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Ekaadashee, Dev Uthaan

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Dev Uthaan Ekaadashee
From   Skand Puraan     Read also  How to do Ekaadashee Vrat?

There are 24 Ekaadashee (see their list) in a year excluding 2 Ekaadashee of Leap Year (or precisely Adhik Maas). Among all of them Kaarttik Shukla 11th is called Dev Uthaan Ekaadashee. It is called Haribodhini Ekaadashee, or Prabodhinee Ekaadashee, or Devotthanee, or Utthaan Ekadashee

Greatness of Dev Uthaan Ekaadashee
Brahmaa Jee said to Naarad Jee - "Dear son, O best of the sages, I shall narrate to you the glories of Haribodhinee Ekaadashee, which eradicates all kinds of sins and bestows great merit, and ultimately liberation, upon the wise persons who surrender unto the Supreme Lord.

O best of the Braahman, The merits acquired by bathing in the Ganges remain significant only as long as Haribodhinee Ekaadashee does not come. This Ekaadashee, which occurs during the Shukla Paksh of the month of Kaarttik, is much more purifying than a bath in the ocean, at a place of pilgrimage, or in a lake. This sacred Ekaadashee is more powerful in nullifying sin than 1,000 Ashwamedh sacrifices and 100 Raajasooya sacrifices." Naarad Jee asked, "O father, Please describe the relative merits of fasting completely on this Ekaadashee, eating supper (without grains or beans), or eating once at midday (without grains or beans)."

Brahmaa Jee said - "If a person eats once at midday on this Ekaadashee, the sins of his previous birth are erased, if he eats only supper, the sins acquired during his previous two births are removed, and if he fasts completely, the sins accumulated during his pervious seven births are eradicated. O son, whatever is only rarely achieved within the three worlds is obtained by him who strictly observes Haribodhinee Ekaadashee. A person whose sins are equal to even Mount Sumeru in volume sees them all reduced to nothing if he simply fasts on Paap Haarinee Ekaadashee (another name for Haribodhini Ekaadashee). The sins a person has accumulated over a thousand previous births are burned to ashes if he not only fasts but also remains awake throughout Ekaadashee night, just as a mountain of cotton can be burned to ashes if one lights a small fire in it.

O Naarad, A person who strictly observes this fast achieves the results I have mentioned. Even if one does a small amount of pious activity on this day, following the rules and regulations, one will earn merit to Mount Sumeru in volume; however a person who does not follow the rules and regulations given in the Scriptures may also perform pious activity equal to Mount Sumeru in volume, but he will not earn even a small amount of merit. One who does not chant the Gayatri Mantra three times a day, who disregards fast days, who does not believe in God, who criticizes the Vaidik Scriptures, who thinks the Ved bring only ruination to one who follows their injunctions, who enjoys another's wife, who is utterly foolish and wicked, who does not appreciate any service that has been rendered to him, or who cheats others - such a sinful person can never perform any religious activity effectively, be he a Braahman or a Shoodra, whoever tries to enjoy another man's wife, particularly the wife of a twice-born person, is said to be no better than a dog-eater.

O best of the sages, any Braahman who enjoys sex with a widow or a Braahman woman married to another man brings ruin to himself and his family. Any Braahman who enjoys illicit sex will have no children in his next life, and any past merit he may have earned is ruined. Indeed, if such a person displays any arrogance toward a twice-born Braahman or a spiritual master, he loses all his spiritual advancement immediately, as well as his wealth and children.

These three kinds of men ruin their acquired merits - (1) he whose character is immoral, (2) he who has sex with the wife of a dog-eater, and (3) he who appreciates the association of rogues. Whoever associates with sinful people and visits their homes without a spiritual purpose will go directly to the abode of Lord Yam Raaj, the superintendent of death. And if someone eats in such a home, his acquired merit is destroyed, along with his fame, duration of life, children, and happiness.

