Utpatti Ekadashi Vrat Katha

– ✨The Emergence of Devi Ekādaśī from the Effulgence of Lord ShriHari

⚫ ShriHari Mandir (Porbandar) is celebrating Utpatti Ekādaśī fast on Tuesday, 30th November, 2021.

⚫ This fast is observed on the eleventh day of the second fortnight (Krṣṇa pakṣa) of the month of ‘Kārtika’ in the Gurjar region, and of the month of ‘Mārgaśīrṣa’ in the Northern part of India.

⚫ Lord Śrī Krṣṇa explains the unique significance of each Ekādaśī Kathā to Dharmarāja Śrī Yudhiṣṭhira Māharāja, in the ‘Uttara Khaṇḍa’ of the Padma Purāṇa.

⚫ This is a very special and interesting Ekādaśī Kathā, because it marks the beginning of all Ekādaśī fasts, and thus, also, of the significance (mahātmya) of each of its Kathās.

⚫ Explaining the distinctions between the different Ekādaśīs and wanting to know more about Ekādaśī, Śrī Yudhiṣṭhira Māharāja asks Lord Śrī Krṣṇa,

            ‘Oh Mādhava, how did the date of Ekādaśī begin, and why is it so dear to the deities? Also, why is this date considered holy in this material world (saṃsāra)?’

⚫ In reply to Śrī Yudhiṣṭhira Māharāja’s questions, Lord Śrī Krṣṇa narrates a story from the ancient past.

⚫ What is the Story of Utpatti Ekādaśī?

            ✵ In the Age of Satya (Satya-Yuga), there used to live an extraordinary, extremely terrible demon, known as, ‘Mura’; who was horrific for the deities.

            ✵ This evil demon had conquered over the King of Heaven, Indra Mahāraja, too. Thus, all of the deities had been defeated and cast out of Heaven; they used to roam the Earth suspiciously and in fear. 

            ✵ One day, all of the deities went to Lord Mahādeva, where Indra Mahāraja explained to him the entire situation:

            ‘Oh Maheśvara, these deities have been ousted from Heaven and are wandering on Earth. It does not grace them to be living amongst human beings. Oh Mahādeva, please suggest a solution. From whom should the deities seek help?’ 

            ✵ Lord Mahādeva replied,

            ‘Oh King of Deities, go to where lives the One who gives shelter to all; who is ever-ready to protect us all—the Lord of this World, Lord Viṣṇu. He will protect you all.

            ✵ Having adhered to Lord Mahādeva’s words, Indra Mahāraja, along with all the deities, went to Lord Viṣṇu—who was resting upon the milky ocean (kṣīrasāgara). He folded his hands and began to praise the Lord. 

            ‘Oh Lord of Lords, O Deveśvara (Viṣṇu), I offer my salutations to you. Both the deities and demons worship you; although the demons consider You to be their enemy. Oh Madhusūdana, please protect us. The entire kingdom of deities, who live in fear due to the demon, Mura, seek Your shelter. Oh compassionate Lord of devotees, please save us; help the deities who have come in Your shelter. Oh Lord, the terrified deities are singing your praises (stutī). Lord, a very powerful, fiery-tempered, demon named Mura, conquered the deities and ousted them from Heaven.’ 

            ✵ After hearing Indra Mahāraja’s praise and words, Lord Viṣṇu asked,

            ‘Oh King of deities, how is this demon? What are his appearance and strength like? Where does this wicked one dwell?’

            ✵ Indra Mahāraja replied,

            ‘Oh Lord, in the ancient past, there was a great demon known by Tālajaṅgha, born in the lineage of Lord Brahmā, who was extremely frightening. This demon, Mura, is his son—who is also as intense, mighty and terrible for the deities. He lives in the famous town of Campāvatī. Mūra, defeated all the deities and cast them out of Heaven. He has now replaced Indra with a different ‘Indra’ in Heaven; as well as the Fire (agnī), moon (Caṃdramā), Sun (Sūrya), Wind (Vāyu), Water (Varuṇa) Deities with new ones. I am saying the truth; Mūra has replaced everyone. He has deprived the deities from their every place.’

            ✵ Having heard Indra Mahāraja’s plea, Lord Janārdana became furious. He went to the town of Campāvatī together with the deities, and invaded it. 

            ✵ The Demon King’s (Mura) ongoing roars frightened the deities; defeated, the deities stood there. 

            ✵ Seeing Lord Viṣṇu there, Mura began shouting,

            ‘Stand there, you evil Viṣṇu! I’ll deal with you right now.’

