Things You Probably Dont Know from Hindu Texts

Vaikuntha Ekadasi

The Most auspicious day of the year, Vaikuntha Ekadasi occurs on the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi of the 'Dhanu' month according to Souramana( Solar Calendar).

'Ekadashi' tidhi is considered the most divine day of the month.
Every month consists of 2 Ekadashis, so 24 Ekadashis occur every year. The Vaikuntha Ekadasi is considered the Crown of all Ekadashis.

Every 4 months in a year, The Lord, Narayana is said to undergo 'Yoga Nidra'. The 4 months is according to our Human Timespan. For the Devatas that time may be a few hours because one year for us means one day for the Devatas.

'Ashada Shuddha Ekadasi' is the day on which the Lord goes to 'Yoga Nidra' which is called 'Shayana Ekadasi' and he wakes up from it on 'Kaartheka Shuddha Ekadasi' which is called 'Utthana or Prabodha Ekadasi'.

These 4 months of time( Ashada Shuddha Ekadasi to Kartika Shuddha Ekadasi) is known as the 'Chaaturmaasya Deeksha' which was followed in the olden days. Lord Rama is said to have followed this Deeksha in Valmiki Ramayana.

Vaikuntha Ekadasi has three notable names :-
1. Vaikuntha Ekadasi
2. Mukkoti Ekadasi
3. Mokshada Ekadasi

Each of these names is accompanied by a story.

1. Vaikuntha Ekadasi
Once upon a time, When the Lord was in 'Yoga Nidra', The Asuras thought this as the right opportunity to defeat Devatas and attacked them.

The Devatas then went to the Lord for help but were stopped by the 'Dwara Palakas' who said to Devatas that they were not allowed because the Lord is in 'Yoga Nidra'.

The Devatas being Vulnerable couldn't do anything other than praying the Lord to help them.

Then a 'Tejo Rupa'( a divine form) originated from the Lord on listening to the prayers. She went along with the Devatas, defeated the Asuras and went back where she originated from.

When the Lord completed his Yoga Nidra, the Devatas prayed to him and explained about the divine form who helped them.

The Lord then called the 'Shakthi' which helped the Devatas with great exuberance and asked her to wish anything she would want.

The 'Shakthi' then asked the Lord if he would give a place in his body just like he did with Sridevi and Bhudevi.

The Lord accepted her wish and presented her a place in his eyes and named her 'Ekadashi' as she originated on the 11th day of his 'Yoga Nidra' and even made her a 'Tidhi' ( day) with the same name 'Ekadashi'.

From this name itself, every Tidhi is named, the ten days before the Ekadashi were named after Pradhama, Dwitiya and so on and the 5 days after Ekadashi were named Dwadashi and so on.

It is believed that The Lord spends his time with 'Ekadashi', the shakthi in his 'Yoga Nidra' because he has given her a place in his eyes as per the boon.

The day on which this incident took place i.e the Lord giving boon to Ekadasi is said to be the 'Vaikuntha Ekadashi' as this Spectacular Incident took place in Vaikuntha itself and on the day when The Lord gives 'Darshana' to the Bramhadi Devatas.

This story is from a very old scripture called 'Paarameshwara Samhitha' which is said to be associated with the 'Aagamas' which are even older than the Puranas.

Note: Any Divine form from the Lords is considered a 'Sthree Murthy'(Female Form). For Example: Lord Bramha's shakthi is creation and that Shakthi is Saraswathi. Lord Shiva's Shakthi is destruction and that Shakthi is Paravathi and Lord Vishnu is Preserver and that Shakthi is Lakshmi. The Things which define these Lords are considered 'Sthree Murthys' in our Tradition. Another Instance which proves the Importance our Tradition has given to women. So please don't fall under false pretences that our Traditions and Scriptures humiliate woman.

2. Mukkoti Ekadasi
As we all know, Uttarayana is the day time and Dakshinayana is the night time for Devatas. A year for us is equal to a day for Devatas. Based on these calculations, Dhanurmasam is the 'Brahmi Muhurtha Time' for them.

All the Mukkoti Devatas, starting from Lord Bramha, Shiva to the Minor Devas, every one obtain the 'Darshana' of the Lord Sri Maha Vishnu on this day. So this day is known as 'Mukkoti Ekadashi'.

3. Mokshada Ekadashi
Before 'Shrushti' took place, The Lord Narayana created Bramha and taught him Vedas for Creation.

When Bramha was about to perform Shrushti, two people, 'Madhu' and 'Kaitabha' originated from his ears and began disturbing him. Lord Narayana on seeing this called Madhu and Kaitabha and asked them not to disturb Bramha and also told them he would give them a boon.

Madhu and Kaitabha out of arrogance told that they will only grant a boon and asked the Lord to wish for anything. The Lord asked them to die in his hands as they were disturbing Bramha who was doing Shrushti.

Both of them accepted and in return asked the Lord that they should have a battle with him and he should not kill them in water(in this case nothingness, as that was only there before Shrushti).

The Lord accepted and fought a great battle with them and atlast he stretched his thighs and killed both Madhu and Kaitabha on his thighs.

After that he himself carried them to his Divine Abode through the 'Uttara Dwara' (North gate) .

So that's why 'Uttara Dwara Darshanam' is done in every Major temple as it is believed that this Darshanam grants us Moksha in the same way it did to Madhu and Kaitabha. So the day is also known as 'Mokshada Ekadashi'.

Uttara Dwara Darshanam at Bhadrachalam.

Stay tuned for more information!!

Thank You!!
Sriram