NITAAI-Veda.nyf > Other Scriptures by Acharyas > Ekadashi Glories > Ekadashi Vratas Part Two > Haribodhihi |
Haribodhihi Ekadashi
Lord Brahma said to
Narada Muni, "Dear son, 0 best of the sages, I shall narrate to you the
glories of Haribodhini Ekadashi, which eradicates all kinds of sins and bestows
great merit, and ultimately liberation, upon the wise persons who surrender unto
the Supreme Lord.
"0 best of the
brdhmanas, the merits acquired by bathing in the Ganges remain significant only
as long as Haribodhini Ekadashi does not come. This Ekadashi, 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
Ekadashi is more powerful in nullifying sin than one thousand Asvamedha
sacrifices and one hundred Rajasuya sacrifices."
Narada Muni, the saint
among the demigods, inquired, "0 father, please describe the relative
merits of fasting completely on Ekadashi, eating supper [without grains or
beans], or eating but once at midday [without grains or beans]."
Lord Brahma replied,
"If a person eats once at midday on Ekadashi, the sins of his previous
birth are erased, if he eats only supper, the sins acquired during his previous
two births are removed, and if he fasts completely, the sins accumulated during
his previous seven births are eradicated.
"0 son, whatever is
only rarely achieved within the three worlds is obtained by him who strictly
observes Haribodhini Ekadashi. A person whose sins equal Mount Sumeru in volume
sees them all reduced to nothing if he simply fasts on Papaharini Ekadashi
[another name for Haribodhini Ekadashi]. The sins a person has accumulated over
a thousand previous births are burned to ashes if he not only fasts but also
remains awake throughout Ekadashi night, just as a mountain of cotton can be
burned to ashes if one lights a small fire in it.
"0 best of sages,
Naradaji, a person who strictly observes this fast achieves the results I have
mentioned. Even if one does a small amount of pious activity on this day,
following the rules and regulations, one will earn merit equal to Mount Sumeru
in volume; however, a person who does not follow the rules and regulations
given in the scriptures may perform pious activity equal to Mount Sumeru in
volume, but he will not earn even a small amount of merit. One who does not
chant the Gayatri mantra three times a day, who disregards fast days, who does
not believe in God, who criticizes the Vedic scriptures, who thinks the Vedas
bring only ruination to one who follows their injunctions, who enjoy's
another's wife, who is utterly foolish and wicked, who does not appreciate any
service that has been rendered to him, or who cheats others-such a sinful
person, 0 son, can never perform any religious activity effectively. Be he a
brahmana or a sudra, whoever tries to enjoy another man's wife, particularly
the wife of a twice-born person, is said to be no better than a dog-eater.'
"0 best of the
sages, any brahmana who enjoys sex with a widow or a brahmana lady married to
another man brings ruin to himself and his family. Any brahmana who enjoys
illicit sex will have no children in his next life, and any past merit he may
have earned is ruined. Indeed, if such a person displays any arrogance toward a
twice-born brahmana or a spiritual master, he loses all his spiritual
advancement immediately, as well as his wealth and children.
"These three kinds
of men ruin their acquired merits: he whose character is immoral, he who has
sex with the wife of a dog-eater, and he who appreciates the association of
rogues. Whoever associates with sinful people and visits their homes without a
spiritual purpose will go directly to the abode of Lord Yamaraja, the
superintendent of death. And if someone eats in such a home, his acquired merit
is destroyed, along with his fame, duration of life, children, and happiness.
"Any sinful rascal
who insults a saintly person soon loses his religiosity, economic development,
and sense gratification, and he at last burns in the fire of hell. Anyone who
likes to offend saintly persons, or who does not interrupt someone who is
insulting saintly persons, is considered no better than an ass. Such a wicked
man sees his dynasty destroyed before his very eyes.
"A person whose
character is unclean, who is a rogue or a swindler, or who always finds fault
with others does not achieve a higher destination after death, even if he gives
charity generously or performs other pious deeds. Therefore one should refrain
from performing inauspicious acts and perform only pious ones, by which one
will acquire merit and avoid suffering.
