Ekadashi upavasa is on Wednesday January 20th and Dwadashi parane is on Thursday January 21stafter local sunrise but before 9:20 AM.
Significance: This ekadashi is known as the "putradaa" ekdashi. This removes all sins and Sri Lakshmi Narayana is the main deity for this ekadashi. From MahaBharat. Pum alias Put is a hell. Those who die without children go to this hell and he who saves one from this hell is called putra. (Shloka 38 chapter 74, Adi Parva of Mahabharata.) pumnamno narakadyastu trayate pitaram sutah tasmat putra iti proktah svayameva swayambhuva (Shloka 138 chapter 9 Manusmriti.) "Because a son of his own, by birth, saves a father from the hell called "Put" he is called Putra. This removes all sins and Sri Narayana is the main deity for this ekadashi. Objective of this Ekadashi is to beget a son to deliver us from hell. But here is the more philosophical explanation Begin Source : (Chankya Pandita ??/Dharmaraja) The sanskrit word for "son" is putra. Pu is the name of a particular hell, and tra means "to deliver". Thus the word putra means "a person who delivers one from the hell named Pu". Therefore every married man should produce at least one son and train him properly; then the father will be delivered from a hellish condition of life. But this injunction does not apply to the serious devotees of Sri Hari, for the Lord becomes their son, father, and mother. Furthermore, Chanakhya Pandita says, "satyam mAtA pitA jnAnam, dharmo bhrAta dayA sakhA sHAnti patni kSHamA pUtra, ShaDeteha mama bAndhavAH" Truth as one's mother, Knowledge as one's father, Righteousness as one's brother, Compassion as one's friend, Peace as one's wife, (can be interpreted as patience also) Forgiveness as one's son, these six are one's closest relatives. Among the twenty-six leading qualities of a devotee of Sri Hari, forgiveness is the topmost. Therefore devotees should make an extra endeavor to develop this quality. Here Chanakhya says, " forgiveness is my son", and thus a devotee of the Lord, even though he may be on the path of renunciation, may observe Putradaa Ekadashi and pray to attain this kind of "son" i.e, ability to forgive. Thus the spiritual objective of this Ekadashi is to develop the ability to forgive. to learn to forgive. To pray for forgiveness and the strength to forgive. End Source: Chankya Pandita (sanskritdocuments.org) It was also believed that when a person gives havissu to Gods during yaaga and he doesn't have any children the Gods, will not accept his havissu. SrimadAchrya Madhva proves that this not the case in his commentaries on Bhagavata(Bhagavata Tatparya Nirnaya) "anapatyOpi saddharmaa lOkajinnatra saMshayah|" even if you don't have children, if a couple follows the Right Path and obtains the Right knowledge they will obtain sadgatti. This is also an instance where King Rukumangada chooses Ekadashi over his son, where his son bravely tells him to go ahead and kill him rather than break the Ekadashi fast. Sri Hari stops this when he was about take this drastic action and grants moksha to Rukumangada and his queen. Story from Padma Purana: "Oh King, now I shall narrate to you the history of Putradaa Ekaadasi, which removes all kinds of sins and makes one famous and learned. "There was once a kingdom named Bhadraavati, which was ruled by King Suketumaan. His queen was champka. Because he had no son, he spent a long time in anxiety, thinking, `If I have no son, who will carry on my dynasty?' In this way the king meditated in a religious attitude for a very long time, thinking, `Where should I go? What should I do? How can I get a pious son (putra)? In this way King Suketumaan could find no happiness anywhere in his kingdom, even in his own palace, and soon he was spending more and more time inside his wife's palace, gloomily thinking only of how he could get a son. "Thus both King Suketumaan and Queen Champaka were in great distress. Even when they offered tarpana (oblations of water to their forefathers), their mutual misery made them think that it was as undrinkable as boiling water. They thus thought that they would have no descendants to offer tarpana to them when they died and thus become lost souls (ghosts). The king and queen were especially upset to learn that their forefathers were worried that soon there would be no one to offer them tarpana also. "After learning of their forefathers unhappiness, the king and queen became more and more miserable, and neither