Fast on Vaikuntha Ekadashi to Attain Moksha

The most important goals of devout Hindus are to attain Moksha and the heavenly abode of God. For the Vaishnavites (Vishnu devotees) of India, Vaikunta Ekadasi is an ideal day to invoke divine blessings for achieving these goals. For, by worshipping Vishnu and passing through the Vaikunta Dwaram on this day, they believe that it will be possible to fulfill these desires.

Vaikunta is the name of Vishnu’s heavenly abode.

Vaikuntha Ekadashi is a highly auspicious day for Hindus in India and is dedicated to Vishnu. According to the Hindu calendar, Vaikuntha Ekadashi is the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi in Dhanu/Margazhi month (December -January).

The belief is that ‘Vaikuntha Dwaram’, the gateway to Vishnu’s abode, will open today. The day is also called Mokshada Ekadashi. Observing a fast on this day can liberate us from the cycle of birth and death.

Vaikunta Ekadasi Legends

1

The Padma Purana talks about the significance of Vaikuntha Ekadashi. According to the story, the Devas were facing problems due to Mura, an asura, and went to Shiva asking for help. Shiva, in turn, told them to approach Vishnu. There was a battle between Vishnu and Mura. But Mura was very powerful, and Vishnu could not kill him. An exhausted Vishnu decided to take some rest for a while. He took shelter in a cave (it belonged to Goddess Haimavati) in Bhadrikashrama. Muran arrived there after some time and found Vishnu fast asleep in the cave.

He was about to kill Vishnu when a female power emerged from Vishnu and killed the demon. Vishnu woke up and was pleased to find Muran dead. He named the goddess ‘Ekadashi’ and told her to ask him for a boon. Ekadashi replied that those who observed a fast on that day should get Vishnu's blessings. Vishnu declared that if anyone observed a fast and worshipped him on this day, all their sins would be destroyed, and they would reach Vaikuntha. This was the origin of the first Ekadashi.

Muran represents the rajasik and tamasik qualities within us. Lust, passion, inertia, and arrogance are some of these qualities. Those who overcome such tendencies can achieve purity of mind or sattva. This is an essential quality for attaining Moksha or self-realization.

Things to Do on This Day

Fasting on Vaikuntha Ekadashi is said to be the equivalent of fasting on all the other Ekadashi days. There are 2 Ekadashis in a month and 24 in a year. Those who observe the Vaikuntha Ekadashi fast can have lunch alone on the ‘Dashami’ (the day before Ekadashi). On Ekadashi, they have to observe a complete fast and spend time praying and meditating on Vishnu.

Rice, grains, beans, non-veg food, etc., should not be consumed on this day. Devotees have to stay awake and keep vigil the whole night. They must visit Vishnu temples, too.

Fasting prevents tendencies that are triggered by eating certain foods. Keeping vigil in the night is to be aware of oneself and the contents of one’s mind. When we look inwards, the mind becomes still. The stillness is conducive to experiencing freedom or peace, which comes when the mind merges with the self. This symbolizes the mind getting absorbed in the sight of Vishnu after the rigorous fast and vigil.

Why Rice is Taboo on Vaikunta Ekadasi?

The reason for not having rice on this day is the belief that Muran dwells in it. Eating rice also makes one feel heavy, so one will feel sleepy. This will hinder the vigil.

There is an interesting legend behind this practice. A drop of sweat once fell from Brahma's forehead and turned into a demon. The demon then requested Brahma for permanent shelter. Brahma told him that he could live in the rice grains that people consumed on Ekadashi Tithi. Hence, people began to avoid rice on Ekadashi days.

Another reason has to do with the Moon's gravitational force, which causes high and low tides on earth. It exerts a pull on the water bodies, causing high waves. The Moon’s position on Ekadashi Tithi affects our digestive system. Hence, food grains that tend to retain water should be avoided on Ekadashi.

People also believe that those who eat rice on this day will be reborn as reptiles.

According to another legend, Maharishi Medha left his body to avoid the wrath of Mother Shakti. His body parts got absorbed into the earth. Medha was reborn in the form of rice and barley. It was on Ekadashi tithi that Medha’s parts were absorbed into the earth. So, people say that Medha took birth on earth as rice and barley. Rice and barley are seen as living beings for this reason, and so eating rice on Ekadashi is taboo.

Vaikuntha Dwaram or Vaikuntha Vaasal (the gateway to Vaikundam) is supposedly open on this day. The area around the sanctum is referred to as Vaikuntha Vaasal, and devotees pass through it to enter the temple and worship Vishnu.

The conversation between Krishna and Arjuna, which is called the Bhagavad Gita, also occurred on this day, so it is also known as Gita Jayanthi.