Detailed description of the practice of Ekadashi.
Devotees said:-
O Lord of saintly people, please tell us the proper manner as how to Ekadashi Vrata is to be observed by us; You deserve to explain it to us. 1.
Narayana-muni said:-
O my devotees ! I shall narrate to you, who have taken refuge in me with deep affection and reverence, the details of the ritual of Ekadashi Vrata as decisively quoted in the scriptural citations. 2.
One should never take into account that Ekadashi day in which, Dashami, tenth day of the month, falls, even four Ghatikas prior to the sunrise, on that day. 3.
Nanda Ekadashi is of two types: Shuda, i.e. pure and Vada i.e. overlapped or contaminated. Shuda is again threefold, less, equal and excess. Vada, is again three fold: less, equal and excess. These six fold types of Ekadashis are again threefold, each according to less, equal and excess. Dvadashi day is again threefold: less,equal and excess. 4.
Thus, great ancient sages have mentioned eighteen types of Ekadashi. Overlapped Ekadashi being debarred, description of the wholesome pure Ekadashi days only is being narrated here. 5.
When the Ekadashi day starts two Muhurtas before the sunrise, that Ekadashi day is regarded as totally pure and wholesome. 6.
When either Ekadashi or Dvadashi is excess, then previous day is to be skipped; and subsequent day is to be opted for vow. This is the Vaishnava verdict. 7.
When Ekadashi has lapsed and the next day happens to be Dvadashi, then Dvadashi is to be selected for fast, as Ekadashi vow; if the devotee desires spiritual gain. 8.
If, previous Ekadashi is overlapped by Dashami, and Dvadashi is lapsed, then Dvadashi is to be selected for vow. Then, its conclusion i.e. Parana, is to be celebrated on Trayodashi. 9.
If Dvadashi is whole, then the whole Ekadashi is to be avoided; and fast is to be observed on Dvadashi. Then, conclusion is to be observed on Dvadashi itself. 10.
When Navami would be just for a moment and Dashami follows it, then, pure Dvadashi is to be selected for fast and Parana would be on Trayodashi. 11.
When, Ekadashi is not overlapped; but, Dvadashi gets duplicated, then, fast should be observed for two days by those who are capable. 12.
However, the fast should be observed with devotion and festivity, on Dvadashi only by incapable devotees of Vishnu, and conclusion i.e. Parana should also be done on Dvadashi itself. 13.
In case, after keeping fast on Ekadashi, the devotee continues the fast even on Dvadashi, there is no lapse of convention; because Shri Hari is the Presiding God of both dates. 14.
Technically, until, Dashami contiues for fifty- five Ghatikas (i.e.55 x 24=1320 minutes), till then, no encroachment on Dashami is proclaimed by shastras. Encroachment is deemed to be after that. 15.
This is the opinion of Goswami Vitthalesh. Hence you, who are my followers, should also respectfully accept it. 16.
In case of dispute amongst various scholarly dictates; regarding the fixing of Tithi, one may observe fast on Shuddha Dvadashi day; and conclude the fast on Shuddha Trayodashi day. If through oversight one forgets to fast on Ekadashi day; one may fast on the next day, i.e. Dvadashi day and observe one‘s vow. 17-18.
Description of a fast.
Abstaining from the obsession of the eleven sense objects, contemplating on Vasudeva alone, is the only distinctive characteristics of Ekadashi ritual. Learned people consider this total withdrawal as the authentic fast, without food consumption. 19-20.
Those who have liberated themselves from all the sins and are emotionally involved in good actions is only regarded as the real fast. 21.
The learned have said that in fasting ritual, there are certain attributes like chanting the Lord’s name, remembering the Lord, listening to His glories etc. 22.
An austere vow-keeper should possess these thirteen common qualities in all vows : forgiveness, truth, mercy, cleanliness, charity, self-control, sacrament, fire-worship, contentment, non-stealing. Eleventh is celibacy followed by non-violence and detachment. 23-24
A person who is fasting should never even remember, see, smell or taste and listen about the food. This way he should avoid food thoroughly. 25.
A vow-keeper should never talk to, gaze or touch degraded, atheist, violent persons, and abusers of Vedas. 26.
An austere vow-keeper, should never drink water again and again, except when he is suffering. He should never eat any food that would agitate sense organs. 27.
A person abiding by vow should certainly avoid body-limb massage or head massage, eating betel, using cream ointment and also sleeping on a cot. 28.
