|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||
Brahma Vaivarta Puranam describes the glories of Annada Ekadashi
which occurs during the waning period of the moon. Lord Krishna describes
the grandeur of Annada Ekadashi at the request of King Yudhishtira. Like
any other Ekadashis, Annada Ekadashi is also capable to
remove all the sins committed in one’s life.
Whoever worships Lord Hrishikesha who is the master of senses on this
day would be freed from sins.
The legend has that there was a prominent King Harischandra who
lost his Kingdom as a result of failure in a gambling; consequently his
ill-fate resulted in trading his wife and son. Though he had to face
worst of all, he strictly followed his righteousness. He worked in a
crematorium, day and night taking care of dead bodies for several years.
King Harischandra encountered all the troubles during this period and lamented
at his fate. One day Sage Gautama appeared before King Harischandra, seeing
him the King offered his respectful obeisance to sage and stood before him with
folded hands. Further, Harischandra
explained his pathetic story to Sage Gautama. Sage Guatama narrated the
significance of Annada Ekadashi to King Harischandra. He instructed
Harischandra to faithfully observe Annada Ekadashi, by fasting on this day and
stay awake in the night. As per the instruction of the Sage Guatama, the
King observed the auspicious Annada Ekadashi and liberated from all his sins,
the piety accumulated by observing Annada Ekadashi made him to regain
all his glories and powers, his Kingdom, his wife and son. He ruled his
Kingdom wisely for several years, at end King Harischandra left to the abode of
Lord along with his relatives and subjects of his Kingdom; he followed the
spiritual ways of his forefathers and attained salvation.
Lord Krishna concluded, whoever observes this Ekadashi would be
relieved from all their sins and attain spiritual well-being, Annada
Ekadashi is capable to remove heap of sufferings in no time. Whoever
listens or reads the glories of Annada Ekadashi would be blessed with the
devoutness of Ashwamedha Yaga /horse sacrifice.
|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||
