Why ‘kuntam?
The answer is two fold.
The first one is the common perception prevalent all over India. Let's talk a bit about how the legend came into being.
The significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi can be traced back to the Padma Purana. The Purana indicates that Lord Vishnu took the form of ‘Ekadasi’ – female energy – to kill demon Muran. This happened during the month of Margazhi.
Muran was a demon. This is explained in the Padma Puranam (the second amongst the eighteen puranas), which tells us about the beginnings of Ekadasi with this legend. During the Krita Yuga, also termed the golden age, an asura called Muran harassed both devas and mortals. The terrified devas, led by Indra sought refuge in Shiva. He directed them to approach Vishnu. Vishnu agreed to help the devas and went out to battle with Muran. During the long battle, which lasted one thousand celestial years, Vishnu needed to rest for a while.He also realized that Muran could not be destroyed by his conventional Ayudhas, and needed a different Ayudha, one against which Muran would be vulnerable. He entered a beautiful cave called Himavati in Badarikashrama to rest, and form the new Ayudha. Muran wanted to strike Vishnu while he was sleeping. However, Vishnu made Shakti - Vishnu's female energy - emerge out of his body and assume the form of a beautiful damsel who fought Muran and reduced him to ashes with one look. When Vishnu awoke he was very pleased and named this maiden as Ekadasi and granted her a boon. The maiden said, "O Lord, if You are pleased with me and wish to give me a boon, then give me the power to deliver people from the greatest sins if they fast of this day". Vishnu granted her the boon and declared that people worshipping her would reach Vaikunta. Thus, it is said, was born the first ekadasi, which was a Dhanurmasa sukla paksha ekadasi.
It is also said that on this day the ksheerasagara manthana (churning of the ocean) took place and the nectar of immortality (amritha) was distributed to the gods.
Some schools of thought believe that Sri Krishna gave the Gitopadesam to Arjuna on the day of Vaikunta Ekadasi.
For the Vaishnavas, it is a very holy day and should be ideally spent in fasting, prayer and meditation. Vaishnava beliefs stems from the following:
It is the belief that one year in Bhu Lok corresponds to one day in Deva Lok. The year in Bhu Lok is divided in two parts, Uttarayana, the period from Tai Masam to Adi masam, and the balance year is classified as Dakshinayanam. For the Deva Lok, Uttarayanam corresponds to the DAY and Dakshinayanam to the NIGHT. Margazi masam, which is at the last month of Dakshinayanam corresponds to the pre-dawn, i.e., the USHAS KALAM of Deva Lok, In this Ushas Kalam, the time corresponding to the 11th day of the Lunar Month in the month of Margazi, i.e.Ekadasi, in Bhu Lok is considered the most auspicious.
In his wisdom, LORD VISHNU appears before the people of Bhu Lok daily, i.e., daily for the Deva Lok, at this time, i.e., USHAS KALAM at a time corresponding to Margazi Shukla Paksha Ekadasi. The day is therefore referred to as VAIKUNTA EKADASI by Sri Vaishnavites.
Like all Ekadasi days, devotees fast on this day . Rice is avoided during ekadashi days as it is believed that the demon Mura finds a dwelling in the rice eaten on Ekadasi day.
The Padma Purana says: In the three worlds, there is no kind of fasting which is even comparable to the Ekadasi fast. Even if one performs this fast without a proper attitude, he achieves the Supreme Abode. If one fasts on Ekadasi day, with full devotion, what happens to him by the mercy of the Supreme Lord, I cannot say (the merit he achieves cannot be described).
Fasting is prescribed on all Ekadashis, that is, the 11th day of the lunar fortnight, twice a month. In this Kali Yuga, even if just one 'Ekadashi' is observed with dispassion, faith and devotion, and if the mind is wholly fixed on Hari, one is freed from the rounds of birth and death. No rice should be taken on Ekadashi days and this is very important. It is said that the sweat that fell down from the head of Brahma assumed the form of a demon and he asked the Lord to provide him an abode to dwell. Brahma said to the demon to go and dwell in the rice particles eaten by men on Ekadashi day and become worms in their stomach. For this reason rice is prohibited on Ekadashi. It is believed that if one observes the Ekadashi fast regularly, Lord Hari is propitiated. All sins are destroyed and the mind is purified. Orthodox people in South India observe complete fasting and vigil even on ordinary Ekadashi days.
For the devotees of Lord Vishnu, every Ekadashi is a very sacred day.The demon Muran represents the tamasic and rajasic qualities in us. The import of the ekadasi vrata is that one can conquer rajasic and tamasic tendencies in us through fasting. This helps us reach our ultimate destination, Vaikuntha, which is the place or stage of no 'kuntitha' or dullness, stupidity and misery
It is widely believed that the gates to the heaven open - the Gate of Vaikuntha - on the Vaikunta Ekadasi day. It is one of the most auspicious days in Lord Vishnu Temples in South India.
The ‘Vaikunta Dwaram’ or ‘the gate to the heaven’ is opened on this day. This is the passage encircling the innermost sanctum of the Lord. Scores of devotees queue up to pass through the Gate of Vaikunta in the temples.
The answer is two fold.
The first one is the common perception prevalent all over India. Let's talk a bit about how the legend came into being.
The significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi can be traced back to the Padma Purana. The Purana indicates that Lord Vishnu took the form of ‘Ekadasi’ – female energy – to kill demon Muran. This happened during the month of Margazhi.
