Ekadashi upavasa is on Sunday November 21stand Dwadashi parane is on Monday November 22nd after local sunrise.
Significance: This is a very special ekadashi also known as Prabodhini or Haribhodini Ekadashi. It is on this ekadashi day the Gods and Brahma woke up Sri Hari from his yoga nidra by performing prabhodotsava, to rescue the Vedas from Asura Shanka. This results in the matsya avatara and led to the rescue of the Vedas by Sri Hari. This ekadashi also marks the beginning of Bheeshma Panchaka Vrata. Please consult your Gurus for more information. This also marks the end of Chaturmasya and end of dwidaLa vrat. It is also Uttan Ekadashi leading to Uttana Dwadashi. On Dwdashi day Tulsi pooja is done with lots of love and devotion. Please make it a point to take care of your Tulsi plant on Uttana Dwadashi..This day is also celebrated as Tulasi Vivah. draSHtA spraSHtA tavADHyAtA nAmatastutA | rOpitA sEchitA nityaM pUjitA tuLasI shubhA || To see, touch a tulasi plant or leaves. To praise, think or medidate on Tulasi. To water or do pooja to a tulasi plant To do such nine action on Tulasi with devotion leads to Sri Hari's grace. Thats why in kartika month we do pooja to Sri Hari with tender Tulasi leaflets. This is equivalent to do many yagnas and other austerities. Padma Puran Part-3 62nd chapter. Also on the uttana dwadashi day, sleeping daamodara and tulsi are worshipped with shodasha upachara. Tulasi is decorated with ornaments and damadora is woken up with variety of musical instruments ( vadya ghosha ) idaM vishnu vichakramE trEtA nidadhE padaM | samULhamasya pAmsurE iyaM ca dwAdashi dEva prabhOdArthaM vinirmitA | tvataiva sarvalokAnAM hitArthaM sheShashAyinA || utthiShTOthiShTa gOvinda tyaja nidrAM jagatpatE | tvayi suptE jagatsuptaM uttitEchOtThitaM bhavEt || Uttaradi Matha and other mathas: Sri moola raama pooja in the evening as well on uttana Dwadashi day. Please consult your gurus and pandits for details on Tulsi vivah. Story from Skanda Purana Lord Brahma said to Narada Muni, "Dear son, O best of the sages, I shall narrate to you the glories of Haribodhini Ekadasi, which eradicates all kinds of sins and bestows great merit, and ultimately liberation, upon the wise persons who surrenders to Sri Hari. "O best of the brahmanas, the merits acquired by bathing in the Ganges remain significant only as long as Haribodhini Ekadasi does not come. This Ekadasi, which occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Kartika, is much more purifying than a bath in the ocean, at a place of pilgrimage, or in a lake. This sacred Ekadasi is more powerful in nullifying sin than one thousand Asvamedha sacrifices and one hundred Rajasuya sacrifices." Also from Hari Bhakti Vilasa.( Padma and Skanda Purana ) Prabodhini Ekadasi in Kartik: (Sukla paksha) from Hari Bhakti Vilas - Vaishnava Smriti. PRABODHINIM UPOSYA EVA NA GARBHE VISATE NARAH SARVA DHARMAN PARITYAJYA TASMAT KURVITA NARADA (HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/289 from SKANDA PURANA spoken by Lord Brahma) Oh Narada Muni, one who fasts on Prabodhini Ekadasi, does not enter again into the womb of another mother. Therefore, a person should give up all varieties of occupation and fast on this particular Ekadashi day. DUGDHABDHIH BHOGI SAYANE BHAGAVAN ANANTO YASMIN DINE SVAPITI CA ATHA VIBHUDHYATE CA TASMINN ANANYA MANASAM UPAVASA BHAJAM KAMAM DADATY ABHIMATAM GARUDANKA SAYI (HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/293 from PADMA PURANA) One who fasts with one pointed intelligence on the day when Sri Hari, Who sleeps on a bed of the enemy of Garuda (snake) goes to take rest in the Milk ocean on the bed of Ananta Sesa and also the day He gets up, gets all of his desires fulfilled. BHAKTIPRADA HAREH SATU NAMNA KSATA PRAVODHINI