Yogini Ekadashi

Ekadashi tithi of Ashadha month is observed as Yogini Ekadashi, some observe Yogini Ekadashi on Krishna paksha ekadashi tithi of Jyeshta month.

Yogini Ekadashi Date 2023

Yogini Ekadashi legend

According to folklore, King Kuvera Alakapuri was a Shiva-yogi and an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. His gardener brings flowers for Shiva Pooja that the King performs every day. He missed to bring flowers once, this angered the King. Enraged King cursed the gardener with Leprosy disease. He wandered in the forest with the sickness. One day he met Sage Markandeya and sought help. Sage Markandeya advised him to observe Yogini Ekadashi vrat to cure his curse. The gardener observed Yogini Ekadashi and regained good health. According to Srimad Bhagavad Purana, this Ekadashi Vrat earns the same merit as equivalent to performing an aswamedha homa, 10 times the merit of donating 1000 cows to a temple or an ashrama and the merit of feeding 1000 sages or spiritual seekers.

Rituals

The best way to celebrate Ekadashi is to observe fast and chant Vedic mantras. Ekadashi fasting means spiritual cleansing, a spiritual detoxification of all senses. People refrain from consuming solid food, grains, pulses or lentils on this day. According to ancient Vedic scriptures, the Ekadashi fast spans for about three days. The day prior to Ekadasi, i.e On Dashami, devotees relish one healthy balanced meal around the afternoon or before sunset to ensure no residual food remains in the body during Ekadashi. On Ekadashi, devotees observe a sincere, clean fast and break the fast after sunrise of the next day. This has been the ritualistic fasting process. In today's world people follow different types of fast-

Nirjala Ekadashi: ultimate fast. Fast the whole day without eating and drinking water.

Sajala Ekadashi: similar to a juice fast. Consume water and fruit juices.

Farali Ekadashi: Fruit diet that is commonly followed. Consume Fruits and Milk only.

Wake up in the brahma muhurat, take bath and clean sacred live space at home for pooja and bhajan ceremonies. We can recite or meditate on Vishnu Sahasranama during this time. Or be with the mantra "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaaya" all day, learn more Vishnu Mantras. Choose a fast that suits your schedule for the day or activities for the day. It is generally preferred to avoid grains and pulses, or lentils, tubers on Ekadesi. Eat fruits, positive prana foods like coconut, coconut water, dairy products, peppercorn, honey and nuts.

Stay mindful of your every thought and action. Offer flowers and light a lamp for Tulsi plant. We can participate in bhajan or homa remedy ceremonies. Temple visits, offerings and donations are advised since they can deepen the sense of devotion. We can perform Sri Lakshmi Narayana Homa or Sri Vishnu Homa and Sri Sudharshana Homa. Refrain from negative emotions like hate, anger, greed, jealously and violence choose happier, inclusive attributes like empathy, care, faith, integrity.

We also suggest other modes of fasting like gadget free fast- taking a break from social media for a day, staying away from watching television, or mobile phone or even gaming gadgets and other distractive media. This can also create a significant amount of awareness and mindfulness.

Benefits

Yogini Ekadashi festival dates between 2020 & 2030

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