Varuthini Ekadashi

A Religious Day To Worship Lord Vishnu

Varuthini Ekadashi, a Hindu holy day, falls on the 11th lunar day of the fortnight of the waning moon in the Vaishakha month. Hindus observe this day by keeping fast, offering prayers, and performing religious rituals including poojas to the god Vishnu. It is learned that whosoever undergoes these religious practises becomes free from all the sins and curses of bad Karmas.

What is Varuthini Ekadashi?

Varuthini Ekadashi is also famous as Baruthani Ekadashi in some parts of the country. This holy day happens in the Krishna Paksha during April or May. The Hindu Mythology shares an anecdote that narrates that once, Lord Shiva decapitated Lord Brahma out of rage. Subsequently, he was cursed for his heinous act, but he was freed from his sins and curse after practising the rituals and fasting on Varuni Ekadashi.

On this auspicious day, one can reverse their past bad Karmas by observing fast and performing rituals of Varuni Ekadashi to Lord Vishnu and setting themselves free from any curse of their Karmas. While delivering the sermon, Lord Krishna states that this Ekadashi holds the capability of turning an unlucky person into a lucky one, frees one from the cycle of life and death, and can attain Moksha.

It is also believed that the fruit borne by observing the Ekadashi is of similar equivalence as of thousand years of penance. It is recommended that devotees avoid consuming Non-Vegetarian food, honey, black gram, and spinach on this day. The good fruit of this Ekadashi gets amplified by doing charitable actions such as donating clothes and food to the needy people in nursing homes.

On this sacred day, the devotees should not indulge in / take care of / into the following things:

1. Anger, lying, Consuming Non-Veg, Madira etc.
2. Eating in bell – Metal plates, consuming urad daal, honey, trimming hairs of head or face.
3. Sleeping during day time, Indulging in sexual activities.

Importance of This Day

• This day holds the greatest importance in a sacred person's life as one observes fast. The word fast is known as "Upvaas" in Hindi, which means to get closer to god.
• According to Skanda Purana, the ancestors of the one who observes fast and performs rituals of Varuni Ekadashi attains a place in heaven and Moksha.
• The one who observes fasts on this day gives up worldly desires and surrenders to god, and sets free from all sins and curses of his past karmas.
• Whatever worth one attains by performing austerities and penances for hundreds and thousands of years is achieved by observing Ekadashi.
• The value and worth one obtains while donating a huge amount of gold during a solar eclipse at Kurukshetra is earned by one who observes this one Ekadashi with sheer devotion.
• Ekadashi also holds scientific importance as fasting on this day calms the mind and stomach and has also been proven to increase longevity.

Know About Ekadashi Vrat

Once Yudhisthir asks Lord Krishna to narrate the importance of Varuthini Ekadashi vrat. Shree Krishna narrates:

"There used to be a king named Mandhata, who was a man of benevolence and very spiritual. He had his kingdom on the bank of Narmada. Once, the king decided to meditate in a jungle; a wild bear attacked him while he was meditating. To remain focused on his meditation, he started praying to Lord Vishnu.

The lord god, pleased with his devotion, killed the bear. Upon asking king Mandhata why the bear was killed, Lord Vishnu answered that he paid the price for the bad deed of his previous birth.

Lord Vishnu also insisted on observing Ekadashi vrat to treat his injuries. Lord Vishnu guards and protects all of his devotees who fast and pray to him on this day."

Rituals of Varuthini Ekadashi

• Devotees are supposed to get up early in the morning.
• Devotees should prepare for pooja and worship.
• The idol of Lord Vishnu must be worshipped with diya and dhoop to remove the negative energies from the surroundings.
• The devotees should not indulge in sexual activities, consume Non-veg, Madira etc. If they cannot fast the whole day, they can have one meal which may contain fruits.
• Devotees can have breakfast 24 hours after donating foods, clothes and essentials to Brahmin.