Fasting (उपवासः) in Hinduism indicates the denial of the physical needs of the body for the sake of spiritual attainment. According to the Scriptures, fasting (उपवासः) helps create proximity with the Highest Reality (i.e., ब्रह्मन्) by establishing a harmonious relationship between the body & the soul. Most devout Hindus fast (उपवासः) regularly or on special occasions. Every system needs a break & repair to work at its best. Rest & change of diet during fasting (उपवासः) is very good for the digestive system & the entire body. Fasting in Sanskrit is called उपवासः which means staying near the God, i.e., the attainment of close spiritual proximity with the God. Chaturthi (4th day), Ashtami (8th day), Ekadashi (11th day) (एकादशी), Shivratri (शिवरात्रि), Full moon day (पूर्णिमा) etc. are the festivals which occur in all Hindu month & such festivals are known as Vrata (a Vow) (व्रतम्).
According to the Hindu Panchangam, the eleventh day of the lunar fortnight is called Ekadashi (एकादशी). There are total 24 Ekadashis (एकादशी) in a year, each month containing 02 Ekadashis (एकादशी). However, the number increases to 26 when the Adhik Maas (अधिकः मासः) (an extra added month) gets added to the calendar. Interestingly, each Ekadashi (एकादशी) has a specific name & significance. Prabodhini Ekadashi, Rama Ekadashi, Mokshada Ekadashi, Mohini Ekadashi, Kamada Ekadashi, Nirjala Ekadashi, Pavitra Ekadashi, etc. are the different names of different Ekadashi (एकादशी).
Interestingly, each Ekadashi has a different name with different importance & different benefits. Most of the Hindus observe all the Ekadashi fasting but there are few Hindus who rather observe fast on special & important Ekadashis only like Prabodhini, Nirjala, Devshayni, Pavitra Ekadashi etc. which are considered as the most auspicious Ekadashis. Pavitra Ekadashi (एकादशी) is one of the most important Ekadashi in Hinduism. Pavitra Ekadashi is also known as Pavitropana Ekadashi. Pavitra is a Sanskrit word which literally means pure & sanctified so, this Ekadashi is considered as the most auspicious Ekadashi, which is why it has more significance & considered important. This Ekadashi is celebrated on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of the Shravana month (श्रावणः शुक्लपक्षे एकादशी).
Significance of Pavitra Ekadashi (पवित्रा एकादशी) –
Pavitra Ekadashi (पवित्रा एकादशी) is one of the great Ekadashi Vrata among all 24 Ekadashis. The benefits of this Ekadashi are listed in many scriptures which explains that by even listening to the Katha (story) of this Ekadashi would make the devotees free from all the sins. Fasting on this day also washes away all the sins performed & bestow with the auspiciousness in the life of this fast observer.
Jhulan Yatra or Jhoola festival commences on Pavitra Ekadashi (पवित्रा एकादशी) in the temples of Lord Krishna & Lord Jagannath, all over the world. On this day priests offer Pavitra Garland to the Gods & Goddesses. Pavitra Garland is a special kind of garland which are made out of pure silk using the natural color dyes. These Pavitra Garlands are the purest & sacred. Apart of these Pavitras can be made of gold, silver or copper. In the month of Shravan, the offering of Pavitra Garland is also done to Lord Shiva.
According to the ancient literature, there is a description of the different spiritual sentiment of Pavitra. Saffron (Kesari) coloured Pavitra represents Sattvik sentiment, white & red represents Rajas sentiment, green coloured is Tamas sentiment & sky blue is Nirguna sentiment. Hence, five coloured Pavitra represents the five sentiments of all the devotees. The tradition of offering Pavitra has come down from ancient times.
It is said in the Puranas that, only one who has accumulated the virtue of penance for thousands of years gets the benefit of Kanyadan; that same virtuous fruit is obtained only by fasting on the Pavitra Ekadashi.
All the sins of this as well as of the previous births are demolished by performing fast on this auspicious day & worshipping Lord Vishnu by offering charity to the needy & following the rituals, one obtains the blessings of Lord Vishnu & success is achieved in every phase of life.
Historical account of Pavitra Ekadashi (पवित्रा एकादशी) –
According to the Bhavishya Purana, the legend about Pavitra Ekadashi is narrated by the Lord Krishna to the King Yudhishthira. Once there was the king Mahijit, who was a rich & a powerful ruler of Mahishmati, who had no children. He invited well known sages to get the advice to find a solution to his problem. Unable to find a remedy, the assembly reached out to the learned sage Lomesh. Lomesh meditated & found out that Mahijit's misfortune was a result of his sins in his previous birth.
