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Saphala Ekadashi 2024
Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Paush month is called Saphala Ekadashi. Saphala Ekadashi is the first Ekadashi of the New year 2024. It is said that by observing fast on this Ekadashi, all tasks/works become successful, therefore it is called Saphala Ekadashi.
Saphala Ekadashi 2024 Dates
This Year 2024, Saphala Ekadashi Falls on 07 Jan 2024.
Saphala Ekadashi 2024 Paran Time
Paran Time: 8th January 2024, 7:25AM to 10:50AM
Break the fast between 7:25AM to 10:50AM on 8th January 2024
Brahma Muhurta 5:49 AM IST
Sun Rise: 7:25 AM
This Ekadashi, Bring a smile to someone’s face by donating to Anna-Daan under the Food for Life program, and experience Krishna’s Divine shower of blessing in your life.
Glories of Saphala Ekadashi
It is written in brahma-vaivarta puran-
The person who observes fast on Ekadashi of Shukla or Krishna Paksha gets the facility of living in Vaikuntha. He becomes an ardent devotee of Lord Shri Krishna. Gradually his devotion towards God becomes stronger. After leaving the body, he again goes to Goloka and attains the likeness of Lord Krishna and becomes his advisor. He does not have to come into this world again.
Ekadashi tithi is also called “Krishna Preyasi” which means very dear to lord Krishna, and this is reason why those who observe Ekadashi are blessed with pure and unalloyed devotion of lord Krishna.
Saphala Ekadashi Vrat Katha
Once Yudhishthira Maharaj asked Lord Krishna to tell him the name of Ekadashi occurs during the dark fortnight of month of pausha (December- January).
The supreme personality of godhead replied that Saphala Ekadashi also called Pausha Krishna Ekadashi occurs during dark fortnight of month of Pausha.
Further describing glories of Saphala Ekadashi supreme personality of godhead narrated history of Saphala Ekadashi.
Once upon a time there was a city called Chaampavati, ruled by king Mahishmatahe had four sons. Elder one who was named lumpaka was always engaged in sinful activities like illicit relationships, gambling association with prostitutes etc.
Due to this nature of lumpaka king mahishmata decided to send him to exile. The King was so angry with lumpaka that no one even tried to save lumpaka in front of king.
Lumpaka was sent to dark forest for exile, where he thought how he will survive. He planned that he would remain in forest in daytime and as night will return, he will return to city.
He killed many animals’ day by day and at night he robbed items from the city.
Meat eater lumpaka used to eat fruits too. He used to reside under old banyan tree which happened to be very dear to lord Vasudeva. He did not know this fact about banyan tree.
In mean time Saphala Ekadashi arrived. Due to cold weather lumpaka did not sleep on Dashami night. Next day on Ekadashi, he woke up in a very bad condition. He was not even able to walk properly.
His body was trembling. He somehow managed to collect some fruits. Crying in pain,lumpaka came near banayan tree and offered those fruits to lord Vasudeva crying and saying what should I do lord and he prayed to lord Vasudeva to accept his offering. This way unwillingly lumpaka observed Ekadashi fasting.
Lord Vasudeva accepted lumpaka’s offering and gave him his kingdom back the very day of Ekadashi lumpaka saw a very beautiful horse standing near him at the same time voice came out of beautiful blue sky saying “this horse if for you lumpaka your family is waiting for you, you have gained benefit of observing Saphala Ekadashi now go back to your dynasty and enjoy your kingdom”.
Upon hearing this lumpaka mounted on horse and with the merit he gained by observing Saphala Ekadashi. He became a handsome man. He returned to his father. King mahishmata saw lumpaka in Vaishnava ornaments and tilak king mahishmata gave him kingdom back.
He ruled kingdom nicely and when he got old, he gave kingdom to his son and went to forest to meditate on supreme personality of godhead and at the end of his life he returned to home back to godhead.
Further lord Krishna told Yudhishthira that those who even Ekadashi unknowingly like lumpa attain pure devotion to the lotus feet of lord Krishna and attain Vaikuntha after leaving their body. Those who hear or read katha of Saphala Ekadashi get benefit of performing raja Surya-yajna.
Sadhus are those who engage in the service of Lord Krishna and have surrendered completely themselves to Lord Krishna. They perform kirtans in temples and serve the societies by spreading the teaching of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita.
Lord Krishna is more Pleased when sadhus are served. Kindly Donate on auspisious Saphala Ekadashi to feed Sadhus and get the spiritual shower of blessing and success in your life.
3 Things Must Do On Saphala Ekadashi 2024
1- On Ekadashi one should avoid eating grains, pulses, vegetables. One can take fruits, milk, or other Ekadashi items after offering it to lordships.
Said Namdev says-
“One who eats food on Ekadashi will be born in the womb of a pig in the next birth.”
2-Visit nearby Iskcon temple on Ekadashi to take darshan of beautiful deities.
3-Chant extra rounds of Hare Krishna Maha Mantra as on Ekadashi merit of chanting gets magnified several times.
Why Should We Observe Saphala Ekadashi 2024?
Ekadashi must be observed for the continuity of the fast on Ekadashi and Dwadashi.
By performing it, all sins are destroyed, all purposes are attained, and Krishna is pleased, that is, Krishna is pleased. (Matsya Purana and Bhavishya Purana)
Just by observing Ekadashi one can purify themselves and can burn many of their sins. Ekadashi fasting brings us closer to lord Hari and just by observing Ekadashi one can get pure devotion.
Those who observe Ekadashi meditating on lord Krishna’s lotus feet chanting his name attain liberation after leaving this material world. Ekadashi is a mother of devotion. Just by observing Ekadashi one can please supreme personality of godhead.
Ekadashi FAQ’s–
1.Is it mandatory to observe every Ekadashi Nirjala?
Answer- No, there are three ways of observing Ekadashi without water, with water, or with fruits and Ekadashi prasadam one can follow any way as suitable to one’s body condition. What matters the most is meditating and chanting the supreme personality of godhead’s name.
2. What if family members are not observing Ekadashi?
Answer- Try to convince everyone around for observing Ekadashi and if you are required to cook food for those who are not observing Ekadashi. You can make Ekadashi prasadam for them there are several Ekadashi recipes that you can make and consume on Ekadashi.
3.What is the reason for not eating food on Ekadashi?
Answer: On the day of Ekadashi, the sinful man resides in the forbidden food items, that is, by eating forbidden food items like food etc., we must suffer the consequences of all the sins like cow slaughter, Brahma murder, woman murder, child murder etc. Therefore, as soon as we come to know about our mistake, we should observe the fast for the rest of the day and on Dwadashi also we should fast for the whole day.
4.What is the result of passing the time of Parana?
Answer: If we have not performed Parana even after the time of Parana has passed, we should keep fast on paranaday also and break the fast the next day.
5.What to do if some other fast is observed on the day of Ekadashi in which food must be eaten?
Answer: Ekadashi fast should be given priority.