YASA VISNOH PARA MURTIR AVYAKTA ANEKA RUPINI SA KSIPTA MANUSE LOKE DVADADI MUNI PUNGAVA (HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/301 from VARAHA PURANA conversation between Yamaraja and Narada Muni) This Prabodhini Ekadasi is famous for rewarding devotion to Lord Sri Hari. Oh best of the sages (Narada Muni), the personality of Ekadasi is present on this earthly planet in an unmanifested form of Sri Hari. CATUR DHA GRAHYA VAI CIRNAM CATUR MASYA VRATAM NARAH KARTIKE SUKLAPAKSE TU DVADASYAM TAT SAMACARET (HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/412 from MAHABHARATA) A person who observed Caturmasya fast stated in four different ways should end his fast on the Dvadasi day on the light fortnight of the month of Karttika. EVAM YA ACARET PARTHA SOBHANAM DHARMAM APNUYAT AVASANE TU RAJENDRA VASUDEVA PURAM VRAJET (HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/433 from BHAVISYA UTTARA PURANA) Oh son of Prtha, Oh best of the kings, one who follows his vows properly as it is stated here achieves the highest merit and at last goes to the home of Sri Hari ( Vaikunta). from Padma Puran: In the month of Kartika, 1. If we don't eat outside its equal to Chandrayana vrata. 2. Study Vedas and Vedantas, debate, sharavana etc., is equal to performing to 10000 yagnas. 3. If we even recite a single shloka from Bhagvata purana infront of Keshava its equivalent to hundreds of GodAna ( cow donation ) 4. Listening to Sri Hari's stories and honour the pravachnakara its equal to akshyaloka prapti. 5. Perform pravachana, SharavNa of Bhagvadgeetha no rebirth. In Kartika month people perform the following.. 1. Sri Hari's pooja with devotion 2. Offer various fruits 3. Offer Arghya to Sri Hari via Shanka 4. Gurupooja, AnnaDAna, dAna dhkshina 5. Bhagvata purAna shravana, manana, paTaNa. 6. Pooja to Sri Hari with flowers like Kedhige, agastikusuma, munipushpa and tulasi leaves +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Tulasi Vivah Story ( read from Padma Puran Not sure if this is the right one..please correct me if I am wrong ) This is perhaps the most sentimental but not the least important festival which falls on the 11th day of the bright half of Kartik. This story from padma Puran revolves round Tulsi, the plant Tulsi which in her former birth was Vrinda, the daughter of a giant named Nemi, and the faithful wife of Asura Jalandhar. Being born in water Jalandhar claims sovereignty over the ocean and demands the 14 treasures churned out of the ocean in Vishnu's second incarnation. He declares war and becomes a cause of danger to the gods. More so because of a boon that he would be free from death till his wife Vrinda was chaste. As a last resort to kill Jalandhar, Vishnu beguiles Vrinda by assuming her husband's form. Vrinda in her wrath curses and turns Lord Vishnu into a Black stone (Salagram) for his deceit. Vishnu too retaliates but in admiration of her impeachable chastity and piety, he transfers her into the sacred Tulsi plant and promises to marry her annually on this day(Uttan Dwadashi ) of Kartik. The origin of the ammonite black stone or Salagram found on the bed of the river Gandaki may be attributed to their legend. As a consequence, all devout Hindu women worship the Tulsi plant with flowers and milk assuming Lord Krishna to be present on it on this auspicious day. Literally a mock marriage is performed between the Tulsi and the Salagram. The belief is that one who performs this ceremony of giving away Tulsi considering them to be one's own daughters, gets the credit as making a Kanyadan which is regarded as an extremely meritorious act in sanatana dharma. This sacred ceremonial day marks the auspicious opening of the annual marriage season of the Hindus. Sri MadhveshArpaNamastu.