Celibacy during fast.
Vow-keeper’s celibacy becomes void by touch of, talk to or glance at women; and by union with own wife. 29.
However, if it is extremely necessary, if he talks or touches any lady, it is taken to be harmless. 30.
His fast is broken if he drinks water many times or eats betel once or sleeps at daytime or by copulation. 31.
Shading tears, anger and quarrelsome act deviates surely man as well as woman from the vow. 32.
Because of anger everything whatever has been earned with efforts by donation, austerity, rules, knowledge, sacrifice and chant-muttering becomes fruitless. 33.
Expiation for breaking a Vrat.
If vow is discontinued because of speaking lies, sleeping at daytime or drinking too much of water, austere vow-keeper should chant eight lettered Mantra, for hundred and eight times; thereby he is purified. 34.
If a vow-keeper man speaks with a liar, an atheist, or a violent person, he should take bath and mutter eight-lettered chant for three hundred times, facing towards north. 35.
In the event of consumption of betel leaves, liquor or meat, or involvement in sex; or engagement in vulgar talks or hurling abuses or fights; consumption of tobacco, consumption of intoxicants and gambling with dice, even though happening by ignorance, the lapse of vow would certainly occur. 36-37.
Deliberately a male touches a widow or a widow touches a male, then the violation of vow accrues to both. 38.
Breach of vow occurs if dropping of semen intentionally takes place even in dream; therefore, a man should be scared of woman. 39.
There are eight things which are not contrary to violation of vow, such as : water, roots, fruits, milk, remains of oblation in fire, Brahmin’s wish, teacher’s word and medicine. 40.
If breach of vow takes place because of cumulative fear of creatures, due to illness or ignorance, then there is no harm. 41.
One who accepts a vow and afterwards discontinues it, because of passion for lust, becomes as bad as a criminal while alive and after death he is reborn as a dog. 42.
Breach of vow occurs because of anger, mistake or greed, then one should not eat anything for three days or shave the head completely. 43.
Before starting a vow, if one gets either birth pollution or death pollution, then he should observe normal vow, avoiding charity and worship. 44.
During that impurity one should follow fasting and other rules; but he should ask a Brahmin to worship God as ancillary to vow. 45.
If one has already started a Vrata; and then gets impurity of death or birth, then he should take a bath and then worship his vow god with full devotion. 46.
While observing a Vrata, if a lady has her menstrual period started, then she should fast and ask someone else to worship the God. 47.
If on the day of fasting in Vrata, there is death anniversary ritual (Shraddha) to be followed, then the person should serve food to his ancestors respectfully and after smelling that obsequies food, he should follow his own Vrata. 48.
If the death-ritual falls on eleventh day of a month, then especially, a Vaishnavite (follower of Lord Vishnu) whose parents are also Vaishnavas should perform it on twelfth (next) day of the month. 49.
A lady who has accepted a Vrata should never discontinue it. If she is pregnant or ill or having any problem, then she should get it done from someone else. 50.
If husband is unable then his wife and if wife is unable then her husband should follow the Vrata. In absence of either spouse, any other representative should follow the Vrata. 51.
One should appoint a son or disciple or follower or sister or brother; and in their absence a Brahmin to follow his Vrata. 52.
If a person does fast, especially for his father, mother, husband, brother, sister and teacher, he gets goodwill (Punya) hundred times more. 53.
If one is unable to fast, then he should serve a nice meal to a Brahmin; and if he is unable to serve food, then he should donate double amount of money to a Brahmin. 54.
If a person sick and unable to do vow, then he should chant an ave (mantra) of a goddess for thousand times and as per ability he should exercise deep breathing (Pranayama) for twelve times. 55.
One who is following a Vrata or getting it done, should observe all physical rules properly; lest all the efforts will be in vain. 56.
On the tenth day of the month, i.e. on the previous day of fasting, a Vaishnavite should avoid bronze vessels, black gram, red gram and yellow gram and food-grain torn apart, vegetables, honey, food from others, repeated meals and sex; and also playing cards, false speaking, quarrel, drinking too much of water and using scents, flowers, betel etc. 57-58.
He should avoid too much of food, company of bad people, telling lies, sleeping at day-time. At night he should sleep on the floor avoiding talking to others etc. 59.
