When we turn the pages of our religious scriptures, we come across many pastimes that have a lesson to teach and embrace our future generation with knowledge. One such incident is Pandavas when they were in the ‘Agyat Vaas’ phase and went through all the hardships. Bhim’s hunger led us all to the path of ultimate means to clear all our sins and gave us a chance to choose a path to heaven.

Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi is one such means. The blog will lead you through all the essential information you need to know about this sacred event.

What is the Story of Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi?

Nirjala Ekadashi, also known as Bhima Ekadashi or Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi, is one of the most sacred events for the Hindus. The story is of utmost importance to the people who have a strong belief in Lord who rules us all. The story has many lessons to teach, knowledge to embrace and a path following which we can leave behind all our sins.

The strongest of the Pandavas, Bhim, could not survive with hunger and annoyed himself for the disrespect shown towards Lord Vishnu. Due to this, he sought a solution from Maharishi Vyas, who then asked Bhim to begin observing Nirjala Ekadashi. He was told that by fasting on this particular day, he would derive the advantages of fasting on all the other Ekadashis.

“O Bhima, Lord Sri Krsna has said that whoever observes this Ekadasi should take a holy bath, give charity to a worthy person, chant the Lord’s holy names on a Japa-mala, and perform some quite recommended sacrifice, for by doing this, one receives imperishable benefits. Observance of this Ekadasi fast alone promotes one to the Supreme abode of Sri Visnu. O better of the Kurus, if one donates gold, cloth, or the rest on this present day, the merit one obtains is imperishable,” said Ved Vyasadeva.

Vyasadeva explained the Nirjala fast rules to Bhima and said, “I strongly urge you to fast on this auspicious, purifying, sin-devouring day Thus you may be completely freed of all sins and reach the Supreme abode.”

Thus came the existence of Nirjala Ekadashi.

Why Is Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi Celebrated?

As per Brahma Vaivarta Purana, the day is called after the second brother of Pandava, Bhima, also called Bhimsena. As per the Purana, Bhima, a disciple of food, wanted to stay Ekadashi fast to supply his prayers to Lord Vishnu but could not manage his hunger. 

He then visited his ancestor Sage Vyasa, author of Mahabharatha, to ask him for an answer for his temptation. He suggested that he must keep Nirjala Ekadashi once during a year, and he relieved Bhimsena of the guilt of not having the ability to remain hungry for Lord Vishnu.

What Is The Significance Of Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi?

We all know all the Hindus are spiritually connected with the meaning and means of Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi. People in early times believed that any individual who keeps this fast secures a place in heaven as all the sins are erased. It was also a mode to pay tribute to Lord Vishnu, the universe’s ultimate power. 

Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi also has a few scientific logics with it. Not consuming food and water for a whole day helps boost up the digestive activities in the body. At the same time, it helps in cleansing and detoxing the body. 

It is about the Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi in specific, every ritual we perform according to the Hindu religion has some scientific reason linked to it. You can easily check the date on the Ekadashi calendar iskcon. 

What Should We Do On Nirjala Ekadashi?

Devotees generally fast on all 24 Ekadashis, on Nirjala (without water) Ekadashi, people observe fast and do not even consume a drop of water. Those devotees who cannot watch the othere Ekadashis can only observe ‘vrat’ in this day and age. Devotees keep chanting, praying, performs puja for Lord Vishnu the full night.

Whosoever eats any grains on Ekadasi becomes contaminated by sin and verily eats only sin. In effect, the person has already become a dog-eater, and after death, he suffers a hellish existence.

But he who observes this sacred Jyeshtha-Shukla Ekadasi and offers something in charity certainly achieves liberation from the cycle of repeated birth and death and attains to the Supreme abode.

Observing this Ekadasi, which is merged with Dwadashi, frees one from the horrible sin of killing a brahmana, drinking liquor and wine, becoming envious of one’s spiritual master and ignoring his instructions, and continually telling lies.

How To Do Nirjala Ekadashi Fast?

According to learned personalities, nowadays, one may bathe and perform Achamana for pratiprokshana purification. But while performing Achamana, one may drink only that quantity of water adequate a drop of gold, or that quantity it takes to immerse one flavorer.

Only this amount of water should be placed within the right palm for sipping, which one should form to resemble a cow’s ear. If one drinks more water than this, he might likewise have drunk wine despite the soaring heat of summer.

One must by no means eat anything, for if he does so, he breaks his fast.

This rigid fast is in effect from sunrise on the Ekadasi day to sunrise on the Dwadashi day.

If someone endeavours to look at this great fast very strictly, he easily achieves the results of observing all twenty-four other Ekadasi fasts throughout the complete year.

On Dwadashi, the devotee should bathe early within the morning.

Then, in keeping with the prescribed rules, guidelines, regulative injunctions, and fact betting on his ability, he should give some gold and water to worthy Brahmanas.

Finally, he should cheerfully honour prasadam with a brahmana. One can have only fruits in Nirjala ekadashi. 

Without even drinking or eating, one who fasts on this Ekadasi becomes freed from all sinful reactions.

If you have questions like How to break Nirjala Ekadashi fast ISKCON, you should feed the Brahmanas and not eat before eating. 

Conclusion

We tried providing you insights about one of the most sacred events of Hindus, Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi. Hope the blog gave you meaningful insights about pandava nirjala ekadashi 2021. Keep reading for more!

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