Nirjala ekadashi is considered as the most austere and hence, most sacred of ekadashis. Nirjala means without water and thus, Nirjala Ekadashi means complete fasting. One who observes this by strictly abstaining from not only beans and grains, but from all foods, even water, becomes free of all sinful reactions. If observed religiously, it is the most rewarding and grants the virtue gained by the observance of all the 24 ekadashis in a year.
Thus to observe ekadasi is glorious but to observe Nirjala Ekadasi is even more glorious as it is the King of All Ekadasis.
Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Pandava Ekadashi, Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadasi and Bhimseni or Bhima Ekadashi due to one legend associated with this Ekadashi.
The description of Nirajala Ekadasi, is found in the Brahma-vaivarta Purana in the conversation between the great sage Shrila Vyasadeva and Bhimasena, the second Pandava brother. Bhima was a voracious eater and was not able to control his desire for food. Thus, he was not able observe Ekadashi fasts. Except Bhima, all the Pandava brothers, Yudhishthir, Arjuna, Nakul, Shahdeva, along with their wife Draupadi and mother Kunti, used to observe the Ekadashi fast without fail. Bhima was upset due to his weak determination and since he realized that this act is a dishonour to the Supreme Lord, he approached Srila Vyasadeva, the grandfather of the Pandavas, to seek a solution to his problem. Thus, Bhimasena, , asked the great sage Shrila Vyasadeva, , if it is possible to return to the spiritual world without having observed all the rules and regulations of the Ekadasi fasts. Explaining the significance and glories of this vrata, Vedavyasa advised Bhima to observe Nirjala Ekadasi fast, once a year, to compensate for not observing all other Ekadashi fasts in a year.
[It is said in Hari Bhakti Vilas 15.25 from PADMA Purana Vyasadeva speaks to Bhimasena
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 Bhimasena)]
Shrila Vyasadeva elucidated the significance of this Ekadashi to Bhima with the following words:
“Oh son, Lord Keshava, Who holds the club, disk, conch and lotus flower in His hand, personally told me that all of the merit achieved by fasting on whatever EkAdasis fall in one year can be attained by fasting on this one Ekadasi (Nirjala Ekadasi). Of this, there is no doubt”.
He concluded, "I strongly urge you to fast on this auspicious, purifying day. Thus you will be completely freed of all sins and reach the supreme abode."
From that day onwards Bhimasena resolved to observe this Nirjala ekadashi exactly as his grandfather Srila Vyasadeva had explained, which became famous as Pandava Nirjala, or Bhimseni Ekadasi. Since this is the most potent Ekadasi, so a complete fast on this day gives one who observes this, many pious credits.
Nirjala Ekadashi Vrata is the toughest among all Ekadashi fasts due to strict fasting rules. Devotees who are unable to observe or have mistakenly missed any of the Ekadashi fasts during the year should observe this Nirjala Ekadashi, as fasting on this day brings all benefits and one easily achieves the result of observing all the other 24 Ekadasi fasts throughout the entire year. The basic principle is not just to fast, but to increase one’s faith and love for Krsna. The real reason for observing fasting on Ekadasi is to minimize the demands of the body and to engage our time in the service of the Lord by chanting or performing devotional service. The best thing to do on fasting days is to remember the pastimes of Krishna and to hear His holy name constantly.
Even though one must refrain from partaking water, However, one may take charanamrta once and achamana water while performing aarti to the Lordships. At the same time, one should ensure that while performing acamana one may drink only that amount of water equal to a drop of gold, or that amount which a single mustard seed can be immersed in.
Just as fasting on Ekadasi is extremely important. Equally important is Parana which means breaking the fast. Ekadashi Parana is done after sunrise on the next day of observing Ekadashi, as per the prescribed timings. It is necessary to do Parana within Dwadashi Tithi, unless Dwadashi gets over before sunrise. Not doing Parana within Dwadashi is similar to an offence. After observing Nirjala Fast on Ekadasi, Parana should strictly be done, atleast by drinking a sip of water first.
Therefore, by the observance of this special Ekadasi day and its special fast, we can accelerate our spiritual growth, free ourselves from sinful reactions, deliver us from the entanglement of the continuous cycle of birth and death and open the doorway that would lead us back home, back to Godhead.
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