There is a description in Bhavishya Uttar Puraan that Yudhishtir Maharaj once asked Lord Krishna, “O my dear Lord Krishna, please tell me the significance of Saphala Ekadashi (that falls during Pusya maas in Krishna paksha)? And, how to obey it? Who is the Dev of Ekadashi? O! Janardana, please, enlighten me about this. So, I can understand what it is all about.”
Tale of Saphala Ekadashi
To this, Lord Krishna replied, “O! King, I’m going to share with you a tale associated with Saphala Ekadashi. So, listen carefully.”
Here’s the tale:
Once there was a huge kingdom called Champavati and Mahishmita was the ruler of that kingdom. The ruler has four sons and the eldest son was Loombak. He was a sinner because he had illicit relationships with other people’s wives. He even used to eat meat and gamble. Besides, he even indulged with prostitutes. He has wicked wisdom that even his father’s money was vanishing him. He used to be jealous of the demigods and believed that only he ruled the world and would condemn the demigods. Additionally, he even denounced Brahmins and Vaishnavas whenever he had the chance. King observed Loombak’s acts and understood they weren’t meant to beg for pardon. He abandoned his son and even expelled him from the home.
Loombak was devastated by this and unsure of what to do. But he had a wicked mind, so he thought to stay in the forest in the daytime and rob people at night. He then began robbing people at night while hiding out in the wilderness during the day to hunt and consume the meat of animals. People frequently caught him but left him because they knew he was the King’s son, and the King would become furious when they realised we had punished him. After that Loombak started living under a banyan tree to increase his sinful life. He started his day with sins and also ended with sins.
On one night of Saphala Ekadashi, he did not sleep due to the cold and was shivering the entire night. On the next morning of Saphala Ekadashi, he felt that his health was worse as he didn’t have any energy to even wake up and stand. He didn’t even have any strength left to hunt animals in the forest and eat their flesh. So, he started collecting the fruits that were fallen from the trees and came back under the Banyan tree. At night, he kept the fruits under the tree and got very upset. He started praying to Lord Hari and said to do mercy on him and accept the fruits as an offering. After offering those fruits to Sri Krishna the night, he again did not sleep due to coldness.
He followed the Ekadashi fast unknowingly and offered fruits to Lord Krishna. So, Hari got happy with that service and provided him with a boon. The very next day, a white horse came and stood near Loombak. He was surprised by seeing that an Akashvani occurred: your sorrow has ended thanks to the mercy of Vasudev, as you followed Saphala Ekadashi. So, your kingdom is also returned to you. You can sit on the horse and go and maintain the kingdom of your father.
Loombak sat on the horse and started handling the kingdom of his father. After that, he became a deep devotee of Lord Krishna while handling the kingdom nicely. He also started observing fast on Ekadashi, along with Hare Krishna chanting. When he turned old, he handed over his kingdom to his children while meditating and worshipping Krishna. After giving up the worldly body and all his materialistic desires, he further went to Golok.
Krishna said that anyone who hears this tale will get Rajsu Yagya as a result. And, the one who does kirtan of his name on the night of Saphala Ekadashi will get the outcome of Earth’s tenacity over the past 5000 years.
What is the Significance of Saphala Ekadashi
The sacred “Brahmanda Purana” contains a verse between Lord Krishna and King Yudhisthira that explains and illustrates the importance of Saphala Ekadashi. According to legendary texts, the devotee who maintains a strict and holy fast on Saphala Ekadashi is thought to receive more advantages than the person who performs a total of 1000 Ashvamedha Yagas, including 100 Rajasuya Yagas.
The eve is revered as the holy day when one might transform their bad luck into a fruitful future and obtain good fortune by eradicating their grief, afflictions of life and unfavourable circumstances. Saphala Ekadashi can assist a devotee to attain all of his/her objectives, aspirations and ambitions. It also grants their soul the ultimate tranquillity.
What are the Glories of Saphala Ekadashi
Saphala Ekadasi, also called Pausha-Krishna Ekadasi, is a sacred day when one should worship Lord Narayana, as he is the ruling deity. One must do so by following a fast.
According to Lord Krishna, anyone who strictly observes Ekadasi becomes dear to him. On this day, a devotee must worship the lord by offering fresh fruits as per the accurate time, circumstance and place. The devotees must also mediate on God as the Supreme Personality of the Godhead. They can also offer incense, ghee lamps and other aromatic spices on the glorious day of Ekadasi.
Benefits of Observing Fast on Saphala Ekadashi?
The major benefits of Ekadashi fasting are that observing a fast on this day can make any person virtuous. Meanwhile, it can remove the individual’s sins committed in earlier births and even in this birth. This fast also wins the blessings of Lord Vishnu while conferring happiness, prosperity and peace in a family.
On this day, observing vrat and fasting can grant the benefits of a thousand years of penance. More benefits are gained through the day’s fast than from having a holy dip in the Ganges after Surya Grahan (solar eclipse). Saphala Ekadashi vrat, when practised with devotion and sincerity, can purify one’s brain and heart and get one ready to enter Moksha after death.
Why should one Donate on this Ekadashi?
People must do a Saphala Ekadashi donation for attaining the following benefits:
- Better Health: One can donate grains to eliminate health-related issues on Saphala Ekadashi.
- Finance: Donate clothes, umbrellas or shoes for eliminating financial issues.
- Litigation: Donate sweet food, particularly jaggery, to get rid of litigation and conflicts.
- Marriage: You may donate bananas, saffron or turmeric to get married soon.
- Progeny: One must plant a peepal tree to attain progeny.
Conclusion
With this story, we understand how observing Saphala Ekadashi can shower devotees with immense boons and blessings. To attain the love of God, devotees must diligently observe the Ekadashi by singing the holy name of Krishna, hearing the Hari Katha, participating in Hari kirtan and performing Ratri Jagran.
So, do mantra meditation and be happy.
“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
Saphala Ekadashi Ki Jai
Sri Sri Rukmani Dwarkadhish KI Jai”