Any sinful rascal who insults a saintly person soon loses his religiosity, economic development, and sense gratification, and he at last burns in the fire of hell. Anyone who likes to offend saintly persons, or who does not interrupt someone who is insulting saintly persons, is considered no better than an ass. Such a wicked man sees his dynasty destroyed before his very eyes.

A person whose character is unclean, who is a rogue or a swindler, or who always finds fault with others does not achieve a higher destination after death, even if he gives charity generously or performs other pious deed. Therefore one should refrain from performing inauspicious acts and perform only pious ones, by which one will acquire merit and avoid suffering. However, the sins of the one who, after due consideration, decides to fast of Haribodhinee Ekaadashee, are erased from one hundred previous lives, and whoever fasts and remains awake overnight on this Ekaadashee achieves unlimited merit and after death goes to the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu, and then thousand of his ancestors, relatives, and descendants also reach that abode. Even if one's forefathers were implicated in many sins and are suffering in hell, they still attain beautifully ornamented spiritual bodies and happily go to Vishnu's abode.

O Naarad, Even one who has committed the heinous sin of killing a Braahman is freed of all stains on his character by fasting on Haribodhinee Ekaadashee and remaining awake that night. The merit that cannot by won by bathing in all the places of pilgrimage, performing a horse sacrifice, or giving cows, gold, or fertile land in charity can easily be achieved by fasting on this holy day and remaining awake throughout the night. Anyone who observes Haribodhinee Ekaadashee is celebrated as highly qualified and makes his dynasty famous. As Death is certain, so losing one's wealth is also certain. Knowing this, O best of sages, one should observe a fast on this day so dear to Hari - Haribodhinee Ekaadashee.

All places of pilgrimage in the three worlds at once come to reside in the house of a person who fasts on this Ekaadashee. Therefore, to please the Lord, who holds a disc in His hand, one should give up all engagements, surrender, and observe this Ekaadashee fast. One who fasts on this Haribodhinee day is acknowledged as a wise man, a true Yogee, an ascetic, and one whose senses are truly under control. He alone enjoys this world properly, and he will certainly achieve liberation. This Ekaadashee is very dear to Lord Vishnu, and thus it is the very essence of religiosity. Even one observance of it bestows the topmost reward in all the three worlds.

O Naarad, whoever fasts on this Ekaadashee will definitely not enter a womb again, and thus faithful devotees of the Supreme Godhead give up all varieties of religion and simply surrender to fasting on this Ekaadashee. For that great soul who honors this Ekaadashee by fasting and remaining awake throughout the night, the Supreme Lord, Shree Govind, personally terminates the sinful reactions that soul has acquired by the actions of his mind, body, and words.

O Son, for anyone who bathes in a place of pilgrimage, gives charity, chants the holy names of the Supreme Lord, undergoes austerities, and performs sacrifices for God on Haribodhinee Ekaadashee, the merit thus earned all becomes imperishable. A devotee who worships Lord Maadhav on this day with first-class paraphernalia becomes free from the great sins of a hundred lifetimes. A person who observes this fast and worships Lord Vishnu properly is freed from great danger.

This Ekaadashee fast pleases Lord Janaardan so much that He takes the person who observes it back to His abode, and while going there the devotee illuminates then ten universal directions. Whoever desires beauty and happiness should try to honor Haribodhinee Ekaadashee, especially if it falls on Dwaadashee. The sins of one's past hundred births - the sins committed during childhood, youth and old age in al those lifetimes, whether those sins are dry or wet - are nullified by the Supreme Lord Govind if one fasts on Haribodhinee Ekaadashee with devotion.

