Yudhishthira
Maharaj said, "Oh MadhusUdana, Oh killer of the Madhu demon, what is
the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight (krishna
paksha) of the month of Ashwin (September-October)? Please describe its
glories to me."
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna then replied, "This Holy day is called Indira Ekadasi. If a person fasts on this day, all his sins are eradicated and his forefathers who have fallen into hell are liberated. Oh best of kings, one who simply hears about this sacred Ekadasi achieves the great merit earned by performing a horse sacrifice.
In the Satya-yuga there lived a king named Indrasena, who was so powerful that he destroyed all his enemies. His kingdom was called Mahishmati-puri. The glorious and highly religious King Indrasena took good care of his subjects, and therefore he was rich in gold, grains, sons, and grandsons. He was greatly devoted to Lord Sri Vishnu as well. He especially enjoyed chanting My name, calling out 'Govinda! Govinda!'. In this way King Indrasena systematically dedicated himself to pure spiritual life and spent much time meditating on the Absolute Truth.
One day, as King Indrasena happily and peacefully presided over his assembly, the perfect orator, Sri Narada Muni, was seen descending. White as a conch, shining like the moon, like a jasmine flower, like a lightening bolt, Narada Muni descending from the sky. He is decorated with matted locks of reddish hair. The king offered Devarishi Narada, the saint among the devas (demigods), great respect by greeting him with joined palms, inviting him into the palace, offering him a comfortable seat, washing his feet, and speaking sweat words of welcome. Then Narada Muni said to Maharaj Indrasena, 'Oh king, are the seven limbs of your kingdom prospering?'
The seven limbs of a king's domain being; the king's well being himself, his ministers, his treasury, his military forces, his allies, the brahmanas, the sacrifices performed in his kingdom, and the needs of the king's subjects. 'Is your mind absorbed in thinking of how you can properly perform your occupational duty? Are you becoming more and more devoted and dedicated to the service of the Supreme Lord, Sri Vishnu?'
"The king replied, 'By your kind grace, Oh greatest of sages, everything is quite well. Today, just by your presence all the sacrifices in my kingdom are successful ! Please show me mercy and explain the reason for your kind visit here.'
"Sri Narada, the sage among the devas, then said, 'Oh lion among kings, listen to my astonishing words. When I descended from Brahmaloka to Yamaloka, Lord Yamaraja praised me very graciously and offered me an excellent seat. As I glorified his truthfulness and wonderful service to the Supreme Lord, I noticed your father in Yamaraja's assembly. Though he had been very religious, because he broke an Ekadasi fast prematurely, he had to go to the Yamaloka. Your father gave me a message for you. He said, "In Mahishmati lives a king named Indrasena. Please tell him about my situation here - that because of my past sinful deeds I have somehow been forced to reside in Yamaraja's kingdom. Please give him this message from me: 'Oh son, kindly observe the coming Indira Ekadasi and give much in charity so I can go upward to heaven.' "
Philosophically we can understand that every living entity is an individual, and individually everyone has to practice Krishna consciousness to traverse back to home, back to Godhead. As stated in Garuda Purana, someone who is suffering in hell cannot practice Krishna consciousness, because this requires some mental peace, which the reactionary tortures of hell make impossible. If a relative of a sinner suffering in hell gives some charity in the name of the sinner, he can leave hell and enter the heavenly planets. But if the sinner's relative observes this Ekadasi fast for his suffering kinsman, the kinsman goes directly to the spiritual world, as stated in this narration based on Brahma-vaivarta Puranam.
"Narada continued, 'Just to deliver this message, Oh king, have I come to you. You should help your father by observing the fast of Indira Ekadasi. By the merit you gain, your father will go to heaven.' "King Indrasena asked, 'Oh great Naradji, please be merciful and tell me specifically how to observe a fast on Indira Ekadasi, and also tell me during what month and on what day it occurs.'
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna then replied, "This Holy day is called Indira Ekadasi. If a person fasts on this day, all his sins are eradicated and his forefathers who have fallen into hell are liberated. Oh best of kings, one who simply hears about this sacred Ekadasi achieves the great merit earned by performing a horse sacrifice.
