Vaishnava Parsva Ekadashi

The Vaishnava Parsva Ekadashi falls on the ‘ekadashi’ (11th day) during the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of moon) in the month of ‘Hrisikesha’ of the Vaishnava calendar. If one follows the English calendar, this date comes between the months of August to September. The Vaishnava Parsva Ekadashi is also popularly known as ‘Vamana Ekadashi’ and it is strongly believed that a person who desires freedom from the material bondage should observe this auspicious ekadashi vrat devotedly, every year. This ekadashi observance falls in the period of ‘Dakshinayana Punyakalam’ (the night time of Hindu Gods and Goddess) during the ‘Chaturmas’. Hence this ekadashi is believed to be highly auspicious.

As per the Hindu mythological stories, during the time of this ekadashi, Sri Hari Vishnu takes rest and also changes His sleeping position from the left to the right side. Owing to this reason, this ekadashi is also referred as ‘Parsva Parivartini Ekadashi’. The Vaishnava Parsva Ekadashi is observed with full devotion in different parts of the country and is known by varied names like ‘Jaljhilini Ekadashi’ or ‘Jayanti Ekadashi’. The observer of the Vaishnava Parsva Ekadashi vrat will be pardoned for all his/her past misdeeds and also be bestowed with the divine blessings of Sri Hari Vishnu.

There is no Vaishnava Parsva Ekadashi in 2024

Lord Vishnu

Rituals during Vaishnava Parsva Ekadashi:

• On Vaishnava Parsva Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu followers keep a complete fast in the honour of their deity. The ekadashi fast starts from the evening of ‘dashami’ (10th day). The person must not eat anything after sunset and should sleep on the floor and maintain celibacy. Spinach, honey, chick peas, urad dahl and sea salt must be avoided and he/she should not dine in metal plates. On ekadashi day, the devotees do not eat or drink all day. They must not talk unnecessarily or touch anything unclean. Instead, they must listen or read the glories and teaching of Lord Vishnu.
• The day after Vaishnava Parsva Ekadashi is celebrated as ‘Sri Vamana Dwadashi’ as Lord Vamanadev appeared on this day. This ekadashi vrat should therefore be continued till the noon. The vrat is broken on the next day in the noon with Ekadashi prasadam.
• Devotees worship ‘Vamandev’, a dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu with full affection and love. It is believed that worshipping Him is equivalent to praying all three foremost deities, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. On the Vaishnava Parsva Ekadashi, it is auspicious to offer rice mixed with yogurt and some silver to a qualified Brahmin.

Significance of Vaishnava Parsva Ekadashi:

Lord Sri Krishna himself explained to King Yudhisthira in the ‘Brahma-Vaivarta Purana’ that there is no other ekadashi in the three worlds that is as significant as Vaishnava Parsva Ekadashi. It is believed that the observer of the Vaishnava Parsva Ekadashi will attain all materialistic happiness in this world and ultimately reach to the divine abode of Lord Vishnu, ‘Vaikunth’. The glory of Vaishnava Parsva Ekadashi is much more than performing a sacred horse sacrifice. By worshipping Lord Vamanadev on this ekadashi, the devotees will get freedom from all their misdeeds and attain salvation.