On the tenth day, he should eat very little food at day-time, should take bath at evening, should worship God at night. and then facing towards north, he should acquiesce the regulations of this austere Ekadashi Vrata. 60.
On Ekadashi day in the morning, he should cleans his teeth and take bath and then sitting near God, he should accept the vow of fasting: O Lord, on the eleventh day, I will not eat anything and next day only I will take food. O Vishnu, be my refuge.61-62.
The vow-keeping person should get up in the last part of the night, remember the Lord in mind; then saluting other devotees, he should complete his morning purification acts. 63.
On Ekadashi day, cleansing of teeth with a stick of wood should not be done. He should clean his mouth with leaves and twelve water gargles. 64.
After taking bath and completing other routine morning activity, as per his abilities, he should collect paraphernalia and should do mega- worship Lord Krishna. 65.
The vow-performing person should worship Shrikrishna, Lord of Rukmini, along with presiding deities of Ekadashi, accompanied by their prowesses with full respect. 66.
Alternatively, he may worship Lord Krishna alone, who is master of Ekadashi and his energy form goddess Lakshmi, with devotion, if he is incapable person. 67.
(1) Mokshda Ekadashi= Ekadashi which falls in bright half of the Margashirsha month, is called as salvation-giving Ekadashi. On that day, Lord Keshava, along with goddess Lakshmi, should be worshiped with jasmine flowers. While worshipping one should offer fruits like oranges and Laddooes. He should donate seven pulses especially rice; these are said to be main. 68-69.
(2) Safala Ekadashi= Ekadashi which falls in dark half of the month of Margasheersha, is called Saphala Ekadashi. On this day God Sankarshana should be worshipped along with Goddess Sunanda. 70.
On that day, one should worship with Muni flowers and should offer jaggery Laddooes and guavas. One should also donate gold. 71.
(3) Sananda Ekadashi= Ekadashi which falls in bright half of the Pausha month is called as ‘Sananda Ekadashi’. On that day, Lord Narayana along with goddess Padma should be worshipped with full devotion. 72.
On that day, God should be worshipped with ‘Kumbh’ flowers and should be offered ‘Churma Laddoo’ and pomegranates. One should donate a vessel for ghee. 73.
(4) Tilaka Ekadashi= ‘Ekadashi’ which falls in dark half of the month of Pausha, is called as seame-donor; on that day, Vasu-deva should be worshipped alongwith goddess ‘Shri Priya’. 74.
On this day God should be worshipped with ‘Kalhar’ flowers and should be offered ‘Gheevar’ and grape fruits. Donation of clothes is supposed to be very good. 75.
(5) Jaya Ekadashi= Ekadashi in bright fortnight of Magha is called Jaya; and its lord is Madhava. He should be worshipped, along with Nitya, on that day. 76.
On that day, it is recommended that Bakula flowers should be offered in worship, Bijapura and mande in food-oblation and Drona-ful sesames as alms. 77.
(6) Vijaya Ekadashi= ‘Ekadashi’ which falls in dark half of the month of ‘Magha’ is called as ‘Vijaya’. On this day devotees should worship Lord ‘Pradyumna’ with goddess ‘Dhee’. 78.
On that day, God should be worshipped, mainly with Basil; and should be offered ciltron and ‘Sohalika’. One should donate shoes. 79.
(7) Dhatri Ekadashi= Ekadashi which falls in bright half of the month of ‘Phalguna’ is called as ‘Dhatri’. An austere vowkeeper should worship Lord Govinda along with goddess Chandravati, on that day. 80.
An austere vow- keeper should worship the Lord with ‘Mandara’ flowers and should offer ‘Kansar’. He should donate a vessel to get good results. 81.
(8) Papmochini Ekadashi= Ekadashi which falls in the dark half of the month of ‘Phalguna’ is called as ‘Papa-mochani’. An austere vow-keeper should worship Lord ‘Aniruddha’ along with goddess ‘Susheela’. 82.
Jasmine flowers should be used for worshipping the Lord and apples and plums should be offered to the Lord. A cow of made of sesames, should be donated, on that day. 83.
(9) Vimala Ekadashi= ‘Ekadashi’ which falls in the bright half of the month of ‘Chaitra’ is called as ‘Vimala’. The same is also called as ‘Kamada’, as it fulfils all the wishes. 84.
On that day, Lord Vishnu should be worshipped with goddess ‘Rama’ properly, with sixteen courses of worshipping as per one’s abilities and wealth. 85.
