Ekadashi date of Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha is called Aja Ekadashi. Lord Vishnu is pleased with the devotees who observe the Aja Ekadashi fast and take away all their sins. Also, by observing Aja Ekadashi fast, one attains infinite happiness and attains salvation. Therefore, those who fulfill all the wishes should do this fast duly.
Aja Ekadashi fasting method
Fasting of Aja Ekadashi starts from tenth day. But resolution of fast is taken on Ekadashi. On this day, wake up early in the morning and take bath and take vow of fasting. After that clean the temple of the house and start the worship. Always offer fruits and flowers dear to Lord Vishnu in worship. Not only this, the fast should also be broken in an auspicious time. One who fulfills all the wishes, should observe this fast with full rituals. Aja is performed in a special way on Ekadashi. On this day, take a bath in the morning and sprinkle cow urine in the east direction with a pure mind.
After that put wheat on that place. Place an urn filled with water in a copper vessel over the wheat. Place Ashoka leaf or betel leaf on top of the Kalash. Now place a coconut in the upper part of the Kalash. Place the idol of Lord Vishnu near the Kalash and light a lamp. Offer fruits, incense, lamp and naivedya to Lord Vishnu. Also offer prasad in the form of fruits. After worship, take prasad. Let the lamp keep burning on the day of Ekadashi, remove it only on the day of Dwadashi. After removing the Kalash, sprinkle water in the house and pour the remaining water into the Tulsi plant.
Mythology is also special
The legend associated with Aja Ekadashi is very special. This story is related to King Harishchandra. King Harishchandra was truthful and, following his promise, he sold his wife and child and himself renounced the palace and started living as a servant. Only then he met Gautam Rishi, he asked King Harishchandra to observe the fast of Aja Ekadashi. King Harishchandra duly observed this fast and with the effect of this fast, he got his kingdom back.
Stay away from rice on Aja Ekadashi
According to religious beliefs, the day of Aja Ekadashi is very special, so do not eat rice on this day. According to pundits, eating this rice leads to birth in the vagina of a creeping creature in the next life. Therefore those who do not fast should not consume rice.
Always take vegetarianism, recite Vishnu Sahasranama, speak truthful words
The day of Aja Ekadashi is special. So do not take this non-vegetarian food. Always take light and vegetarian food. This will please Lord Vishnu. Recite Vishnu Sahasranama on the day of Aja Ekadashi. This will please Vishnu. If you don’t fast for any reason, don’t lie, don’t hurt anyone.
Important Ihings to keep in mind during fasting
Stop the consumption of lentils from the night of Dashami before Ekadashi. Do not eat gram, gooseberry and leafy greens during the fast. Apart from this, there is a ban on eating honey on Ekadashi. In the fasting of Aja Ekadashi, first of all wake up in the morning and take bath, offer water to its Sun God. Keep in mind that water should always be offered with a copper vessel, after that offer red flowers to the Sun God. On the day of fast, go to a temple and donate the flag.
Worship the Shivling, offer water on it with a copper vessel and offer black sesame seeds. After sunset, light a lamp in the temple of the house or near Tulsi ji. Also, sit near Hanuman ji and chant Sitaram-Sitaram. Worship of Vishnu ji and Lakshmi ji on the day of Aja Ekadashi. Before worship, take care of Lord Ganesha. Keep the fast of Aja Ekadashi with a pure heart. Eat only fruits on this day. Do not eat any kind of food. Eat fruits only once a day.
