Parama Ekadashi

In the year with Adhik Maas (occuring once in every 3 years), there are a total of 26 Ekadashis instead of 24 (in comparison to the other years). One of those additional 2 Ekadashis is: "Parama Ekadashi."

"Parama Ekadashi" holds significant importance in the Hindu calendar as a day of deep spiritual significance and observance. As per Hindu calendar, it falls on the 11th day (Ekadashi) of Krishna Paksha in Adhik Maas. This year, we are celebrating this pious occasion of "Parama Ekadashi" on the '12th Aug. 2023.'

Also as per Drik Panchang, the tithis for "Parama Ekadashi" in 2023 are as follows:

• Ekadashi Tithi Begins - 05:06 AM on Aug 11, 2023

• Ekadashi Tithi Ends - 06:31 AM on Aug 12, 2023

As this Ekadashi is believed to purify one's soul from deep within, hence it is also known by the name "Shuddha Parama Ekadashi."

Once, Lord Krishna had explained to the elder Pandava Yudhishthira about "Parama Ekadashi" that: 'As Adhik Maas is as best as cow in the animals, and Brahmins among humans. Similarly, the observance of this Ekadashi is equivalent to the merits earned by visiting all pilgrim places & observing all the fasts of a year.'

Later, Lord Krishna had narrated the legend behind the divine day of "Parama Ekadashi." This story was told to Lord Krishna by a sage in the city of 'Kampilya.'

The legend is as follows:

Once, there lived a Brahmin couple namely Sumedha (husband) and Pavitra (wife) in Kampilya Nagari. They were very poor & were barely able to get the basic necessities for survival.

But whenever guests arrived at their place, they used to take care of them very well. To feed them, sometimes Pavitra used to sacrifice her own food. Sumedha used to feel very bad on seeing this situation of his wife.

One day, he asked his wife, Pavitra, to allow him to go to some other city & get money for her. As in Kampilya, the riches weren't giving him enough donations. To this, Pavitra said that 'whatever we are lacking today is due to some sort of sins committed in past lives.' She requested him to stay by her side in Kampilya itself. Sumedha agreed to this & didn't leave  his wife to collect money from some other place.

One day, sage Kaundinya arrived at their place. They welcomed him warmly & fed the best as they could to him. At the end, Pavitra asked Rishi Kaundinya to help them get rid of their immense poverty. To this, the sage suggested her & her husband to observe 'Parama Ekadashi' Vrat. They did the same, on the auspicious day of Parama Ekadashi, they kept a strict fast following all the rituals.

Due to the effects of this Ekadashi Vrat, the couple got rid of their poverty & their lives were filled with all kinds of comfort. And they started living happily.

Further, Lord Krishna said that once Lord Kubera had also observed 'Parama Ekadashi' Vrat. By the effects of the same, Lord Shiva was pleased and made him the richest God of the world. It's also believed that once he had given a loan to Lord Venkateshwara of Tirupati.

Later on, Yudhishthira also observed this Ekadashi & was blessed with a world far greater than this one after his death.

So ultimately, 'Parama Ekadashi' is the most pious, the major reason being its divine occurrence once in every 3 years.

To receive its benefits such as prosperity, good fortune, peace, good health, success, righteous living, spiritual pleasures & harmonious relationships, the devotees observe fast on 'Parama Ekadashi.' The fast is considered a form of self-discipline and an expression of devotion to the divine. It is believed that by fasting on this day, individuals can cleanse their minds and bodies and strengthen their connection with the spiritual realm. One can opt for either 1 day-fasting or 5-days' fasting (called Pancha-Ratri-Vrat). This 'five days' fast lasts until Amavasya. It is the most beneficial of all. The whole five days should be spent by remembering the name of Shri Hari Vishnu. It results in the utmost blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and there is no dearth of money and grains.

Worshipping Lord Vishnu, reciting Vishnu Sahasranama, prayers, meditation, chanting of hymns, and visiting Vishnu temples is a part of 'Parama Ekadashi Vrat.'

On the fifth (last) day, before Parana (breaking fast), one has to feed and donate a Brahmin. After this, Parana takes place in Pratahkal.

In 2023, Parana timings for 'Parama Shuddha Ekadashi' is as follows:

On 13th Aug, Parana Time - 05:57 AM to 08:19 AM

By observing this Parama Shuddha Ekadashi Vrat with full devotion towards the Almighty, one is

• forgiven of all the past sins

• provided with a way to offer peace to the ancestors, and

• poverty is eliminated from life.

Overall, this sacred day of 'Parama Shuddha Ekadashi' cultivates a sense of spiritual upliftment, self-control and inner strength inside the being.

|| Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya ||