Varuthini Ekadashi Vrat will be observed on 4th May 2024, Friday.
Ekadashi Tithi Begins: 11:24 PM on 03rd May 2024
Ekadashi Tithi Ends: at 08:39 PM on 04th May 2024
Varuthini Ekadashi, also known as Baruthani Ekadashi, is a significant Hindu holy day observed on the 11th lunar day (Ekadashi) of the fortnight of the waning moon in the Hindu month of Chaitra. In the South Indian Amavasyant calendar, where every month concludes with a new moon, or in the North Indian Purnimant calendar, where every month concludes with a full moon, Varuthini Ekadashi is celebrated on the same day in April or May. This auspicious day holds reverence for Vamana, the fifth avatar of Vishnu.
Katha of Varuthini Ekadashi:
Sri Yudhisthira Maharaj said, “Oh Vasudeva, I offer my most humble obeisances unto You. Please now describe to me the Ekadashi of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Vaisakha (April-May), including its specific merits and influence.”
Lord Sri Krishna replied, “Oh King, in this world and the next, the most auspicious and magnanimous Ekadashi is Varuthini Ekadashi, which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Vaisakha. Whosoever observes a complete fast on this sacred day has his sins completely removed, obtains continuous happiness, and achieves all good fortune. Fasting on Varuthini Ekadashi makes even an unfortunate woman fortunate. Upon anyone who observes it, this Ekadashi bestows material enjoyment in this life and liberation after death. It destroys all sins, saving the devotee from the miseries of rebirth. By observing this Ekadashi properly, King Mandhata was liberated. Many other kings also benefited from observing it, such as Maharaja Dhundhumara, in the Ikshvaku dynasty, who became free from leprosy resulting from the curse that Lord Shiva had imposed upon him as punishment. Whatever merit one obtains by performing austerities and penances for ten thousand years is achieved by a person who observes Varuthinii Ekadashi.
The merit one achieves by donating a great amount of gold in temples is easily gained by one who observes this particular Ekadashi with devotion; the devotee attains his goals in this life and the next. This Ekadashi is pure and destroyer of all sins. All the merits one can attain by performing all these acts of charity are attained by one who fasts on the Varuthini Ekadashi. One who lives off the wealth of his daughters suffers a hellish condition until the inundation of the entire universe, Oh Bharata, therefore one should be especially careful not to use the wealth of his daughter. The following things should be given up on the Dashami (the tenth phase of the Moon), the day before the Ekadasi:
– Eating on bell-metal plates,
– Eating any kind of urad-dahl,
– Eating red-lentils,
– Eating chick-peas,
– Eating kondo (a grain primarily eaten by poor people and resembling poppy seeds or agarpanthas seeds),
– Eating spinach,
– Eating honey,
– Eating in another person’s house/home,
– Eating more than once,
– Participating in sex of any kind.
Lord Sri Krishna continued, “Whoever observes the Varuthini Ekadashi in this way becomes free from all sinful reactions and returns to the eternal, spiritual abode. One who worships Lord Janardana (Krishna) on this Ekadashi by staying awake throughout the entire night also becomes free from all his previous sins and attains the spiritual abode. Therefore, Oh king, he who is frightened of his accumulated sins and their attendant reactions, and thus of death itself, must observe Varuthini Ekadashi by fasting very strictly.
“Finally, Oh noble Yudhisthira, he who hears or reads this glorification of the sacred Varuthini Ekadasi obtains the merit earned by donating one thousand cows in charity, and at last he returns home, to the Supreme abode of Lord Vishnu in the Vaikunthas.
Rituals during Varuthini Ekadashi:
– As with all Ekadashis, devotees observe a strict fast on Varuthini Ekadashi, abstaining from food and water throughout the day. Those observing the fast should eat only one meal on the day before, on dashami.
– The fast continues through Ekadashi until sunrise on ‘dwadashi’ (the 12th day). Consumption of rice, chickpeas, black gram, lentils, betel nut, betel, honey, and non-vegetarian food is strictly prohibited on Varuthini Ekadashi. Additionally, eating from bell metal utensils is not allowed.
– On Varuthini Ekadashi, devotees worship Lord Vishnu’s incarnation, Vamana. Special puja arrangements are made, and specific rules are followed to enhance the auspiciousness of the day. Devotees refrain from sleep, anger, gambling, applying oil on the body, and harboring ill feelings towards others. Sexual activity and violence should be completely avoided.
– Reading Holy Scriptures like ‘Vishnu Sahastranaam’ and ‘Bhagawad Gita’ is a recommended practice on Varuthini Ekadashi. Devotees also spend their time listening to and singing bhajans in honor of Lord Vishnu.
– Offering donations on Varuthini Ekadashi is considered highly auspicious as it brings good fortune. Some of the objects that should be donated on this holy day include sesame seeds, land, elephants, and horses.