"However, the sins
of one who, after due consideration, decides to fast on Haribodhini Ekadagi are
erased from one hundred previous lives, and whoever fasts and remains awake
overnight on this Ekadashi achieves unlimited merit and after death goes to the
supreme abode of Lord Vishnu, and ten thousand of his ancestors, relatives, and
descendants also reach that abode. Even if one's forefathers were implicated in
many sins and are suffering in hell, they still attain beautifully ornamented
spiritual bodies and happily go to Vishnu's abode.
"0 Narada, even one
who has committed the heinous sin of killing a brahmana is freed of all stains
on his character by fasting on Haribodhini Ekadashi and remaining awake that
night. The merit that cannot be won by bathing in all the places of pilgrimage,
performing a horse sacrifice, or giving cows, gold, or fertile land in charity
can easily be achieved by fasting on this holy day and remaining awake
throughout the night.
"Anyone who observes
Haribodhini Ekadagi is celebrated as highly qualified and makes his dynasty
famous. As death is certain, so losing one's wealth is also certain. Knowing
this, 0 best of sages, one should observe a fast on this day so dear to Hari-Shri
Haribodhini Ekadagi
"All places of
pilgrimage in the three worlds at once come to reside in the house of a person
who fasts on this Ekadagi Therefore, to please the Lord, who holds a disc in
His hand, one should give up all engagements, surrender, and observe this
Ekadashi fast. One who fasts on this Haribodhini day is acknowledged as a wise
man, a true yogi, an ascetic, and one whose senses are truly under control. He
alone enjoys this world properly, and he will certainly achieve liberation.
This Ekadagi is very dear to Lord Vishnu, and thus it is the very essence of
religiosity. Even one observance of it bestows the topmost reward in all the
three worlds. "0 Naradaji, whoever fasts on this Ekadashi will definitely
not enter a womb again, and thus faithful devotees of the Supreme Godhead give
up all varieties of religion and simply surrender to fasting on this Ekadashi.
For that great soul who honors this Ekadashi by fasting and remaining awake
throughout the night, the Supreme Lord, Shri Govinda, personally terminates the
sinful reactions that soul has acquired by the actions of his mind, body, and
words.
"0 son, for anyone
who bathes in a place of pilgrimage, gives charity, chants the holy names of
the Supreme Lord, undergoes austerities, and performs sacrifices for God on
Haribodhini Ekadashi, the merit thus earned all becomes imperishable. A devotee
who worships Lord Madhava on this day with first-class paraphernalia becomes
free from the great sins of a hundred lifetimes. A person who observes this
fast and worships Lord Vishnu properly is freed from great danger.
"This Ekadashi fast
pleases Lord Janardana so much that He takes the person who observes it back to
His abode, and while going there the devotee illuminates the ten universal
directions. Whoever desires beauty and happiness should try to honor
Haribodhini Ekadashi, especially if it falls on Dvadasi. The sins of one's past
hundred birthsthe sins committed during childhood, youth, and old age in all
those lifetimes, whether those sins are dry or wet-are nullified by the Supreme
Lord Govinda if one fasts on Haribodhini Ekadashi with devotion.
"Haribodhini
Ekadashi is the best Ekadashi Nothing is unobtainable or rare in this world for
one who fasts on this day, for it gives food grains, great wealth, and high
merit, as well as eradication of all sin, the terrible obstacle to liberation.
Fasting on this Ekadashi is a thousand times better than giving charity on the
day of the solar or lunar eclipse. Again I say to you, 0 Naradaji, whatever merit
is earned by one who bathes in a place of pilgrimage, gives charity, chants
japa, recites Vedic mantras, performs sacrifices, and studies the Vedas is only
one ten-millionth the merit earned by the person who fasts but once on
Haribodhini Ekadashi. Whatever merit one has acquired in his life by some pious
activities becomes completely fruitless if one does not observe the Ekadashi
fast and worship Lord Vishnu in the month of Kartika. Therefore, 0 Mirada, you
should always worship the Supreme Lord, Janardana, and render service to Him.
Thus you will attain the desired goal, the highest perfection.