In the Satya-yuga there lived a king named Indrasena, who was so powerful that he destroyed all his enemies. His kingdom was called Mahishmati-puri. The glorious and highly religious King Indrasena took good care of his subjects, and therefore he was rich in gold, grains, sons, and grandsons. He was greatly devoted to Lord Sri Vishnu as well. He especially enjoyed chanting My name, calling out 'Govinda! Govinda!'. In this way King Indrasena systematically dedicated himself to pure spiritual life and spent much time meditating on the Absolute Truth.
One day, as King Indrasena happily and peacefully presided over his assembly, the perfect orator, Sri Narada Muni, was seen descending. White as a conch, shining like the moon, like a jasmine flower, like a lightening bolt, Narada Muni descending from the sky. He is decorated with matted locks of reddish hair. The king offered Devarishi Narada, the saint among the devas (demigods), great respect by greeting him with joined palms, inviting him into the palace, offering him a comfortable seat, washing his feet, and speaking sweat words of welcome. Then Narada Muni said to Maharaj Indrasena, 'Oh king, are the seven limbs of your kingdom prospering?'
The seven limbs of a king's domain being; the king's well being himself, his ministers, his treasury, his military forces, his allies, the brahmanas, the sacrifices performed in his kingdom, and the needs of the king's subjects. 'Is your mind absorbed in thinking of how you can properly perform your occupational duty? Are you becoming more and more devoted and dedicated to the service of the Supreme Lord, Sri Vishnu?'
"The king replied, 'By your kind grace, Oh greatest of sages, everything is quite well. Today, just by your presence all the sacrifices in my kingdom are successful ! Please show me mercy and explain the reason for your kind visit here.'
"Sri Narada, the sage among the devas, then said, 'Oh lion among kings, listen to my astonishing words. When I descended from Brahmaloka to Yamaloka, Lord Yamaraja praised me very graciously and offered me an excellent seat. As I glorified his truthfulness and wonderful service to the Supreme Lord, I noticed your father in Yamaraja's assembly. Though he had been very religious, because he broke an Ekadasi fast prematurely, he had to go to the Yamaloka. Your father gave me a message for you. He said, "In Mahishmati lives a king named Indrasena. Please tell him about my situation here - that because of my past sinful deeds I have somehow been forced to reside in Yamaraja's kingdom. Please give him this message from me: 'Oh son, kindly observe the coming Indira Ekadasi and give much in charity so I can go upward to heaven.' "
Philosophically we can understand that every living entity is an individual, and individually everyone has to practice Krishna consciousness to traverse back to home, back to Godhead. As stated in Garuda Purana, someone who is suffering in hell cannot practice Krishna consciousness, because this requires some mental peace, which the reactionary tortures of hell make impossible. If a relative of a sinner suffering in hell gives some charity in the name of the sinner, he can leave hell and enter the heavenly planets. But if the sinner's relative observes this Ekadasi fast for his suffering kinsman, the kinsman goes directly to the spiritual world, as stated in this narration based on Brahma-vaivarta Puranam.
"Narada continued, 'Just to deliver this message, Oh king, have I come to you. You should help your father by observing the fast of Indira Ekadasi. By the merit you gain, your father will go to heaven.' "King Indrasena asked, 'Oh great Naradji, please be merciful and tell me specifically how to observe a fast on Indira Ekadasi, and also tell me during what month and on what day it occurs.'
1. This Ekadasi occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin.
2. On the Dashami tithi, the day before Ekadasi, rise early in the morning, take bath, and then do some service for God with full faith.
3. At noon, bathe again in running water and then offer oblations to your forefathers with faith and devotion.
4. Be sure not to eat more than once on this day and at night sleep on the floor.
5. "When you awaken on Ekadasii morning, cleanse your mouth and teeth thoroughly and then with deep devotion for the Lord take this sacred vow: 'Today I shall fast completely and give up all kinds of sense enjoyment. Oh lotus-eyed Supreme Personality of Godhead, Oh infallible one, please give me shelter at Your lotus feet."
6. At noon, stand before the sacred form of the Sri Shaligram Shila and worship Him faithfully, following all the rules and regulations; then offer oblations of ghee into the sacred fire, and tarpana directed to help your forefathers.