An austere vow-keeper should worship the Lord with flowers of mango tree and should offer a type of cucumber and laddoo of baked wheat flour. One should serve a sweet meal of barley-porridge. 86.
(10) Varuthini Ekadashi= ‘Ekadashi’ which falls in the dark half of the month of ‘Chaitra’, is called as ‘Varuthini’. Lord ‘Purushottam’ should be worshipped properly with goddess ‘Nanda’. 87
On that day the Lord should be worshipped with ‘Champaka’ flowers and should be offered ‘nutmeg’ and ‘fried balls’. One should also donate a piece of land. 88
(11) Mohini Ekadashi= ‘Ekadashi’ which falls in the bright half of the month of ‘Vaishakha’ is called as ‘Mohini’. On that day lord ‘Madhava’ should be worshipped with goddess ‘Madhavi’. 89
On that day the Lord should be worshipped with a type of jasmine flowers; and should be offered jackfruit and porridge. Also a mattress should be donated as alms. 90.
(12) Apara Ekadashi= ‘Ekadashi’ falling in the dark half of the month of ‘Vaishakha’ is known as ‘Apara’. On that day, Lord ‘Adhokshaja’ should be worshipped with goddess ‘Trayi’, by pandanus fragrant flowers. 91.
On that day one should offer multi-fruit and rice cooked with milk and should donate a cow with a calf to a Brahmin. 92.
(13) Nirjala Ekadashi= ‘Ekadashi falling in the bright half of the month of ‘Jyeshtha’ is known as ‘Nirjala’ waterless. Lord ‘Trivikrama’ alongwith goddess ‘Padmakshi’ should be worshipped on this day. 93.
On that day the Lord should be worshipped with type of jasmine flowers, should be offered mango fruits and curd-rice. One should donate an umbrella on this day. 94.
(14) Yogini Ekadashi= ‘Ekadashi’ falling in the dark half of the month of ‘Jyeshtha’ is known as ‘Yogini’. Lord ‘Nrisinha’ with goddess ‘Kshemakari’ should be worshipped on this day. 95.
One should worship the Lord with ‘Bhringraja’(maka) flowers and should offer blackberries and condensed milk balls and should donate a ‘watercow’ (Jaldhenu) on that day. 96.
(15) Shayani Ekadashi= ‘Ekadashi’ falling in the bright half of the month ‘Ashadha’ is known as ‘Shayani’(marked by commencement of Vishnu’s yogic sleep). Lord ‘Vamana’ with goddess ‘Kamala’ should be worshipped with devotion, on that day. 97.
One should use ‘Apamarga’(Aghada) flowers for worship; and should offer roti and coconut fruit. One should donate a cow of gold on that day. 98.
(16) Kamika Ekadashi= ‘Ekadashi’ falling in the dark half of the month of ‘Ashadha’ is known as ‘Kamika’. Lord ‘Achyuta’ with goddess ‘Vijaya’ should be worshipped with devotion on that day. 99.
The Lord should be worshipped with ‘Parijata’ flowers; and should be offered ‘Bilva’ fruits and hundred-pored cake(Anarasa), as food-offering and donate clothes for men and women. 100.
(17) Putrada Ekadashi= Ekadashi in bright fortnight of Shravana is Putra-da (son-giver). On that day, Shridhara is to be worshipped along with Kanti-mati. 101.
Sentifolio for worship and sweet cake for food-oblation should be offered. Sitaphal should also be offered ; and alms of footwear is deemed to be the best. 102.
(18) Aja Ekadashi= Ekadashi falling in the dark half of the month of ‘Shravana’ is called as ‘Aja’. The Lord of this day, Lord ‘Janardana’ should be worshipped with goddess ‘Sundari’. 103.
On that day the Lord should be worshipped with red flowers and should be offered betel nuts and sweet balls made of sugar and a buffalo should be donated. 104.
(19) Padma Ekadashi= Ekadashi falling in the bright half of the month of Bhadrapada is known as ‘Padma’. On that day Lord Hrishikesha should be worshipped with goddess ‘Aparajita’. 105.
The Lord should be worshipped with Kasha(saffron) flowers, should be offered pumpkin and sweets made of sesame and Brahma-puri should be donated. 106.
(20) Indira Ekadashi= Ekadashi falling in the dark half of the month of Bhadrapada, is known as ‘Indira’. Lord ‘Upendra’ with goddess ‘Subhaga’ should be worshipped with holy Durva grass on that day. 107.
