Garga Bhagavatham : Maadhurya khanda - Chapter 8

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Gopis who were Yagyasita's in the past seek the advice of Sri Radha Rani; Sri Radha explains how to observe the Vrat of Ekadashi to please Sri Krishna; Sri Radha explains the procedure and its greatness

Sri Narada says:- King of Mithila! Now listen to the description of the Gopikas in the form YagnaSita, which will destroy all sins, provide sanctity, fulfill wishes, and is the storehouse of prosperity. 

     In the south, there is a famous country called Usheenar, where Indra did not provide rains for ten years. In that country, some gopas owned many cows. Fearing a famine all of them came to Vrajmandal along with their families and cows. Best of kings! With the help of king Nand, they started living on the beautiful and serene banks of Yamuna in holy Vrindavan. By the boon granted by Bhagawan Sri Ram, gopikas in the form of YagnaSita were born in their houses. Their bodies were divine and were adorned with divine youth. King! One day they saw Sri Krishna and were attracted to Him. They went to Sri Radha to ask her about what vow to undertake to attain Sri Krishna. 

Gopis said:- Divine Beauty, Lotus eyed one, daughter of Vrishabanu, Sri Radhe! Please tell us what good vow we should perform to please Sri Krishna. He who is unattainable to even Devatas is under your influence. Radhe! You have the entire universe under your spell and you are proficient in the knowledge of shastras and also have philosophic sense. 

Sri Radha said:- Dear sisters! For the happiness of Sri Krishna, all of you follow the rituals of Ekadasi Vrat. By doing that Sri Hari will be under your spell. There is no doubt it.

 Gopis asked:- Radhike! what are the names of all Ekadasis in a whole year? How to observe Ekadasi Vrat in each month? 

Sri Radha said:- Gopi Girls! In the month of Margasheesh, in Krishnapaksha, from the body of Sri Vishnu, more precisely from His mouth Ekadasi originated to slay a demon hence that day of the month is most auspicious than all other days. Every month, different types of Ekadasi is observed. That is the best of all vows(vrats).

 For the welfare of all of you, I will tell the twenty-six names of that day. ( starting from Krishna Ekadasi in the month of Margsheersh till Shukla Ekadasi in the month of Kartika there are twenty four Ekadasi days. Their names in the same order are these ) Utpanna, Moksha, Saphala, Putrada, Shat Thila, Jaya, Vijaya, Aamalaki, Paapamochini, Kaamada, Varoothini, Mohini, Aparaa, Nirjala, Yogini, Devashayani, Kaamini, Pavitraa, Ajaa, Padma, Indira, Papaankusha, Ramaa, and Prabhodini.

Two Ekadasis come in the month of Mala. Both are named Sarvasampat-prada. In this manner whoever recites the names of all these Ekadasis will also obtain the benefits of observing vows of Dwadasi and Ekadasi throughout the year. 

      Girls of Vraj! Now listen to the procedures of Ekadasi vrat. Humans should eat only once on the day of Dasami and having control over organs sleep on the floor. Water should be drunk only once during the day. Wear washed clothes and be pious mentally and physically. Then wake up very early on Ekadasi day and pay obeisance at the feet of Sri Hari. Afterward, answer nature's calls and bathe. Bathing from a well is of low class, bathing in a stepped well is middle class, bathing in a pond or flowing water is considered as very good and bathing in the sea is even better than that. After bathing, that great human should give up anger, avarice, and avoid speaking to cruel and wicked people. The fasting people should also not talk to liars, those who dishonor Brahmanas, those who enjoy the company of characterless women, those who steal other's wealth, those enamored by other's wives, ill-mannered and those who are disrespectful. Worship Bhagawan Keshav in a temple, offer oblations there and offer light with a great sense of devotion. Listen to holy stories told by Brahmanas and offer them good donations, do not sleep that night, and sing the praise of Sri Krishna. If Ekadasi vrat is to be observed then, on the day of Dasami brass vessels, meat, lentils, millet, cereals, leafy vegetables, honey, eating other's food, left-over food, and physical relationship, all these ten things must be sacrificed. Gambling, sleep, getting drunk, chewing tobacco, insulting others, backbiting, stealing, cruelty, lust, anger, telling lies, all these eleven things must be sacrificed on the day of Ekadasi. Brass vessels, meat, honey, oil, mithya-bhojan, pithii, saatika, rice and lentil, all these items should not be consumed on the day of Dwadasi. In this manner observe the good Ekadasi vrat. 

Gopis said:- Most learned Radhe! Tell the time of Ekadasi vrat. What are the benefits of that? Tell this also and describe the greatness of Ekadasi vrat. 

Sri Radhe said:- If Dasami is visible until fifty-five hours, then that Ekadasi is disposable and fasting has to be observed only on Dwadasi. If even a moment of Dasami remains, then that Ekadasi day deserves to be given up, just like even a drop of wine makes the whole pot of Ganga water impure. If Ekadasi extends even for a little time to the next day, then the second only becomes eligible for observing fast. Fasting should not be observed on the first day of Ekadasi.

     Girls of Vraj! Now I will tell you about the benefits of the Ekadasi vrat, by merely listening to this one can get the benefits of performing Vaajapeya yagna. The man who observes Ekadasi vrat attains the benefits that are got by feeding 86 thousand Brahmanas. Observing Ekadashi gives thousand times more merit than the merit obtained when one donates an entire Earth filled with oceans and forests. Whoever is drowned in the ocean of sin-filled family life, the best means of obtaining salvation is to observe Ekadasi vrat. For those who observe Ekadasi vrat by staying awake all night, such people even though they have committed crores of sins, will not have to see the enraged form of YamaRaj. Those who worship Sri Hari with leaves of Tulsi on the day of Dwadasi, sins will not stick on to them like drops of water do not stick on to the petals of a lotus. Even thousands of Aswamedha and crores of Rajasooya yagnas will not be equal to the sixteenth portion of the benefit of one Ekadasi vrat. The man who observes Ekadasi vrat sanctifies ten generations of his mothers, fathers, and sixteen generations of his wife. The Krishnapaksha Ekadasi vratas and the Shuklapaksha Ekadasi vratas bestow equal benefits. Milk yielded by white or black cows is both white. If the sins committed in a hundred births, which are as huge as the Meru mountain and Mandaraachal are on one side and the observance of one Ekadasi vrat is on the other then the mountainous will burnt into ashes like piles of cotton would become ash by sparks of fire. 

    Gopi girls! On the day of Dwadasi, methodically or otherwise even a small amount of donation is given, it becomes as great as the Meru mountain. Those who listen to the stories of Bhagawan Vishnu on Ekadasi day, they will get the benefits of donating the earth along with seven islands. Even if one bathes in the Shankoddhaara-tirtha and has darshan of the Lord carrying a mace and gets the great benevolence, even that will not be equal in benefit to one-sixteenth of Ekadasi fasting. Even the merit of donations given four lakh times on Sankranti day, days of Solar eclipse, and a lunar eclipse at the holy places of Prabhas, Kurukshetra, Kedar, Badrikashram, Kashi, and Sukra kshetra will not be equal to the sixteenth fraction of the merit of Ekadasi vrat. Gopis! Just as, Sesha among serpents, Garuda among birds, Vishnu among Gods, Brahmana among castes

Peepul among trees and Tulsi among leaves are the greatest, in the same manner among all Vratas (austerities) Ekadasi vrat is the best. Those who observe Ekadasi vrat get the same benefit that one gets by doing penance for ten thousand years. Girls of Vraj! In this way, I have explained to you the benefits of Ekadasi. All of you begin the vrat quickly. Tell me what else you want to hear.

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