Nirjala Ekadasi

Nirjala Ekadasi

            The description of Nirjala Ekadasi that occurs during the month of May/June is found in Brahma Vaivarta Purana in the conversation between Vyasa Deva and Bhimasena.
            Once Bhimasena the younger brother of Yudhisthira asked the great sage Srila Vyasa Deva   O most learned and worshipable grand father please hear my request, my elder brother Yudhisthira, mother Kuntidevi, brothers Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva and Draupadi do not eat anything on the day of Ekadasi.  They especially Yudhisthira always tells me that I should also fast on Ekadasi.  But I always tell them though I know that to fast on Ekadasi is an injunction of the scriptures.  Yet I cannot bear my hunger therefore I am unable to fast.  I can give in charity as per my capacity, I can worship Lord Kesava with proper rules and regulations, but I cannot fast.  So please instruct me how can I obtain the result of Ekadasi with having to fast?
          On hearing these words of Bhimasena Srila Vyasa Deva said O Bhima! If you want to go to the heavenly planet and avoid the hellish planets, then you must refrain from eating on both the Ekadasis of each month.  
           Bhima said O great sage!  It is impossible for me to observe fast on 24 Ekadasis every year as instructed by the Lord.  What to speak of fasting day and night I cannot even tolerate my hunger for a moment.  The fire of hunger known, as ëbrikaí is always present with in my stomach and it is extinguished only by voracious eating.  But with great endeavour I can fast only one day in a year.  Therefore please instruct me about a vow by duely following of which I can attain auspiciousness both in this life and next.  
            Sri Vyasa Deva said, O King! You have already heard from me the about the vedic religious principles and the duties of the human beings.  But in this age of Kali every one is not capable of following those rules and regulations.  Therefore I will tell you a sublime method by which you can achieve great results.  This method is the essence of all the Puranas.  Any one who observes the Ekadasis of waning and waxing moons by fasting never goes to hell.
            Hearing Vyasadeva’s words the strongest warrior Bhimasena became frightened and shivered like a leaf on a Banyan tree and said O grandfather!  Then what should I do?  I am totally unable to fast twice a month through the year.  Therfore O my lord! Kindly instruct me about observing one vow which awards the most amount of merit and following of which I can achieve all benefits.
            Then Sri Vyasa deva replied the Ekadasi, which occurs during the waxing moon in the month of May/June during the suns present in either Taures or Gemini Rasi, is called as Nirjala Ekadasi.  One should observe total fast even from drinking water in this Ekadasi.  On this day one should perform Acamana for purification by drinking that amount of water in which a single mustered seed or a drop of gold can be immersed.  One should place the said amount of water in his palm that he should form to resemble a cow’s ear.  If one drinks more or less water then this then it will amount to drinking of wine.  
            One must not eat anything at all on this Ekadasi otherwise his vow will be broken.  One should not drink even water from the movement of sunrise from the day of Ekadasi until the sunrise on the day of Dvadasi.  In this way if one strictly observes this Ekadasi without drinking water then he can attain the results of observing all the Ekadasis of the year.
            In the early morning on the day of Dvadasi one should take bath and give gold and water in charity to the Brahmins.  Thereafter the follower should gladly eat with the brahmins.
           O Bhimasena! Now please hear the about the piety one accumulated by observing this Ekadasi.  By following this Ekadasi one can achieve the result of following all the Ekadasis throughout the year.  Once Lord Vishnu who holds a conch, a disc, a plough and a lotus flower in his hand told me that if a person gives up all varieties of religion and surrenders unto me and follows this Nirjala Ekadasi which is very dear to me is certainly relieved from all sinful reactions.  One cannot obtain the supreme destination by giving wealth in charity or attain any benefit by following smartha rules and regulations in the Kali Yuga.  Infect the Vedic religious principle have been extinct in this age of Kali which is polluted with various faults.
            O Son of Vayu!  What more can I tell you? Actually eating is prohibited on all the Ekadasis and even the drinking of water is prohibited on Nirjala Ekadasi.  By observing this Ekadasi one achieves the piety of visiting all the holy places.  At the time of death such a person is not approached by the fierce looking Yamadutas rather he is approached by the divine looking Vishnudutaís to be transferred to the abode of Vishnu.  If one gives water and cows in charity after observing this Ekadasi then he is freed from all his sinful activities.  
            When the other Pandavas heard about the glories of this Ekadasi they resolved to observe it since Bhimasena began observing this Nirjala Ekadasi from that day onward this Ekadasi became famous as Pandava Nirjala or Bhimseni Ekadasi.  By following these Ekadasi sinful activities, as huge as Sumeru or Mandra Mountain is at once burnt to ashes.  O King! Lord Krishna has declared that any pious activities such as taking bath in a holy place, giving in charity. Chanting Vedic mantras and performing sacrifices are carried out on this Nirjala Ekadasi day become inexhaustible.  
           One who reads or hears the glories of this Ekadasi with devotion goes back to the abode of Vaikuntha.  The result one attains by observing the vow of Amavasya conjoined with pratipada and offering oblations to the forefathers during the solar eclipse is attained simply by hearing the glories of this Ekadasi.  
 

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