Haribodhinee Ekaadashee is the best Ekaadashee. Nothing is unobtainable or rare in this world for one who fasts on this day, for it gives food grains, great wealth, and high merit, as well as eradication of all sin, the terrible obstacle to liberation. Fasting on this Ekaadashee is a thousand times better than giving charity on the day of the solar or lunar eclipse. Again I say to you, O Naarad, whatever merit is earned by one who bathes in a place of pilgrimage, performs sacrifices, and studies the Vedas is only one then-millionth the merit earned by the person who fasts but one on Haribodhinee Ekaadashee. Whatever merit one has acquired in his life by some pious activities becomes completely fruitless if one does not observe the Ekaadashee fast and worship Lord Vishnu in the month of Kaarttik. Therefore, you should always worship the Supreme Lord on this day and render services to Him. Thus you will attain the desired goal, the highest perfection.

On Haribodhini Ekaadashee, a devotee of the Lord should not eat in another's house, or eat food cooked by a non-devotee. If he does so, he achieves only the merit of fasting on a Full Moon day. Philosophical discussion of scriptures in the month of Kaarttik pleases Vishnu more than if one gives elephants and horses in charity or performs a costly sacrifice. Whoever chants or hears descriptions of Vishnu's qualities and pastimes, even if but a half or even a fourth of a verse, attains the wonderful merit derived from giving away a hundred cows to a Braahman. O Naarad, during the month of Kaarttik one should give up all kinds or ordinary duties and devote one's full time and energy especially while fasting, to discussing the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Lord. Such glorification of Shree Hari on the day so dear to the Lord, Ekaadashee, liberates a hundred previous generations. One who spends his time enjoying such discussions, especially in the month of Kaarttik, achieves the results of performing 10,000 fire sacrifices and burns all his sins to ashes.

"He who hears the wonderful narrations concerning Lord Vishnu, particularly during the month of Kaarttik, automatically earns the same merit as that bestowed upon someone who donates a 100 cows in charity. O great sage, A person who chants the glories of Hari on Ekaadashee achieves the merit earned by donating seven islands."

How to Observe It
Naarad Jee asked his glorious father - "O Universal Sire, Please tell me how to observe this most sacred Ekaadashee. What kind of merit does it bestow upon the faithful?" Brahmaa Jee replied - "O Son, A person who wants to observe this Ekaadashee should rise early on Ekaadashee morning, during the Brahm Muhoort hour (an hour and a half before sunrise until fifty minutes before sunrise). He should then clean his teeth and bathe in a lake, river, pond, or well, or in his own home, as the situation warrants. After worshipping Keshav, he should listen carefully to the sacred descriptions of the Lord. He should pray to the Lord thus - "O Lord Keshav, I shall fast on this day, which is so dear to You, and tomorrow I shall honor Your sacred Prasaad. O Lotus-eyed Lord, O infallible one, You are my only shelter. Kindly protect me."

"Having spoken this solemn prayer before the Lord with great love and devotion, one should fast cheerfully. O Naarad, whoever remains awake all night on this Ekaadashee, singing beautiful songs glorifying the Lord, dancing in ecstasy, playing delightful instrumental music for His transcendental pleasure, and reciting the pastimes of Krishn as records in bona-fide Vaidik literature - such a person will most assuredly reside far beyond the three worlds, in the eternal, spiritual realm of God.

On Haribodhinee Ekaadashee one should worship Krishn with camphor, fruits, and aromatic flowers, especially the yellow Agaru flower. One should not absorb oneself in making money on this important day. In other words, greed should be exchanged for charity. This is the process for turning loss into unlimited merit. One should offer many kinds of fruits to the Lord and bathe Him with water from a conch shell. Each of these devotional practices, when performed on Haribodhinee Ekaadashee, is ten million times more beneficial than bathing in all the places of pilgrimage and giving all forms of charity.

Even Lord Indra joins his palm and offers his obeisance to a devotee who worships Janaardan with Agastya flowers of this day. The supreme Lord Hari is very pleased when he is decorated with nice Agastya flowers. O Naarad, I give liberation to one who devotedly worships Lord Krishn on this Ekaadashee in the month of Kaarttik with leaves of the Bel tree. And for one who worships Janaardan with fresh Tulasee leaves and fragrant flowers during this month. O son, I personally burn to ashes all the sins he has committed for then thousand births.

