Jaya Ekadashi /Thirunavaya Ekadashi !!


Jai Sriman Narayana !!



Bavishyothara Puranam narrates the glories of Jaya Ekadashi,  Lord Krishna explains to King Yudhishtira about the significance of Ekadashi Vrata which occurs on the waxing period of moon. 

The demigods were lived happily in the heaven ruled by Lord Indra.  Once, Lord Indra arranged a dance performance of celestial dancers and singers in order to amuse the members in his assembly.  In that event there were fifty million celestial dancers/Gandharvas/Apsaras.  There were no words to describe their enthralling beauty. Amongst them there was an Apsara named Pushpavati who had all the gorgeous features from head to toe. Her beautiful face had the resemblance to moon, her long arms, her thin waist and beautifully decorated jewels all over her body and her marvelous garments were mounted her mesmerizing beauty.  There was a Gandharva named Malayavan was fallen at her captivating beauty.  Both of them could not take their eyes off from each other.  The grand performance continued for some time.   Her entrancing beauty made Malayavan deeply moved for her and both stood motionless.


The pair perturbed the entire program of the celestial dancers.  Lord Indra could sense the situation and got disturbed by the act of Pushpavati and Malayavan.  The enchanted pairs were in a world of their own.  Lord Indra felt it was a great insult to him and cursed the pairs to be born as Ghosts in the Earth for their sins. 

Malayavan and Pushpavati turned into spirits due to the curse of Lord Indra and lived a miserable life in the Mountains of Himalayas.  After receiving the bodies of spirits, they did not feel any attraction towards each other, instead they regretted for the sins they had committed.  They lamented on their foolishness.    They sat under a Banyan tree and felt miserable of their heinous act.  Sooner they lost their hunger and thirst.  They spent the whole day repenting on their fate.  Coincidently, the day they were remained awake and fasting was Jaya Ekadashi. In the night it was freezing cold they were in a wretched state and could not sleep in the whole night.  In this way they observed 'Jaya Ekadashi' on the waxing period of the moon.

The pieties they have accumulated by observing Jaya Ekadashi made them to   regain their original form as celestial dancers Pushpavati and Gandharva once again.  They happily returned to Heaven and as a mark of respect they paid obeisance to Lord Indra and the deities.  Lord Indra concluded with the certainty of observing Jaya Ekadashi that whoever worships Lord Vishnu with utmost faith and devotion are highly rewarding act and remain in the Lotus feet of Lord.  The celestial couple Pushpavati and Malayavan lived happily ever after.

Lord Krishna describes the merits achieved by fasting on the day of Jaya Ekadashi to King Yudhishtira. Whoever worships Lord Vishnu on this day with utmost faith and devotion, follows the rituals of Ekadashi Vrata would get rid of all the sins including 'Brahma Hathya and lives in the Abode of Lord Vishnu forever.  Moreover, the devotees shall possess all the virtues which would promote charity, visiting holy places and performing sacrifices etc... Finally, whoever happens to read the glories of Jaya Ekadashi would attain the merits of performing Yagna. 
 



Jai Sriman Narayana !!

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