Paush Putrada Ekadashi: Fast To Bless You With A Baby

Paush Putrada Ekadashi, a day highly auspicious for the married couples who are aspiring for a baby, will be observed on 11th January, 2014. South Indians observe this day as Vaikuntha Ekadashi, a major day for the South Indians. Read on to know the importance of Pausha Putrada Ekadashi. 

Ekadashi of Paush month is known as Paush Putrada Ekadashi and is observed to please the Lord Vishnu.

Putrada Ekadashi Importance

Every couple loves their child. Everything they do shows their love and affection for their children. One such thing which probably most of the childless couple does is the observance of Putrada Ekadashi fast. On this day, they pray to Lord Vishnu with a hope of getting a child. 

Putrada Ekadashi Legendary Story 

As per the legends, King Suketuman was married to Shaibya. After many years of married life also, the couple remained deprived from the pleasure of having a baby. As a result, the couple and elders of their family were tensed. Suketuman left his kingdom in gloom and went into the forests of Himalayas. One day, he went to the banks of the Mansarovar Lake from where he saw an Ashram (monastic house). Inside the Ashram were 10 saints who in real were divine beings known as Vishvadevas. The King went to them and told them about his situation. After listening to his problem, the saints suggested him to keep fast on that day as it was the day of Putrada Ekadashi. The King agreed and observed the fast. After that, the King returned back to his palace and explained everything to the Queen. Soon after that, the couple was blessed with a son.

Rituals Of The Day

On the day of Putra Ekadashi, the observer gets up early morning and wears clean clothes after taking shower. After this, Lord Vishnu is worshipped with flowers, coconut, betel nut or leaf, fruits and incense stick. The devotee observes fast throughout the day. Mantras are chanted and Vishnu songs are sung and heard. In the evening, Katha (legend of the day) is heard and fruits are consumed. Feeding the Brahmins and offering donations to them on this day is believed to be very fruitful.

Prayers Of The Day

1. Lord Vishnu Sahasranamam
2. Lord Vishnu Ashtothram
3. Any Vishnu prayer or Gayatri

Vaikuntha Ekadashi

The knowledge of Vaikuntha Ekadashi is obtained from the famous Vishnu Purana. This is a very major day for the South Indians. Major celebrations are conducted in temples of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. 

It is said that on this particular day, door to the heaven (Swarg) is opened. Therefore, observing fast on this day frees the devotee from his sins and helps in the attainment of salvation (Moksha). This day is a major attraction in Tirupati, Venkateswara Temple. 

Dont’s Of Ekadashi

1. On this day, eating rice should be avoided as it is believed that the demon Muran dwells in rice on the day of Ekadashi.
2. Intake of non-vegetarian food and alcohol should also be avoided.
3. Haircut and other such activities should be avoided as well.

Lord Vishnu is known to grant his devotees with all what they ask for. On this Paush Putrada Ekadashi, worship the Lord with all you can and let him bless you with a baby.

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God of peace and calm: Lord Vishnu

Lord Vishnu is the creator and saviour of the Universe. The God who cannot tolerate ego, lands on the earth in any of his 10 incarnations when disorder increases. With his peaceful and calm attitude he handles even the difficult responsibility with ease. Read the below featured article to know all about the Lord.

Vishnu describes himself as: “The world rests as the lotus in the palm of my hand, the cosmos revolves around my finger like a discus. I blow the music of life through my conch and wield my mace to protect all creatures.”

Appearance of the Lord

The God is often pictured with his consort, Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Lord Vishnu has four arms which represent the four Vedas and the four castes. In each of his hands is an emblem of his divinity: the discus (chakra), conch (shankh), mace and lotus. He wears Kaustubha (jewel) around his neck and is usually represented with a dark complexion. Lord Vishnu never sleeps and awaits the next annihilation and reconstruction of the universe.

To know importance of worshipping Lord Vishnu during Kartika month, click here- Worship Lord Vishnu During Kartik

10 Avatars (Incarnations) of the Lord

Vishnu has ten avatars (incarnations), who appears when there is disorder in the universe. The two most popular incarnations of Lord Vishnu are Rama and Krishna, whose stories are featured in the Epics and the Puranas. The ten incarnations of the God are:

1. Matsya (Fish)
2. Kurma (Tortoise)
3. Varaha (Boar)
4. Narasimha (Half man half lion)
5. Vamana (Dwarf)
6. Parashurama (Rama with the exe)
7. Rama (Prince of Ayodhya)
8. Balarama (Elder brother of Krishna)
9. Krishna (Eighth son of Devaki and Vasudev)
10. Kalki (horseman, who has not yet appeared)

Significance of His Four Arms

The four hands of Vishnu shows control over the four directions of the world. These four hands also represent the four stages of human life (also known as the four ashrams).

