नवीनतम
Mokshada Ekadashi is being celebrated today
Mokshada Ekadashi is one of the most auspicious and significant days to worship and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu. Mokshada Ekadashi or Vaikuntha Ekadashi is celebrated by fasting and praying to Lord Vishnu. The auspicious occasion is marked on the 11th lunar day of the fortnight of the waxing moon during the Hindu month of Margashirsha. This year, Mokshada Ekadashi falls on Tuesday, 14 December. The auspiciousness of this day lies in seeking the blessings of Lord Vishnu to attain salvation or Moksha.
Mokshada is derived from the word Moksha, meaning liberation or salvation. Interestingly, this Ekadashi is also named Vaikuntha Ekadashi because of the Lord's eternal abode.
On this particular day, Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu narrated the Bhagavad Gita to King Arjuna while he was on the Kurukshetra battlefield. This is why this day is also celebrated as Geeta Jayanti. And with as many as 700 verses, Bhagavad Gita is part of the great Indian Epic Mahabharata's Bhishma Parva. Devotees today observe the 5158th anniversary of the holy book.
Traditional beliefs suggest that the doors to Vaikuntha remain open on this day. Therefore, those seeking salvation succeed in attaining the Lord's blessings. Devotees observe a fast from the Ekadashi eve to Dwadashi morning and perform puja. And the rituals also include the recitation of the Vrat Katha. So, ahead of Vaikuntha Ekadashi this year, know the Vaikuntha or Mokshada Ekadashi Vrat Katha.
According to the Hindu mythology and scriptures, it is believed that the devotees who observe a fast of Mokshada Ekadashi achieve Moksha and also get liberated from the Pitru Dosha. It is highly significant to observe the fast for Ekadashi as it helps the observers to get rid of all their past sins. As per the Hindu beliefs, the devotees who observe a Mokshada Ekadashi fast attain the combined merits of all other Ekadashi fasts which takes place in a Hindu year.
The mahurat of the auspicious occasion began at 9.32 pm on 13 December and will continue till 11.35 pm today. There will be Ashwani Nakshatra for the whole day. On this day there is also a Maha Audayak Yoga called Amrit, which will give longevity to the people.
Worshippers who fast on Mokshada Ekadashi do not consume any lentils, garlic, spices, or salt from the time of sunrise till the dawn of the next day. Reciting the Vishnu Sahasranama and Vrat Katha and performing aarti, puja, are done by devotees to achieve moksha from the cycle of rebirth and absolve oneself of sins.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi Vrat Katha
According to one of the legends associated with Mokshada Ekadashi or Vaikuntha Ekadashi, there lived a benevolent king who was loved by his subjects. He was content with everything he was blessed with. However, one night, a scary dream woke him up. He saw his late father suffering in hell. Disturbed by the dream's tormenting visuals, the King sought help from the learned Brahmins in his kingdom.
And after learning about the King's dream, the Brahmins asked him to consult Parvat Muni (a learned sage), who could interpret the message sent to him through the disturbing dream.
Subsequently, the King visited Parvat Muni and learnt about a sin committed by his father during his lifetime. And to rid himself of the shadows of the sin, the Sage asked the King and his entire family to observe the Vaikuntha or Mokshada Ekadashi Vrat. And soon after keeping the Vrat with utmost devotion and sincerity, the King was able to help his late father attain Moksha.
