Background
Ancient Hindu tradition calculates time on the basis of the position of sun and moon. Hindu tithis are set according to the position of moon (Lunar). In one month, there are two periods named as waxing moon and waning moon. Each of these periods has tentatively 15 days. Eleventh day of each of these periods is known as Ekadashi. The Sanskrit word ‘Ekadashi’ means ‘Eleventh’. This is how; there are two “Ekadashies” in a month and total twenty four Ekadashies in a year. In case of Adhik Mas(Adhik Mas is an extra month in Hindu calendar that is inserted to adjust the lunar and solar calendar.) two additional Ekadashies are to be added in that particular month, so overall there are twenty six Ekadashies in a year. The Names of Ekadashies falling in waxing and waning moon of all twelve months are listed below:
Months Waning moon Waxing moon
Baisakh Baruthini Ekadashi Mohini Ekadashi
Jestha Apara Ekadashi Nirjala Ekadashi
Ashadh Yogini Ekadashi Dev (Hari) Shayani Ekadashi
Shrawan Kamika Ekadashi Putrada Ekadashi
Bhadra Aaja Ekadashi Pariwartani Ekadashi
Ashwin Indira Ekadashi PapanKusha Ekadashi
Kartik Rama Ekadashi Pra(Hari) Bodhani Ekadashi
Mangsir Utpanna Ekadashi Mokshada Ekadashi
Poush Safala Ekadashi Putrada Ekadashi
Magh Shatila Ekadashi Jaya Ekadashi
Falgun Bijaya Ekadashi Aamalika Ekadashi
Chait Paapmochani Ekadashi Kaamada Ekadashi
Aadhik Maas Parama Ekadashi Padmini Ekadashi
There are contextual explanations in Narad Puran (Narad is Vedic sage and Puran is an ancient book written in Sanskrit which contains stories of Hindu gods) that there is no other better penance than fasting. Additionally, fasting in ekadashi is considered as the best fasting among others. The preserver of the entire universe Lord Bishnu is worshipped during fasting on ekadashi.
Introduction
The ekadashi of waxing moon in the month of Jesth is Nirjala Ekadashi. ‘Nirjala’ means ‘waterless’. This means that devotees offers homage to god and follows fasting without even drinking water. Fasting on this ekadashi is considered to be rigid one as it prohibits even from drinking water. This ekadashi is also connected with Bhimsen, the third brother among Panch Pandavs. For that reasons the day is also known as ‘Bhima’, ‘Bhimseni’ or ‘Pandav’ ekadashi.
Related Story
Once upon a time, Bhimsen , the son of Pandu (In the Mahabharat epic Pandu was the king of Hastinapur. He was the son of Ambika and Ved Vyasa, who was a great warior), asked to Ved Vyash (He is a great Saint and the legendary author of the Mahabharat), “each of my family members including my brothers, mother Kunti, wife Draupadi takes fasting in ekadashi without aliment. They even ask me to do the same but I cannot tolerate hunger. Rather I shall deify and make offerings following proper procedures. So, could you please suggest me a way so that I can earn the same boon even without fasting on ekadashi’. The Great saint also suggested him to fast on ekadashi as there is no better way. Bhimsen then asked if any special ekadashi to fast on which helps to be as propitious as taking all other fasting of ekadashis as it was very tough for him to tolerate hunger. With this curiosity of Bhimsen, great saint told him about Nirjala ekadashi. It is believed that fasting on Nirjala ekadashi is as advantageous as fastings on all other ekadashies together.
Fasting- Procedure
Devotes get prepared for fasting from the Dashami (tenth day) with consumption of pure and vegetarian food. Next day devotes take shower early in the morning and wear clean apparel. Omnipresent lord Bishnu is worshipped on this day, so devotes visits Bishnu temple and make prayers. Especially, devotes recite Bishnu sahashranam (Bishnu Saharsha Nam is a Sanskrit Hindu book that consists of 142 Slokas. Except 13 slokas at the beginning and 22 Slokas at the end, all remaining 107 Slokas contains thousand names of Lord Bishnu) on this day. Many of the devotees offer homage in their own home. Even if they cannot recite ode, preaching of mantra ‘Aum Namo Bhagawate Basudevaya’ is believed to be very fruitful. There are many contexts explained in Purans that say people can achieve the palace of Lord Bishnu if devote makes bounty of cow, gold, food, clothes, etc to the Brahmins or needy after homage to lord Bishnu. It is highly auspicious to make yagya, hom, etc made on this day. For the perfection of fasting, still there is a tradition of feeding Brahmins.
Epilogue
Normally people believe that fasting on ekadashi can help one to accomplish a place in the Palace of Bishnu. Special homage to lord Bishnu is made on this day while fasting. Even science has proven that fasting helps to purify body as well as mind.