While worshipping, gooseberry fruits should be offered; and Karna-veshtam (ear-ornament blue lotus? flowers should be put ; and to achieve the full results of the austerity, one should give away a daughter, in marriage, as valedictary. 108.
(21) Pashangkusha Ekadashi= Ekadashi’ falling in the bright half of the month of ‘Ashvin’ is called as Pashankusha. On that day, Lord ‘Padma-nabha’ should be worshipped with goddess ‘Padmavati’ with full devotion. 109.
The Lord should be worshipped with Shami leaves and Kama-phala’, Shali-pishtam,a sweet made of rice-flour should be offered, laddooes, sweet balls should be donated. 110.
(22) Rama Ekadashi= Ekadashi, falling in the dark half of the month of Ashvin, is called as’Rama’. As Lord ‘Hari’ is the deity of that day; he should be worshipped with goddess ‘Hiranya’. 111.
The Lord should be worshipped with ‘Muchakund’ flowers and should be offered banana fruits and sweets made of ghee and banana; and a pot of ghee should be donated on that day. 112.
(23) Prabodhani Ekadashi= Ekadashi falling in the bright half of the month of Kartik is called as ‘Bodhani’. Lord Damodara with goddess Radha should be worshipped on that day. 113.
For worshipping, mainly lotus flowers should be used and Mugda churna [a sweet made of kidney beans flour and ‘Padma-phala (lotus-fruit) should be offered and a bed should be donated. 114.
(24) Abhayda Ekadashi= Ekadashi falling in the dark half of the month of Kartik is called as ‘Abhaya’. On that day, Lord ‘Krishna’ with goddess ‘Sulakshna’ should be worshipped. 115.
For worshipping, flowers of sesame should be used. Sugar rice and ‘Sadaphala should be offered and a bull should be donated. 116.
(25-26) Kamala Ekadashi= ‘Ekadashi’ falling in the intercalary (Adhika) month is called as ‘Kamala’. The deity of this day is Lord ‘Purushottama’. The proper procedure of that month is different. 117.
In this way, I have told you about all the presiding deities of all the ‘Ekadashis’ accompanied by prowesses. A person’s all the wishes will be fulfilled who worships the proper deity in proper way. 118.
In case, all the required things for worshipping are not available,he should worship the Lord, with limited strength and available things. 119.
If one does not get proper fruit, he should offer a betel nut and in place of proper flower basil leaves should be used, simply sugar cubes should be offered and whatever food possible should be donated. 120.
If economically possible, one should again worship with proper method but should never opt for concession, out of money-greed, mistake or non-respect. 121.
An idol of Lord Shri Krishna with goddess Shree, sculpted by using either gold or any other metal should be worshipped with full devotion, in Sarvatobhadra Mandala-diagram. 122.
All previously told emanations of Visnu: Keshava etc. along with goddesses: Nanda etc. should be worshipped with goddess Shree, appropriately. 123.
If unable to do so, one should simply draw with rice, a lotus of eight petals. He should worship Lord Shri Krishna, alone, with goddess ‘Shree’, with total devotion and with whatever material for worship, is available. 124.
One should worship Lord Krishna in the name of the presiding deity of that Ekadashi (day); and in the same manner, worship Rukmini also, according to respective presiding prowess of that Ekadashi day. 125.
It is believed that by worshiping Krishna alone, the presiding deities of all Ekadashi days are virtually worshiped. Likewise, by worshipping Lakshmi alone, all the respective presiding goddesses are (automatically) worshipped. 126.
(The worshiper) should take an earthen pot which does not have any hole, fill it with gems and gold and install it. He should cover it with a cloth and put an excellent pot on it. 127.
He should then draw a beautiful lotus with twelve petals and worship Lord Krishna with Shri Lakshmi, there over, according to the rules. 128.
He should perform the Mega-worship in the sixteen fold services. Yet, a person unable to perform it, may do mini-worship, briefly but with full devotion. 129.
A Brahmin should commence the worship by declaring the day and place of the worship with the Vedic Mantras, by chanting relevant Mantras. 130.
Meditation.