7. Next, feed qualified Brahmins (obviously non-grain prasadams) and offer them some charity according to your means.
8. Now take the food pindas you offered to your forefathers, smell it, and then offer it to a cow. Next, worship Lord Hrishikesha with incense and flowers, and finally, remain awake all night near the Deity of Lord Sri Keshava.
9. "Early in the morning of the next day, Dvadasi tithi, worship Sri Hari with great devotion and invite Brahmin devotees to a sumptuous feast.
10. Then feed you relatives, and finally take your meal in silence.
Oh king, if you strictly observe a fast on Indira Ekadasi in this way, with controlled senses, your father will surely be elevated to the abode of lord Vishnu.' After saying this, Devarishi Narada immediately disappeared from the scene to bless someone else with his presence.
"King Indrasena followed the great saint's instructions perfectly, observing the fast in the association of his relatives and servants. As he broke his fast on the Dvadasi tithi, flowers fell from the sky. The merit that Indrasena maharaj earned by observing this fast released his father from the kingdom of Yamaraja and caused him to attain a completely spiritual body. Indeed, Indrasena saw him rising to the abode of Lord Hari on the back of Garuda Vahan. Indrasena himself was able to rule his kingdom without any obstacles, and in time when he handed over the kingdom to his son, he also went to the spiritual realm of Vaikuntha.
"Oh Yudhishthira, these are the glories of the Indira Ekadasi, which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin.
Whoever hears or reads this narration certainly enjoys life in this world, is freed of all reactions to his past sins, and at the time of death returns home, back to Godhead, where he lives eternally."
Thus ends the narration of the glories of Ashwin-krishna Ekadasii, or Indira Ekadasi, taken from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.
2. On the Dashami tithi, the day before Ekadasi, rise early in the morning, take bath, and then do some service for God with full faith.
3. At noon, bathe again in running water and then offer oblations to your forefathers with faith and devotion.
4. Be sure not to eat more than once on this day and at night sleep on the floor.
5. "When you awaken on Ekadasii morning, cleanse your mouth and teeth thoroughly and then with deep devotion for the Lord take this sacred vow: 'Today I shall fast completely and give up all kinds of sense enjoyment. Oh lotus-eyed Supreme Personality of Godhead, Oh infallible one, please give me shelter at Your lotus feet."
6. At noon, stand before the sacred form of the Sri Shaligram Shila and worship Him faithfully, following all the rules and regulations; then offer oblations of ghee into the sacred fire, and tarpana directed to help your forefathers.
7. Next, feed qualified Brahmins (obviously non-grain prasadams) and offer them some charity according to your means.
8. Now take the food pindas you offered to your forefathers, smell it, and then offer it to a cow. Next, worship Lord Hrishikesha with incense and flowers, and finally, remain awake all night near the Deity of Lord Sri Keshava.
9. "Early in the morning of the next day, Dvadasi tithi, worship Sri Hari with great devotion and invite Brahmin devotees to a sumptuous feast.
10. Then feed you relatives, and finally take your meal in silence.
Oh king, if you strictly observe a fast on Indira Ekadasi in this way, with controlled senses, your father will surely be elevated to the abode of lord Vishnu.' After saying this, Devarishi Narada immediately disappeared from the scene to bless someone else with his presence.
"King Indrasena followed the great saint's instructions perfectly, observing the fast in the association of his relatives and servants. As he broke his fast on the Dvadasi tithi, flowers fell from the sky. The merit that Indrasena maharaj earned by observing this fast released his father from the kingdom of Yamaraja and caused him to attain a completely spiritual body. Indeed, Indrasena saw him rising to the abode of Lord Hari on the back of Garuda Vahan. Indrasena himself was able to rule his kingdom without any obstacles, and in time when he handed over the kingdom to his son, he also went to the spiritual realm of Vaikuntha.
"Oh Yudhishthira, these are the glories of the Indira Ekadasi, which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin.
Whoever hears or reads this narration certainly enjoys life in this world, is freed of all reactions to his past sins, and at the time of death returns home, back to Godhead, where he lives eternally."
Thus ends the narration of the glories of Ashwin-krishna Ekadasii, or Indira Ekadasi, taken from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.
