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Vaikunta Ekadasi: What to do and what not to do?
Posted on: 18/Dec/2018 9:59:08 AM
The day of Ekadasi is meant for bringing the mind, words, and deed on the same level. The Ekadasi day which falls during the Tamil sacred month of Margazhi on the 11th day of the growing phase of the Moon is called and sanctified as Vaikunta Ekadasi by the Hindu religion.
The Vaishnavites have the faith that the doors of Vaikuntam, the Abode of Lord Vishnu, will be opened on this day.
So, as per the tradition, the staunch Vaishnavites do not sleep on the eve night of Vaikunta Ekadasi – and then take bath early next morning and immediately proceed towards the Lord Vishnu temple while chanting His praise and praying.
The Northside doors of all temples of Lord Vishnu are kept closed on all other days and opened only on the holy day of Vaikunta Ekadasi and the open gates are known as the gates of paradise. The devotees enter the temple through this gate and to have the Darshan of the Lord and pray.
In the famous and one of the important temples of Lord Vishnu, Lord Sri Ranganathar Temple, Vaikkunta Ekadasi is celebrated in a unique way – the previous 10 days before Vaikunta Ekadasi are called ‘Pagal Pathu’ and the next 10 days after Vaikunta Ekadasi is called ‘Rappathu’ and all these are celebrated as a festival in a grand manner.
As the Hindus observe penance and fasting on the day of Ekadasi every month and pray the Lord, they strongly believe that all their sins will be forgiven and the problems encountered in life are solved.
In the classic Vishnu Puranam, it is mentioned observing this fast on the sacred of Vaikunta Ekadasi is equivalent to availing the benefit of all the blessings as having observed on all other months of Ekadasi throughout the year. Thus, Vaikunta Ekadasi is observed as one of the most sacred days in the Hindu religion, especially, the Vaishnavites.
As per the epics of the religious legends, it is depicted that the Lord Vishnu opened the gate of Sri Vaikuntam for 2 Asuras who were his staunch enemies and immediately after reforming, the Asuras prayed that all other devotees must get the same opportunity and the bliss they experienced on entering through the gates of paradise.
It is also informed that it was on this day of Vaikunta Ekadasi that Lord Krishna explained the significance of Bhagavad Githa on the start of the Kurukshetra War between the Pandava and the Kauravas.
In Srirangam, considered to be the holiest of temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Tamil Nadu, the occasion of the holy Vaikunta Ekadasi is celebrated in a grand manner for 21 days in 2 part as mentioned above.
Every day, the deity of the Lord Vishnu will be carried on a procession s riding on special different carriages each day. On the day of Vaikunta Ekadasi the deity is adorned with ‘Rathnangi` a special dress with plenty of precious stones or ‘Rathnas’ and taken from the Sanctum Sanctorum and taken to the ‘Aayiram Kaal Mandapam’ to offer Darshan to the devotees, Huge swarm of devotees gathers watching the Lord enter from the Northern Gates of the temple. This northern gate is opened only on this specific day. In the famous Tirupathi Temple of Lord Venkateswara, a similar scheduled is followed and the festival is celebrated.
The special gates of this temple is called ‘Vaikunta Dhwaram’. Those who enter through this gate opened only on the day of Vaikunta Ekadasi will get Nirvana or Moksha as per the traditional beliefs.
So, huge crowds of devotees gather on the temple on this day along with the people who as from the high social class as well. Ekadasi means ‘eleven’. Ekadasi penance or viratam is nothing but when the 5 Gnandriyam and the 5 Karmendriyam along with the human mind merge and focus praying to the Lord Vishnu. By chanting His Name and praying Him on this holy day, and observing the penance, all the worries and anxieties encountered in life will vanish and a happy life will be led.
What are to be done on the day of Vaikunta Ekadasi?
In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, it is rather excellent to observe the Vaikunta Ekadasi regulations. From the thidhi of Pradhamai (1st day) to the day of Dasami (10th Day), and on the Day of Vaikunta Ekadasi and the next day of Vaikunta Dwadasi, it is a tradition to take food only once a day.
On the sacred day of Ekadasi, it is a tradition to get upbefore sunrise, take bath, and sit to perform Pooja while praying and meditating on the Lord Vishnu. Penance must be observed throughout the day which should be spent entirely on doing God-related activities. Elder citizens and patients can take the fruits offered to the Lord during the Pooja.
One should not sleep in the afternoon and do the daily routine of work dutifully as planned. It is traditional to keep awake through the night singing and chanting the praise of the Lord and meditating on Him. While keeping awake, one can read and sing songs in praise of the Lord or read the religious legends and doing chanting of songs/slokas and keep the focus on the mind.
The grand opening ceremony of the gates of paradise will be performed in a grand manner in the Vaishnavite temples including Srirangam and Tirupathi. Lakhs and lakhs of devotees gather on this holy day to get the Blessings of the Lord on this Holy Day while waiting in the queue for long hours and entering through the gates of paradise.
On the subsequent day of Vaikunta Ekadasi, after completing the morning chores, special food must be offered to guests including Agathikkerai, Jamun fruit, and Sundaikkai.
Things not to be done
In order to avoid sleeping some indulge in playing ‘Dhayam’ or a board game – however, sleeping is better than this! This is because the tradition explains that Goddess Lakshmi will not enter the house where this Dayam is being played audibly for the dice. Further, while playing the game some undesirable dialogue such as ‘Now I will put 2 and have your head cut off! OR I will put 4 and cut you to pieces!’ – However, these are dastardly words which must not speak on this holy day! There is hardly any chance of getting His Blessings with such cruel words! Some others go to the cinema to keep awake. And a few others keep awake watching the TV programmes! These are also totally undesirable!
Another traditional time-pass is to play ‘Paramapadham’, another board game with snakes and ladders. This also should not be done. As per the traditional Sastras, food must not be offered on the day of Vaikunta Ekadasi and neither should be received!
Observing penance on this holy day is a form of thanksgiving to the Lord who created us. Once the mind becomes pure, it will automatically tend to be sweet and healthy. Thus, keeping the mind, speech, and action together on the same level is the main motive of the holy day of Vaikunta Ekadasi!
