The most prominent fasting event is Nirjala Ekadashi. A Hindu holy day observed on the 11th lunar day of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha's waxing fortnight. It is a fast without drinking water. It is advised for individuals who have already missed the remainder of the Ekadasi. It showers favours to everyone.
Nirjala Ekadashi is regarded as extremely auspicious and is said to remove sins and bestow benefits. Devotees follow this fast to seek Lord Vishnu's blessings and to achieve spiritual purity. It is especially celebrated by people who are unable to keep normal Ekadashi fasts all year.
Nirjala ekadashi story
Pandav putra Bhim once asked his father Pandu: "Every brother do Ekadasi fast but not me. Therefore, everyone insist me to do fasting on the Ekadasi but I can not do it. I can not live without food and water. Also, Bhim said, “Doing Ekadashi fasting is an order of Indian vedas for good health blessings. However, I can not resist hunger. Furthermore, I will donate clothes, food grains, do prayers and help needy but I can not do fasting. Could you please tell me a way how to do Ekadashi without fasting?”
Vyasa (birth name is Krishna Dvaipayana): "If you want to go to heaven, eleminates all your sins, you need to do Ekadashi fasting twice a month, total 24 in a year. In general, you are not allowed to drink even water and eat food in Nirjala Ekadashi and it always falls in the summer. That's the ultimate truth.”
Bhim: “All 24 days in a year, I can not sleep without food. Is there any other way I can reduce these days? I can go without food at least once a day in a year” Please tell me one fast occasion where I can do that fast and get all the benefits of all the Ekadashi.
Nirjala Ekadashi importance
Upon hearing this from Bhim, Vyasa said to Bhim that when you do Nirjala Ekadashi, it removes all the 7 sins according to Mahatma Gandhi. It is an exclusive Ekadasi where you get all the benefits of the other Ekadasi. It means, If you do fasting on Nirjala Ekadashi, you don’t need to do any other Ekadashi in life or keep them as an optional.
Hence, on the occasion of Nirajala Ekadashi, do not touch food and water. Thus, only chant the mantra: “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Namaha”, all day long.
Five rituals for Nirjala Ekadashi and its benefits on 31st May 2023
This is a wonderful opportunity to cleanse the soul and detox our body when we do fasting on Nirjala Ekadashi.
This fasting is named Nirjala, which means fasting without water and food.
- Wake up at Brahma Muhurta, take a bath with Gangajal or use Holi Water in the bathtub and get your bath on this auspicious day. Additionally, you can add 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder if possible. Furthermore, sprinkle some water at the main gate or door of your home.
- Give a prayer to the lord sun with water in a copper pot. Add kumkum with red flowers in it. Make sure it should not spill over onto your feet. If you have any Peepal (Ficus Religiosa) tree nearby, worship it and water it.
- Go and shop for an earthen water pot and fill it with the water and add some sugar. End of the day, go to a religious place and donate the water.
- Meditate all the day long, do not sleep, listen to devotional music. Chant all day with the mantra, “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Namaha”.
- Do not speak or fall into any unwanted argument and avoid spending extra energy as you are already on fast without water.