"On Haribodhini
Ekadashi, a devotee of the Lord should not eat in another's house or eat food
cooked by a nondevotee. If he does so, he achieves only the merit of fasting on
a full moon day. Philosophical discussion of scriptures in the month of Kartika
pleases Shri Vishnu more than if one gives elephants and horses in charity or
performs a costly sacrifice. Whoever chants or hears descriptions of Lord Vishnu's
qualities and pastimes, even if but a half or even a fourth of a verse, attains
the wonderful merit derived from giving away a hundred cows to a brahmana. 0
Narada, during the month of Kartika one should give up all kinds of ordinary
duties and devote one's full time and energy, especially while fasting, to
discussing the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Lord. Such glorification
of Shri Hari on the day so dear to the Lord, Ekadashi, liberates a hundred
previous generations. One who spends his time enjoying such discussions,
especially in the month of Kartika, achieves the results of performing ten
thousand fire sacrifices and burns all his sins to ashes.
"He who hears the
wonderful narrations concerning Lord Vishnu, particularly during the month of
Kartika, automatically earns the same merit as that bestowed upon someone who
donates a hundred cows in charity. 0 great sage, a person who chants the
glories of Lord Hari on Ekadashi achieves the merit earned by donating seven
islands."
Narada Muni asked his
glorious father, "0 universal sire, 0 best of all demigods, please tell me
how to observe this most sacred Ekadashi, What kind of merit does it bestow
upon the faithful?"
Lord Brahma replied,
"0 son, a person who wants to observe this Ekadashi should rise early on
Ekadashi morning, during the brahmamuhurta hour [an hour and a half before
sunrise until fifty minutes before sunrise]. He should then clean his teeth and
bathe in a lake, river, pond, or well, or in his own home, as the situation warrants.
After worshiping Lord Shri Kesava, he should listen carefully to the sacred
descriptions of the Lord. He should pray to the Lord thus: '0 Lord Kesava, I
shall fast on this day, which is so dear to You, and tomorrow I shall honor
Your sacred prasddam. 0 lotus-eyed Lord, 0 infallible one, You are my only
shelter. Kindly protect me.' "Having spoken this solemn prayer before the
Lord with great love and devotion, one should fast cheerfully. 0 Mirada,
whoever remains awake all night on this Ekadashi, singing beautiful songs
glorifying the Lord, dancing in ecstasy, playing delightful instrumental music
for His transcendental pleasure, and reciting the pastimes of Lord Krishna as
recorded in bona fide Vedic literatures such a person will most assuredly reside
far beyond the three worlds, in the eternal, spiritual realm of God.
"On Haribodhini
Ekadashi one should worship Shri Krishna with camphor, fruits, and aromatic
flowers, especially the yellow agaru flower. One should not absorb oneself in
making money on this important day. In other words, greed should be exchanged
for charity. This is the process for turning loss into unlimited merit. One
should offer many kinds of fruits to the Lord and bathe Him with water from a
conchshell. Each of these devotional practices, when performed on Haribodhini
Ekadashi, is ten million times more beneficial than bathing in all the places
of pilgrimage and giving all forms of charity.
"Even Lord Indra
joins his palms and offers his obeisances to a devotee who worships Lord
Janardana with first-class agastya flowers on this day. The Supreme Lord Hari
is very pleased when He is decorated with nice agastya flowers. 0 Mirada, I
give liberation to one who devotedly worships Lord Krishna on this Ekadashi in
the month of Kartika with leaves of the bel tree. And for one who worships Lord
Janardana with fresh tulasi leaves and fragrant flowers during this month, 0
son, I personally burn to ashes all the sins he has committed for ten thousand
births.
"One who merely sees
Tulasi Maharani, touches her, meditates on her, narrates her history, offers
obeisances to her, prays to her for her grace, plants her, worships her, or
waters her lives in the abode of Lord Hari eternally. 0 Narada, one who serves
Tulasi-devi in these nine ways achieves happiness in the higher world for as
many thousands of yugas as there are roots and subroots growing from a mature
tulasi plant. When a full-grown tulasi plant produces seeds, many plants grow
from those seeds and spread their branches, twigs, and flowers, and these
flowers also produce numerous seeds. For as many thousands of kalpas as there
are seeds produced in this way, the forefathers of one who serves tulasi in
these nine ways will live in the abode of Lord Hari. "Those who worship
Lord Kesava with kadamba flowers, which are very pleasing to Him, get His mercy
and do not see the abode of Yamaraja, death personified. What is the use of
worshiping someone else if all desires can be fulfilled by pleasing Lord Hari?
