Out of the twenty-four Ekadashis in a year, Nirjala Ekadashi is the most important and noteworthy. Nirjala means “without water,” therefore fasting on Nirjala Ekadashi is practiced without water or food. Due to rigorous fasting regulations, Nirjala Ekadashi Vratam is the most difficult of all Ekadashi fasting.
During the Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat, devotees refrain not only from eating but also from drinking water.
Benefits — Devotees who are unable to fast on all twenty-four Ekadashi days in a year should fast on Nirjala Ekadashi, as fasting on Nirjala Ekadashi provides all of the benefits of fasting on all twenty-four Ekadashi days in a year.
Due to a tale related to Nirjala Ekadashi, it is also known as Pandava Ekadashi, Bhimseni Ekadashi, or Bhima Ekadashi. Bhimsen, the second Pandava brother and a voracious eater couldn’t control his hunger and couldn’t keep up with the Ekadashi fasting. Except for Bhima, all of the Pandava brothers and Draupadi used to fast on Ekadashi.
Bhima, unhappy by his lack of commitment and for dishonoring Lord Vishnu, sought advice from Maharishi Vyasa. To compensate for not keeping every Ekadashi fasting throughout the year, Sage Vyasa recommended Bhima to observe a single Nirjala Ekadasi fasting. Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Bhimseni Ekadashi or Pandava Ekadashi because of this narrative.
Nirjala Ekadashi fasting occurs during the Shukla Paksha of the Jyeshtha month, which is presently in May or June. Nirjala Ekadashi occurs shortly after Ganga Dussehra, however, Ganga Dussehra and Nirjala Ekadashi may occur on the same day in some years.
Breaking the fast is referred to as parna. On the second day of the Ekadashi fast, Ekadashi Parana is performed after daybreak. Unless Dwadashi Tithi is over before daylight, it is required to do Parana inside Dwadashi Tithi. It’s almost as though not practicing Parana on Dwadashi is a crime.
Hari Vasara is not the time to conduct parana. Before breaking the fast, one should wait till Hari Vasara has passed. Hari Vasara is the first of the Dwadashi Tithi’s four periods. Pratahkal is the most popular time to break the fast. During Madhyahna, it is best not to break the fast. If you are unable to break your fast at Pratahkal for some reason, you should do so after Madhyahna.
Fasting for two days on Ekadashi is sometimes recommended. It is recommended that Smartha and his family fast just on the first day. For Sanyasis, widows, and those seeking Moksha, the alternate Ekadashi fasting, which is the second, is recommended. When Smartha’s alternate Ekadashi fasting is proposed, it falls on Vaishnava Ekadashi fasting day.
Fasting on both days of Ekadashi is recommended for devout devotees seeking Lord Vishnu’s favor and devotion.
The mantra of the day
‘ओम नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय’
Starsgyan Astrologers will tell you to do things on nirjala ekadashi.
The eleventh day of the Lunar fortnight is known as Vrat Ekadashi. As a result, there are two Ekadashis in a month: one during the waxing phase of the Moon (Shukla Paksha) and the other during the waning phase of the Moon (Shukla Paksha) (Krishna Paksha).
On Ekadashi, devotees fast in order to achieve Moksha (freedom) from the cycle of birth, life, and death. After death, they seek shelter in Vishnu’s abode, Vaikuntha. As a result, Ekadashi is a festival devoted to Lord Vishnu, the God who protects and supports life on Earth.
The Ekadashi fast begins on Dashami Tithi (the tenth day) and concludes on Dwadashi Tithi (the eleventh day) (twelfth day).
In the Nirjala Ekadashi vrat, what should we eat?
Only vrat recipes, fruits, and milk are allowed. Use only rock salt or Sendha Namak. Donate to the needy vegetarian meals that are free of onion and garlic, as well as necessities.
Check out the Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Dos.
Get up early, take a bath, and put on clean clothing.
Recite the mantra OM Namo Bhagavatae Vasudevaya during Dhyana (meditation).
Prepare a dessert, such as a kheer or sheera. When giving it as Naivedhya, add Tulsi leaves.
While fasting, one must remain celibate.
