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Lord Vishnu
When the demon Mura attacked Lord Vishnu, a divine feminine power emerged from Vishnu's body on the 11th day (Ekadashi) of the lunar fortnight and destroyed the demon. Vishnu declared that fasting on this day would please him more than any other offering. The 24 Ekadashis are described in the Padma Purana, each with a unique name and story.
Ekadashi is Vishnu's most beloved tithi. The Padma Purana states that the merit of all pilgrimages, all charities, and all sacrifices combined is less than observing a single Ekadashi fast. Each of the 24 yearly Ekadashis has a unique name, story, and specific benefit.
Complete fast from grains and beans (Anna). Most observers eat fruits, milk, and root vegetables. Nirjala (waterless) fasting gives the highest merit. Recite Vishnu Sahasranama and meditate on Lord Vishnu. Stay awake as late as possible. Break fast (Parana) on Dwadashi (12th day) morning within the prescribed window.
Fast on Ekadashi day (no grains/beans). Break fast (Parana) next morning on Dwadashi after sunrise, ideally before 1/3 of the day has elapsed.
Ekadashi vrat begins from Dashami sunset and ends on Dwadashi after parana (fast-breaking). Puja is ideally performed in the Brahma Muhurta or morning hours on Ekadashi tithi.
On this sacred Ekadashi tithi, I undertake this nirjala/phalahar vrat and worship of Lord Vishnu for the destruction of sins, spiritual merit, and the attainment of Vaikuntha.
On the evening of Dashami (the day before Ekadashi), eat a light sattvic dinner before sunset. Avoid heavy, tamasic food. Resolve mentally to observe the fast. Clean the puja area and arrange all samagri.
Wake before sunrise. Take a purifying bath, ideally with a few drops of Ganga water. Wear clean yellow or white clothes. Sit before the altar and take the formal sankalpa by holding water and akshat in the right palm, stating the tithi, purpose, and deity.
Perform the sixteen-step worship of Lord Vishnu: Avahana (invocation), Asana (seat), Padya (foot-wash), Arghya (water offering), Achamaniya (sipping water), Snana (bath with panchamrit and water), Vastra (yellow cloth), Yajnopavita (sacred thread), Gandha (sandalwood), Pushpa (flowers with Tulsi), Dhupa (incense), Dipa (ghee lamp), Naivedya (fruits only — no grains), Tambula (betel), Pradakshina (circumambulation), and Namaskara (prostration).
Vishnu Dvadashakshari Mantra (12-syllable)
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Offer special worship to the Tulsi plant, which is Vishnu's most beloved consort (Vrinda Devi). Water the Tulsi plant, apply kumkum and turmeric at its base, offer flowers, and light a diya near the Tulsi. Circumambulate the Tulsi plant three times.
Recite the Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram (1000 names of Vishnu from the Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva). This is the most meritorious recitation for Ekadashi. If time does not permit, recite at least the Vishnu Ashtottara Shatanamavali (108 names).
Vishnu Sahasranama — Opening Verse (Dhyana Shloka)
शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम्। प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये॥
Sing devotional songs (bhajans) and kirtans in praise of Lord Vishnu, Krishna, or Rama. Popular choices include "Hare Krishna Maha Mantra", "Shri Ram Jai Ram", and "Achyutam Keshavam". This can be done individually or in a group.
Perform the evening aarti of Lord Vishnu with the ghee lamp and camphor. Sing "Om Jai Jagdish Hare" — the universal Vishnu aarti. Ring the bell and offer the flame to all family members.
Stay awake through the night (jagran) listening to Vishnu katha, singing bhajans, reading the Bhagavad Gita, or meditating. This is optional but greatly enhances the merit of the vrat. Even staying awake till midnight is meritorious.
On Dwadashi morning, perform morning ablutions and a brief Vishnu puja. Break the fast (parana) ONLY after sunrise and within the parana window (typically before 1/4th of the day has passed). Begin with Tulsi water, then fruits, then a light meal. Offering food to a Brahmin before eating yourself is highly meritorious.
Vishnu Dvadashakshari Mantra (12-syllable)
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
oṃ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya
Om, I bow to Lord Vasudeva (Krishna/Vishnu), the Supreme Being.
108x Japa CountVishnu Gayatri Mantra
ॐ नारायणाय विद्महे वासुदेवाय धीमहि। तन्नो विष्णुः प्रचोदयात्॥
oṃ nārāyaṇāya vidmahe vāsudevāya dhīmahi | tanno viṣṇuḥ pracodayāt ||
Om, we meditate upon Narayana, we contemplate Vasudeva. May Lord Vishnu inspire and illuminate us.
108x Japa CountVishnu Sahasranama — Opening Verse (Dhyana Shloka)
शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम्। प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये॥
śuklāmbaradharaṃ viṣṇuṃ śaśivarṇaṃ caturbhujam | prasannavadanaṃ dhyāyet sarvavighnopaśāntaye ||
I meditate upon Lord Vishnu, who wears white garments, who has the complexion of the moon, who has four arms, and whose face is serene — for the removal of all obstacles.
Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram
From Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva. The most meritorious recitation on Ekadashi. Contains 1000 names of Vishnu as narrated by Bhishma to Yudhishthira.
ॐ जय जगदीश हरे, स्वामी जय जगदीश हरे। भक्त जनों के संकट, दास जनों के संकट, क्षण में दूर करे॥ ॐ जय जगदीश हरे॥ जो ध्यावे फल पावे, दुख बिनसे मन का। स्वामी दुख बिनसे मन का। सुख सम्पत्ति घर आवे, सुख सम्पत्ति घर आवे, कष्ट मिटे तन का॥ ॐ जय जगदीश हरे॥ मात पिता तुम मेरे, शरण गहूँ मैं किसकी। स्वामी शरण गहूँ मैं किसकी। तुम बिन और न दूजा, तुम बिन और न दूजा, आस करूँ मैं जिसकी॥ ॐ जय जगदीश हरे॥ तुम पूरण परमात्मा, तुम अन्तर्यामी। स्वामी तुम अन्तर्यामी। पारब्रह्म परमेश्वर, पारब्रह्म परमेश्वर, तुम सबके स्वामी॥ ॐ जय जगदीश हरे॥ तुम करुणा के सागर, तुम पालनकर्ता। स्वामी तुम पालनकर्ता। मैं मूरख फलकामी, मैं सेवक तुम स्वामी, कृपा करो भर्ता॥ ॐ जय जगदीश हरे॥ तुम हो एक अगोचर, सबके प्राणपति। स्वामी सबके प्राणपति। किस विध मिलूँ दयामय, किस विध मिलूँ दयामय, तुमको मैं कुमति॥ ॐ जय जगदीश हरे॥ दीनबन्धु दुखहर्ता, ठाकुर तुम मेरे। स्वामी ठाकुर तुम मेरे। अपने हाथ उठाओ, अपनी शरण लगाओ, द्वार पड़ा तेरे॥ ॐ जय जगदीश हरे॥ विषय विकार मिटाओ, पाप हरो देवा। स्वामी पाप हरो देवा। श्रद्धा भक्ति बढ़ाओ, श्रद्धा भक्ति बढ़ाओ, सन्तन की सेवा॥ ॐ जय जगदीश हरे॥
oṃ jaya jagadīśa hare, svāmī jaya jagadīśa hare | bhakta janõ ke saṅkaṭa, dāsa janõ ke saṅkaṭa, kṣaṇa mẽ dūra kare || oṃ jaya jagadīśa hare || jo dhyāve phala pāve, dukha binase mana kā | svāmī dukha binase mana kā | sukha sampatti ghara āve, sukha sampatti ghara āve, kaṣṭa miṭe tana kā || oṃ jaya jagadīśa hare || māta pitā tuma mere, śaraṇa gahū̃ maĩ kisakī | svāmī śaraṇa gahū̃ maĩ kisakī | tuma bina aura na dūjā, tuma bina aura na dūjā, āsa karū̃ maĩ jisakī || oṃ jaya jagadīśa hare || tuma pūraṇa paramātmā, tuma antaryāmī | svāmī tuma antaryāmī | pārabrahma parameśvara, pārabrahma parameśvara, tuma sabake svāmī || oṃ jaya jagadīśa hare || tuma karuṇā ke sāgara, tuma pālanakartā | svāmī tuma pālanakartā | maĩ mūrakha phalakāmī, maĩ sevaka tuma svāmī, kṛpā karo bhartā || oṃ jaya jagadīśa hare || tuma ho eka agocara, sabake prāṇapati | svāmī sabake prāṇapati | kisa vidha milū̃ dayāmaya, kisa vidha milū̃ dayāmaya, tumako maĩ kumati || oṃ jaya jagadīśa hare || dīnabandhu dukhahartā, ṭhākura tuma mere | svāmī ṭhākura tuma mere | apane hātha uṭhāo, apanī śaraṇa lagāo, dvāra paḍā tere || oṃ jaya jagadīśa hare || viṣaya vikāra miṭāo, pāpa haro devā | svāmī pāpa haro devā | śraddhā bhakti baḍhāo, śraddhā bhakti baḍhāo, santana kī sevā || oṃ jaya jagadīśa hare ||
Offer only fruits (banana, pomegranate, apple), dry fruits, milk, and Tulsi water. Absolutely NO grains, rice, or cereals as naivedya on Ekadashi. Sabudana kheer or kuttu (buckwheat) items are acceptable for phalahar observers.
Each Ekadashi observed with devotion equals the merit of donating 1000 cows (Padma Purana). It destroys sins of past lives, purifies the soul, and grants passage to Vaikuntha (the abode of Vishnu). The observer is freed from the cycle of birth and death.