"Rama Ekadashi"- A Sacred Day of Devotion and Faith

"Rama Ekadashi", being one of the prosperous Ekadashis in Hinduism, falls on the 11th day (Ekadashi) in the Kartik month during the Krishna Paksha. While in the Tamil Calendar, it falls in the month of ‘Puratassi.’ Besides this, it primarily occurs during the Ashwayuj or Ashwin month in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

As per the Gregorian Calendar, it lies in the month of either October or November.

• This year, "Rama Ekadashi" is on the 28th of October ‘24.

As per Drik Panchang, the “tithi” for "Rama Ekadashi" in ‘24 is as follows:

• Rama Ekadashi on Monday, 28th of October ‘24
• Ekadashi Tithi Begins - 5.23 am on 26th of October ‘24
• Ekadashi Tithi Ends - 07:50 on 28th of October ‘24

"Rama Ekadashi" is also known by other names in Hindu Dharma such as ‘Rambha Ekadashi’ or ‘Kartik Krishna Ekadashi’.

Significance of "Rama Ekadashi":

"Rama Ekadashi" is very significant in Hinduism due to various reasons. Some of them are as follows:

As "Rama Ekadashi" is the last Ekadashi before the commencement of 'Chaturmas' (four-months holy period), it becomes very auspicious.

"Rama" is one of the divine names of "Mahalakshmi", hence this day is dedicated to Mata Lakshmi along with Lord Vishnu (his divine consort).

"Rama Ekadashi" comes four days before the Hindu festival of Diwali.

'Brahma Vaivarta Purana' also mentions the crucial importance of "Rama Ekadashi" as a day of getting redemption from past sins.

Rituals & Observances on "Rama Ekadashi":

On "Rama Ekadashi", many rituals are followed by the devotees. Some of them are as follows:

People organize Vishnu Puja & Lakshmi Puja on this day to appease the Lord & receive their divine blessings.

"Fasting" is one of the significant parts of "Rama Ekadashi." It starts from 'Dashami' (10th day) itself before Ekadashi (11th day) when the devotees consume only Sattvik food before sunset. Then on Ekadashi, they do not consume any food item. "Parana", the breaking of fast, is performed on 'Dwadashi' tithi (12th day).

As per Drik Panchang, "Parana timings" for "Rama Ekadashi" in 24 are as follows:

• On 29th Oct, Parana Time - 06:11 to 08:33
• On Parana Day Dwadashi End Moment - 10:31

The devotees also take a holy bath in the rivers like Ganga & Yamuna on "Rama Ekadashi."

A special 'bhog' is prepared for offering to the Lord & after prayers, it's distributed among all the people.

Many people stay vigil the whole night & engage themselves in reciting bhajans & performing meditation.

Reading 'Bhagavad Gita' on "Rama Ekadashi" is also considered very blissful.

Legend of "Rama Ekadashi":

The very divine occasion of "Rama Ekadashi" holds a very interesting legend about the significance of this day. The legend is as follows:

Once upon a time, there was a king named Muchukunda. He was blessed with a daughter namely Chandrabhaga. She was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu & used to perform "Rama Ekadashi Vrat" every year since her childhood.

After some years when Chandrabhaga became young, Raja Muchukunda tied her in a knot of marriage with the son of King Chandrasen, named Shobana. He was not good at health, i.e. had a weak immune system.

Once during Krishna Paksha, when the divine day of "Rama Ekadashi" arrived, Raja Muchukunda ordered everyone in his kingdom to observe the fast. At that time, his daughter & son-in-law were also present there. So accordingly, they also had to keep fast.

As Shobana was not well, Chandrabhaga advised her husband not to observe the fast & go to some other place for one day. But Shobana disagreed & told that he would observe Rama Ekadashi fast whatever comes his way.

Unfortunately, due to hunger and weakness, Shobana passed away at midnight. But because of merits earned by observing Rama Ekadashi Vrat, Lord Vishnu blessed him with a unique and huge kingdom in the celestial abode. But Lord Vishnu told him that as he had kept the fast on others' sayings, the kingdom would remain invisible to him, i.e. he won't be able to get the strength of its ownership.

Once a Brahmin from the Kingdom of Muchukunda visited the celestial abode using his powers. He met Shobana there. The prince told everything to the Brahmin & requested him to deliver all this to his wife, Chandrabhaga. Then on returning, the Brahmin narrated the whole scenario to her.

She then requested the learned Brahmin to help them out, who recommended her to observe Rama Ekadashi Vrat. Blessed by her numerous Rama Ekadashi fasts, she pleased Lord Vishnu. With the divine blessings from Lord Vishnu, she ultimately transformed the invisible kingdom into reality and met Shobana in the celestial abode. Together, they lived a divine and blissful life, with the kingdom now being visible and retained forever.

Similarly, whoever performs Rama Ekadashi Vrat with full devotion gets blessed with freedom from all the unintentional past sins, enormous success in lives, salvation, restoration of peace & happiness, protection of Lord Vishnu from evil forces, the endowments of flourishing, well being and satisfaction.

|| Shubh Rama Ekadashi ||