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Ekadashi upavasa is on Saturday November 07th and Dwadashiparane is on Sunafter local sunrise
Significance: This ekadashi is also called Ramaa ekadashi. The story from Purana exemplifies the fact that Ekadashi shouldn't done because of fear, rather it should be self motivated out of Bhakti for Sri Hari. This Ramaa ekadashi signifies that both Shukla and Krishna Paksha are equally important and carry the same significance. Also important to note how Ekadashi was practiced all over the kingdom and the kings urged everyone to practice it. Its also important to maintain good physique to practice Ekadashi well, thus a strong body along with mind is necessary. dhEnu shvEtA yathA krishna ubhayOh sadrashM payah | tathaiva tulya phaladaM smratamEkAdashIdvayaM || if the cow is black or white the milk we get from either of them is the same clean, white and tasty milk. Similarly both krishna and shukla ekadashi's are both equally significant. Some important days following this ekadashi. DhanTryodashi: On this day house is cleaned and lamps are lighted to welcome Godess Lakshmi home. This day in the North is also known as Dhan teras. Today is the day of the avatar of Dhanvantri during samudra manthan. Also tradition on this day is to light lamp at the entrance of the home during the day and a lamp outside the home for Yama Devaru facing south. Lamps and apoopa(sweets ) are also offered to Yama devaru and donated to learned pundits. Another important tradition is the water heater vessels are cleaned, ganga pooja is done. lamps are lighted in-front of Tulsi during the evening. mruthyunaa paashadanDAbhyAM kalEna shyaamalaayutaH | trayOdashyAM dIpadAnAt sooryajaH priyatAM mama || Surya and his son Yama may they be pleased with these lights. NarakChaturdashi: Sri Krishna along with Satyabhama rescue 1600 princesses from Narakasura. rest is history. Happy DEEPAVALI!! Story from Purana: Sri Krishna spoke as follows, "O Yudhistira the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark part of the month of Ashvina is called Ramaa Ekadasi. It is most auspicious, for it at once eradicates the greatest sins and awards one the passage to the spiritual abode. I shall now narrate to you its history and glories." "There once lived a famous king of the name Muchakunda, who was friendly to Lord Indra, the king of the heavenly planets, as well as with Yamaraj, Varuna, and Vibhishana, the pious brother of the demon Ravana. Muchakunda always spoke the truth and constantly rendered devotional service to Me. Because he ruled according to religious principles, there were no disturbances in his kingdom. "Muchakunda's daughter was named Chandrabhaagaa, later she flowed as a sacred river of the same name, and the king gave her in marriage to Shobhana, the son of Chandrasena. One day, Shobhana visited his father-in-law's palace on the auspicious Ekadasi day. This visit made Shobhana's wife Chandrabhaagaa quite anxious, for she knew that her husband was physically very weak and unable to bear the austerity of a day-long fast. She said to him, `My father is very strict about following Ekadasi. On Dasami, the day before Ekadasi, he strikes a large kettledrum and announces, "Nobody should eat on Ekadasi, the sacred day of Sri Hari !" " "When Shobhana heard the sound of the kettledrum, he said to his wife, `O beautiful one, what am I to do now? Please tell me how I can save my life and obey your father's strictness and at the same time satisfy our guests !" "Chandrabhaagaa then spoke, `My dear husband, in my father's house nobody not even the elephants or horses, what to speak of consenting human beings eats on Ekadasi. Indeed, none of the animals are given their ration of grains, leaves, or straw or even water ! on Ekadasi, the sacred day of Sri Hari. So how can you escape fasting? My beloved husband, if you must eat something, then you should leave here at once. Now, with firm conviction decide on what you have to do.' "Prince Shobhana then said, `I have decided to fast on the sacred Ekadasi day. Whatever my fate is, it will surely come to pass.' "Deciding thus, Shobhana attempted to fast on this Ekadashi, but he became unbearably disturbed with excessive hunger and thirst. Eventually the sun set in the west, and the arrival of the auspicious night made all the Vaishnavas very happy. O Yudhisthira, all the devotees enjoyed worshipping Me (Sri Hari) and remaining awake all through night, but Prince Shobhana that night became absolutely unbearable. Indeed, when the Sun rose on the Dwadasi, that Prince Shobhana was dead. "King Muchakunda observed his son-in-law's funeral, ordering a large stack of wood be assembled for the fire, but he instructed his daughter Chandrabhaagaa not to join her husband on the funeral pyre. Thus Chandrabhaagaa, after performing all the purificatory processes and procedures for honouring her deceased husband, continued to live in her father's house. Lord Sri Krishna continued, "O best of the kings, Yudhisthira, even though Shobhana died because of observing Ramaa Ekadasi, the merit that he accrued enabled him, after his death, to become the ruler of a kingdom high on the peak of Mandarachala Mountain. This kingdom was like a city of the demigods; very lustrous, with unlimited jewels set in the walls of its buildings that gave off light. The pillars were made of rubies, and gold inlaid with diamonds shone everywhere. As King Shobhana sat upon a throne beneath a pure white canopy, servants