"Ekantika" is the ancient name of Vaishnava Dharma. Pancharatra is one of the most ancient texts of this Parampara, due to which it is also called Pancharatrik Dharma .
◎सूरि: सुहृद् भागवत: सात्वत: पंचकालवित्।
एकान्ति कस्तन्मयश्च पांचरात्रिक इत्यपि॥
(Padma Tantra 4:2:88)
Vaishnavas call by many names in ancient times, in which the names Suri, Bhagavata, Satvat , Panchkala , Ekantika and Pancharatrik are particularly famous.
The word 'Ekantika' means the Dharma in which the principle of only one God is accepted. The main element of Bhagwat Dharma is Prapatti or Moksha. Only by taking refuge in the Lord, the soul gets welfare.
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◎ त्रिभिः स्वधर्मप्रमुखैर्युक्ता भक्तिरियं मुने ।
धर्म एकान्तिक इति प्रोक्तो भागवतद्र सः ॥
साक्षाद्भगवतः संगात्तद्भक्तानां च वेदृशाम् ।
धर्मो ह्येकान्तिकः पुम्भिः प्राप्यते नान्यथा क्वचित् ॥
(Skanda Puraana, Vaasudeva Mahatmya, Chapter 25, Shloka 64–66)
Translation : "This path of devotion is inclusive of three aspects. This is also known as “Ekantika Dharma as well as ‘Bhagavata Dharma’. One will be able to tread this path only by the association of the Lord Himself or by the association of His exclusive devotees. There is no other way to follow this path of ‘Ekantika Dharma."
◎ पंचरात्रविधानं च दिव्यागममितीरितम्
क्रियालोपं न कर्त्तव्यं विष्णोराराधनं परम् ॥
(Padma Purana : Uttarakhanda Chapter 253 Sloka 56)
Translation: The Pancha-ratra is the divine scripture . It should be followed strictly without omitting any of the prescribed rituals as among all worship Sri Hari devotion is supreme.
◎दिदं पञ्चरात्रं मे शास्त्रं परमदुर्लभम् ।
तद्भवान् वेत्स्यते सर्वं मत्प्रसादान्न संशयः ॥
वेादेन पञ्चरात्रेण भक्त्या यज्ञेन च द्विज ।
प्राप्योऽहं नान्यथा वत्स वर्षकोट्यायुतैरपि ॥
(Varaha Puraana, Adhyaaya 66, Shloka 17 - 18)
Translation: (Shri Varaaha said): “You will know in entirety this Pancharaatra Shaastra belongs to me, which is the highest means, and which is easy to follow, through my grace. There is no doubt about this. I am attainable by means of Vedas, Pancharaatra, as well as by devotion-filled worship. I am not attainable by any other means, even in crores of years.”
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