Apara Ekadashi fasting story

॥ Story of Shri Apara Ekadashi fast. 🌸🕉️

Story begins:

Dharmaraj Yudhishthir asked Lord Krishna - O Janardan! What is the name of Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Jyeshtha month and what is its significance? Please explain in detail.

Lord Shri Krishna said- Oh King! The name of Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Jyeshtha month is 'Apara'. This Ekadashi bestows immense virtue and destroys all sins. Just by listening to its story, a person gets freedom from the heinous sins like killing a Brahman, blasphemy and telling lies. Now you listen carefully to its mythological story.

In ancient times, a righteous king named Mahidhwaj used to rule. His younger brother Vajradhwaja was extremely cruel, unrighteous and unjust. He had great hatred towards his elder brother Mahidhwaj. One day, finding an opportunity, Vajradhwaj killed his elder brother and buried his body under a wild peepal tree.

Due to his untimely death, Mahidhwaj's soul became a ghost and started living on the same Peepal tree. Due to being in the ghost form, she started harassing the people passing through the soul path. One day a sage named 'Dhaumya' was passing by. With his yogic powers he saw the ghost and came to know about its past.

The sage felt pity on him. He brought that ghost down from the Peepal tree and taught him about the worldly knowledge. The sage thought that he himself would have to make efforts to save this king. Then Dhaumya Rishi himself observed a fast on 'Apara Ekadashi' of Krishna Paksha of Jyeshtha month as per the rituals and donated the entire virtue of that fast to that ghost (Mahidhwaj).

Due to the auspicious results of Ekadashi, King Mahidhwaj became free from the sufferings of the ghost and assumed a divine body. He folded his hands and bowed to Sage Dhaumya and went to heaven sitting in the Pushpak Vimana. In this way, due to the effect of fasting on Apara Ekadashi, even a ghost got cured.

॥ Rules of fasting and method of worship. 📋👉

• Resolution of fasting:Keep your mind pure from the night of Dashami and take a resolution of fasting in front of Lord Trivikram (Vishnu) after taking bath in the morning on the day of Ekadashi.

• Worship of Lord Trivikram:On this day, 'Trivikram' form of Lord Vishnu is worshipped. Offer them yellow flowers, sandalwood, Akshat and incense sticks.

• Tulsi Dal:It is mandatory to offer Tulsi leaves to God. Without this the worship is not considered complete.

• Renunciation of food:Consumption of any kind of food (especially rice) is completely prohibited on the day of Ekadashi. Fruits can be taken.

• Silence and chanting:Is dina adhika bolane ke bajaaya 'om namo bhagavate vaasudevaaya' mantra ka maanasika japa karna shreshtha hai.

• Dwadashi Parana:Next day after sunrise, the fast should be broken by feeding or donating to a Brahmin.

॥ Religious significance of Apara Ekadashi. 🔱🌟

• Meaning of the name:'Apara' means 'immense' i.e. unlimited. There is no limit to the virtues gained by this fast.

• Absolution:This fast frees one from great sins like killing a Brahman, slandering a Guru, giving false testimony and committing fraud.

• Similar results of Yagya:According to the scriptures, the result which is obtained by taking Kartik bath, Magh bath in Prayag or performing Pind Daan in Gaya, is obtained only by this fast.

॥ Benefits and results of fasting. 💎🌈

• Freedom from ghost life:If the person who reads this story or observes fast, his ancestors are freed from ghost life.

• Attainment of respect:Respect and prestige increases in the society and victory over enemies is achieved.

• Economic benefits:By the grace of Lord Trivikram, wealth increases in the house and poverty is destroyed.

• Moksha Pada:A person who fasts with devotion finally attains a place in the world of Vishnu.