas-taruh: The tree of bhur, bhuvah and svah
968) taarah: One who helps all to cross over
969) savitaa: The father of all
970) prapitaamahah: The father of the father of beings (Brahma)
971) yajnah: One whose very nature is yajna
972) yajnapatih: The Lord of all yajnas
973) yajvaa: The one who performs yajna
974) yajnaangah: One whose limbs are the things employed in yajna
975) yajnavaahanah: One who fulfils yajnas in complete
976) yajnabhrid: The ruler of the yajanas
977) yajnakrit: One who performs yajna
978) yajnee: Enjoyer of yajnas
979) yajnabhuk: Receiver of all that is offered
980) yajnasaadhanah: One who fulfils all yajnas
981) yajnaantakrit: One who performs the concluding act of the yajna
982) yajnaguhyam: The person to be realised by yajna
983) annam: One who is food
984) annaadah: One who eats the food
985) aatmayonih: The uncaused cause
986) svayamjaatah: Self-born
987) vaikhaanah: The one who cut through the earth
988) saamagaayanah: One who sings the sama songs
989) devakee-nandanah: Son of Devaki
990) srashtaa: Creator
991) kshiteeshah: The Lord of the earth
992) paapa-naashanah: Destroyer of sin
993) samkha-bhrit: One who has the divine Pancajanya
994) nandakee: One who holds the Nandaka sword
995) chakree: Carrier of Sudarsana
996) shaarnga-dhanvaa: One who aims His shaarnga bow
997) gadaadharah: Carrier of Kaumodakee club
998) rathaanga-paanih: One who has the wheel of a chariot as His weapon
999) akshobhyah: One who cannot be annoyed by anyone
1000) sarva-praharanaayudhah: He who has all implements for all kinds of assault and fight

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Ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu The following ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu are described in Hindu mythology and are popular among Hindus. These incarnations reveal the help rendered by God during various stages of human evolution.

   1. Matsya (fish)---saves Sage Manu from floods and recovers the Vedas from demons.

2. Kurma (tortoise)---sustains the earth on his back.

3. Varaha (boar)---brings the earth back from the bottom of the ocean where it was dragged down by a demon, known as Hiranyaksha; Varaha kills the demon.

4. Narasimha (man-lion)---kills the demon King Hiranyakashipu, who was planning to kill his own son, a devotee of Lord Vishnu.

5. Vamana (dwarf)---the first human incarnation of the Lord, kills the demon King Mahabhali, who had deprived the gods of their possessions.

6. Parasurama (the warrior with an axe)---saves Brahmins from the tyranny of the arrogant Kshatriyas.

7. Rama---kills Ravana, the demon king of Lanka.

8. Sri Krishna---the most popular incarnation; Krishna's contributions throughout his life include the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna.

9. Buddha---Hindus consider Buddha as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and accept his teachings, but do not directly worship him.

10. Kalkin (a man on a white horse)---this incarnation is yet to come and will mark the end of all evil in the world.

Lord Vishnu is also called Nilameghashyamalan - possessing a complexion the colour of the dark clouds. As proof that opposites attract, Vishnu's outer appearnce is dark while he is associated with the santha gunam, bringing light & peace to the world. He rests on the ocean on his bed of Adisesha (serpent with 1,000 heads ). Any time Lord Vishnu sees great trouble, He takes an avataram to rescue the people from evils. He is all merciful, ever rushing to serve his devotees. In the form of Mahavishnu he has four arms wielding the chakra, conch, lotus & the gadha in his four arms.

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