Yudhisthira Maharaj dijo, "Oh Madhusūdana, Oh destructor del demonio Madhu, ¿cuál es el nombre del Ekadasi que ocurre durante la quincena oscura (paksha krishna) del mes de Ashwin (septiembre-octubre)? Por favor, describa sus glorias para mí. "
La Suprema Personalidad de Dios, el Señor Sri Krishna luego respondió: "Este santo día se llama Indira Ekadasi. Si una persona ayuna en este día, todos sus pecados son erradicados y sus antepasados que han caído en el infierno se liberan. Oh mejor de los reyes, quien simplemente escucha acerca de este sagrado Ekadasi logra el gran mérito ganado por ejecutar un sacrificio de caballo.
En Satya-yuga vivía un rey llamado Indrasena, que era tan poderoso que destruyó a todos sus enemigos. Su reino fue llamado Mahishmati-puri. El glorioso y altamente religioso rey Indrasena cuidó muy bien de sus súbditos, y por lo tanto era rico en oro, granos, hijos y nietos. Se dedicó mucho al Señor Sri Vishnu también. Disfrutó especialmente coreando mi nombre, diciendo en voz alta 'Govinda! Govinda! '. De esta manera el rey Indrasena dedicado sistemáticamente a sí mismo a la vida espiritual pura y pasó mucho tiempo meditando en la Verdad Absoluta.
Un día, mientras el rey Indrasena feliz y en paz presidió la asamblea, el orador perfecto, Sri Narada Muni, fue visto descendiendo. Blanco como una concha, que brilla como la luna, como una flor de jazmín, como un rayo, Narada Muni descendiendo del cielo. Él está decorado con rizos enmarañados de pelo rojizo. El rey ofreció Devarishi Narada, el santo entre los devas (semidioses), un gran respeto por él saludo con las palmas unidas, invitándolo al palacio, le ofreció un asiento cómodo, lavando sus pies, y hablando palabras de bienvenida. Entonces Narada Muni dijo a Maharaj Indrasena, 'Oh rey, son los siete miembros de su reino prosperando?
Los siete miembros de dominio ser de un rey; del rey y ser él mismo, sus ministros, su tesoro, sus fuerzas militares, sus aliados, los brahmanas, los sacrificios realizados en su reino, y las necesidades de los súbditos del rey. '¿Está su mente absorta en el pensamiento de cómo se puede realizar correctamente su deber ocupacional? ¿Te estás volviendo más y más devoto y dedicado al servicio del Señor Supremo, Sri Vishnu? '
"El rey respondió:" Por tu gracia amable, Oh el más grande de los sabios, todo está muy bien. Hoy en día, sólo con su presencia todos los sacrificios en mi reino tienen éxito! Por favor, muéstrame misericordia y explicame el motivo de su amable visita aquí. '
"Sri Narada, el sabio entre los devas, dijo, 'Oh, león entre los reyes, escucha mis palabras sorprendentes. Cuando descendí del Brahmaloka a Yamaloka, Señor Yamaraja me elogió muy amablemente y me ofreció un excelente asiento. Como he glorificado a su veracidad y maravilloso servicio al Señor Supremo, me di cuenta de su padre en la asamblea de Yamaraja. Aunque él había sido muy religioso, porque rompió un ayuno de Ekadasi prematuramente, tuvo que ir a Yamaloka. Tu padre me dio un mensaje para ti. él dijo: "En Mahishmati vive un rey llamado Indrasena. Por favor, dile de mi situación aquí - que debido a mis acciones pecaminosas pasadas que de alguna manera he visto obligado a residir en el reino de Yamaraja. Por favor dale este mensaje de mi parte: 'Oh hijo, tenga la amabilidad de la venida Indira Ekadasi y da mucho en la caridad, así que puede ir hacia arriba al cielo.' "
Filosóficamente podemos entender que toda entidad viviente es un individuo, y de forma individual cada uno tiene que practicar la conciencia de Krishna para atravesar el camino de vuelta a casa, de vuelta a Dios. Como se indica en Garuda Purana, alguien que está sufriendo en el infierno no puede practicar la conciencia de Krishna, porque esto requiere un poco de paz mental, que las torturas reaccionarias del infierno hacen imposible. Si un familiar de un pecador que sufre en el infierno da algo de caridad en el nombre del pecador, que puede dejar el infierno y entrar en los planetas celestiales. Pero si respecto del pecador observa este ayuno de Ekadasi para su pariente sufrimiento, el pariente va directamente al mundo espiritual, como se indica en esta narración basada en Brahma-vaivarta Puranam.