ministers, nor friends, nor even loved ones could cheer them up. To the king, his elephants and horses and infantry were no solace, and at last he became practically inert and helpless. "The king thought to himself, `It is said that without a son, marriage is wasted. Indeed, for a family man with no son, both his heart and his splendid house remain vacant and miserable. Bereft of a son, a man cannot liquidate the debts that he owes his forefathers, the demigods (devas) and to other human beings. Therefore every married man should endeavour to beget a son; thus he will become famous within this world and at last attain the auspicious celestial realms. "Thinking thus, the king had no peace. He remained in anxiety day and night, from morning to evening, and from the time he lay down to sleep at night until the sun rose in the morning, his dreams were equally full of great anxiety. Suffering such constant anxiety and apprehension, King Suketumaan decided to end his misery by committing suicide. But he realized that suicide throws a person into hellish conditions of rebirth, and so he abandoned that idea. Seeing that he was gradually destroying himself by his all consuming anxiety over the lack of a son, the king at last mounted his horse and left for the dense forest alone. No one, not even the priests and brahmins of the palace, knew where he had gone. "In that forest, which was filled with deer and birds and other animals, King Suketumaan wandered aimlessly, noting all the different kinds of trees and shrubs, such as the fig, bel fruit, date palm, jackfruit, bakula, saptaparnaa, tinduka, and tilaka, as well as the shala, taala, tamaala, saralaa, hingotaa, arjuna, labheraa, bahedaa, sallaki, karondaa, patala, khaira, shaka, and palaasha trees. All were beautifully decorated with fruits and flowers. He saw deer, roaring tigers, wild boar, lions, monkeys, snakes, Trumpeting elephants. Soon it was midday, and the king started to tire wandering aimleslly. He was tormented by hunger and thirst also. He thought, `What sinful deed could possibly have done so that I am now forced to suffer like this, with my throat parched and burning, and my stomach empty and rumbling? I have pleased the devas (demigods) with numerous fire sacrifices and abundant devotional worship. I have given many gifts and delicious sweets in charity to all the worthy brahmins too. And I have taken care of my subjects as though they were my very own children. Why then am I suffering so? What unknown sins have come to bear fruit and torment me in this dreadful way?' "Absorbed in these thoughts, King Suketumaan struggled forward, and eventually, due to his pious credits, he came upon a beautiful lotus bearing pond that resembled the famous Lake Maanasarova. It was filled with aquatics, many varieties of fish, and graced with varieties of lilies and lotuses. Nearby were many attractive ashramas, where there resided many saints and sages who could fulfill the desires of anyone. Indeed, they wished everyone well. When the king saw all this, his right arm and right eye began to quiver, a sakuna sign (for a male) that something auspicious was about to happen. "As the king dismounted his horse and stood before the sages, who sat on the shore of the pond, he saw that they were chanting the holy names of God on japa beads. The king paid his obeisances and, joining his palms, addressed them with glorified praises. Observing the respect the king offered them, the sages said, `We are very pleased with you, Oh king. Kindly tell us why you have come here. What is on your mind? Please inform us what is your heart's desire.' "The king replied, `Oh great sages, who are you? What are your names, surely your presence reveals that you are auspicious saints? Why have you come to this beautiful place? Please tell me everything.' "The sages replied, `Oh king, we are known as the ten Vishvadevas (the sons of Vishva; Vasu, Satya, Kratu, Daksha, Kaala, Kaama, Dhriti, Pururavaa, Maadrava, and Kuru). We have come here to this very lovely pond to bathe. The month of Magha mase will soon be here in five days (from the Magh nakshatra), and today is the famous Putradaa Ekadashi. One who desires a son should strictly observe this particular Ekadashi.' "The king said, `I have tried so hard to have a son. If you great sages are pleased with me, kindly grant the boon of having a good son (putra).' " `The very meaning of Putradaa,' the sages replied, ` is "giver of