Annada Ekadashi- A Path to Purity’

Fasting on Ekadashi is the easiest way to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna. In the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Krishna Himself recommends fasting for purification on Ekadashi and its untold benefits. Ekadashi is the 11th day of the waxing or waning moon. On this Ekadashi day, sin personified (Papa purush) resides in grains and cereals. Hence complete fasting from grains and cereals is recommended on this day. Of all the benefits gained from various types of charities like donating gold, land, food, feeding Brahmanas, performing yajnas, going for pilgrimage, etc, the benefits gained from fasting on Ekadashi is much greater.

Annada Ekadashi falls on the Krishna paksha of the Bhadra (Aug-Sept) month and is also called Aja Ekadashi. One who fasts on Aja Ekadashi becomes completely purified of all contaminations of body, mind and words. Reactions of all his sins are at once nullified. Krishna guarantees entry into the spiritual world to one who devotedly fasts on this day and stays awake at night engaged in devotional service to Him. 

King Harishchandra was one of the ancestors of Lord Sri Ramachandra and was known for his truth and integrity. By the force of destiny however, the king lost his great kingdom and himself had to become the menial servant of a chandala (dog eater). He had to guard a crematorium and collect clothes from the dead. Despite such plight, Harishchandra never deviated from truthfulness and good character. After many years of anxiety and sorrow, because of his past pious deeds, he met the great saint Gautam Muni, who compassionately instructed him the process of fasting on Annada Ekadashi for purification. By its powerful influence, all miseries of King Harishchandra were vanquished & good fortune came upon him. He reunited with his wife and son and also regained his kingdom. So much so that when Harishchandra left the planet, his relatives and subjects went with him to the spiritual world. 

Lord Krishna declares that just by hearing the glories of this Aja Ekadashi, one achieves the merit gained from performing a horse sacrifice. 

Annada Ekadashi falls on the 19th of August this year. Grains cereals, pulses, vegetables like green peas, beans, etc are completely restricted. One may fast totally or may fast by taking just water, fruits, juices, milk, or upvaas food like sama khichdi, light dishes made of root vegetables or potatoes. The objective is to spend less time in activities like cooking, eating and sleeping and more time in reading and hearing about the glories & pastimes of Hari.