Aja Ekadashi

 Aja Ekadashi is the Ekadashi (waning 11th lunar day) il the month of Bhadrapada. It falls on Sep 2nd this year in 2021

On Aja Ekadashi Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Hrishikesha. It immediately vanquishes whatever miseries one may be suffering as a result of past karmic sinful activities.

The Story 

Lord Krishna enlightens Yudhishtra about Aja Ekadashi  in the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.

Any person who fasts completely on this day and worships Hrishikesha, the master of the senses, becomes free of all reactions to his sins. Even one who simply hears about this Ekadasi is freed from his past sins. 

There once lived a famous king named Harishchandra, who was the emperor of the world and a person of great truth and integrity.  By the force of destiny, however, Harishchandra lost his great kingdom and sold his wife and son. The pious king himself became a menial servant of a dog-eater, who made him guard a crematorium. 

Yet even while doing such menial service, he did not forsake his truthfulness and good character. One day the great sage Gautama passed by and with joined palms the king stood before Gautama Muni and narrated his pitiful story. Gautama Muni was astonished to hear the king’s tale of woe and instructed him to fast on Aja Ekadashi which removes all sins. He told the king that Aja Ekadasi is so auspicious that if you simply fast on that day and perform no other austerity, all your sins will be nullified. 

King Harishchandra followed Gautama Muni’s instructions and observed the Aja Ekadashi fast. The reactions to his previous sins were completely destroyed at once. Just by the power of this wonderful Ekadasi, he was reunited with his wife and son. 

Lord Krishna reiterated that whoever fasts on Aja Ekadasi is surely freed from all his sins and ascends to the spiritual world.

Aja  Ekadashi  Rituals

1. You can chant Om Namo Bhagavate Hrishikeshaya namaha 108 times or more. 

2. You can chant or listen to Vishnu Sahasranama 

3. Donation 

4. Ekadashi Fasting 

Janmashtami Rituals

 “Janmashtami is the day when we celebrate the  Lord Krishna was born on Ashtami Tithi when the moon transited Rohini Nakshatra. And this year during Janamasthami Moon and Rahu are both in Rohini Nakshatra. 

Astrologically Speaking…

It is said that any evils of malefic planets can be removed and the blesisngs of natural benefic planets can be obtained by worshipping the deities associated with the tithi ruled by the planets.

Lord Krishna was born on Ashtami Tithi (8th waning lunar day), so worshipping HIM as Bal Gopal (child form) on the 8th lunar day can help us overcome the evils of our karma that caused this rebirth. Ashtami tithi is ruled by Rahu and this is one of the best remedies for Rahu.

Rituals and Remedies

1. Worship Lord Krishna with the mantra - “Aum Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”. You can chant this mantra 108 times or sing it as a bhajan. 

2. Read few chapters from the Bhagavad Gita or Srimad Bhagavatam.

3. Lord Krishna symbolizes joy and celebration. So join a Satsang or get together with friends and family and sing songs in praise of Lord Krishna. You can recite the Achyutashtakam by Adi Shankaracharya. 

4. Light a lamp with Ghee and offer it to Lord Krishna. 

5. If have an idol of the lord you can give HIM a ritualistic bath with 5 ingredients (Milk, Jaggery, Ghee, Honey and Yoghurt). This is called Panchamrit - Pancha means 5 and Amrit means the elixir of the Gods.

6. Offer some fragrance to Lord Krishna by lighting an incense or by applying chandan (sandalwood).

7. Offer butter, milk products, sweets and rice to Lord Krishna. 

8. Meditate or listen to flute music.

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