The sage Lomesh said that, the king Mahijit was a merchant in his previous birth. While travelling on business, the merchant became extremely thirsty & reached the pond. There a cow & her calf were drinking water. The merchant drove them away & himself drank the water. This sin resulted in his childlessness in this birth, while his good deeds resulted in his birth as a king of a peaceful kingdom. Sage Lomesh advised the King & the Queen to observe Ekadashi fast in Shravana on Pavitra Ekadashi to get rid of his sin. As advised, the royal couple as well as his citizens kept a fast & offered prayer to the Lord Vishnu & stayed awake throughout the night piously chanting the divine name Lord Vishnu. King & Queen also offered gifts of gold, jewels, clothes & money to the Learned. Later, after a few years, their wish was fulfilled when a handsome son was born to them, to subsequently become the successor to their kingdom.
So, through this legend we understood that, by performing fast on this auspicious Ekadashi, one can demolish all the sins of this as well as of the previous births. And as the king Mahijit got a son, this Ekadashi is also known as Putrada Ekadashi, but one must not misunderstand this Pavitra Ekadashi with the Putrada Ekadashi which occurs on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of the Pausha month (पौषः शुक्लपक्षे एकादशी).
Ritual ceremony of Pavitra Ekadashi (पवित्रा एकादशी) –
Just like other Ekadashis, devotees observe fast on this day too. On the day before Pavitra Ekadashi, devotees perform the evening prayer & take one meal, without rice. On the Pavitra Ekadashi (पवित्रा एकादशी), a fast is observed while partaking only fruits, dairy products & farali food. The fast is observed on Pavitra Ekadashi (पवित्रा एकादशी) from sunrise till next day sunrise i.e., on Dwadashi (द्वादशी) (12th day). Some observe it from sunrise to sunset, which is not considered valid according to the Scriptures.
The devotees who observe a Pavitra Ekadashi (पवित्रा एकादशी) fast are required to wake up early & take a holy bath before initiating with the rituals of the ceremony. It is essential to have firm dedication & devotion while performing all the rituals. Puja rituals are offered to Lord Vishnu on this day. An image of Vishnu or Saligrama stone is bathed with Panchamrutam (पञ्चामृतम्) (a mixture of five- milk, curd, ghee, honey & sugar). The idol is then washed with water & dressed with clean clothes. A hand-fan, flowers, extruded incense & Arati (lamps) are offered. Devotees meditate before the image of Lord Vishnu & worship him with the tulsi leaves. Offering Pavitra garland to Lord Vishnu’s idol is the most important part of this day.
The observers of this fast should not sleep at night on this day. Devotees should spend the entire night in reciting stotras, mantras, shlokas etc. to please Lord Vishnu. Reciting Vishnu Sahasranam Stotra is considered as highly auspicious on this day. Devotees also visit the temple of Lord Vishnu on this day & offer Pavitra garland to Lord Vishnu or any other Gods & Goddesses. Performing charity on this day is regarded as highly rewarding. The devotee should donate clothes, grains, vegetables & money to the Brahmins or to the needy. On Dwadashi, the devotee should take a bath early in the morning. Then, the food is offered to the Brahmin followed by offering gold or silver, according to his ability to the Brahmin.
Furthermore, according to the Scriptures, farali food includes; potato, elephant foot yam (suran), sweet potato, green chili, barnyard (moriyo), Amarnath grain (Rajagra), water chestnut flour (singhare flour), red chilli powder, cumin & rock salt; turmeric, other spices & other vegetables are not used as the farali food. Moreover, some consider Tapioca (Sabudana) as a farali food & some do not consider it as a farali food.
Thus, as the name of this Ekadashi suggests Pavitra – pure &sanctified, fasting on this day helps mind & body to get pure spiritually as well as scientifically as, observing fast during monsoon season helps the body to adjust with the season change & keeps the body & mind healthy. So, Ekadashis that occurs during Chaturmas (चातुर्मासः) are the opportunities for us to reflect, reconnect & rejuvenate our physical as well as mental health for the spiritual as well as material wellbeing.
श्रावणः शुक्लपक्षे ११,२०७८