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.'
"Narada Muni replied, 'Oh king, please listen as I describe to you the full process of observing the Indira Ekadasi.
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.'
"Narada Muni replied, 'Oh king, please listen as I describe to you the full process of observing the Indira Ekadasi.
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.
Thus ends the narration of the glories of Ashwin-krishna Ekadasii, or Indira Ekadasi, taken from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.
Mahãraja Yudhisthira dijo, “Oh Madhusudana, oh matador del demonio Madhu, ¿cuál es el nombre del Ekãdasi que ocurre durante la quincena oscura del mes de Asvina? (Setiembre-Octubre) Por favor, descríbeme sus glorias”.
El Señor Supremo Sri Krsna replicó, “Este día sagrado se llama Indirã Ekãdasi. Si una persona ayuna en este día, todos sus pecados son erradicados y sus antepasados que han caído en el infierno son liberados. Oh el mejor de los reyes, quien simplemente oiga sobre este Ekãdasi obtiene el gran mérito ganado por realizar un sacrificio de caballo.
En Satya-yuga vivía un rey llamado Indrasena, quien era tan poderoso que había destruído a todos sus enemigos. Su reino se llamaba Mahismati-puri. El glorioso y altamente religioso Rey Indrasena cuidaba muy bien de sus súbditos y por lo tanto era muy rico en oro, granos, hijos y nietos. Asimismo, estaba sumamente consagrado a Sri Visnu. Disfrutaba especialmente del canto de Mi nombre, profiriendo ‘ ¡Govinda! ¡Govinda!’. De esta forma, el Rey Indrasena se autodedicaba sistemáticamente a la vida espiritual pura y pasaba mucho tiempo meditando en la Verdad Absoluta.
Un día, cuando el Rey Indrasena se hallaba presidiendo tranquilamente una asamblea, se vio descender del cielo al orador perfecto, Nãrada Muni. El rey ofreció a Devarsi Nãrada, el santo entre los semidioses, un gran respeto saludándolo con las manos juntas, invitándolo al palacio, ofreciéndole un asiento confortable, lavando sus pies y hablando dulces palabras de bienvenida. Luego Nãrada Muni le dijo a Mahãraja Indrasena: “Oh rey, ¿prosperan los siete miembros de tu reino? (1) ¿ Se halla tu mente absorta en pensar en la forma de realizar con propiedad tu deber ocupacional? ¿ Te consagras cada vez más al Señor Supremo Visnu?”.
El rey replicó, ‘Por tu gentil gracia, oh el mayor de los sabios, todo está muy bien. Hoy, meramente por tu presencia, todos los sacrificios en mi reino son exitosos! Por favor muéstrame misericordia y explica el motivo de tu visita aquí’.Sri Nãrada, el sabio entre los semidioses, dijo seguidamente, ‘Oh león entre los reyes, escucha mis sorprendentes palabras. Cuando descendía de Brahmaloka a Yamaloka, el Señor Yamarãja me alabó muy graciosamente y me ofreció un asiento excelente. Mientras glorificaba yo su veracidad y maravilloso servicio al Señor Supremo, observé que tu padre estaba en la asamblea de Yamarãja. Aunque él había sido muy religioso, dado que rompió un ayuno Ekãdasi prematuramente, debió ir a Yamaloka. Tu padre me dio un mensaje para tí. El dijo, ‘En Mãhismati vive un rey llamado Indrasena. Por favor cuéntale sobre mi situación aquí, que debido a mis acciones pecaminosas del pasado he sido de alguna manera obligado a residir en el reino de Yamarãja. Por favor, entrégale este mensaje de parte mía: ‘Oh hijo, ten la amabilidad de observar Indirã Ekãdasi y entrega la mayor cantidad posible en caridad, para que pueda yo elevarme al cielo’. (2)
Nãrada continuó, ‘Tan solo para entregar este mensaje, oh rey, es que he venido a tí. Debes ayudar a tu padre observando el ayuno de Indirã Ekãdasi. Por el mérito que acredites, tu padre irá al cielo’.
El Rey Indrasena preguntó, ‘Oh gran Nãradji, por favor se misericordioso y dime específicamente como observar un ayuno en Indirã Ekãdasi y también dime durante que mes y día ocurre’.