a putra, pious son." So please observe a complete fast on this Ekaadashi day. If you do so, then by our blessing and by the mercy of Lord Sri Keshava invested in us surely you will obtain a son.' "On the advice of the Vishvadevas, the king observed the auspicious fast day of Putradaa Ekaadashi according to the established rules and regulations, and on the Dvaadashi, after breaking his fast, he paid obeisances again and again to all of them. "Soon after Suketumaan returned to his palace and united with his queen. Queen immediately became pregnant, and exactly as the Vishvadevas had predicted, a bright faced, beautiful son was born to them. In due course of time he became famous as an heroic prince, and the king gladly pleased his noble son by making him his successor. The son of Suketumaan took care of his subjects very conscientiously, just as if they were his own children. "In conclusion, Oh Yudhisthira, one who wises to fulfill his desires should strictly observe Putradaa Ekadashi. While on this planet, one who strictly observes this Ekadashi surely obtain a son, and after death he will achieve liberation. Anyone who even reads or hears the glories of Putradaa Ekadashi obtains the merit earned by performing an horse sacrifice. It is to benefit all humanity that I have explained all this to you." From Padma Purana part 3 uttarakhanda 42nd chapter. -MadhvesharpaNamastu
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As per drik ganitha, Ekadashi upavasa is on Wednesday January 06th and Dwadashi parane is on Thursday January 07th after local sunrise but before 7:54 AM. Tuesday January 05th has dashami viddha and hence not to be observed.
Rayara Mutt, Vyasaraja and Pejavara mutt all have the same schedule as above. For Umutt, it is double ekadashi. Ekadashi upavasa on Tuesday January 05th and athiriktha Dwadashi upavasa on January 06th and parane on Thursday January 07th after sunrise but before 7:54 AM. NOTE: Please check your local panchanga for exact timings. I apologise for the delay in publishing this as I didn't have access to internet. sorry for any inconvenience. Significance: This is a very special ekadashi in the cold month of Margashira. This ekadashi si also known as Saphala Ekadashi. On this day we worship Sri Narayana. Practice: Per Conversation between Yudhistira and Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna says On the ekadashi day worship Sri Narayana during the day with upavasa. amongst the snakes Adhishesha, amongst the birds Garuda, amonsgt Gods Vishnu and similarly amonsgst all the vrats, Ekadashi vrat is the most prominent (Shreshta). perform Jagarane with HariBhakts. On Dwadashi day Offer Coconut, Pomogranate, Gooseberry(Nallikai ) borekai ( berry fruit ) , raw mango, beetle leaves and beetle nuts. Perform pooja with Lamps(Deepa) and incense(dhoopa). Offer Naivedya to Sri Hari. Offer prasad to the learned people and then break fast. Huggi(moong daal & rice ) Naivedya is considered special during Dhanurmasa. Make sure the quantity of daal is greater than rice while preparing huggi. Story from Padma purana: "Once there was a City called Champaavati, which was ruled by the saintly King Maahishmata. He had four sons, the eldest of whom, Lumpaka, always engaged in all manner of very sinful activities � illicit sexual encounters with the wives of others, gambling, and continual association with known prostitutes. His evil deeds gradually reduced the wealth of his father, King Maahishmata. Lumpaka also became very critical of the numerous devas, the empowered universal attendants of the Lord, as well as toward the brahmins, and every day he would go out of his way to blaspheme the Vaishnavas. At last King Maahishmata, seeing the unrepentant brazen fallen condition of his son, exiled him to the forest. Out of fear of the king, even compassionate relatives didn't come to Lumpaka's defense, so angry was the king toward his son, and so sinful was this Lumpaka. "Bewildered in his exile, the fallen and rejected Lumpaka thought to himself, `My father has sent me away, and even my kinsmen do not raise but a finger in objection. What am I to do now?' He schemed sinfully and thought, `I shall sneak back to the city under cover of darkness and plunder its wealth. During the day I shall stay in the forest, and as night returns, so shall I to the city.' So thinking, the sinful Lumpaka entered the darkness of the forest. He killed many animals by day, and by night he