Significance of Maagha Masa Shukla Paksha Ekadashi – JAYA EKADASHI

As narrated by Sree Krishna Paramathma to Yudhishtira Dharmaraja,

Magha Masa Shukla Paksha Ekadashi is called JAYA Ekadashi..Observance of this Ekadashi ( Complete fasting, without even drinking water) will rid one off all the sins committed by him, reward him with fulfillment of all his desires, rid one off Brahma Hathya and also help to get rid of ghostliness (Paishachathva). I shall tell you a story to reinforce the greatness of JAYA Ekadashi.

Once upon a time, Devendra (King of Swarga loka) was happily singing with Gandharvas and enjoying himself. Gandharva Pushyadhantha with son Malyavantha and Gandharva Chitrasena with daughter Pushpavanthi , also participated in the group dance. Malyavantha was attracted by the beauty of Pushpavathi and they fell in love with each other. They were singing and dancing together as directed by Devendra. Due to unintended distraction of attention on account of the love, there was disorientation and mis steps in their dance, which was misconstrued as intended insult by Devendra. He cursed them to be born as ghosts on earth (Bhooloka) and suffer the consequences of their misdeed.

They were born on earth, became ghosts and were living in Himalayas. They encountered tremendous hardships and suffered from extreme heat and cold. They were unaware of their real origin as Gandharvas. They were restless in the nights and cursing themselves for having become ghosts with the resultant sufferings.

It so happened on a Magha Masa Shukla Paksha Ekadashi day, both the ghosts were without food and drinking water. They did not kill any animal for their food and did not eat the available fruits as well. They were sitting under a banyan (Ashwattha) tree. After the sunset, they could not sleep, were sitting and trembling with cold throughout the night. Thus, unknowingly they fasted on the Ekadashi day and observed jagaran as well. Bhagavantha was extremely pleased with them and blessed them by transforming them into their original selves as Gandharvas complete with good clothes and ornaments. They went to Swarg lok in a vimana, met Devendra and prostrated before him.

Devendra was surprised to see them and learnt from them how they were relieved from their ghostliness by fasting and keeping jagaran on JAYA Ekadashi day. Devendra was very happy for them, offered them Amrutha to drink and provided for their permanent stay in Swarg and enjoy his hospitality.

So observance of complete fasting on JAYA Ekadashi is equivalent to the punya obtained by performing countless yagnas and offering many dhaanaas. Those observing complete fasting on JAYA Ekadashi will live in Vaikunta for a crore kalpas (The current kalpa is Shvetha Varaha). Those hearing and reading the greatness of JAYA Ekadashi will get the punya equivalent to the punya obtained by performing AGNISHTOMA YAGA.

  

(Courtesy: Sath Katha Sagara – Sadachara Taranga 3 ,– Aithareya Shodhana Prakasha Peetha, Bangaluru – Translated version from Kannada for the benefit of interested Samaj Bhandhvas- For internal use only)

(Contributed by Shri Ramdas)