Utpanna Ekadashi Meaning
The Hindu lunar calendar is divided into two distinct cycles/phases of the moon. One phase is the waxing moon phase known as ‘Shukla Paksha’, where the size (visually) and brightness of the Moon increase slightly each day. After the full moon, the brightness of the moon decreases with each passing day. Each phase lasts 15 days. “Ekadashi” means that on the eleventh day of each phase of the moon, there are two Ekadashi in a month. The term Ekadashi means Shukra Paksha or Krishna Paksha the eleventh lunar day (titi) of his fortnightly.
To further explain the term ‘titi’ (according to the Hindu calendar) it means a lunar day. This means the time it takes for the moon to travel a certain distance. So Ekadashi is the eleventh lunar day or Titi. Shukla Paksha, i.e. the light phase of the Moon, in Ekadashi the Moon appears (3/4) darker and in Krishna Paksha Ekadashi the Moon appears (3/4) darker ). There are 24 pictures in a year, except for leap years, which have 26 pictures.
Like Hinduism, Jainism regards Ekadashi as sacred and this has spiritual implications. One can be freed from all sins simply by hearing the names of the various Ekadashi. Lord Vishnu is worshiped at Ekadashi. Observe the day by fasting from sunrise of Ekadashi Titi to sunrise of the next day.
Utpanna Ekadashi 2022 Date
Utpanna Ekadashi Date: Sunday, November 20, 2022
Ekadashi Tithi Starts: 10:29 AM on Nov 19, 2022
Ekadashi Tithi Ends: at 10:41 AM on Nov 20, 2022
On 21st Nov, Parana Time: 06:49 AM to 09:03 AM
On Parana Day Dwadashi End Moment: 10:07 AM
Utpanna Ekadashi Importance
Fast observation is paramount in Utpanna Ekadashi. The ancient Hindu text Bhavisya Uttara Purana clearly states the importance of fasting on this Ekadashi. In the ancient texts Lord Krishna, Yudhishthira is said to be more important than seeing the sacrifices of those in need of Him or horses (Ashvamedha or the sacrifice of Lord Vishnu Himself is explained. It is said that those who fast on this day and keep the rules are released and given a place in Lord Vishnu’s abode.
When Yudhishthira asks Lord Krishna that the fasting of Ekadashi is so important that it trumps people’s best behavior, the Lord tells Utpanna the story of his Ekadashi and its importance.
Utpanna Ekadashi Dates and Days from 2021 to 2029
Utpanna Ekadashi in 2021: Tuesday, 30th of November
Utpanna Ekadashi in 2022: Sunday, 20th of November
Utpanna Ekadashi in 2023: Friday, 8th of December
Utpanna Ekadashi in 2024: Tuesday, 26th of November
Utpanna Ekadashi in 2025: Saturday, 15th of November
Utpanna Ekadashi in 2026: Friday, 4th of December
Utpanna Ekadashi in 2027: Wednesday, 24th of November
Utpanna Ekadashi in 2028: Sunday, 12th of November
Utpanna Ekadashi in 2029: Saturday, 1st of December
Short Utpanna Ekadashi Vrat Katha
There was a demon named Mura who caused terror with his evil deeds and confused all three worlds. All the gods were quite frightened because of the demon Mura’s power and wrong deeds and asked Lord Vishnu for help. After that, Lord Vishnu fought with him for hundreds of years. Meanwhile, Lord Vishnu wanted to rest a little, so he entered a cave, where he slept. The name of the cave was Himawati. At that time, Mura was only thinking about killing God in the cave. At that moment, a beautiful woman appeared and killed the demon after a long battle. When Lord Vishnu awoke, he was shocked to see the demon was slain. The lady was part of Lord Vishnu and he named her Ekadashi. Since then, this day is celebrated as Utpanna Ekadashi.