stole all manner of valuable items from the city. The city-dwelling folk apprehended him several times, but out of fear of the king they left him alone. They thought to themselves that it must have been the accumulated sins of Lumpaka's previous births that had forced him to act in such a way that he lost his royal facilities and became to act so sinfully like a common selfish thief. "Though a meat-eater, Lumpaka would also eat fruits every day. He resided under an old banyan tree that unknown to him happened to be very dear to Lord Vaasudeva. Indeed, many worshipped as the demi-god (representative departmental head) of all the trees in the forest. In due course of time, while Lumpaka was doing so many sinful and condemnable activities, the Saphalaa Ekadasi arrived. On the eve of the Ekadasi (Dasami) Lumpaka had to pass the entire night without sleep because of severe cold that he felt due to his scanty bedclothes (bedding). The cold not only robbed him of all peace but almost of his very life. By the time the sun rose, near dead, his teeth chattering and near comatose. In fact all that Ekadasi morning, he remained in that stupour and could not awaken out of his near comatose condition. "When midday of the Saphalaa Ekadasi arrived, the sinful Lumpaka finally came to and managed to rise up from his place under that banyan tree. But with every step he took, he stumbled and fell to the ground. Like a lame man, he walked slowly and hesitantly, suffering greatly from hunger and thirst in the midst of the jungle. So weak was Lumpaka that he couldn't even concentrate to nor muster strength to go and kill even a single animal that whole day. Instead, he was reduced to collecting whatever fruits had fallen to the ground of their own accord. By the time he returned to his banyan tree home, the sun had set. "Placing the fruits on the ground next to him (at the base of the sacred banyan tree), phalairEBHihi sripathistushyatAM harihi| I will offer all these fruits to Sri Hari. Lumpaka began to cry out,O Sri Hari, please be merciful to me and accept these fruits as an offering !' Again he was forced to lie awake the whole night without sleep, but in the meantime the all merciful Lord Madhusudana, had become pleased with Lumpaka's humble offering of forest fruits, and He accepted them. Lumpaka had unwittingly observed a full Ekadasi fast,and by the merit he reaped on that day he regained his kingdom with no further obstacles. "As the Sun beautifully rose in the sky on the day following Ekadasi, a handsome horse approached Lumpaka as if seeking him out, and stood next to him. At the same time, a voice suddenly boomed out from the clear blue sky saying, `This horse is for you, Lumpaka! Mount it and ride swiftly out of this forest to greet your family! O son of King Maahishmata, by the mercy of the Supreme lord Vaasudeva and the strength of the merit you acquired by observing Saphalaa Ekadasi, your kingdom will be returned to you without any further hindrances. Such is the benefit you have gained by fasting on this most auspicious of days. Go now, to your father and enjoy your rightful place in the dynasty.' "Upon hearing these celestial words resounding from above, Lumpaka mounted the horse and rode back to the city of Champaavati. By the merit he had accrued by fasting on Saphalaa Ekadasi, he had become a handsome prince once more and was able to absorb his mind Sri Hari. In other words, he had become My pure devotee. King Maahishmata gave him the kingdom, and Lumpaka ruled unopposed for many, many years. Whenever the Ekadasi came, he worshipped the Supreme Lord Narayana with great devotion. And by the mercy of Sri Krishna he obtained a beautiful wife and a fine son. In old age Lumpaka handed his kingdom over to his son � just as his own father, King Maahishmata, had handed it over to him. Lumpaka then went to the forest with his queen to dedicate his concentrated attention to Sri Hari with controlled mind and senses. Purified of all material desires, he left his old material body and returned back to home, attaining a place near the lotus feet of his worshipful Lord, Sri Krishna. Reference: Padma Maha Puran Part-3 UttaraKhanda's 41st Chapter explaining the significance of Saphala Ekadashi. Sri MadhvesharpaNamastu |
AuthorKrishna Mutt Kondapur Blog is an attempt to update the mutt bandhus with Madhva events ,programs in Hyderabad Archives
March 2016
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