|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||
Brahmavaivartha
Puranam describes the glories of Indira Ekadashi which falls on the waning
period of moon. Lord Krishna narrates the grandeur, pieties and rules of
observance of Indira Ekadashi to King Yudhishtira. Fasting on this propitious day provides
abundance of merits, it washes off the sins of the worshipper and it provides
safe heaven to the ancestors, and whoever listens to the glories of this
Ekadashi would attain the merits of Ashwamedha Yaga.
The legend
has that there was a King Indrasena of
Mahishmathipuri lived in Sathya Yuga, who was an ardent devotee of Lord
Vishnu. Indrasena was a great warrior and a righteous leader, he
ruled his Kingdom wisely. His Kingdom flourished with rich natural resources;
thereby people lived a happy and prosperous life. King Indrasena lived an
extremely happy and peaceful life with his children and grandchildren. Once,
Maharishi Narada appeared before King Indrasena after witnessing his sincere
devotion to Lord Narayana. King Indrasena
welcomed Maharishi Narada with utmost reverence and paid respectful obeisance
to him. Maharishi Narada enquired the King about the living conditions of
the people, performance of sacrifices and religious principles etc.. King
Indrasena earnestly replied at the enquiries of Maharishi Narada who was
greatly pleased at the humbleness and sincerity of the King. Indrasena
earnestly enquired Maharishi Narada about his purpose of the visit. Maharishi Narada narrated about his recent
visit to the Abode of Lord Yama while he was transcending from Bhrama Loka,
where Maharishi Narada was received by Lord Yama with utmost
reverence. While, they were in the assembly of Lord Yama thoroughly occupied
in a dialogue, Maharishi Narada could witness King Indrasena’s father.
Even though Indrasena’s father was a pious and righteous ruler, he had
committed a serious sin, he was forgotten his vow when he was alive. As a
result, he had to live in the Abode of Lord Yama after his death.
Maharishi Narada informed King Indrasena about the incident and his purpose of
visit was mainly due to the request of Indrasena’s father. Maharishi
Narada instructed King Indrasena to observe Indira Ekadashi to save his
departed father’s soul from the clutches of Lord Yama. King
Indrasena was in extreme grief requested Maharishi Narada to enlighten him with
the prescribed rules of observance of Indira Ekadashi which falls on the
waning period of moon. Maharishi
Narada narrated the procedures of observance of Indira Ekadashi. On the
previous day of Indira Ekadashi the worshipper should perform
homage to ancestors, consume meals only once and should not indulge in any
sensual pleasures or comforts. On the Eakadashi day, the worshipper
should take bath early morning before sunrise, engage in chanting the holy
names of Lord Hari, performance of sacred bath to Salagrama, observance of
complete fast, feed the Brahmin and provide them with the alms, offering should
be made to cows etc.. are the procedures of observance of Indira
Ekadashi. As a part of austerities, Lord Hrishikesha is worshiped and
offerings are made in the form of Bhog, flowers, ghee lamp, sandal paste, incense sticks, performance of fire sacrifice, homage to ancestors etc.
The worshiper should remain awake in the night chanting and listening to the
glories of Lord. On the next day after worship of Lord Hari, the worshiper should break his/her fast with the members of the family.
Maharishi Narada instructed King Indrasena with the prescribed rules of
observance of Indira Ekadashi and blessed the King that the faithful observance
of Indira Ekadashi would make his father’s soul free from the clutches of Lord
Yama.
King
Indrasena sincerely observed the Indira Ekadashi and attained abundance of
pieties. Thus, the pieties earned freed his father from the Abode of Lord
Yama, King Indrasena could witness his father ascend on the celestial vehicle
of Lord Vishnu. King Indrasena ruled Mahishmatipuri for several years
without any impediments, at the time of Vanaprastha, he left the Kingdom
under the care of legal heir to the throne and continued his spiritual journey,
eventually attained the abode of Lord Vishnu.
Lord Krishna
concluded, whoever listens to the glories of Indira Ekadashi would be released
from the sins committed and attain the Lotus feet of Sriman Narayana.
Moreover, the pieties of observance of Indira Ekadashi are capable to eradicate
the sins committed and provide salvation to ancestors.
|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||
