Nirjala Ekadashi – The most fruitful fast for Hindus
To be observed - vaishnava calendar Bhima Nirjala Ekadasi is on 3 June 2009, Wednesday and devotees observe this ekadashi by total fast, even from water. Break is on Dvadasi 4 June 2009 .
The most ideal but the most difficult is to start this fasting from the sunset of Dashami tithi (or the previous day). In the Puranas, the hardest and most ideal Ekadashi fasting, implies one eats only once at noon on Dashami, brushing one's teeth carefully before sunset on Dashami to remove any sticky grain particles, not to eat any cooked (even non-grain) food on Ekadashi not to sleep on the full Ekadashi night break the fast on Dvadashi sunrise, eat only one full meal at noon on Dvadashi too, and sleep only after sunset on Dvadashi. This ideal level of Ekadashi fasting seems almost impossible for most in these present circumstances of Kali Yuga but I have stated it here for the sake of our knowledge.
Midnight has no relevance. But if the above cannot be followed, the second alternative which may not technically break the main fast, is that one can drink water right upto 3 am or so on the Dashami night (before the Ekadashi day) before sunrise. The main Ekadashi tithi begins with sunrise. So drinking of water etc. should be done well before the Tithi begins before sunrise. Sunrise is at different times in different timezones, so I would recommend not later than 3 am. on the safer side for this alternative solution.
Check out the video where Pandit Shri Rajesh Shukla Shastri speak on Nirjala Ekadashi Importance.
Why Fast
It falls in the month of Jyestha in the Shukla paksha (June), therefore it is also called "Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi" or "Bhimsani Ekadashi" (Bhim sen, the seond Pandav Brother, had observed this difficult fast). Amongst the 24 Ekadashi's observed throughout the year, the fast (Vrat) observed on Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi is considered to be the most beneficial, if one properly observes a fast on this day it is said to give the fruits of 24 Ekadashi observed throughout the year. Complete fast is observed on this day with even water not being taken. People observe strict fast and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu to ensure happiness, prosperity and forgiveness of transgressions and sins. On the preceding day that is on the 10th lunar day, Sandhya (evening prayer) is performed and only one meal is taken.
The Story
Once upon a time Bhim the second pandav brother said to the sage ved vyasa.(The rishi) My brother Yudhisthira, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva and draupadi and my mother Kunti refuse to eat food in any form on this day of ekadashi. And they also ask me to fast on this day. But what I tell them is I sacredly worship and make Yajnas to god however, oh all my brothers, I cannot stay without food for a day.
To this the rishi responded to Bhim by saying that if you know that hell is a bad place and Heaven is the right and the best place then you should not eat whole grains on both the ekadshis of the month. By then Bhim was a little agitated and said oh rishi I have told you very clearly that I cannot skip my meals on any given day, so how do you expect me to fast on these days. That is very difficult for me. Anyways if I try I can fast once in a year for a day. So, you need to suggest once auspicious day to fast which I can commit to and on doing so would be relieved of all my sins and be a part of the heaven.
To this the rishi replied the great saints and sages of all times in sashtras and puranas have mentioned that the only way to get to heaven or be a part of the godly ones is to fast on both the ekadashis of the month. On listening to what the great rishi – the most powerful Bhim started shaking like a lifeless leaf of tree fearing his inescapable route to the hell. To this Bhim asked the great pitamah so what do I do know since there is no way that I can fast and you will have to suggest just one day of fast which I can commit to and on doing so attain moksha (Salvation) for my soul. To this the rishi after a thoughtful period suggested the Jyestha Shukla ekadashi where this ekadashi does not prohibit you from using water to purify your body and the inner soul. So you can take bath and use water to purify your soul from all sins but you have to ensure caution in the intake of water to purify your soul the intake of this water should by no means exceed 3 drops. These 3 drops is good enough to purify your body. If the water intake by any means increases by more than 7 drops it is like the use of spirit/alcohol. If you have meals it destroys the essence of fasting. And if you ensure that you do not take food or water from sunrise to sunset on this given day you would get fruits of all 24 ekadashis in a year.
Offerings to be made
Once you get up the next day to break your fast ensure that after taking bath you make donations as per your capacity to a nearby brahmana (priest). After this one needs to ensure that he offers food to hungry brahmana. And thereafter he can break his own fast.
The fruit of this ekadashi is equivalent to that of all the ekadashi prayers and fasting. And oh you Bhim, “lord has said that the results of observing the fast on this auspicious day is equivalent to all the pilgrimages and donations. By just observing this fast religiously you can be relieved of all your worldly sins. It is a belief that people who observes this fast does not see the frightening yama (The evil transporter).on their death bed. It is the lord vishnus Disciples who would carry your soul to the heavens in the puspak (Lord vishnus vehicle for transportation)
So, in the world the most auspicious and sacred form of fasting of the all is that of nirjala ekadashi. So, all humans on this earth should observe this fast with religiously and ensure restraint while observing the fast. People on this auspicious day should chant “OM Namo Bhagwate Vaashudevaye” This ekadashi is also known as bhimseni/pandava ekadashi.
The Prayer
You need to offer prayer to god and resolve that you would not be having food until the next day’s sunrise. You need to donate things to priest including gold. People who perform yajnas and special offering like yagas the fruits of these yajnas/yagas cannot be described in mere words is what the Vedas describes. If you perform this fast with utmost religiosity you are sent to the Vishnu loka (world) after your death. People who do not observe this fast and they have grains and meals are sent to hell and are a part of this clan for their next 84000 yoni’s.
Even people who have committed heinous crimes like murders, alcoholics, thieves and people who have disrespected their gurus can be a part of the heaven if they observe this fast because doing so purifies their body and souls. And this is undoubtedly true for all such cases as per the Vedas.
And finally rishi said you bhim son of kunti every Man/Woman who observes this fast Lord Vishnu himself protects all such beings on this earth.
Materials for Donations on this auspicious day
Cow, Alms to Brahmans, gold, Food grains, cloths, umbrella, jaggery.
People who religiously listen to this story are guaranteed to get rid of their worldly sins. And they experience all kinds of worldly and material pleasures.