One who merely (1) sees Tulasee, (2) touches her, (3) meditates on her, (4) narrates her history, (5) offers obeisance to her, (6) prays to her for her grace, (7) plants her, (8) worships her, or (9) waters her lives in the abode of Hari eternally. O Naarad, one who serves Tulasee in these nine ways achieves happiness in the higher world for as many thousands of Yug as there are roots and sub-roots growing from a mature Tulasee plant. When a full grown Tulasee plant produces seeds, many plants grow from those seeds and spread their branches, twigs, and flowers, and these flowers also produce numerous seeds. For as many thousands of Kalp as there are seeds produced in this way, the forefathers of one who serves Tulasee in these nine ways will live in the abode of Hari.

Those who worship Keshav with Kadamb flowers, which are very pleasing to Him, get His mercy and do not see the abode of Yam Raaj, death personified. What is the use of worshipping someone else if all desires can be fulfilled by pleasing Lord Hari? For example, a devotee who offers Him Bakul, Ashok, and Paataalee flowers is freed from misery and distress for as long as the Sun and Moon exist in this universe, and at last he achieves liberation. O best of the Braahman, an offering of Kanner flowers to Jagannaath brings as much mercy upon the devotee as that earned by worshipping Keshav for four Yug. One who offers Tulasee flowers (Manjaree) to Shree Krishn during the month of Kaarttik receives more merit than can be obtained by donating 10 million cows. Even a devotional offering of newly grown sprouts of grass brings with it a hundred times the benefit obtained by ordinary ritualistic worship of the Supreme Lord.

One who worships Lord Vishnu with the leaves of the Saamikaa tree is freed from the clutches of Yam Raaj, the Lord of Death. One who worships Vishnu during the rainy season with Champak or jasmine flowers never returns to the planet earth again. One who worships the Lord with but a single Kumbhee flower achieves the boon of donating a Pal of gold (200 grams). If a devotee offers a single yellow flower of the Ketakee, or wood-apple tree to Lord Vishnu, who rides on Garud, he is freed from the sins of 10 million births. Furthermore, one who offers Jagannaath flowers and also a hundred leaves anointed with red and yellow sandalwood paste will certainly come to reside in Shwet Dweep, far beyond the coverings of this material creation.

O greatest of Braahman Naarad, After thus worshipping Keshav, the bestower of all material and spiritual happiness, on Haribodhinee Ekaadashee, one should rise early the next day, bathe in a river, chant Jap of Krishn's holy names, and render loving devotional service to the Lord at home to the nest of one's ability. To break the fast, the devotee should first offer some Prasaad to Braahman and only then, with their permission, eat some grains. Thereafter, to please the Supreme Lord, the devotee should worship his spiritual master, the purest of the Lord's devotees, and offer him sumptuous food, nice cloth, gold, and cows, according to the devotee's means. this will certainly please the Supreme Lord, the holder of the disc.

Next the devotee should donate a cow to a Braahman, and if the devotee has neglected some rules and regulation of spiritual life, he should confess them before Braahman devotees of the Lord. Then the devotee should offer them some Dakshinaa (money). Those who have eaten supper on Ekaadashee should feed a Braahman the next day. That is very pleasing to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

O Son, If a man has fasted without asking the permission of his priest, or if a woman has fasted without asking her husband's permission, he or she should donate a bull to a Braahman. Honey and yogurt are also proper gifts for a Braahman. Someone who has fasted from ghee should donate milk, one who has fasted from grains should donate rice, one who has slept on the floor should donate a bedstead with a quilt, one who has eaten on a leaf plate should donate a pot of ghee, one who as remained silent should donate a bell, and one who has fasted from sesame should give gold in charity and feed a Braahman couple with sumptuous food. A man who wants to prevent baldness should donate a mirror to a Braahman, one who has second-hand shoes should donate shoes, and one who has fasted from salt should donate some sugar to a Braahman. During this month everyone should regularly offer a ghee lamp to Lord Vishnu or to Tulasee in a temple or to offer a Ghee lamp at the root of Tulasee.

