Varuthini Ekadashi

The Sacred Story of Varuthini Ekadashi

The glories of Varuthini Ekadashi are beautifully narrated in a conversation between Lord Krishna and King Yudhisthira, as recorded in the Bhavishya Purana. Once, the righteous King Yudhisthira inquired from Lord Krishna about the Ekadashi date that falls during the waning moon of the Vaishakha month (April/May) and the merits one can attain by observing it.

Lord Krishna revealed that this Ekadashi is known as Varuthini, bestowing great fortune in this life and the next. He recounted the story of King Mandhata, who, despite being a virtuous ruler, was afflicted with leprosy due to past karma. Seeking a remedy, King Mandhata approached a sage who advised him to observe the fast of Varuthini Ekadashi with sincere devotion. By diligently following the rituals and fasting on this auspicious day, King Mandhata received Lord Vishnu's mercy, was cured of his illness, regained his physical strength, and ultimately attained liberation.

Another narrative involves King Dhundhumara, from the lineage of Ikshvaku in the Treta Yuga, who was cursed by Lord Shiva. By observing the Varuthini Ekadashi fast, King Dhundhumara was liberated from the curse and attained a higher planetary system. These stories highlight the immense power and purifying effects of observing Varuthini Ekadashi.

Why Varuthini Ekadashi is Important in Bhakti

In the path of devotional service (bhakti), observing fasts on special occasions like Ekadashi is considered a highly profitable activity. The fundamental principle of bhakti is to accept what is favorable for developing love for Krishna and reject the unfavorable. Fasting, especially on significant days like Varuthini Ekadashi, aids in minimizing the demands of the body and allows devotees to engage their time more fully in the service of the Lord through chanting, prayer, and studying scriptures.

Varuthini Ekadashi is particularly important as it is believed to dwindle one's sinful reactions. Lord Shri Krishna states that those who fix their minds on His lotus feet and faithfully observe this fast attain the merit equivalent to performing austerities for 10,000 years. Even the scribe of human deeds, Chitragupta, is said to be unable to fully record the merit gained by fasting on this day. Even a person with sinful thoughts can gradually purify themselves and attain a higher planetary system by observing this Ekadashi.

Furthermore, Varuthini Ekadashi is seen as an opportunity to seek divine protection from negative influences and karmic bindings. By observing this Ekadashi, devotees strive for spiritual purity and aim to overcome material attachments, aligning themselves with the divine.

Significances, Date, Time, Puja Vidhi, and Fasting

Varuthini Ekadashi is observed on the eleventh day of the waning moon (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Vaishakha, which typically falls around April-May.

In 2025, Varuthini Ekadashi will be observed on Thursday, April 24th. The specific timings for the Ekadashi tithi are as follows:

• Ekadashi Tithi Begins: 04:43 PM on April 23, 2025

• Ekadashi Tithi Ends: 02:32 PM on April 24, 2025

The Parna (breaking of the fast) is to be observed on the following day, Friday, April 25, 2025, during the auspicious Dwadashi period, which is:

• Parana Time: 05:46 AM to 08:23 AM or 05:34 AM to 08:07 AM .

• The Dwadashi period ends at 11:44 AM on April 25th. It is crucial to break the fast after sunrise and within the Dwadashi period.

Puja Vidhi (Worship Rituals) for Varuthini Ekadashi involves:

• Spiritual Purity: Devotees maintain spiritual purity throughout the day.

• Early Bath: Begin the day by waking up early and taking a bath to cleanse oneself. Wearing fresh clothes is recommended.

• संकल्प (Sankalp - Pledge):** Take a vow to observe the fast and perform donations.

• Worship of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi: Present prayers to Lord Krishna (Vishnu). Visit Vishnu and Krishna temples. Set up idols or images of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi on a sacred platform (chowki).

• Chanting and Recitation: Engage in chanting the Mahamantra of Hare Krishna and the Vishnu Sahasranama. Recite sacred names of Lord Vishnu. Read scriptures like Bhagavad-gītā, Srimad Bhagavatam, and Bhagavata Purana.

• Offerings: Offer fresh flowers, fruits, and Tulsi (holy basil) leaves to Lord Lakshmi Narayana. Mango leaves and sweets can also be offered.

• Lighting Lamp and Incense: Light a lamp with pure ghee near the Tulsi plant and in the worship area. Light incense to purify the space.

• Meditation and Prayer: Meditate and pray to Lord Lakshmi Narayana for happiness, wealth, peace, and good luck.

• Staying Awake (Jagaran): Some devotees spend the entire night in worship, engaging in Kirtan (devotional singing), scriptural study, and prayer.

• Bhog (Sacred Offering): Prepare and offer sacred food to the Lord.

