Ekadashi Tithi Begins: at 03:42 AM on Dec 11, 2024
Ekadashi Tithi Ends: at 01:09 AM on Dec 12, 2024
Parana Time – On 12th Dec, 06:28 AM to 08:47 AM
Note: “Parana” is the breaking of the fast. Ekadashi Parana is observed on the next day of Ekadashi fast after sunrise within Dwadashi Tithi.
The Ekadashi Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Margashirsha holds significance as Mokshada Ekadashi and Baikunth Ekadashi. During the observance of fasting on this day, adherents adhere to a rule of silence throughout, hence earning it the name ‘Mauni Ekadashi‘. Additionally, it is noteworthy that on this day, Lord Krishna imparted the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Consequently, Gita Jayanti is also celebrated in commemoration of this event.
As per the scriptures, on the occasion of Mokshada Ekadashi, the ancestors of devout fasting adherents are believed to attain Baikunth Dham, where they are absolved of their past transgressions. These ancestral spirits bestow blessings upon their family, ensuring prosperity in the form of abundant food grains and progeny.
Mokshada Ekadashi Vrat Katha:
In ancient times, a monarch named Vaikhanas ruled over his kingdom, where his subjects enjoyed the utmost contentment under his just governance. However, his peaceful reign was marred by a distressing revelation during his slumber: he beheld his father enduring agonizing torment in the depths of hell. This troubling vision shook the king to his core, prompting him to urgently seek a remedy for his father’s plight.
Upon awakening, Vaikhanas sought counsel from the learned pundits, recounting the details of his troubling dream and beseeching them for insight. The wise scholars advised him to seek the guidance of Sage Parvat, renowned for his spiritual wisdom. Following their counsel, the king journeyed to the sage’s hermitage and laid bare his father’s predicament before him.
Moved by the king’s tale, Sage Parvat revealed the karmic reasons behind the father’s suffering and prescribed a path to redemption: observing the sacred fast of Mokshada Ekadashi and dedicating its merits to his father’s soul. He instructed Vaikhanas to offer the fruits of his fast, along with acts of charity, to alleviate his father’s spiritual burden and pave the way for his salvation.
Committed to fulfilling the sage’s directives, the king diligently observed the Mokshada Ekadashi fast and extended his benevolence to the needy, offering food, alms, and clothing. Through his devout observance and selfless acts, Vaikhanas secured his father’s deliverance from the shackles of past misdeeds, thus attaining spiritual liberation for both him and his progenitor.