PANDAVA (BHIMA) NIRJALA EKADASI.
WE SHALL FAST BECAUSE WE LOVE KRISHNA VERY MUCH.
FRIDAY- 29TH MAY 2015
Break fast 06:00 to 10:24 Mumbai, India
Total fast, even from water, if you have broken Ekadasi (nir=no, jala=water)
http://www.drikpanchang.com/vaishnava/vaishnava-ekadashi-list.html - Check the time to break fast for your locality here.
https://www.facebook.com/events/142362825934341/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming - Global 24 Hour Kirtan on Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JHI_tPfF7A - Happy Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi ISKCON Desire Tree
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3OPlwriV2Q - How my dad came to Krishna Consciousness - Nirjala Ekadasi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyhPB_xZgh8 - Pandava Nirjal Ekadasi 16 Hour Kirtan 2012
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbMqqNAf-Hc - Ganga Puja & Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq1OL4Jxa04 - 12-06-01 Nirjala Ekadashi - Glories Of Bhimasen - Govinda Prabhu, ISKCON Chowpatty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N-TRWKd_5Y - Nirjala Bhima Ekadashi 9th June 2014 Story in English (Non-Iskcon)
Ekadasi (literally, "the eleventh day") refers to two days a month: the eleventh day after the new moon and the eleventh day after the full moon. Scriptures say that ekadasi is a most favorable time for increasing spiritual practices and minimizing bodily needs. Krishna devotees fast on these days in order to spend more time hearing and chanting about Krishna.
Traditionally, all Vaishnavas abstain from grains and beans on Ekadasi, taking only water, milk, or fruits. Many fast completely from all food and water. With the time saved by avoiding any elaborate cooking arrangements, some chant extra japa and/or spend more time reading Srimad-Bhagavatam or other scriptures. Some gather together and chant Krishna-kirtan all night or engage in extra Deity service.
Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi. "Pandava" refers to the Pandavas, the sons of Emperor Pandu. One such son was Arjuna, to whom Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-gita. Another son of Pandu was Bhima, a most powerful warrior and a most voracious eater. Bhima was also known as "Vrikodara," or "wolf-belly." He was not one who welcomed fasting, and admitted to not being able to follow Ekadasi. However, he was told that if he observed complete fasting on one particular Ekadasi day annually, he would get all the spiritual benefits of having followed every Ekadasi fast of the year. He and his brothers thus all agreed to fast on that day.
"Nirjala" means "no water." Strict followers of Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi observe a total fast today, even from water.
Nirjala Ekadasi occurs during the Jyestha month (May/June) and a description of this gracious day is found in the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.
During the hottest season (northern hemisphere), if one can perform upavasa without water one is performing a great feat.
One may take only caranamrta and acamana water.
Bhima requested one vrata day by which he could obtain the fruits of all the other days of vrata that he was incapable of observing.
Vyasadeva advised him to follow this difficult vrata.
One should worship the Lord in the evening by bathing him in milk.
On the dvadasi one should give full pots of water to brahmanas and feed them before breaking one's fast.
SAMVATSARASYA YA MADHYE EKADASYO BHAVANTI HI TASAM PHALAM AVAPNOTI PUTRA ME NA ATRA SAMSAYAH ITI MAM KESAVAH PRAHA SANKHA CAKRA GADADHARAH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/25 from PADMA PURANA Vyasadeva speaks to Bhimase
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