DECEMBER 17TH VAIKUNTA EKADASI

Ekadasi means 'the eleventh' in Sanskrit.Vaikunta Ekadashi is the major festival celebrated in Dhanur Masam in South Indian states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. This festival Vaikunta Ekadasi or “Mukkoti Ekadasi” and “Geeta Jayanthi is dedicated to lord Vishnu. It occurs in the month of Marghazhi (Dhanurmasam mid December to Mid January) and is observed on Dhanur Masa Shukla Paksha Ekadasi or on the 11th day of bright fortnight during Dhanur Masam. In 2010 it falls on December 17th, and it is also known as “Mukkoti Ekadasi” and “Geeta Jayanthi”.

There are 24 Ekadashis in a year, according to Vishnu Purana (the primary text among the 18 Puranas) observing fast on Vaikuntha Ekadasi day offers equal benefits of observing all the other 23 Ekadashis during the year. However, if it is not possible to fast completely, one can consume fruits and milk. Food made from rice is to be avoided during the day. The fast is to be broken on the following day Dwadashi.

Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam, visiting the Lord through Vaikunta Dwaram (Entrance to Heaven), is the main highlight during Mukkoti Ekadasi day in Vishnu temples. Vaikunta Dwaram is opened on only Vaikunta Ekadashi day which lies at North side to the temple. On this day, in Vishnu temples, Vaikunta Dwar or Vaikunta Dwaram or Vaikunta Vaasal (entrance to Heaven) is opened for Darshan of Lord Vishnu. This gate is open only on Vaikunt Ekadasi day in the whole year. The Vaikunta Dwaram or the gate to the heaven is opened on this day. This is the passage encircling the innermost sanctum of the Lord. Scores of devotees queue up to pass through the Gate of Vaikunta in the temples. In Kerala, this Ekadasi is celebrated as Swarga Vathil Ekadashi at Trivandrum Padmanabha Swamy Temple. In North India, it is known as Putrada Ekadasi.

The Padma Purana says:

"ekadasi vrata samam vrata nasti jagattrayeanicchaya'pi yat krtva gatir evam vidha'vayoh
ekadasi vratam ye tu bhakti bhavena kurvate na jane kim bhavet tesam vasudeva anukampaya",

Which translates as:

In the three worlds, there is no kind of fasting which is even comparable to the Ekadasi fast. Even if one performs this fast without a proper attitude, he achieves the Supreme Abode. If one fasts on Ekadasi day, with full devotion, what happens to him by the mercy of the Supreme Lord, I cannot say (the merit he achieves cannot be described).

Significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi:

Of all Ekadasis , The one connected with Dhanur Maasa Sukla Paksha Ekadasi is the most exalted and is known as Sri Vaikunta Ekadasi .There are number of reasons Assoicated with the special significance of this Ekadasi:

According to Padma Purana, the female energy of Lord Vishnu killed demon Muran in the form of a damsel named “Ekadashi” to protect Devas. This occurred during the month of Marghazhi (Margashira or Margashirsha) (mid December – mid January). Hence anyone who worships Lord Vishnu on this Ekadasi day would reach Vaikunth.

Hindu Puranas say that it was on this day that the churning of the ocean occurred and the Amrit (nectar of immortality) emerged out of the ocean and Bhagavan Dhanvanthri appeared thereafter with the Amrutha Kalasam (Nectar Pot) and Was distributed to the Gods. Hindus believe that those who die on this day are freed from the cycle of birth and death and that they would directly reach Vaikunta.

The most exalted of auspiciousness that happened on this day is the appearance of Maha Lakshmi.She appeared with the golden color.

Another importance of Vaikunta Ekadasi is that the Bhagavad Gita Upadesh of Lord Krishna to Arjuna during Kurukshetra War is said to have done on this day.

This day is also observed as “The Bhagavad Gita” Jayanthi. The Bhagavad Gita (in Sanskrit, "Song of the Lord") is the most famous poem in all of Hindu literature and part of the Mahabharata, the Indian epic masterpeice. The Gita consists of a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Prince Arjuna on the morning of a climactic battle. The main teachings of Bhagavad Gita are it teaches us the theory and values of path towards God. The Bhagavadgita teaches how to escape from this predicament, not by escaping from the burdens of the worldly life, or avoidance of responsibilities.

In his Gitopadesam to Arjuna, Sri Krishna describes the threefold path of austerity and says

"deva -dvija-guru-praajna-pujanam-shauchanam-arvajanam-
brahmacharyam-ahimsaa-cha-shariram-tapuchyate",

Which means one must worship the Supreme Lord, the Brahmans, the spiritual master, and superiors like the father and mother. Cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy and nonviolence are also austerities of the body (Bhagvada Geeta 17.14).

Truthful speech, which is not offensive to others and the regular recitation of scriptures, is austerity of speech (Bhagvada Geeta 17.15).

Serenity of thought, compassion, gravity, self-control, purity of purpose, are all austerity of the mind (Bhagvada Geeta 17.16).

This threefold path of austerity, practiced by men whose aim is not to benefit materially but to please the supreme, leads to a nature of goodness. Sri Krishna finally says that penances and austerities which are performed foolishly, by means of obstinate self-torture, or by destroying or injuring others, are the approach of the ignorant. It is also recommended that one must not perform austerities beyond his capabilities, lest the austerities become mechanical or offensive.

Yatra Yogeshwarah Krishno, Yatra Partho Dhanurdhara:
Tatra Shreer Vijayo Bhooti:, Dhruvaa Neetir Matir Mama. "

Where there is Yogeshwar Krishna and Dhanurdhar Arjuna,
there exists prosperity, success and justice.

Sarvam Sreekrishnaarpanamasthu