Today, 29th December 2017 is the festival of Vaikunta Ekadashi also
known as Mukkoti Ekadashi. Vaikunta Ekadashi or Mukkoti Ekadashi is considered
to be the most important Ekadashi in the Sri Vaishnava tradition. Ekadashi
means ‘the eleventh’ in Sanskrit and refers to the eleventh day of the bright
fortnight (Shukla Paksha) belonging to a lunar month. Vaikunta Ekadashi is the
11th day in the lunar calendar after the new moon in Dhanurmasa (16th December
to 14th January). It is considered to be the day on which the doors of Vaikunta
(Heaven) will be kept open for all the saintly souls.
One will be absolved of all sins and will attain Moksha (the
transcendent state attained as a result of being released from the cycle of
rebirth) and the doors of Vaikunta will be kept open for the soul after it
leaves this physical body.
According to the Vishnu Purana, observing the Ekadashi Vrata (or
fast) on Vaikunta Ekadashi day confers the benefit equivalent to observing all
the other eleven Ekadashis during the year. Fasting (according to one’s
capacity), chanting the names of the Lord, visiting Vishnu temples are some of
the ways this festival is observed.
In some temples, this festival is celebrated over five days with
special Pujas on all days. Devotees also get a chance to go through a
sanctified entrance called “Vaikunta Dwaaram” (doorway to “heaven”) on the
Vaikunta Ekadasi day and participate in the continuous chanting of the Vishnu
Sahasranamam (one thousand names of Lord Vishnu).
Lord Venkateshwara opened
the gate of Vaikunta (his abode) for two demons in spite of they being against
the Lord. They asked for the boon that whoever listens to their story and sees
the image of Lord coming out of the door called Vaikunta Dwara, will reach
Vaikunta. For the same reason, temples
all over India make a door kind of structure on this day for devotees to pass
through.
The day is observed as a very sacred day by all the Vishnu Bhakthas
and many people fast today. It is believed that by observing a fast today and
spending the day in poojas and prayers to Lord Vishnu, one will be absolved of
all sins and will attain Moksha and the doors of Vaikunta will be kept open for
the soul after it leaves this physical body. The soul does not have a rebirth
anymore and attains the feet of the Supreme Lord.
According to the Padma Purana, during the Krita Yuga (also termed
the golden age), an Asura or demon called Muran harassed both the Devas (Gods)
and mortals. Unable to bear his tyranny, the Devas sought refuge in Shiva. He
directed them to approach Vishnu. Vishnu agreed to help the Devas and went out
to battle with Muran. During the long battle, which lasted one thousand
celestial years, Vishnu needed to rest for a while. He entered a beautiful cave
called Himavati in Badarikashrama to sleep. Muran wanted to strike Vishnu while
he was sleeping. However, Shakti – Vishnu’s female energy – emerged out of his
body and assumed the form of a beautiful damsel who fought Muran and vanquished
him.
When Vishnu awoke he was very pleased and named this maiden as Ekadashi
and granted her a boon. 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 people from the
greatest sins if they fast on this day”. Vishnu granted her the boon and
declared that people worshipping her would reach Vaikunta. Thus, it is said,
was born the first Ekadashi, which was a Dhanurmasa Shukla Paksha Ekadashi.
Sages and devout people have been since, observing the Ekadashi Vrata
regularly. Here, the demon Muran represents the Tamasic and Rajasic qualities
in us. The import of the Ekadashi Vrata is that one can conquer Rajasic and Tamasic
tendencies in us through fasting. This helps us reach our ultimate destination,
Vaikunta, which is the place or stage of no ‘Kuntitha’ or dullness, stupidity
and misery. It is also said that on this day the Ksheerasagara manthana
(churning of the ocean) took place and the nectar of immortality (Amritha) was
distributed to the Gods.
No comments:
Post a Comment