He should contemplate upon Lord, Who is perceived in the centre of lustrous orb, as handsome as billion cupids, assuming dark complexion, resembling freshly arisen could, dressed in yellow silk garment (Pitambara), wielding disc in right hand and conch in left hand, attended, on his left side, by Rama, holding a divine Lotus, adorned by many divine lustrous ornaments, bearing garlands of forest flowers, attended upon humbly by the attendants like Garuda and others and praised by many sages, gods, Gandha- rvas and Kinnaras. Then he should start the worship. 131-134.
Aahvan
Invocation should be as, ‘O the foremost of Gods, the bestower of blessings and safety to the devotees, O You Kindhearted and serene, I spiritually invoke You here to accept my worship. O You the Lord of the gods, You may take a seat on the soft, golden lion-shaped throne (seat), fabricated by divine professionals; and which is studded with golden gems. O You, the Chief of the gods, You may, in the company of Rama, accept the water of Ganga, scented with sandal-wood paste, fragrant flowers and Akshatas and kept in golden pot. 135-137.
‘O God, bestower of security to the devotees, You may accept my offerings of this scented water (kept in a golden pot, with sandalwood, fragrant flowers etc.). O You the God of gods, the ancient One, Best of the persons, may accept this reverential water offered by me for holy sipping. 138-139.
‘Please accept this blend of five ingredients: milk, ghee, curds, sugar and honey; and also the mixture of these ingredients for taking bath. I offer you milk for bathing which is produced by Kamdhenu (wish-yielding cow) which is a life for everybody, the purifier sacred for and used in sacrifice. 140-141.
‘I brought curd for you, prepared by fermenting milk for taking bath please accept it. O God, I offer you ghee, prepared from butter, which is used in sacrifice, eatable of the deity, which is loved by everybody for your bath. O God, I offer honey for your bath, that nourishes everybody, increases luster and has come out from essence of a tree. Please accept sugar offered by me, the essence of sugarcane, remover of impurity, having a pleasant look. 142-145.
‘I have brought holy water from rivers and lakes. O God, please accept it for bath, offered by enchanting with sacred Mantras. 146.
‘You may please accept this couple of fine clothes, prepared from the threads of cotton and silk, decorated by golden threads. 147.
‘O Narayana, I bow down to you. You protect me in this world. O the Supreme Being, may you accept this sacred thread accompanied with upper garment. 148.
‘O You Almighty! I have worshipped you with great care by offering you gems, ornaments, crown, anklets, ear-rings, finger rings. 149.
‘Please accept this ointment prepared by blending musk, aloe, camphor and paste of sandle-wood from Malaya region. 150.
‘O the Supreme Lord, I worship you with a variety of leaves and with various flowers like Karnikara, jasmine, Champaka and many others. 151.
‘O You God of gods, You may accept this essence named Dashanga (tenfold) which has a pleasant smell. I have offered it to you very sincerely. Please accept he lustration service offered by waving the lamp containing wick dipped in cow’s clarified butter, O doyen of gods and served by gods.152-153.
‘O You beloved of gods, please accept this food: eatables, potables like porridge, lickables mixed with curds, milk, ghee, and sugar. 154.
‘May you accept this betel, prepared with camphor, Khadir, arecanut, pepper, betel leaves and fragrant material. 155.
‘O God, You please accept fruits : citron, mango, jackfruit, dates, banana and divine coconut. 156.
‘ O God, I am offering you golden gift to complement fruit of my worship, by compensating deficiency or excess in offerings. 157.
‘O God, the powerful lustrous One, bestower of happiness to all, You please accept this lamp-lustration with five wicks. 158.
‘O God, be victorious, the bestower of auspiciousness Spouse of the Goddess Lakshmi! Companion of Radha. The protector of the surrendered ones; be victorious; You appeared on this earth in the form of incarnation of the God Vishnu; and destroyed several troops of demons, O Sahajisnu! You were honored by the cosmic creator Brahma and other gods; and by prominent kings, at the time of your marriage with Rukmini, the daughter of Bhismaka. 159.
‘Due to your immense love for Parth Arjuna, you lived with then, in there city. You are as if there life. You made them victorious even without holding weapons in your hand by driving there chariot. It was very difficult to win the battle against the enemies even for flocks of gods. O You be victorious! Hail you. 160.
I know that Draupadi, wife of Pandava, must have done some magic on you. So you, the master of the selfless and liberated souls rushed towards her helplessly, in the forest, leaving the Goddess Laksmi, when you were just remembered by her (in Durvasa episode). O You be victorious ! 161.
