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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