fanned him with yak-tail whisks. A stunning crown rested upon his head, beautiful earrings adorned his ears, a necklace graced his throat, and bejewelled armlets and bracelets encircled his arms. He was served by Gandharvas (the best of heavenly singers) and Apsaras (celestial dancers). Verily, he resembled a second Indra. "One day, a brahmin named Somasharma, who lived in Muchakunda's kingdom, happened upon Shobhana's kingdom while travelling to various places of pilgrimage. The brahmin saw Shobhana in all his resplendent glory and thought he might be the son-in-law of his own king Muchakunda. When Shobhana saw the brahmin approaching, he immediately rose up from his seat and welcomed him. After Shobhana had paid his respectful obeisances he asked the brahmin about his well-being and about the health and welfare of his (Shobhana's) father-in-law, his wife and all the residents of the city. "Somasharma then said, `O king, all the residents and subjects are well in your father-in-law's kingdom, and Chandrabhaagaa and your other family members are also quite well. Peace and prosperity reign throughout the kingdom. But there is one thing, I'm quite astonished to find you here! Please tell me about yourself. Nobody has ever seen such a beautiful city as this! Kindly tell me how you obtained it.' "King Shobhana then began to tell his story, `Because I observed the Ramaa Ekadasi, I was given this splendid city to rule over. But for all of its grandeur, it is only temporary. I beg you to do something to correct this deficiency. You see, this is only an ephemeral city, a place of this material world. How may I make its beauties and glories permanent? Kindly reveal this to me by your instructions. "The brahmin then asked, `Why is this kingdom unstable and how will it become stable? Please fully explain this to me, and I shall try to help you.' "Shobhana then answered, `Because I fasted on the Ramaa Ekadasi without any faith, this kingdom is impermanent. Now hear how it can become permanent. Please return to Chandrabhaagaa, the beautiful daughter of king Muchukunda, and tell her what you have seen and understood about this place and about me. Surely, if you, a pure hearted brahmin, tell her this, my city will soon become permanent.' "Thus the brahmin returned to his city and related the entire episode to Chandrabhaagaa, who was both surprised and overjoyed to hear this news of her husband. She said, `O brahmana, is this a dream you have seen, or is it actually a factual thing?' "Somasharma the brahmin replied, `O Princess, I have seen your late husband face to face in that wonderful kingdom, which resembles a realm of the denizens' of heavens playgrounds. But your former husband has asked me to relate to you that he says that his kingdom is unstable and could vanish into thin air at any moment. Therefore he hope you can find a way to make it permanent.' "Chandrabhaagaa then said, `O sage among the brahmins, please take me to that place where my husband resides at once, for I greatly desire to see him again! Surely I shall make his kingdom permanent with the merit that I have acquired by fasting on every Ekadasi throughout my life. Please reunite us at once, again. It is said that one who reunites separated persons also obtains very great merit.' "The humble brahmin Somasharma then led Chandrabhaagaa to Shobhana's effulgent kingdom. Before reaching it, however, they stopped at the foot of Mt. Mandaracala, at the sacred ashrama of Vamadeva. Upon hearing their story, Vamadeva chanted hymns from the Vedas and sprinkled holy water from his samanya arghya upon Chandrabhaagaa. By the influence of that great Rishi's rites, the merit she had accrued by fasting for so many Ekadasis made her body transcendental. Ecstatic, her eyes beaming in wonder, Chandrabhaagaa continued on her journey. "When Shobhana saw his wife approaching him high on Mount Mandarachala, he was overwhelmed with joy and called out to her in great happiness and jubilation. After she arrived , he seated her on his left side and she said to him, `O dearest Patiguru, please listen as I tell you something that will benefit you greatly. Since I was eight years old I have fasted regularly and with full faith on every Ekadasi. If I transfer to you all the merit I have accumulated, your kingdom will surely become permanent, and its prosperity will grow and grow until the coming of the great inundation !' " Lord Sri Krishna then continued to address Yudhisthira as follows, "O Yudhisthira, in this way Chandrabhaagaa who was beautifully decorated with the finest ornaments and had an exquisitely transcendental body, at last enjoyed peace and happiness with her husband. By the potency of Ramaa Ekadasi, Shobhana found his kingdom on the peaks of Mt. Mandarachala able to fulfill all his desires and bestow upon him everlasting happiness, like that achieved from the transcendental Kaama-dhenu cow. "O greatest of kings, I have thus narrated to you the glories of Ramaa Ekadasi. One should not differentiate between the Ekadashis of the light and dark parts of the month. As we have seen, both can award pleasure in this world and liberate even the most sinful and fallen souls. Anyone who simply hears this narration of the glories of the sacred day of Ramaa Ekadasi, is freed from all kinds of sin and attains the supreme abode of Sri Hari." ref: from Padma PuraNa Part-3 uttarkhanda 61st chapter. 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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