‘You enjoyed the romantic sentiment (Shringara) described by sage Vatsayayana to its full contentment with your wife Satyabhama and the milkmaids and accomplished that sentiment. You also enjoyed the water sport with your wives, wives of gods and groups of gods in the ocean. 162
‘O You with a shining red crown, bearing dark colour complexion of fresh cloud, wearing crocodile-shaped earrings and smiling face; wearing a gold like lustrous cloth, wearing new garland around the neck; and thus pleasing the distressed persons only by a glance. I bow down to you; be victorious! 163.
‘O cosmic Lord, the bestower of happiness to the world, please accept this offering of flowers held in clubbed palms, with pleasant face. 164.
‘O the Lord of the Lords, Devadevesha, Garudadhvaja, (holder of the banner of Garuda (Eagle), I bow down to You, O Vishnu, the bestower of the fruit of the vow. 165.
‘Paying obeisance with two feet, two hands, two knees, chest, head, along with eyes, speech, and mind is known as Ashtanga Pranama (bowing down with eight limbs). 166.
‘An obeisance with two hands, two knees and head along with speech and eyes, is said to be Pannchanga Pranama (bowing down with five limbs). These two are said to be the superior postures of obeisance. 167.
‘Here, Ashtanga Pranama is recommended for men, and the Panchanga Pranama for all (men and women both). 168.
‘ Standing at His right side, one should bow down to Shri Hari by initially touching His feet, by right and left hands. Then standing at a very short distance, one should bow down by prostrating one`s body on the earth. 169.
Prarthna Stotra.
He should pray as, O You Govinda! Madhava! Store of compassion (Dayalaya) Comrade of the distressed (Dinabandho)! Shriman!, pleasing mind and eyesight Manonayana-Nandana, Divyamurti! Bearing pleasant body and complexion resembling divine blue sapphire (Divyendranilamanikanti-manoharanga)! husband of Rukmini (Shri-Rukmini-Ramana)!, Vasudeva! protect me. 170.
I bow down to You, Who has conquered the cruel Kamsa and others; Who is respected even by Shankara; the enemy of the God of love; Who is the lone spiritual brother of those who have surrendered;Who holds a conch and a wheel in His hand; Who is the Indra-like Lord of the city of Dwaraka and Whose wishes have been ever fulfilled. O Rukmini’s husband Vasudeva, please protect me. 171.
I bow down to You Garudadhvaja, Who is a bud of Joy! Who gives delight to Yadus; Whose smiling lotus-like face resembles the orb of the full moon of the autumn; Who is the destroyer of the army of wicked kings, who are burdensome to the mother earth; and hence, a supporter of Shesha, I bow down to You. O father of Pradyumna; Who brought Parijata on the earth, to please His wife Satyabhama, Who is the emeritus member of the assembly of Lord Indra; the spouse of the sixteen thousand queens; O Rukmini’s husband Vasudeva, please protect me. You, Who always care for the well-being of your kinsmen Pandavas; Who is the wish fulfilling tree for all wishes of Draupadi; Who holds a bow in His hand; and Who is saluted by the Lord of Gods. O Rukmini’s husband Vasudeva, please protect me. 172-174.
I bow down to You, O God, Who is always engaged in building a bridge connecting the path to Dharma; O Shri Hari! O Murari! Who always pleases the assembly of Brahmins by giving donations; Who is praised by the sages like Narad and others; O Rukmini’s husband Vasudeva, please protect me. O You Who are the ocean of kindness, Who helps us to cross the ocean in the form of mundane world; Who is well-known for bestowing happiness to the down-trodden; the Lord of the Brahmins, crescent-jewel of the great rulers. O Rukmini’s husband Vasudeva, please protect me. 175-176.
I bow down to You, Who are the protector of those who have sought your shelter, being afflicted by the worldly sorrows; Who has endowed His own talent to Uddhava, Who has always redeemed the people of good conduct in Your various incarnations. O Rukmini’s husband Vasudeva, please protect me. 177.
O God, since I am helpless, You are the only shelter for me. Hence, You, the Lord of Rama, be kind to me and protect me; protect me. 178.
Varpradan.
I hereby offer this divine food: for each, along with a gift of gold, in this metallic copper vessel to the doyen of Brahmins, as ritual gift. 179.
Thus the worshipper should worship the God and spend the rest of the day by listening and narrating the stories and commendable deeds of Lord Narayan. 180.
