Moksha Ekadashi Significance, Story, Rituals, and Fasting

In the scriptures, the day of Ekadashi has been described as very sacred. Mokshada Ekadashi is considered to be the festival that destroys attachment. Just as Lord Shri Vishnu is worshiped on other Ekadashis, similarly Mokshada Ekadashi is also dedicated to Shri Hari. It is written in the scriptures that during the Mahabharata in Dwapara Yuga, when Shri Krishna gave the knowledge of Geeta to Arjun, the time of Mokshada Ekadashi was going on. Therefore it is also known as Geeta Jayanti.

It is believed that by fasting on this day a person becomes free from all sins. To attain salvation, this fast is considered the best among all the fasts. By observing this fast one gets infinite-fold results. Therefore, it should be done with complete rituals and complete rituals should be followed. The traditions related to this Ekadashi are slightly different in some states of India. On this day, along with Lord Shri Vishnu, his eighth incarnation Shri Krishna is worshiped separately. Along with this, eleven chapters of Gita are recited, if possible the entire Gita should be recited.

Moksha Ekadashi Date and Auspicious Time

Moksha Ekadashi on 11th December 2024, Wednesday

Ekadashi Tithi Starts - 11th December 2024 at 03:42 am
Ekadashi Tithi Ends- 12th December 2024 at 01:09 am

Significance of Mokshada Ekadashi

Mokshada Ekadashi is considered to be the Ekadashi that removes Pitra Dosha. It is believed that if we observe the fast of Mokshada Ekadashi, then our ancestors who have not yet attained salvation also attain salvation. The importance of Mokshada Ekadashi can also be understood from the fact that the virtue of this Ekadashi is considered equal to the combined virtue of all the other Ekadashi.

It is mentioned in Mahabharata that on this day in the war of Mahabharata, Pandava Arjun got confused about his duty, hence Lord Shri Krishna gave the teachings of Geeta to Arjun on this day. Therefore, the day of Mokshada Ekadashi is also celebrated as Geeta Jayanti all over India. Both Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna are worshiped on this day. Therefore the importance of this Ekadashi increases even more. This Ekadashi is celebrated with great joy all over India, be it North India or South. In South India, this Ekadashi is celebrated as Vaikuntha Ekadashi. Being the last Ekadashi of the year, its importance becomes special in itself.

Mokshada Ekadashi Story

There was a kingdom of a king named Vaikhanas in a city named Gokul. Brahmins who knew all four Vedas lived in his kingdom. That king used to follow his subjects like a son. Once at night, the king had a dream that his father was in hell. He was very surprised. In the morning he went to the learned Brahmins and told about his dream. And said- I have seen my father suffering in hell. He told me – O son, I am lying in hell. You free me from here. Ever since I heard these words, I have been very restless.

I do not find any pleasure in this kingdom, wealth, son, woman, elephant, horse, etc. What should I do? The king said- O Brahmin gods! My whole body is burning because of this sorrow. Now please tell me some penance, charity, fasting, etc. solution that can liberate my father. The life of a son who cannot save his parents is meaningless. One good son who saves his parents and ancestors is better than a thousand foolish sons. Just as one moon illuminates the entire world, but thousands of stars cannot.

The Brahmins said- O King! Nearby there is the ashram of Parvat Rishi, who knows the past, future, and present. They will definitely solve your problem. Hearing this the king went to the sage's ashram. Many peaceful yogis and sages were doing penance in that ashram. Parvat Muni was sitting at the same location. The king prostrated himself before the sage. The sage took news of his well-being from the king.

The king said that due to your grace, Maharaj, everything is fine in my kingdom, but suddenly I started feeling very restless in my mind. Hearing this, Parvat Muni closed his eyes and started thinking about the ghosts. Then he said, O king! With the power of yoga, I have come to know about your father's misdeeds. In his previous life, due to lust, he gave Ritu to one wife but did not give Ritu to the other wife even when asked by her son-in-law. Because of that sinful act, your father had to go to hell. Then the king said, please tell me a solution for this.

The sage said – O king! You fast on Margashirsha Ekadashi and pledge the virtue of that fast to your father. With its effect, your father will definitely be freed from hell. Hearing these words of the sage, the king came to the palace and as per the advice of the sage, he along with his family observed the fast of Mokshada Ekadashi. The king dedicated the virtue of his fast to his father.

Due to this effect, his father got salvation and while going to heaven, he said to his son – O son, may you be blessed. Saying this he went to heaven. Those who fast on Mokshada Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of Margashirsha month, all their sins are destroyed. By reading or listening to this story, one gets the results of Vayapayya Yagya. This fast, like Chintamani, fulfills all desires and grants salvation.

Rituals of Moksha Ekadashi

• On the day of Moksha Ekadashi, fasting devotees wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath before sunrise.

• They fast for this day as it is considered one of the most important rituals. No food or drink of any kind should be consumed during this fast. Fast is kept for a time duration of 24 hours.

• Which starts from sunrise of Ekadashi till sunrise of Dwadashi.

• During the fast, fasting devotees can consume vegetarian food, fruits, dairy products, and milk. This type of fasting can also be done by pregnant women.

• Devotees are prohibited from consuming garlic, onion, pulses, grains, and rice on the eve of Mokshada Ekadashi.

• Devotees of Lord Vishnu also consume the leaves of the Bael tree.

• Devotees pray and worship Lord Vishnu with full devotion to receive the divine blessings of the Lord.

• On this special day, some people worship Bhagavad Gita and also read religious sermons in many temples.

• Observers also pray and worship Lord Krishna. In the evening, devotees also visit the temple of Lord Narayana to witness the festivities.

• Reciting Mukundashtakam, Vishnu Sahasranamam, and Bhagwat Geeta on the day of Mokshada Ekadashi is considered very auspicious.

Moksha Ekadashi Fast

Ekadashi date of Shukla Paksha of Margashirsha month is known as Mokshada Ekadashi. By worshiping Lord Vishnu and fasting on this day, all the wishes are fulfilled. As its name suggests, this Ekadashi brings salvation. Also, on this date, Lord Shri Krishna had given the knowledge of Geeta to Arjun in Kurukshetra in Mahabharata, hence Geeta Jayanti is also celebrated on this day. It is believed that by fasting on this day and reciting Geeta, one gets freedom from the cycle of birth and death and ancestors also attain salvation. In the scriptures, Mokshada Ekadashi is compared with Mani Chintamani, which fulfills all the wishes.

Before fasting on Mokshada Ekadashi, it is very important to know the rules of Ekadashi fast. Ekadashi fast is for 24 hours. The fast is observed from sunrise of Ekadashi till sunrise of Dwadashi. Food is eaten on the afternoon of Dashami, after that food is not eaten on the evening of Dashami, and food is not eaten on Ekadashi. Food is eaten after breaking the fast on Dwadashi.

Breaking the fast is called breaking the fast. The fast should be broken only on the auspicious time of Paran on the date of Dwadashi.

In this way, Parana (breaking of fast) time on 12th December 07:05 am to 09:09 am, ending time of Dwadashi on Paran Tithi 10:26 pm.

Conclusion

According to religious beliefs, Mokshada Ekadashi is very fruitful. It is believed that those who worship and fast with complete rituals attain salvation. By observing this fast, the blessings of Lord Vishnu ji and Lakshmi ji remain intact. With the effect of this fast, human ancestors attain salvation and are freed from the bondage of karma. Through online astrology consultation, you can learn about the importance of Moksha Ekadashi and its effects.