Muran was a demon. This is explained in the Padma Puranam (the second amongst the eighteen puranas), which tells us about the beginnings of Ekadasi with this legend. During the Krita Yuga, also termed the golden age, an asura called Muran harassed both devas and mortals. The terrified devas, led by Indra sought refuge in Shiva. He directed them to approach Vishnu. Vishnu agreed to help the devas and went out to battle with Muran. During the long battle, which lasted one thousand celestial years, Vishnu needed to rest for a while.He also realized that Muran could not be destroyed by his conventional Ayudhas, and needed a different Ayudha, one against which Muran would be vulnerable. He entered a beautiful cave called Himavati in Badarikashrama to rest, and form the new Ayudha. Muran wanted to strike Vishnu while he was sleeping. However, Vishnu made Shakti - Vishnu's female energy - emerge out of his body and assume the form of a beautiful damsel who fought Muran and reduced him to ashes with one look. When Vishnu awoke he was very pleased and named this maiden as Ekadasi and granted her a boon. The maiden said, "O Lord, if You are pleased with me and wish to give me a boon, then give me the power to deliver people from the greatest sins if they fast of this day". Vishnu granted her the boon and declared that people worshipping her would reach Vaikunta. Thus, it is said, was born the first ekadasi, which was a Dhanurmasa sukla paksha ekadasi.
It is also said that on this day the ksheerasagara manthana (churning of the ocean) took place and the nectar of immortality (amritha) was distributed to the gods.
Some schools of thought believe that Sri Krishna gave the Gitopadesam to Arjuna on the day of Vaikunta Ekadasi.
For the Vaishnavas, it is a very holy day and should be ideally spent in fasting, prayer and meditation. Vaishnava beliefs stems from the following:
It is the belief that one year in Bhu Lok corresponds to one day in Deva Lok. The year in Bhu Lok is divided in two parts, Uttarayana, the period from Tai Masam to Adi masam, and the balance year is classified as Dakshinayanam. For the Deva Lok, Uttarayanam corresponds to the DAY and Dakshinayanam to the NIGHT. Margazi masam, which is at the last month of Dakshinayanam corresponds to the pre-dawn, i.e., the USHAS KALAM of Deva Lok, In this Ushas Kalam, the time corresponding to the 11th day of the Lunar Month in the month of Margazi, i.e.Ekadasi, in Bhu Lok is considered the most auspicious.
In his wisdom, LORD VISHNU appears before the people of Bhu Lok daily, i.e., daily for the Deva Lok, at this time, i.e., USHAS KALAM at a time corresponding to Margazi Shukla Paksha Ekadasi. The day is therefore referred to as VAIKUNTA EKADASI by Sri Vaishnavites.
Like all Ekadasi days, devotees fast on this day . Rice is avoided during ekadashi days as it is believed that the demon Mura finds a dwelling in the rice eaten on Ekadasi day.
The Padma Purana says: In the three worlds, there is no kind of fasting which is even comparable to the Ekadasi fast. Even if one performs this fast without a proper attitude, he achieves the Supreme Abode. If one fasts on Ekadasi day, with full devotion, what happens to him by the mercy of the Supreme Lord, I cannot say (the merit he achieves cannot be described).
Fasting is prescribed on all Ekadashis, that is, the 11th day of the lunar fortnight, twice a month. In this Kali Yuga, even if just one 'Ekadashi' is observed with dispassion, faith and devotion, and if the mind is wholly fixed on Hari, one is freed from the rounds of birth and death. No rice should be taken on Ekadashi days and this is very important. It is said that the sweat that fell down from the head of Brahma assumed the form of a demon and he asked the Lord to provide him an abode to dwell. Brahma said to the demon to go and dwell in the rice particles eaten by men on Ekadashi day and become worms in their stomach. For this reason rice is prohibited on Ekadashi. It is believed that if one observes the Ekadashi fast regularly, Lord Hari is propitiated. All sins are destroyed and the mind is purified. Orthodox people in South India observe complete fasting and vigil even on ordinary Ekadashi days.
For the devotees of Lord Vishnu, every Ekadashi is a very sacred day.The demon Muran represents the tamasic and rajasic qualities in us. The import of the ekadasi vrata is that one can conquer rajasic and tamasic tendencies in us through fasting. This helps us reach our ultimate destination, Vaikuntha, which is the place or stage of no 'kuntitha' or dullness, stupidity and misery
It is widely believed that the gates to the heaven open - the Gate of Vaikuntha - on the Vaikunta Ekadasi day. It is one of the most auspicious days in Lord Vishnu Temples in South India.
The ‘Vaikunta Dwaram’ or ‘the gate to the heaven’ is opened on this day. This is the passage encircling the innermost sanctum of the Lord. Scores of devotees queue up to pass through the Gate of Vaikunta in the temples.
3 comments:
AS mentioned above -
"In his wisdom, LORD VISHNU appears before the people of Bhu Lok daily, i.e., daily for the Deva Lok, at this time,"
Here you mean to say that Lord Vishnu
appears before the people of Bhu Lok, Once a year that is on Vaikunta Ekadasi?
I am doing research on the scientific basis of Hinduism and Vedic practices. I have come across a legend about the Ekadasi fast, which I have described on my blog:
www.scienceofhinduism.blogspot.com
Your post describes the same Purana, but has a different version...
Nikhil Mundra
www.gandhistamps.com
www.scienceofhinduism.blogspot.com
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