Utpanna Ekadashi Story in English
According to lore, once upon a time in Satya Yuga, there was a ferocious demon named Mura who was very violent and angry. He terrorized the demigods and defeated Lord Indra (King of Heaven), the Sun God (aka Vivasvan), Agni (Fire God), Vayu (Wind God), the eight Vasas, and Lord Brahma.
In this situation, Lord Indra turned her attention to Lord Shiva, who asked her to go to Lord Vishnu, the protector of all creation, and seek his solution.
Lord Indra and the other gods told Lord Vishnu about the demon mura, their plight, and how they lost their heavenly status and joined hands to ask Lord Vishnu to save them and kill Mulas. Lord Vishnu acted immediately and asked them all to go to Chandravati, the capital of the demon moola, from where the demon was active.
In Chandravati, howling demons lashed out at demigods with glowing weapons. The attack was so fierce that the gods could not resist and fled the battlefield. When the demons saw Lord Hrishikesha/Vishnu, they raised their weapons and attacked him. Lord Vishnu pierced their limbs with poisonous arrows and put an end to hundreds of demons with one blow. Mura then met Lord Vishnu in person.
All of the Lord’s weapons did not affect Mura, who possessed mystical powers protecting him. It is said that Lord Vishnu was exhausted at this time and went to Badari Kashrama, where he found a cave called Himavati. The cave had only one entrance and was 96 miles wide. Lord Vishnu fell asleep in a cave, but the demon Mura found him and thought he would kill the sleeping Hari (Lord Vishnu). Mura was ready to take action, but just then, from Vishnuji’s body, a young girl with many glowing weapons and a glowing complexion emerged. She challenged Mura to fight her. He was surprised to see how forcefully and skillfully the girl fought him and wondered whose work she was. Shining Girl smashed all of Moolah’s weapons in a surprise attack and took her chariot before the demons could be resourceful. Without her weapon, Mura charged him to kill him with his bare hands. Seeing Mura rush towards Lord Vishnu, she decapitated him with a clean sweep and put an end to the evil demons. The girl folded her hands and bowed before him, surprised to see the devil lying dead. When Lord Vishnu asked her who killed the demon, she replied that she did it because he wanted to kill the Lord while he was sleeping. The Lord expressed amazement at her powers. and asked who it was. The girl then revealed that she was a manifestation of the Lord’s transcendent self and His immense inner power, Maha Shakti. Lord Vishnu was very pleased with this form of Shakti and asked her to seek a boon. Then the girl asked the Lord for the blessing that all who fasted on the day she first appeared would be forgiven of their sins. If a person fasts for a day, does not eat or drink water, and controls all senses and impulses, he or she will be blessed to enter Lord Vishnu’s realm in one billion karas after being led through life. You should have a rich, happy and fulfilling life. A person who eats in the evening without grains or beans should be regarded as having half the benefit of the day’s fast. In addition, the girl mainly asked those who fasted on that day either completely or through lunch or dinner to give them spiritual and religious qualities, wealth, and the blessing of salvation.
Lord Vishnu happily agreed to bless the girl with the blessings she had asked for, saying that all devotees fasting on the day she appeared would be blessed. The Lord also named the girl as Ekadashi. Her first appearance was on the eleventh of the waning moon. The Lord promised that if a person fasted at Ekadashi, their sins would be blotted out and they could finally enter the Lord’s transcendent kingdom. Ekadashi was also included, along with other favorite days of the waning moon, such as the third day), Tritiya (the third day), and said that fasting on Ekadashi would bring more blessings. Other fasts or offerings.
Utpanna Ekadashi Rituals
The Utpanna Ekadashi ritual is described in ancient Hindu texts and is said to have been given by Lord Sri Krishna in answering a question from Yudhishthira (one of the Pandavas brothers of the Mahabharata). The ritual is as follows.
1) On the day before Utpanna Ekadashi, his tenth day of Krishna Paksha, he brushes his teeth thoroughly in the afternoon and eats dinner at sunset.
