In the Bhavishya Uttar Puran, there is a description regarding Saphala Ekadashi. It’s when Yudhishtir Maharaj once asked Lord Krishna about the tale and significance of Saphala Ekadashi. Who is the dev of Ekadashi? O Janardana! Please enlighten me about it. In his response, he described:
Saphala Ekadashi contributes to one’s spiritual growth, removes sins and negative karma. It also has a great history behind it: the tale of why it is kept.
So, let’s first learn about the tale of Saphala Ekadashi and why it is observed:
The Tale Of Saphala Ekadashi
Once there was a king who was very kind, named Vijayadhwaja. He was known for his devotion to Lord Vishnu. One day, he felt seriously ill and was on the brink of death. Being worried, his queens and ministers sought the help of a great sage, Stulakesha, who was a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu.
Stukalesha advised the king to observe Saphala Ekadashi fast as it will help him get relieved from his illness. The king, then, on the sage’s advice, observed this sacred fast with dedication. He abstained from food and other worldly things, distractions, and only focused on prayer and chanting Lord Vishnu’s name.
When Ekadashi passed, the king felt a magical transformation in himself as his ailment vanished, and he again began to feel fine. In addition, his soul was cleansed, and he was blessed with all great endeavors, too, which included both material and spiritual. So, the moral of the tale is that Saphala Ekadashi provides success and spiritual healing. You can also get liberated from your past sins and attain Moksha.
How Saphala Ekadashi Promotes Mindfulness?
Inner Awareness Through Abstinence
Saphala Ekadasi is the day when you don’t have to eat food that adds toxins to the body. In simple words, you just eat milk, nuts, and fruits, or also the Satvik bhojan.
When you halt yourself from eating such food, it makes you aware of your inner gut and soul, the physical and psychic needs. This shift teaches you self-control and also the core principles of mindful living.
Stability to the Wandering Mind
Besides just cleaning your gut and soul, it also teaches your wandering mind to calm down. In addition, it also provides serenity to your nervous system. If you suffer from anxiety or depression, then you must not miss observing the Ekadashi vrat.
It’s because it will help you anchor your mind with praying, meditating, and thinking clearly, which helps a lot to heal mentally.
Detachment From Distractions
Saphala Ekadashi also helps you with the voluntary withdrawal from worldly distractions, which create the space for reflection and clarity. In addition, just like worldly detachment, it also resets mental habits, like aiding someone to observe thoughts but getting absorbed by them. Resultantly, a person attains a calmer, quieter, and better-equipped mind for focus and presence.
You Focus More On Speech & Silence
The true Ekadashi observers begin to ponder more on what they speak. They use words consciously and don’t believe in small talk or gossip. They just engage in truthful speech or even practice mauna on the day. In silence, they reconnect with the subtle rhythms of breath and awareness, which are the way to live a mindful life.
Japa & Healing
Mindfulness, inner healing is itself promoted when you do japa on this day, chanting Lord Vishnu mantras like "ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय". When you chant, it helps your breath, soul, and mind feel healed as it connects you to the divine deity who takes all your grief and transforms it to the sacred love of God and spiritual awareness.
Rituals One Must Follow On Saphala Ekadashi
Purifying Bath & Vow (स्नान और संकल्प)
A purifying bath is a must when you keep an Ekadashi vrat. It’s taken by mixing salt or Ganga Jal water into your bathing water. Then the vow is taken that the vrat will be completed rightfully with true devotion and following sacredness.
Abstinence From Food
Only the Satvik bhojan, or fruits, nuts, and milk is consumed on this day. If you keep Nirjala vrat, then you must also refrain from water.
Puja & Worship
Lord Vishnu is worshipped, and his prayers are rhymed while doing puja. Keeping the Lord Vishnu idol at home or the Lord Vishnu carved Shankh, the aarti is also done, lighting lamps and chanting mantras.
Jagran
Night Vigil called as Jagran is done when the devotees have to stay awake and then remain Lord Vishnu-conscious, the whole night, remembering him, his blessings, and chanting the mantras with full devotion.
Charity
If possible, serve people and do charity. Provide the needy ones with the food, clothes, or anything they need.
Don’t Indulge in Intimacy
It’s considered unfavorable to indulge in any kind of intimate act on this day. Follow purity and observe the rituals with devotion.
Final Reflection
So, with the tale, we can deduce that Saphala Ekadashi is for one’s boom and growth. Saphala means success, if you wish to seek success in any affair, then observe this vrat rightly. In addition, it’s also for the divine completion of any desire you ever wish for, but the core ingredient is true devotion.
Stay Happy & blessed!
Hare Krishna!