For example, a devotee who offers Him bakula, asoka, and patali flowers is
freed from misery and distress for as long as the sun and moon exist in this
universe, and at last he achieves liberation. 0 best of the brdhmanas, an
offering of kannera flowers to Lord Jagannatha brings as much mercy upon the
devotee as that earned by worshiping Lord Kesava for four yugas. One who offers
tulasi flowers [manjaris] to Shri Krishna during the month of Kartika receives
more merit than can be obtained by donating ten million cows.' Even a devotional
offering of newly grown sprouts of grass brings with it a hundred times the
benefit obtained by ordinary ritualistic worship of the Supreme Lord.
"One who worships
Lord Vishnu with the leaves of the samika tree is freed from the clutches of
Yamaraja, the lord of death. One who worships Vishnu during the rainy season
with campaka or jasmine flowers never returns to the planet earth again. One
who worships the Lord with but a single kumbhi flower achieves the boon of
donating a pala of gold [two hundred grams]. If a devotee offers a single
yellow flower of the ketaki, or wood-apple, tree to Lord Vishnu, who rides on
Garuda, he is freed from the sins of ten million births. Furthermore, one who
offers Lord Jagannatha flowers and also a hundred leaves anointed with red and
yellow sandalwood paste will certainly come to reside in Svetadvipa, far beyond
the coverings of this material creation.
"0 greatest of
brdhmanas, Shri Mirada, after thus worshiping Lord Kesava, the bestower of all
material and spiritual happiness, on Haribodhini Ekadashi, one should rise
early the next day, bathe in a river, chant japa of Krishna's holy names, and
render loving devotional service to the Lord at home to the best of one's
ability. To break the fast, the devotee should first offer some prasadam to
brdhmanas and only then, with their permission, eat some grains. Thereafter, to
please the Supreme Lord, the devotee should worship his spiritual master, the
purest of the Lord's devotees, and offer him sumptuous food, nice cloth, gold,
and cows, according to the devotee's means. This will certainly please the
Supreme Lord, the holder of the disc.
"Next the devotee
should donate a cow to a brdhmana, and if the devotee has neglected some rules
and regulations of spiritual life, he should confess them before brdhmana
devotees of the Lord. Then the devotee should offer them some daksina [money].
0 king, those who have eaten supper on Ekadashi should feed a brahmana the next
day. That is very pleasing to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
"0 son, if a man has
fasted without asking the permission of his priest, or if a woman has fasted
without asking her husband's permission, he or she should donate a bull to a
brahmana Honey and yogurt are also proper gifts for a brahmana Someone who has
eaten only fruits on Ekadashi should donate fruits the next day. One who has
fasted from oil should give ghee in charity, one who has fasted from ghee
should donate milk, one who has fasted from grains should donate rice, one who
has slept on the floor should donate a bedstead with a quilt, one who has eaten
on a leaf plate should donate a pot of ghee, one who has remained silent should
donate a bell, and one who has fasted from sesame should give gold in charity
and feed a brahmana couple with sumptuous food. A man who wants to prevent
baldness should donate a mirror to a brahmana one who has second-hand shoes
should donate shoes, and one who has fasted from salt should donate some sugar
to a brahmana During this month everyone should regularly offer a ghee lamp to
Lord Vishnu or to Shrimati Tulasi-devi in a temple.
"An Ekadashi fast is
complete when one offers a qualified brdhmana a gold or copper pot filled with
ghee and ghee wicks, along with eight waterpots containing some gold and
covered by cloths. One who cannot afford these gifts should at least offer a
brahmana some sweet words. One who does so will surely attain the full benefit
of fasting on Ekadashi.
"After offering his
obeisances and begging permission, the devotee should eat his meal. On this
Ekadashi Caturmasya ends, so whatever one gave up during Caturmasya should now
be donated to brdhmanas. One who follows this process of Caturmasya receives
unlimited merit, 0 king of kings, and goes to the abode of Lord Vasudeva after
death. 0 king, anyone who observes the complete Caturmasya without a break
attains eternal happiness and does not receive another birth. But if someone
breaks the fast, he becomes either a blind man or a leper.
"Thus I have
narrated to you the complete process for observing Haribodhini Ekadashi.
Someone who reads or hears about this Ekadashi achieves the merit earned by
donating cows to a qualified brahmana."