Ekadashi Viradham

There is no equivalent mantram than Gayathri, there is no equivalent

theertham than Kasi and finally, there is no Viradham greater than this
Ekadasi Viradham. Any persons irrespective of their caste can follow this
Viradham. This Viradham can be done, starting from the age of 8 to 80 and
said to be one of the greatest Viradhams to attain Moksha and to the
divine feet of Sriman Narayanan.

Viradham is said to be a Sanskrit word and this viradham means what we

get (or) what we expect. There are three types of viradhams and they are
:-

Vasika This kind of viradham is followed by chanting slokams and

doing Parayanams (explaining the slokas and the greatness of
Sriman Narayanan).

Dhyanam This is another kind of viradham and it should be done

without Speaking (Mounam) to anyone and expressing our Bhakti in
terms of slokams in our mind and heart itself.

Kaayika This is yet another kind of Viradham and should be done

without even taking water.

Doing slokams and Parayanams on the Perumal and without taking water
and by doing dhyanam constitutes the Ekadasi Viradham.

The main aspect of this Ekadasi Viradham is for self control

(i.e.) focusing our entire soul towards Sriman Narayanan.
And for an every Hindu, this Viradham is one of the best
viradham that he/she should follow and this is said to be the
best way to pass through the doors of Sri Vaikundam to get
the Dharshan of Sri Vishnu.

In our country, the years are calculated based on the rotation

of sun and the months are calculated based on the rotations of moon and
this is the regular system that is followed from lots of years ago.

The 15 days starting from Pournami (full moon day) to Amavasai is called
as "Theipirai" (or) "Krishna paksham"and next 15 days from Amavasai to
next pournami is called as "Valarpirai" (or) "Suklapaksham".

For each and every day, there is said to be a deity and for
the first day (i.e.) for Pradhamai, the deity is Agni, the
second day is Dhvidiyai, the deity is Brahma and similarly
for every day, there is a particular deities.

"Ekam" means one and "Dhasam" means ten. This

Ekadasi comes on the 11th day and this day is said to be
one of the luckiest and good day to follow.

Since, the 11th day is for the Dharma devathai, it is said that one who
follow this Viradham will attain the Moksha and if all the persons follow
this Viradham, the entire world will become happy surrounded by good
thoughts and actions. So far we have seen that hat is this Viradham all
about and let us now know how this Viradham came into existence.

The Story behind this Viradham:

Once there lived an Arakkan (demon) by named Muran who thought that
this entire world should be under his control and as an action of it, first he
marched along with his troops (senais) towards Devendran Indiran who is
the king of Swargham (heaven). Both Muran and Indiran had a great fight
with each other and finally when Indiran was about to be defeated, he ran
away from that place and surrendered towards the divine feet of Sriman
Narayanan and explained all about Muran and asked him to help them out.

Accepting the words from all the devars and Indiran, Sriman
Narayanan gave them the promise that he (Muran) will be
killed and went straight towards him. Both Muran and Sri
Vishnu had a great fight between each other. Sri Vishnu used
all of his 5 great weapons (Panja Aayudham) and there was
no result using them against the Demon Muran. As a result of
this, Sri Vishnu thought that he should be killed only using
the Brain but not using any weapons.

As a result, he pretended that he his too tired because of fighting with

Muran and went in towards the cave in the foot hill of Himalayas where
there were lots of date trees (Elanthai). He acted as if he was too tired and
from the Thiru meni (body) of Sriman Narayanan, a beautiful lady emerged
and she is Dharma Devathai. She came out from the cave and looked
straight to Muran. At that moment itself, he was burnt to ashes by the
power of vision of Dharma devathai.

Sriman Narayanan came out from the cave and blessed Dharma devathai
and the day on which she emerged is Margazhi month Krishna paksha
Ekadasi and she was named as "Ekadasi" and she was named as Ekadasi.
This is said to be Ushbathi Ekadasi and next is Vaikunta Ekadasi.

It is also said that the cave where Sri Vishnu took rest in Badri
Kashramam. Vadhari means dates (Elandhai) in Sanskrit. And as the years
passed on, Vadhari was turned to Badri.

This great Vaikunta Ekadasi is celebrated in a very big Utsavam in all Sri
Vaishnavite temples nowadays and especially in Sri Rangam which is
popularly called as "Bhoologa Vaikundam".

During Vaikunta Ekadasi, Nammalwar was given Moksham and the

Paramapadha Vaasal was opened for him. And lots of great personalities
have gained lots of favour by following this Viradham. So, not only
Vaishnavites, but also anyone can follow this simple viradham to attain
Moksha and also the divine feet of Sri Vishnu.