• Charity: Perform acts of charity by donating food, grains, money, or other necessities to temples or those in need after completing the fast.

• Breaking the Fast (Parna): Break the fast the next day (Dwadashi) at the appropriate time with Vaishnav Prasadam (sacred food offered to Lord Vishnu).

Fasting on Varuthini Ekadashi involves refraining from grains, pulses, and beans. The fast can be observed in different ways:

• Nirjala: Complete fast with no food or water.

• Phalahar: Consuming only fruits and water.

Donation in Various Ways

Charity (Daan) holds special significance on Varuthini Ekadashi, and the merits of such acts are considered manifold. Engaging in Ekadashi Donation is believed to please Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, opening doors to financial abundance and alleviating economic hardship.

Anna Daan (Food Donation): Donating ann (grains), bhojan (food), and phal (fruits) to the needy and the poor is highly meritorious. Providing food to the poor and disabled not only earns their blessings but also becomes a medium to receive the grace of Lord Vishnu. Donating groceries or organizing community meals (langar) are also meaningful contributions. It is mentioned that donating food on Varuthini Ekadashi . You can donate food to the needy through Gupt Vrindavan Dham. Gupt Vrindavan Dham facilitate food donation on auspicious Ekadashi.

Gau Daan (Cow Donation) and Gau Seva (Cow Service): Donating cows on Varuthini Ekadashi is regarded as highly auspicious and spiritually rewarding. Serving cows (Gau Seva Govind Seva) by providing fodder or contributing to their care in Gaushalas (cow shelters) is also considered a sacred act. You can contribute to Daily Gau Seva through Gupt Vrindavan Dham.

Phal Daan (Fruit Donation): Donating fruits like bananas and seasonal fruits to the poor and needy is believed to alleviate Pitru Dosha (ancestral afflictions) and Shani Dosha (malefic influence of Saturn) and earn the grace of Lord Vishnu.

Mandir Nirman Seva (Temple Construction Service): Contributing towards the construction and maintenance of temples is a significant act of devotion. Gupt Vrindavan Dham offers an opportunity to give a hand in building Rajasthan biggest temple in jaipur on Varuthini Ekadashi by donating for space or tiles, etc.

Sadhu Bhojan (Feeding Holy Men): Providing food to Vaishnavas and Sadhus (holy men) is considered highly auspicious for bringing good luck and success to the family. Gupt Vrindavan Dham facilitates Sadhu Bhojan Seva.

Benefits of Donation on Varuthini Ekadashi

• Freedom from Sins: Observing the fast helps one become free from all sinful reactions.

• Spiritual Upliftment and Liberation (Moksha): It brings spiritual upliftment and can lead to moksha (liberation).

• Divine Protection: It secures people from all negative influences and karmic bindings.

• Fulfillment of Wishes: It is believed to fulfill the desires of devotees.

• Prosperity and Good Fortune: It awards great intrinsic fortune, both in this life and the next, and brings perpetual happiness.

• Relief from Distress: It provides relief from all distress, fears, and problems.

• Merit Equivalent to Austerities: By giving charity, one can get the result equivalent to doing austerities for years. Lord Krishna equates observing this fast to performing austerities for 10,000 years.

• Merit Equivalent to Sacred Acts: Observing the fast can bestow merit equivalent to bathing in sacred rivers and performing hundreds of horse sacrifices (ashvamedha yajnas).

• Ancestral Peace and Blessings: Donations, especially of food grains and water, can satisfy forefathers (pitris).

• Blessings of Deities: It pleases Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, and other deities, bestowing their grace.

• Overcoming Obstacles: It helps remove obstacles such as malefic planetary influences, untimely death, diseases, and poverty.

• Financial Abundance: Charitable acts on this day are believed to open doors to financial abundance and alleviate economic hardship.

• Progress in Career and Marital Life: Donating clothes can lead to progress in one's job, and donating flowers for temple service can enhance love in marital life.

• Attaining the Supreme Abode: One who faithfully observes this Ekadashi and hears or reads its glories ultimately returns to the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu (Vaikuntha).

• Enhanced Spiritual Strength: The fast enhances spiritual strength, patience, and devotion.

Varuthini Ekadashi, celebrated on the Krishna Paksha of Vaishakha month, is a significant day in bhakti, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The stories of King Mandhata and King Dhundhumara underscore its power to purify and liberate. Observing this Ekadashi involves fasting, prayer, and worship of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Donation in various forms, including food (Anna Daan), cows (Gau Daan) and their service (Gau Seva), and others, is highly meritorious on this day, believed to bestow numerous spiritual and material benefits, leading towards happiness, prosperity, and ultimately, liberation. Engaging in Ekadashi Donation with devotion is a cherished practice that helps devotees draw closer to the divine and experience positive transformations in their lives.