|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||
Brahmanda Puranam
describes the glory of Apara Ekadashi which falls on the wanning period of
moon. Lord Krishna explains the glory to King Yudhishtira and the piety
of worshiping Lord Trivikrama on the day of Apara Ekadashi.
Lord Krishna narrates
the sinful activities such as : Brahma Hatya, Killing of cow, Killing an embryo
from mother’s womb, criticize and hurt others by words or action,
illicit relationship with women, stand as false witness out of greed,
spreading lies, improper utilization of Veda and insulting the sacred
scriptures, misuse of one’s profession such as Doctors and Astrologers, run
away from the responsibilities out of fear and lack of courageousness,
insulting Preceptor/ Acharyas after receiving invaluable knowledge from
them, wicked acts, warrior ran out of battlefield with fear, etc.. The above
are dreadful sins can be get released by observing Apara
Ekadashi.
Lord Krishna continued,
all the above said sins would be eradicated by observing Apara Ekadashi with
utmost faith and devotion. The piousness accumulates by observing this
Ekadashi includes the holy dip in the sacred rivers Pushkar thrice in a
day in the month Karthika, holy dip in Ganga and offering homage to ancestors
in the month Magh and worship of Lord Vishwanantha during Mahashivarathri in
Varanasi, offering homage to ancestors in Gaya/ Prayag, holy dip in river
Gautami and worship of Lord Kedarnath and Lord Badrinath. It provides the
merits of observance of Shivaratri at the sacrosanct place Kashi and
performance of ritual bath to Lord Vishnu at Gaya. It also brings the
merits equivalent to dip in the holy rivers at Kurukshetra – The Land of
righteousness during solar eclipse and performance of charity of cow, elephants
and gold in abundance. Fasting on this day and worship of Lord Hari
brings the piousness equivalent to giving away Elephant, cow, Gold, and Land as
charity. The observance of Apara Ekadashi brings the devoutness
equal to witnessing the grand festival Kumbhamela in Kedarnath.
Whoever worships Lord
Trivikrama on this day and whoever listens or read the glory of Apara
Ekadashi would attain abundance of virtues and it eradicates all their
sins committed thereby attain the Abode of Lord Vishnu.
|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||
