Nirjala Ekadasi

Swami Sharanam Team, Today is fasting for Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi.

One who reads or hears the narration of the boundless glories of NIRJALA Ekadasi with devotion goes back to the spiritual abode.

SIGNIFICANCE OF NIRJALA EKADASI :

Bhima says to Sri Vyasa Muni, my elder brother Yudhisthira, mother Kunti devi, brothers Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva, and 

Draupadi fast completely on the Ekadasi day. 

I have tried but unable to fast. My hunger is too great too bear fasting on every Ekadasi. 

I can give in charity, I can worship Lord Kesava but I cannot fast. Please instruct me how I can obtain the mercy....

"On hearing Bhima's pathetic entreaty, Sri Vyasa Muni said, 

"O Bhima, if you want to go to the heavenly planets, avoiding the hellish condition, then you must refrain from eating on both Ekadasi days each month.

"Bhima interjected: 'O Vyasa Muni! It is impossible for me to fast on 24 Ekadasi's per year. 

Bhima says with great endeavour I may be able to fast one day a year…

"Sri Vyasa Muni said: 'Therefore I will tell of a sublime method by which all your desires will be fulfilled. This method is the concentrated essence of all the Puranas. Anybody who observes Ekadasi of the waning and waxing Moons by fasting never goes to hell."

"Sri Vyasa Muni replied: During the waxing Moon in the month of Jyestha during the suns presence in either Taurus or Gemini Rasi, there is an Ekadasi known as Nirjala Ekadasi. 

On this greatest of days, one should observe total fasting without even water to drink. One should observe acamana by drinking an amount of water equal to a single mustard seed.

"One must not eat anything at all on this Ekadasi, otherwise the vow is broken and the results lost. One should abstain from eating and drinking from Sunrise on the day of Ekadasi until Sunrise on the day of Dvadasi. In this way, if one successfully completes fasting on this day, he receives the results of having observed all the Ekadasi's of the year.

Eating is actually prohibited on all the Ekadasi's, and even drinking water is prohibited on Nirjala Ekadasi. By observing this Ekadasi one receives the benefit of bathing in all the holy rivers, and visiting all the holy places of pilgrimage. If one follows this Ekadasi vrata he need not fear being approached by the Yamadutas at the time of death, rather he will be greeted by the Vishnudutas and transferred to the abode of Vishnu. If on the day of Dvadasi following Nirjala Ekadasi one gives water in charity to others, all his sinful activities will come to an end!

"When Bhima told the other Pandavas what he had heard about this Nirjaala Ekadasi, they all decided to observe it's magnificence accordingly. From that day onward Bhima began observing this Nirjala vrata, once a year. Thereafter this Ekadasi is famously known as Pandava Nirjala, or Bhimaseni Ekadasi.

Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa......