Sri Gita Mahatmya continued ....
bharatamrta-sarvasvam visnu-vaktrad vinihsrtam
gita-gangodakam pitva punarjanma na vidyate
``One who drinks the water of the Ganges attains salvation, so what to speak of one who drinks the nectar of Bhagavad-gita? Bhagavad-gita is the essential nectar of the Mahabharata, and it is spoken by Lord Krsna Himself, the original Visnu.'' (Gita-mahatmya 5)
sarvopanisado gavo dogdha gopala-nandanah
partho vatsah su-dhir bhokta dugdham gitamrtam mahat
``This Gitopanisad, Bhagavad-gita, the essence of all the Upanisads, is just like a cow, and Lord Krsna, who is famous as a cowherd boy, is milking this cow. Arjuna is just like a calf, and learned scholars and pure devotees are to drink the nectarean milk of Bhagavad-gita.'' (Gita-mahatmya 6)
ekam sastram devaki-putra-gitam eko devo devaki-putra eva
eko mantras tasya namani yani karmapy ekam tasya devasya seva
In this present day, people are very much eager to have one scripture, one God, one religion, and one occupation. Therefore, ekam sastram devaki-putra-gitam: let there be one scripture only, one common scripture for the whole world--Bhagavad-gita. Eko devo devaki-putra eva: let there be one God for the whole world--Sri Krsna. Eko mantras tasya namani: and one hymn, one mantra, one prayer--the chanting of His name:
Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
Karmapy ekam tasya devasya seva: and let there be one work only--the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.(Gita-mahatmya 7)
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Significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi
Vaikunta Ekadasi is an important festival dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January). Vaikunda Ekadesi festival is of great significance at the Tirupati Balaji Temple, Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Temple and at the Bhadrachalam Temple. In Kerala, it is known as Swarga Vathil Ekadashi.
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. Impressed by 'Ekadasi,' Lord Vishnu told her that whoever worships him on this day will reach 'Vaikunta' (heaven).
Like all Ekadasi days, devotees fast on this day and observe vigil the whole night. Some people indulge in meditation, Japa and singing of Hari Kirtan. Rice is avoided during ekadashi days as it is believed that the demon Mura finds a dwelling in the rice eaten on Ekadasi day. It is widely believed that the Gate of Vaikuntha open 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 throuthe temples. Vaikunta Ekadasi occurs in December or early January.
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na GaayathryA para manthra: na Maathu para dhaivatham
na KaasyA: paramam theertham na EkAdasyA : samam vratham
(Meaning ) : There is no manthram that is superior to
Gaayathri manthram ; there is no dhaivam superior to
one's mother; there is no sanctifying theertham better
tha Kaasi and there is no vratham that is more sacred
than EkAdasi Vratham .
King RukmAngathA , NampAduvAN Kaisikan , our AchAryAs
of all Vaidhika mathams have demonstrated the greatness
and power of observing EkAdasi Vratham .Through his observance
of EkAdasi vratham , a Harijan like NampAduvAn has
reached such an exalted status to get an EkAdasi
and a chapter of Varaha PurAnam named after him
(Kaisika EkAdasi and kaisika MahAthmyam ).Sri Parasara
Bhattar wrote a commentary on the Kaisika PurANam in
Tamil .Parasara Bhattar read this work in fornt of
Sri renganathA Vrisichika Maasa (Nov-Dec ) sulka
paksah EkAdasi and was recognized by Sri RanganAthA
with a Brahma ratham ( Being carried around the streets
of Srirangam on a palanquin bt BrahmaNAs .
Of all EkAdasis , The one connected with Dhanur Maasa
Sukla Paksha EkAdasi is the most exalted and is
known as Sri Vaikunta EkAdasi .There are number of reasons
assoicated with the special significance of this EkAdasi:
(1) This is the day of the churning of the Milky Ocean for
nectar . Besides Amrutham , KaamadhEnu , Ucchaisravas ,
Iraavatham , Kalpa Vruksham , Apsaras , Kousthubham ,
and PaarijAtha Pushpam appeared as a result of the churning .
(2) The most exalted of auspiciousness that
happened on this day is the appearnac eof MahA Lakshmi .
She appeared with the golden color ( HiraNya VarNAm
HariNIm SuvarN arajathasrajAm ) and shining with Her
innate glory like a cool moon ( ChandhrAm prabhAsAm
YasasA jvalanthIm ).Like a brilliant lightning bolt
out of the sky , she incarnated right in front of
the Lord engaged in churning the Ocean and made
all the directions shine with Her glory ( Ranjayanthi
disa: kAnthyA Vidhyuth SoudhAmini YathA ).
(3)BhagavAn Dhanvanthri appeared thereafter
with the amrutha Kalasam ( AmruthApUrNa Kalasam
Bibhrath Valaya BhUshitha: ).
(4) according to one school , the day of the GitA
Upadesam to Arjuna by the Lord on the battle field is
said to be on Sri Vaikunta EkAdasi day . Some opine
that it was oon Vijaya dasami day . Our Lord commented
on the significance of GitA in VarAha PurANam this way :
GitA jn~Anam upAsrithya ThrIn lOkAn PaalayAmyaham
GitA mE paramA vidhyA Brahma RoopA na Samsaya: et al
(Meaning ): I am rooted in GitA .The passages of
GitA are sections of my temple. Thru the Jn~Ana Saaram
housed in GitA , I rule the three worlds. GitA is my supreme
Vidhyai ( UpadEsam/revealed knowledge to reach me ).
It points out to the way for Moksham . It can not be
seperated from Me. It is beyond the limits
of Desam , Kaalam and other limitations . This
is the essence of VedAs and Upanishads .It is the key to
to open the lock of Athma VichAram and to gain
Moksha Siddhi. That is why the day of birth of
this sacred revelation ,Sri Vaikunta Ekadasi day is
considerd the most sacred .
Lord parthasarathy says further :
yOashtadasajapO nithyam narO niscchala maanasa:
Jn~Ana siddhim sa labathE tathO yAthi param padham
(Meaning ) : The One who reads all the 18 chapters of my
GithOpanishad and meditates as well as comprehends the meanings
of the verses, will come sthitha Praj~nan , achieve Jn~Ana
sampath and finally reach the safety and comfort of
the shadow of my feet and gets fulfilled in his life's
purpose .
The tattvam behind Sri Vaikunta EkAdasi or
MokshEkAdasi is the principles taught by
Sri parthasArathy to us through ArjunA as
an excuse . They are the essence of VedAs ,
Upnishads , AnushtAnAs , ashtAnga Yogam et al .
Those who are able to comprehend the esoteric
doctrines of the Vedas , Upanishads or able to practise
anushtAnams and Yogams can wake up in Brahma muhUrtham on
the month declared as the most holy by GitAchAryan
( MaasAnAm margasIrsham ) , recite ThirupaLLIyezucchi ,
ThiruppAvai ,, paticipate in the Thiru Adhyayana
Uthsavam and on Sri Vaikunta EkAdasi day travel with
the Lord thru parama padha Vaasal and get Moksha
Siddhi . The Lord Himself enacts the role of
a Mumukshu on this day .
We will continue with the celebrations in
Srirangam on this Sri Vaikunta EkAdasi day
in our next posting .
Sri Periya PerumAL THiruvadigaLE SaraNam , Daasan , V.Sadagopan
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Vaikunta Ekadasi / Mukkoti Ekadasi
Vaikunta Ekadasi, also popular as Mukkoti Ekadasi has a special significance in the Hindu traditions. The Dhanurmaasa Sukla Paksha Ekadasi day is considered as the Vaikunta Ekadasi day.
Ekadasi is the eleventh day in both the halves of the lunar month - Sukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha. Approximately, there will be as many as 24 Ekadasis in a year. The Ekadasi in Mrugasira Sukla Paksh is known as Vaikunta Ekadasi. Vaikunta is the abode of Lord Vishnu. On this day, thousands of devotees perform special poojas in Vishnu Temples.
During this month, Sun transits through Dhannus Rasi. Ancient texts recommend that the mornings in this month are ideal for worship of the Lord Vishnu.
People fast during the entire day and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu. Gifting a copy of Bhagavad Gita to a deserving person on this day is bestowed profuse blessings by Lord Krishna.
This auspicious day is more popular as the Guruvayour Ekadasi in Tamil Nadu. Special festival celebrations mark the day at the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple of Srirangam. Special celebrations are be earmarked for 21 days starting ten days prior to Vaikunta Ekadasi and ending ten days after the Ekadasi at the Lord Ranganatha temple at Srisailam. Traditional and spiritual programs will also be held at Tirumala.
One of the main doors i.e., Vaikunta dwara which is normally kept closed throughout the year is thrown open only on the day. Devotees believe that taking the darshan of the Lord on this day would pass through the door of the Lord to reach the Vaikunta
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The Most Significant Vaishnavite Festival in Tamil Nadu, India
Overview
Vaikunta Ekadasi is an important Hindu festival celebrated by Vaishnavites (Hindus) in India (especially in Tamil Nadu). The festival is celebrated with great significance in almost all Lord Vishnu temples in South India.
Why 'Ekadasi'?
Why 'Ekadasi' is so important? According to Hindu calendar (Hindus follow lunar month) the eleventh day of the waxing phase of the moon is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There are twenty four 'Ekadasis' in a year. On this day the Hindus observe fasting to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu.
Ekadasi day falling in the waxing phase (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu calendar month Dhanurmasa (Markazhi in Tamil calendar) (December – January) is called Vaikunta Ekadasi. On this most significant and auspicious day Lord Vishnu will enter into the gateway of salvation (Paramapatha Vasal) at the precincts of Vaishnava temples.
Opening of Gateway of salvation
This festival is being celebrated with the opening of Gateway of salvation in the early morning at Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple (the most significant among 108 Vaishnavite shrines in Indian subcontinent), Balaji at Thirumala – Thirupathi and Sri Parthasarathy temple, Chennai and many more Vaishnava temples. This gateway will be usually located in the northern side of the temple. The devotees will also accompany the Lord to the gateway of salvation.
Devotion and Fasting
People will observe fasting and keep awake on the previous (tenth day) night. They will chant mantras or recite holy Puranas or sing songs praising Lord Vishnu. In the early morning they will visit temples and pass through the gate of salvation. The gate will remain open for the entire day.
According to Padma Purana:
"Ekadasi vrata samam vrata nasti jagattraye anicchaya'pi yat krtva gatir evam vidha'vayoh ekadasi vratam ye tu bhakti bhavena kurvate na jane kim bhavet tesam vasudeva anukampaya"
The meaning of the verse: Take the entire three worlds. No fasting is even comparable to the 'Ekadasi Fasting.' Any one can attain this Supreme Abode
(Vaikuntam), even if he observes this fasting without proper procedure. On Ekadasi day, if one observes fasting with full devotion (procedure is not significant), he will be under the mercy of the Supreme Lord Vishnu. No one can describe the merit achieved by the devotee.
Padma purana
There is a significant evidence for celebrating Ekadasi in the Padma Purana (the second and the most important among eighteen Hindu Puranas). A demon named Muran lived in the Krita Yuga. He obtained super power and started harassing Devas and their subjects. The Devas prayed Lord Vishnu and sought His help. On a Dhanurmasa (December – January) Lord Vishnu transformed into Ekadasi (typical female energy) and fought with Muran. Finally Lord Vishnu established His victory and destroyed Muran, the evil force. Lord Vishnu wanted people remember 'Ekadasi' the female energy. Therefore he announced that whoever observe fast and worships Lord Vishnu will attain Vaikuntam and will remain under the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu.
Margazhi Pakal Pathu - RaPathu Festival
During Dhanurmasa there will be Margazhi Pakal Patthu Rapathtu Festival observed in Srirangam and other important Vaishnava temples. This 21 days festival commences ten days before Vaikunta Ekadasi and follows ten days after Ekadasi. The ten days before Ekadasi is known as 'Pakal Pathu Festival. A part of Holy Nalayira Dhivya Prabandham (Holy Hymns composed by twelve Azhwars) will be recited during day time (In Tamil pakal means day). The ten days following Vaikunta Ekadasi is called Rapathu Festival. The remaining part of Holy Nalayira Dhivya Prabandham (Tamil Veda) will be recited during early night time (In Tamil Ira means night). The 21 day the holy marriage ceremony between Lord Vishnu and Andal will take place. With this marriage the festival comes to an end.
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