1) The inquisition for knowledge (Brahamacharya)

2) Retreat into the Forest (Vana-Prastha)

3) Family Life (Grihastha)

4) Renunciation (Sannyasa)

They further symbolize the four aims of life (Purusharthas):

a) Responsibilities and morality (Dharma)

b) Material Goods, wealth, prosperity and success (Artha)

c) Sexuality, pleasure and Enjoyment (Kama)

d) Liberation (Moksha)

Significance of Lord Vishnu’s Conch, Discus, Lotus and Mace

Conch: Conch is one of the most important devices of Vishnu. The blowing of it, symbolizes the fundamental creative voice. Indian spiritualists link it to the sacred sound of ‘OM’, which is believed to be the breath of Vishnu. The voice of the conch increases travelling from one point to the other and denotes eternity.

Discus: Vishnu Purana identifies the chakra with the human mind. When used as a weapon, the chakra returns back to the hand of the one who throws it pointing the cyclic nature of survival (existence).

Lotus: Lotus is a symbol of fertility and creation. The lotus carried by Lord Vishnu denotes his wife and consonant companion, Goddess Lakshmi. Vishnu derives all his power from the Lotus held in one of his hands.

Mace: Mace symbolizes the power of time. Conquering the mace is as impossible as it is to conquer the time. It destroys those who oppose it.

Reason behind Lord Vishnu resting on Sheshnag

Responsibilities and duties toward family, society and economy are a part of everyone’s life. Lots of efforts and courage are needed to face some of the important responsibilities which are as scary as a Kalrupi Sheshnag. Vishnu’s quiet face while resting on the kings of serpents inspires people to be patient and calm in difficult situations. All problems can be solved with a quiet attitude.

Vishnu as explained in Rig Veda

Earliest mentions of Lord Vishnu are explained in the most ancient book of the world, Rig Veda. In this book he appears as a solar God who is a sign of light. His head was separated from his body by a trick of Gods. It is this head which became the sun. In the Veda, he is depicted as a friend and companion of Lord Indra who is the God of rain, storm and thunder. Together, they take on the devil, Vritra (who causes drought) and are known as Vritraharan (the killer of Vritra).

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Papankusha Ekadashi: A Day To Abolish All Sins

Papankusha Ekadashi also known as Ashwin Shukla Ekadashi is on 15 October, 2013. This day is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and observing fast on this day helps in abolition of all sins and attainment of heaven. With the observance of this fast one receives Akshaya Punya.

Legend behind the Ekadashi

In ancient times, there lived a very ruthless hunter named Krodhana, on the mountains of Vindhyachal. Throughout his life he was involved in sinful activities such as drinking, theft, violence and killing. Just before the last day of his life, Yamraj ordered his envoys to bring Krodhana in his court as his lifetime was over. After getting Yamraj’s order, his messengers went to Krodhana to inform him the same on which he got scared and went to Saint Angira. He told Saint Angira about his sins and the fear of the upcoming death. On this Saint replied, Tomorrow is Kwaar Sudi’s Ekadashi and this day eradicates all the sins of the humans and he should observe this fast with pure heart and worship Lord Vishnu as it will eliminate all his sins. After listening to the Saint, Krodhana observed the fast and worshipped Lord Vishnu with devotion. That night Krodhana chanted the name of God and went to sleep and with that, his soul left his body. But envoys of Yamraj failed to take his soul to Yamalok as he had observed Papakunsha Ekadashi’s Vrat before his death and as such his soul was taken to Heaven by the counsellors of Lord Vishnu. As a result messengers of Yamraj went back without his soul.

To download wallpapers of Lord Vishnu, click here- Lord Vishnu Wallpapers

Method to observe Ekadashi Fast

Glory of Papankusha Ekadashi Fast is unmatchable. The devotees get up early in the morning, take bath and wear clean clothes. Idol of Lord Vishnu is placed on a clean place and is worshipped with lamps, flowers, betel leaves, incense sticks and coconut. The rituals of the fast begin from Dashmi, a day before. Wheat, Moong, rice, Urad, Masoor, Barley and Gram are the seven cereals worshipped on this day. This day the devotees should refrain from lies and should not harm anyone. They should speak less for the abolition of their sins. On the day of Ekadashi the food prepared must not contain salt and spices. Vishnu Sahasranaman is read at night. This fast is concluded on the next day (Dvadashi) by giving donations to the Brahmins.

Papankusha Ekadashi Fast Benefits

It is believed that by observing this fast a person goes to heaven after death. He does not face the fear and problems of Yamlok (hell). It is also said that fruits of 1000 Ashvamedha Yagya and 100 Surya Yagya cannot be compared to even the 16th portion of the Ekadashi fast which clearly shows how unique this fast is from every other fasts. A person gets health, wealth and a beautiful life partner by observing this fast.

Performing Jagran at night of Ekadashi is considered highly auspicious and 10 ancestors each, from maternal and paternal side are sent to Vishnu Lok (heaven). Blessing of Brahmins is taken by feeding them and offering them cereals, donation, cow, land and clothing. Mahurat of Papankush Ekadashi is the best day to begin any kind of construction activities which serve the mankind like constructing temple, water-tank, alms-house and garden.

Papankusha Ekadashi is a very auspicious day and this fast is truly inequivalent. You can overcome all your sins by observing this fast and could seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu for a healthy, wealthy and long life. 

Click here to know the Ekadashi dates for 2013 - Ekadashi 2013

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