Monday, January 6, 2020

Today is the festival of Vaikunta Ekadashi / Mukkoti Ekadashi.



Today, 6th January 2020 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 2019 to 14th January 2020). 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 benefits 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 Bhaktas 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 importance 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.

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