This is one of the most important festivals of India and has a deep spiritual significance. It falls on the 11th day of the bright moon of Hindu Lunar month of Paush and that day is morrow – 5th January 2012. The month of Paush is dedicated to spiritual practices. Observance of the Vaikunta Ekadashi fasting and worship are supposed to bless us with liberation or Moksha. Hence it is also called ‘Mokshada’ Ekadashi.
The Padma Purana – one of the ancient and holy texts of Hinduism- tells the tale of a demon called Muran and his harassment of Devas (Gods). Lord Shiva directed Devas to seek the protection of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu fought a long and harrowing battle with the demon Muran but was unable to defeat him. So the Lord retreated to a cave called Himavath in Badrinath where he went into yogic slumber to build a new weapon against the demon. Muran found the Lord sleeping in this place and attacked him. The feminine energy in the Lord or the Shakti of the Lord blazed out and burnt Muran with a single look. This feminine energy was named Ekadashi. When offered a boon by the Lord, she sought that those who observed fast, worshiped the Lord all day and night and visited the temple of the Lord on that day, be granted access to Vaikunta or the highest abode of the Lord.
Fasting and worship are an integral part of Vaikunta Ekadashi. Fasting begins from previous day after lunch and the worship extends up to the day after Vaikunta Ekadashi. The worshippers remain awake all of night chanting the name of the Lord and visit the temple at the Brahma muhurt or the early dawn hours. At the entrance of the temple they pass through an ornate gate which is symbolic of the gates at entrance of Vaikunta.
There is great spiritual significance in the Vaikunta Ekadashi. Self realisation or entry to the highest abode of the Supreme is possible only when one overcomes all the negative qualities within and the mind is in peace and full of love for God. The demon Muran symbolises the Rajasic and Tamasic qualities in man. These are the infamous qualities of anger, lust, pride, attachment, greed and jealousy. These qualities have to be overcome or killed and the satvic qualities in self be manifested in order to gain self realisation or moksha at Vaikunta.
Self realisation needs a still and pure mind. In order for the mind to be still, the mind has to be watched. We must watch ourselves and be in a state of awareness. This is possible only when the negative qualities of the mind are diminished and the purer qualities of the mind are strengthened and manifested. Fasting – in specific – not eating certain foods like rice etc are important, as such foods make the mind sluggish. Keeping vigil all night and chanting the name of God keeps us awake and conscious. When we enter the temple with a calm and peaceful mind, true Darshan takes place and there is possibility of self realisation.
The spritual practices are advocated from previous day and up to the next day of the festival to indicate that the holy practises of chanting, reading of holy books, mantra, meditation and being aware of self should be practised on daily basis throughout life in order to attain Moksha or Self realisation. For a peaceful and calm mind are not obtained overnight by a few hours of practice of japa or dhyan.
The cosmic energies which flood the atmosphere on the day of Vaikunta Ekadashi are conducive to spiritual practices. Practising the SitaRam Mantra and meditation on this day and taking Darshan of the Lord within self and also in the physical temple will bless us with enormous rewards. May SitaRam Mantra bless you on this day and every day.
