If one properly observes a vow on this day it is said to give the fruits
of 24 Ekadasis observed throughout the year.
Once Vedavyasar was explaining the importance of fasting on Ekadasis.
Bhima who was present there said that all his family members including his
mother Kunti Devi, wife Draupadi and his brothers Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva
observed strict fasting on Ekadasis.
He stated that it was not possible for him to fast or even skip a single meal though
he gave so much in charity and worshipped the Lord faithfully.
He said there was a Agni called 'Virugam' in his stomach and that only eating lot
of food could keep it under control. However he said it will be possible for him
to fast atleast on one Ekadasi out of the twenty four Ekadasis in a year.
He pleaded to Vedavysar to tell him one Ekadasi on which to fast so that he
gets the benefits, blessings and fruits of all the 24 Ekadasis in a year.
Vedavysar instructed Bhima to fast even without drinking water on Nirjala
Ekadasi in order to get the benefits of all Ekadasis. Since Bhima took up fast
on this Ekadasi it is also known as Bima or Bhima Ekadasi.
The fast begins on Ekadasi sunrise and ends on next day (Dwadasi) sunrise.
On this day, devotees feast on the nectar of Krishna-katha and the holy names
of Krishna. Some devotees spend the whole night at the temple where a
continuous blissful harinama-sankirtana is held. It is a day to get spiritually
charged up with more chanting, hearing, remembering, glorifying and serving
Krishna. Even though those devotees are awake throughout the night, seeing
their fresh faces during Mangala-arati is a wonderful sight.
The devotees break the fast on dvadasi together and a feast prasada is
served for those who stayed up overnight.
0 comments:
Post a Comment