An Ekaadashee fast is complete when one offers a qualified Braahman a gold or copper pot filled with ghee and ghee wicks, along with eight water pots containing some gold and covered by cloths. One who cannot afford these gifts should at least offer a Braahman some sweet words. One who does so will surely attain the full benefit of fasting on Ekaadashee.

After offering his obeisance and begging permission, the devotee should eat his meal. On this Ekaadashee, Chaaturmaasya ends, so whatever one has given up during the Chaturmasya period should now be donated to Brahman and start the same thing again. One who follows this process of Chaaturmaasya receives unlimited merit, O king of kings, and goes to the abode of Lord Vaasudev after death. Anyone who observes the complete Chaaturmaasya without a break attains eternal happiness and does not receive another birth. But if someone breaks the fast, he becomes either a blind man or a leper.

"Thus I have narrated to you the complete process for observing Haribodhinee Ekaadashee. Someone who reads or hears about this achieves the merit earned by donating cows to a qualified Braahman."
[This story from  "Ekaadashee: The Day of Lord Hari" 1986. HH Krishna Balaram Swami. Bhaktivedanta Institute Press]

Some Shlok About Prabodhini Ekaadashee
Prabodhinee Uposya Eva na Garbhe Vasate Narah
Sarv Dharman Parityajya Tasmat Kurvat Naarad
(Skand Puraan, 16/289)
Oh Narada Muni, one who fasts on Prabodhinee (when the Lord gets up) Ekaadashee, does not enter again into the womb of another mother. Therefore, a person should give up all varieties of occupation and fast on this particular Ekaadashee day.

Dugdabdhih Bhogee Shayane Bhagavaan Ananto
Yasmin Dine Swapiti Cha Ath Vibhdhyate Cha
Tasminn Ananya Manasam Upavaas Bhajam
Kaamam Dadatya Abhimatam Garudank Shayee
(Padm Puraan, 16/293)
One who fasts with one pointed intelligence on the day when the Supreme Lord Shree Hari, Who sleeps on a bed of the enemy of Garud (snake) goes to take rest in the Milk ocean on the bed of Anant Shesh and also the day He gets up, gets all of his desires fulfilled.

Bhaktiprad Hare Shat Namna Kshat Probodhinee
Yash Vishnoh Par Moortir Avyakt Anek Roopinee
Sa Kshipt Maanushe Lok Dwadaadi Muni Pungav
(Varaah Puraan, 16/301 - conversation between Yam Raaj and Naarad Muni)
This Prabodhini Ekaadashee is famous for rewarding devotion to Lord Shree Hari. Oh best of the sages (Naarad), the personality of Ekaadashee is present on this earthly planet in an unmanifested form of Lord Hari.

Chatur Dha Grahya Vai Charanam Chaaturmaasya Vratam Narah
Kaarttike Shukla Pakshe Tu Dwaadashyam Tat Samaacharet
(Mahaabhaarat, 16/412)
A person who observed Chaaturmaasya fast stated in four different ways should end his fast on the Dwaadashee day on the light fortnight of the month of Kaarttik.

Evam Ya Aacharet Paarth Shobhanam Dharmam Apnuyat
Avasane Tu Raajendra Vasudev Pooram Vrajet
(Bhavishya Uttar Puraan, 16/433)
Oh son of Prithaa, Oh best of the Kings, one who follows his vows properly as it is stated here achieves the highest merit and at last goes to the abode of Lord Shree Hari, the son of Vasudev.

 

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Created by Sushma Gupta on 3/15/06
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Updated on 01/19/12