The followers of the Uddhava sect: men and women should not perform any worldly activity on Ekadashi day, unless in case of emergency. 181.
Farmers should not undergo their routine job in the field, nor should the merchants carry out any transactions. They should not buy or sell any items on that day. Women should not weep or mourn in the house; or engage in cutting cloth, thread etc. They should avoid unnecessary gossip and should not touch any forbidden objects or persons. 182-183.
Men and women, who are devotees of Krishna, and are my followers, should spend the Ekadashi day for the cause of Shri Hari. 184.
If a person is very weak, poor or reliant, he should carry out his essential routine jobs, and not do anything else. 185.
With a view to please the God, one should generously give donation to a Brahmin. He should keep himself awake and spend the night in praise of the God. 186.
A person who spends the night in the temple of Vishnu, or in the company of noble people, gets the fruit of performing an Ashvamedha sacrifice by all means. 187.
Women and men should spend the night-time in the group of women and men respectively. Men should engage themselves in the discussion of the deeds of Shri Hari, and not in playing dice. 188.
If due to the involvement of friends, a person takes food on Ekadashi day, he can only purify himself by performing the Chandrayana Vrata and not by any other atonement. 189.
One may take food only once, after mid-day, or should eat only at night, or without asking for food to anybody, or may give alms, and thereby perform the vow of Ekadashi. Yet, one should never give up this vow. 190.
Now Nakta i.e. nocturnal vow is explained: The food that is parched on fire, like oblation in a sacrifice, except cooked rice, or fruits, sesame, milk, water, ghee, or the five products of the cow :Panchagavya, taken collectively or sheere air, may be consumed. Here, each earlier option quoted in succession, is more preferred. 191.
Ritual to be followed on the following day of Ekadashi.
Next morning he should take bath and perform his daily routine and special worship. He should then devotedly offer the tasty food, whatever is available to Shri Hari. 192.
He should then conclude the worship of both the idols, and with dedication narrate to Shri Hari the vow he had performed. 193.
O Shri Hari, ‘please bless me who has become blind due to the darkness of ignorance; please turn Your face towards me and bestow the light of knowledge upon me. 194.
He should then offer that idol of Krishna to a Brahmin, along with some Dakshina. He should also give some other presents or food according to his ability. 195.
After offering the food to Brahmins, sages and the followers of Vishnu, according to his capacity. Then he should conclude his fast by eating the food, made for the sacrifice. 196.
On Dvadashi day, he should avoid sleeping at day-time, taking food from other person, eating twice in a day, copulation, and eating oily food in bell metal vessel. 197.
If on the day of the conclusion of the fast, if there is a slight presence of Dvadashi, one should observe it on that day itself. The observer of the vow should not avoid it. 198.
As Shambhu has stated the decision that, if Dvadashi occurs only for a moment until mid-day, then one should conclude the fast. 199.
If Dvadashi occurs only for a very short time, on the day of concluding the fast, one should perform the daily rites of morning and mid-day in the morning only. 200.
If some emergency occurs due to some unexpected situation on Dvadashi day, one may conclude the fast only by drinking water. Even if one takes his food, no blemish is involved. 201.
The first quarter of Dvadashi day is considered to be the day of Lord Shri Hari. Hence the followers of Vishnu should transgress it and then conclude the fast. 202.
In the bright fortnight of the months of Ashadha, Bhadrapada, Kartika, at the time of simultaneous occurrence of the Anuradha, Shravana and Revati, one should not eat anything ;otherwise it will devastate the fruit of the twelve Dvadashi vows. 203.
In the first quarter of the month of Ashadha, Lord Vishnu sleeps. In the middle of the month of Shravana, He turns on one side of His body during His Sleep. In the last quarter of the month of Paushya (Kartika), Lord Vishnu wakes up. Hence, these i.e. sleeping time, period of turning on one side, and awakening time, should be avoided. 204.
O You People, in this manner I have stated the rite of Ekadashi vow as it is described in the Smruti. All of you should follow it sincerely. Now I will tell you about the concluding ceremony in detail. 205.
Thus ends the Thirty-Third chapter entitled,’. Description ofthe Ekadashi vow at the time of Prabodhini Celebrations.’ in the third Prakaran of Satsangi jivan, the life story of Lord Narayan,also titled as Dharmashastra, (the rules of the code of conduct). 33