"Narada continuó, 'Sólo para entregar este mensaje, Oh rey, yo he venido a ti. Usted debe ayudar a su padre, observando el ayuno de Indira Ekadasi. Por el mérito a ganar, tu padre va a ir al cielo." "El rey Indrasena preguntó: 'Oh gran Naradji, por favor, sé misericordioso y me dicen específicamente cómo observar un ayuno en Indira Ekadasi, y también me dicen ¿En qué mes y en qué día se produce."
"Narada Muni respondió:" Oh rey, por favor escucha como yo describo a que el proceso completo de la observación de la Indira Ekadasi.
1. Este Ekadasi ocurre durante la quincena oscura del mes de Ashwin.
2. En el tithi Dashami, el día antes de Ekadasi, se levantan temprano en la mañana, tomar el baño, y luego hacer algo de servicio a Dios con plena fe.
3. Al mediodía, se bañan de nuevo en agua corriente y luego ofrecen oblaciones a sus antepasados con fe y devoción.
4. Asegúrese de no comer más de una vez en este día y por la noche dormir en el suelo.
5. "Cuando despiertes en Ekadasi mañana, limpia tu boca y los dientes a fondo y luego con profunda devoción por el Señor tome este voto sagrado:. 'Hoy voy a ayunar por completo y renunciar a todo tipo de disfrute de los sentidos Oh ojos de loto Suprema Personalidad de Dios, Oh infalible, por favor, dame refugio de Tus pies de loto ".
6. Al mediodía, de pie ante la forma sagrada de la Sri Shaligram Shila y adoran fielmente, siguiendo todas las normas y reglamentos; a continuación, ofrecer oblaciones de manteca en el fuego sagrado, y tarpana dirigida a ayudar a sus padres.
7. A continuación, se alimentan brahmanes calificados (obviamente prasadams no de granos) y ofrecerles algo de caridad de acuerdo a sus medios.
8. Echa las pindas de alimentos que usted ofreció a sus antepasados, olerlo, y luego lo ofrecen a una vaca. A continuación, adorar al Señor Hrishikesha con incienso y flores, y, finalmente, permanecer despierto toda la noche cerca de la Deidad del Señor Sri Keshava.
9. "Temprano por la mañana del día siguiente, Dvadasi tithi, adoran a Sri Hari con gran devoción e invita a los devotos brahmanes a un suntuoso banquete.
10 Entonces alimenta a sus parientes, y finalmente toma su comida en silencio.
Oh rey, si estrictamente observa un ayuno en Indira Ekadasi de esta manera, con los sentidos controlados, su padre seguramente será elevado a la morada del Señor Vishnu '. Después de decir esto, Devarishi Narada inmediatamente desapareció de la escena para bendecir a alguien más con su presencia.
"King Indrasena siguió las instrucciones del gran santo perfectamente, observando el ayuno en la asociación de sus parientes y sirvientes. Como él rompió su ayuno en el tithi Dvadasi, las flores cayeron del cielo. El mérito que Indrasena Maharaj obtuvo mediante la observación de esta liberado rápidamente su padre del reino de Yamaraja y le llevó a alcanzar un cuerpo completamente espiritual. de hecho, Indrasena vio llegando a la morada del Señor Hari en la parte posterior de Garuda Vahan. Indrasena mismo era capaz de gobernar su reino sin ningún obstáculo, y en el tiempo cuando él le entregó el reino a su hijo, también fue a la esfera espiritual de Vaikuntha.
"Oh Yudhisthira, estas son las glorias del Indira Ekadasi que ocurre durante la quincena oscura del mes de Ashwin.
El que oye o lee este relato sin duda disfruta de la vida en este mundo, se libera de todas las reacciones de sus pecados pasados, y en el momento de la muerte vuelve a casa, de vuelta a Dios, donde vive eternamente. "
Así termina la narración de las glorias de Ashwin-krishna Ekadasi, o Indira Ekadasi, tomadas del Purana Brahma-vaivarta.
Entradas
