Vaishnava Papankusha Ekadashi
Vaishnava Papankusha Ekadashi is a fasting day for Hare Rama devotees that is observed on the ‘ekadashi’ (11th day) during the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of moon) in the month of 'padmanabha’ in the Vaishnava calendar. This ekadashi falls between the months of September to October as per the Gregorian calendar. Devotees worship Lord Krishna on this day and keep a sacred fast to come closer to their deity. The Vaishnava Papankusha Ekadashi is observed for spiritual attainment. It is believed that by religiously keeping this vrat every year, all the sins of the person will be pardoned and he/she will attain ‘moksha’ or salvation.
There is no Vaishnava Papankusha Ekadashi in 2024
Rituals during Vaishnava Papankusha Ekadashi:
- For Vaishnava devotees, Ekadashi fasting is an obligatory practice as suggested by Srila Prabhupada. The fasting can be observed without water, by drinking only water, in taking fruits or ‘phalahar’. However the kind of fasting should be determined before the start of the Vaishnava Papankusha Ekadashi.
- Full fasting on the day is more blissful as it helps to control senses. The vrat starts with ekadashi sunrise and continues till the ‘dwadashi’ (12th day) sunrise. Devotees observing a complete fast should even not eat anything after sunset on the previous day also. Consuming grains and all kinds of pulses is strictly prohibited on the day of ekadashi. Even prasad made from grains must also not be eaten by the observer of the Vaishnava Papankusha Ekadashi.
- The ritual of breaking the fast is referred as ‘Parana’. The Parana for Vaishnava Papankusha Ekadashi is done on the following day after sunrise. It is believed that not performing the Parana within the speculated time on Dwadashi is regarded an offence. Vaishnava followers do not observe Parana during the Hari Vasara. The most suitable time for breaking the fast is ‘Pratahkal’.
- Hare Krishna followers worship Sri Krishna according to the ‘Archana Vidhi’. On Vaishnava Papankusha Ekadashi, Sri Hari is worshipped as ‘Padmanabha’ with betel leaves, flowers, fruits and other essentials during a puja. An ‘Aarti’ of the lord is performed in the end and prasadam is distributed among family members and devotees.
- On Vaishnava Papankusha Ekadashi, the observer of the vrat must not sleep in the night and engage them in bhajans and kirtans sung in praise of the lord. Reading religious books like ‘Vishnu Sahasranaam’ is highly recommended on this day. Doing charity in any form is considered auspicious on Vaishnava Papankusha Ekadashi.
Significance of Vaishnava Papankusha Ekadashi:
The sacred day of Vaishnava Papankusha Ekadashi holds great significance for Vaishnava followers. It is believed that the fasting ritual on this day will please their Lord Krishna and also Srimati Radharani, His consort, will bestow Her divine blessings on the devotees. The glories of this Ekadashi are mentioned in the ‘Brahma-Vaivarta Purana’ as an excerpt from a dialogue between King Yudhishthira and Lord Sri Krishna. The Vaishnava Papankusha Ekadashi is one of the important Ekadashi that bestows all worldly wealth and happiness to its observer. Observing this ekadashi is equivalent to performing 1000 Ashwamedha Yagya.