            ✵ Lord Viṣṇu commented,

            ‘Oh you evil demon, look at these arms of mine,’ and with that, He started to attack the demon army with His bow and volley of divine arrows. With His discus (sudarśana cakra), the Lord destroyed the demon army into innumerable pieces. 

            ✵ Thereafter, Lord Viṣṇu, feeling tired, headed towards Badarikāśrama; where He came across the cave ‘Siṃhāvatī’, which only had one opening. He went inside and rested.

            ✵ The demon, Mura, followed Lord Viṣṇu and reached the mouth of this cave. He saw the Lord resting and thought,

            ‘He is the one who brings fear to the demons. I will definitely kill Him.’ 

            ✵ “Listen Yudhiṣṭhira,” said Lord Śrī Krṣṇa, “As soon as Mura thought this, a divine maiden manifested from Lord Viṣṇu’s body. She was very beautiful, auspicious-featured and was carrying with her divine weaponry. She was born from the Lord’s splendour; thus, her strength and courage were mighty.

            ✵ Mura saw the maiden, who appealed to him for war; and the war broke out. The maiden was skilful in all forms of martial arts. 

            ✵ Whilst fighting, Mura—with a mere bellow from the maiden—turned into a pile of ashes. Upon the death of the demon, Lord Viṣṇu awoke, and, seeing the demon king lying on the ground, said,

            ‘This enemy of mine was extremely furious and fierce. Who killed him?’

            ✵ The Devi replied,

            ‘Oh Lord, through your offerings, I was the one who killed this great demon.’ 

            ✵ Lord Viṣṇu said,

            ‘Oh auspicious one, this deed of yours has pleased the sages and deities of all the three worlds. Thus, ask me for any boon of your interest. Don’t hesitate even for a second. 

            ✵ This maiden was Ekādaśī personified. She said,

            ‘Lord, if you are pleased with me, then by Your Grace, I am the Goddess who is chief of all Holy Tīrthas; the destroyer of all obstacles; and bestower of all kinds of perfections (siddhis). Oh Janārdana, those who, having devotion in You, fast on my day, will attain all types of successes and perfections (siddhis). Bless those those who abstain from solid food completely (upavāsa), or follow the regulations of my fast by eating one solid meal only, with wealth (dhana), righteousness (Dharma) and liberation (mokṣa).’

            ✵ Lord Viṣṇu said,

            ‘Oh auspicious one, everything you are saying will be fulfilled.’

            ✵ Thus, having attained such a boon, the most-excellent fast Ekādaśī, became very pleased. 

        – This same Ekādaśī is known as ‘Utpatti’, which verily means to be born.

⚫ Trispṛśā Ekādaśī is also very dear to Lord Viṣṇu. This a rare and special day wherein a combination of three lunar asterisms combine into one day with the eleventh at dawn, the twelfth at noon, and the thirteenth day (which grants success) at sundown. 

⚫ What Is the Fruit of Observing the Ekādaśī Fast?

    – One who:

        – Fasts Ekādaśī, attains a place in Vaikuṇṭha, where the manifested Lord is present.

        – Is constantly engaged in reading the significance of the Ekādaśī Kathās, attains the fruit performing charity of a thousand cows (sahasra gau dāna).

⚫ One who devoutly listens to the significance of this Ekādaśī Kathā during the day or night, is doubtlessly freed from sins such as that of killing a Brāhmaṇa (Brahmhatyā).

⚫ There is no other sin-destroying fast quite as the most-excellent Ekādaśī fast.

⚫ May we, too, observe this first of all Ekādaśī fasts, and please Lord ShriHari.

🌐 Stay tuned to know more about the respective significance of, rituals involved in, and fruits reaped from, each Ekādaśī Kathā!

💙 #LordShriKrishnaSays, ‘Ekādaśīs of both the bright lunar fortnight and Śukla pakṣa) and dark lunar fortnight (Krṣṇa pakṣa) are equally auspicious. One should not discriminate between the two.’ 

🔆 #PujyaBhaishriSays—“The first 10 days of the lunar fortnight are for the 10 senses—5 organs of action and 5 organs of knowledge. The 11th organ is the mind (manaJus). Today is Ekādaśī, the day of fasting (upavāsa). To engage the mind in the Lord; to remain close to the Lord is the meaning of the Ekādaśī fast,” @PPBhaishri.

🌙 #FunFact—There are two Ekādaśīs in every month; falling on the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight. The Ekādaśī falling during the waxing phase of the moon (bright lunar fortnight) is known as ’Śukla pakṣa’ Ekādaśī; and the one falling during the waning phase of the moon (dark lunar fortnight) is known as ‘Krṣṇa pakṣa’ Ekādaśī.

#PuraanPrasaad by Rishi Dhavalbhai Joshi

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