Significance of Ekadashi

Ekadashi is mentioned in a number of Puranas. It is associated with

Lord Vishnu and Haribhakti Vilas talks in detail about its importance.
Today, in Hindu religion Ekadasi has come to mean a day to fast. It falls
on the 11th day of every lunar fortnight and thus there are two Ekadashi
in a month. It is also known as Harivasara and Hari din. Several
Puranas including Padma Purana and Skanda Purana detail about the
significance of Ekadeshi.

How to fast on Ekadashi?

How to observe Ekadashi is clearly mentioned in Harivasara. In

modern day, many people will find it difficult to observe it in its entire
strictness. But there are a large number of people who observe it. And
there are numerous observations on what food one can have? There are
also regional variations to the way in which the Ekadasi is observed.

The preparation starts on Dasami day a day before Ekadashi. The

person observing Ekadashi should wake up early in the morning on
Dasami day and should take bath and perform other daily routines. The
person should mentally prepare for the Ekadashi. He/She should only
have one meal on the Dasami day and should avoid salt. Alcohol, non-
vegetarian food and sex should be avoided. Some Puranas say dal and
honey should be avoided on Dasami day.

The next day, that is the Ekadashi day, is meant for total fasting.
Praying to Vishnu is the order of the day. Some people avoid sleep
during Ekadashi night and they hear religious discourses and perform
Arati. But many people today will not be able to stay awake the entire
night due to work pressure etc.

The next day on Dwadasi that is the day after Ekadeshi the same
routine done on Dasami is followed. Overeating should be avoided on
Dwadasi day. Puranas state that one should not take pride in observing
Ekadashi. The food on Dwadasi should be cooked in ones house.

It is good to go on fast once in a while as it recuperates the body.

Ekadashi observance cleans our body and the digestive organs get much
needed rest.

Those people suffering from ailments and on medications should take

the advice of a doctor before fasting. Never torture your body in the
name of religion. There is nothing wrong in having fruits or milk. And
you can bring a certain amount of flexibility in the way it is observed.
 How to Observe Vaikunta Ekadashi

Vaikunta Ekadashi, or Mukkoti Ekadasi, is the most important of the

twenty four Ekadashi observances in South India. Fasting and all night
prayer dedicated to Lord Vishnu is the main observance of the day. It is
believed that venerating Lord Vishnu on Vaikunda Ekadasi will help to
free soul from cycles of rebirth and grant moksha. Another important
belief is that Vaikunta Dwara, the doors of heaven, will open on this day
and give easy access to Lord Vishnu.

Those visiting Vishnu Temples like Tirupati or Srirangam on Vaikunta

Ekadashi can pass through the Vaikunta Dwara, the door through the
inner most sanctum sanctorum. In South India, Vaikunta Ekadashi is
also known as Mokshada Ekadasi. In 2009, Vaikunta Ekadasi is on
January 7.

How to observe Vaikunta Ekadasi?

Vaikunta Ekadashi falls on the eleventh day in Margazhi Shukla Paksha

in Tamil Calendar and in Telugu Calendar the same period is Pushya
Shukla Paksha.

Things needed for Puja and Prayer

A picture or photo or idol of Lord Vishnu

Fruits
Tulsi leaves
Betel leaves (optional)
Betel nuts (optional)
Yellow bananas
Unbroken coconut (optional)

Observance

Wake up early in the morning. Take bath and offer prayers.

You can perform a simple puja to Lord Vishnu at home by offering
fruits and Tulsi leaves.
You can just light the lamp and prayer or meditate for few minutes
or the normal ritual you do daily. Only difference is that today it
is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
If there is a Vishnu temple nearby visit the temple and witness
morning pujas and rituals.
Complete fast or upavasam on the day is the main observance.
Fasting

Fasting for 24 hours. It is believed that a partial or total abstinence from

food on Ekadasi is rewarded with bliss.

If you have any health problem or are taking medicines, please consult
your doctor before deciding on fasting. You can also opt for a partial fast
by avoiding food made of rice.

Do not eat food made from rice on Ekadashi.

Evening Prayers

Take a bath in the evening.

Repeat the morning puja to Vishnu
Visit Vishnu temple and witness the evening puja and rituals.

Prayers for Vaikunta Ekadasi

Vishnu Ashotharam
Vishnu Sahasranamam
Or Simple Chanting of Om Namo Narayana

No Sleep

Staunch devotees who observe Vaikunta Ekadasi fasting do not sleep on

the day. They spend the whole night at Vishnu temples or by singing
prayers or listening stories dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Next Day Morning

The fast is broken on the next day (Dwadashi) after taking bath. Offer
prayers to Lord Vishnu by lighting a lamp and then you can break the
fast.
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