Nãrada Muni replicó, ‘Oh rey, por favor escucha mientras te describo el proceso completo de observar Indirã Ekãdasi. Este Ekãdasi ocurre durante la quincena oscura del mes de Asvina. En Dasami, el día antes de Ekãdasi, debes levantarte temprano a la mañana y luego hacer algún servicio a Dios con fe completa. Al mediodía, has de bañarte nuevamente en una corriente de agua y luego ofrecer oblaciones a tus antepasados con fe y devoción. Asegúrate de no comer más de una vez al día y a la noche duerme en el suelo.
Cuando te despiertes en la mañana de Ekãdasi, lava tu boca y dientes muy bien y luego con profunda devoción por el Señor, toma este voto sagrado: ‘Hoy ayunaré completamente y abandonaré toda clase de disfrute de los sentidos. Oh Suprema Personalidad de Dios de ojos de loto, oh Infalible, por favor dame refugio en Tus pies de loto”. Al mediodía, párate delante de la Sri Sãlagrãma-sila (3) y adórala fielmente, siguiendo todas las reglas y regulaciones; seguidamente ofrece oblaciones a tus antepasados. A continuación, alimenta a los brãhmanas calificados y ofréceles algo en caridad, conforme a tus medios. Entonces, toma la comida ofrecida a tus antepasados, huélela y ofrécela posteriormente a una vaca. Después, adora al Señor Hrsikesa con incienso y flores y finalmente, permanece despierto toda la noche cerca de la Deidad de Sri Kesava.
Temprano en la mañana del día siguiente, Dvãdasi, adora a Sri Hari con gran devoción e invita a los brãhmanas a un suntuoso banquete. Luego alimenta a tus parientes, y finalmente toma tu comida en silencio. Oh rey, si tú observas estrictamente un ayuno en Indirã Ekãdasi de este modo, con los sentidos controlados, tu padre seguramente será elevado a la morada del Señor Visnu’. Tras decir esto, Devarsi Nãrada desapareció de inmediato.
El Rey Indrasena siguió las instrucciones del gran santo a la perfección, observando el ayuno en asociación con sus parientes y sirvientes. Al romper su ayuno en Dvãdasi, cayeron flores desde el cielo. El mérito que Indrasena ganó por observar este ayuno, liberó a su padre del reino de Yamarãja y le hizo obtener un cuerpo completamente espiritual. Ciertamente, Indrasena lo vio elevarse a la morada del Señor Hari, montado sobre Garuda. El propio Indrasena pudo reinar sin ningún obstáculo y en su debido momento cedió el reino a su hijo y también fue a Vaikuntha.
Oh Yudhisthira, estas son las glorias de Indirã Ekãdasi, que ocurre durante la quincena oscura del mes de Asvina. Quienquiera oiga o lea esta narración, ciertamente disfruta la vida en este mundo, es liberado de todos sus pecados del pasado y en la muerte regresa al hogar, de vuelta con Dios, donde vive eternamente”.
Así termina la narración de las glorias de Asvina-krsna Ekãdasi o Indirã Ekãdasi, del Brahma-vaivarta Purãna.
Notas
1.Los siete miembros del dominio de un rey son, el rey mismo, sus ministros, su tesoro, sus fuerzas militares, sus aliados, los brãhmanas, los sacrificios realizados en su reino y las necesidades de sus súbditos.
2.Toda entidad viviente es un individuo y todos deben individualmente practicar la conciencia de Krsna para ir de vuelta con Dios. Como se declara en el Garuda Purãna, alguien que vive en el infierno no puede practicar conciencia de Krsna porque esto requiere de cierta paz mental, que las torturas del infierno tornan imposible. Si un pariente de un pecador que esté sufriendo en el infierno da algo en caridad en nombre del pecados, éste puede salir del infierno y entrar a los planetas celestiales. Pero si el pariente del pecados observa este ayuno Ekãdasi por su familiar doliente, éste va directamente al mundo espiritual, como se declara en este capítulo.
3.Sri Sãlagrãma-silã es una Deidad del Señor Visnu en la forma de una piedra oscura, lisa y redondeada. Los devotos La adoran para obtener la liberación. El origen de la Sãlagrãma-silã es descrito en el Padma Purãna, Uttarã Khanda.
Entradas