2. On the morning of Utpanna Ekadashi one should intend to observe fasting. One should bathe in rivers (said to be the most purifying) or lakes, and if neither is available, bathe in pond water.
3. Apply mud to your body while singing.
Prayer – O Asvacrante! Oh, Rataclan! Vishnukrante! Vasandare! It’s Multike! (Mother Earth! Remove all the sins I have accumulated in my previous life, so that I can enter the residence of Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Lord))
4. Worship Lord Govinda with complete devotion and offer excellent ‘bog’ (food to the gods) along with flowers and other offerings.
5. Light a lamp at home in honor of the Lord.
6. Chant Lord Vishnu or sing hymns throughout the day and remain in a state of great bliss during the fast.
7. Stay awake all night, fully conscious. If possible, play musical instruments all night to please the Lord.
8. In the morning one should give alms to the Brahmins and respectfully ask forgiveness for their wrongdoings.
9. The following prayer should be said for those who are fasting completely until the next day.
10. After prayer, the devotee offers flowers and water to the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu and asks the Lord to feed them by chanting an eight-syllable mantra three times. To obtain the full benefits of fasting, a believer should drink water offered to the Lord.
11. Devotees can make fire sacrifices if they wish.
From the day of Ekadashi until the next morning, devotees should bathe, sing hymns to the Lord, worship the Lord with complete devotion, engage in devotional activities, and perform charitable works.
Utpanna Ekadashi Fasting Rules
Ancient texts stipulate that strict adherence to the rules is required to benefit from the Ekadashi fast.
- Fasting believers should bathe in the morning of Utpanna Ekadashi.
- You cannot eat beans or grains in Ekadashi.
- On this day, believers are forbidden to kill animals.
- During Ekadashi and the next day, Dwadashi, daytime sleep is not allowed.
- Fast adherents must not meet or interact with fraudsters, or persons engaged in malicious activities. The scriptures even say that if a believer happens to approach such a person, he should stand in the sun and look directly at him to purify himself.
- Abstinence of Ekadashi and Dwadashi.
- On Dwadasi (the day after Ekadashi), devotees are not allowed to eat in other people’s houses, eat only one meal, do not consume honey and Uladal (black lentils), Do not eat with metal plates or cutlery, and do not massage oil onto your body.
- According to ancient texts, if a devotee needs to converse with someone of a lower caste, he should eat tulsi leaves and Amalaki berries to purify himself.
- If for whatever reason, the devotee is unable to break the fast the next day, water should be provided to mark the completion of the fast and eaten later at his convenience.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Utpanna Ekadashi (FAQs)
What is Utpanna Ekadashi?
According to old texts, Utpanna Ekadashi commemorates the birth of the Goddess Ekadashi. According to legend, she emerged from Lord Vishnu’s power to defeat a demon named Mulasura who was trying to attack Lord Vishnu while he was sleeping.
Where is Utpanna Ekadashi?
This Ekadashi is observed in the northern states of India in the month of ‘Marga Sirsh’ and in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Maharashtra in the month of ‘Kartik’.
Why do people avoid rice during Ekadashi Vrat?
People avoid rice on this day because the gravitational pull of the moon causes the rivers to ebb and flow. It attracts water and is also involved in creating tidal waves. Therefore, this position of the Moon in Ekada City is unfavorable for the human digestive system. As a result, many people do not eat rice during meals.
What’s the story behind Ekadashi?
This goddess was given the name ‘Ekadashi’ by Vishnu. Vishnu was pleased with her and demanded his favors from her. Meanwhile, Ekadashi prayed to Vishnu for the forgiveness of the sins of those who fasted on that day. Those who fasted and worshiped Ekadashi on this day will achieve Vaikuntha according to Vishnu.
Who is the Goddess of Ekadashi?
According to Hindu beliefs, destroyed the demon Mur, who plotted to kill the sleeping Lord Vishnu. Goddess Ekadashi is one of Lord Vishnu’s Shaktis and therefore has Lord Vishnu’s protective abilities.
