Nirjala Ekadashi 2025

thedivineindia.com | Updated UTC time: 2024-06-19 04:42:08

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Nirjala Ekadashi 2025
Friday, 06 June 2025
Ekadashi Tithi starts : 06 June 2025 at 02:15 AM
Ekadashi date ends : 07 june 2025 at 04:47 AM

Ekadashi fasting holds an important place in Hindu religion. Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month is called Nirjala Ekadashi. Drinking water is prohibited during the fast of Nirjala Ekadashi, meaning that not a single drop of water is consumed in the whole fast. Therefore it is called Ekadashi Ho Nirjala Ekadashi. This Ekadashi is also called Bhimsen Ekadashi whose story is told in this article.

Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi is considered to be the best among the twenty four Ekadashis of the year. By observing this fast, all the Ekadashi fasts are reaped.

Method of observing the fast

Before observing the Nirjala fast, pray to God, "O Lord! Today I observe a Nirjala fast, and tomorrow I will eat food. I will observe this fast with devotion. May all my sins be destroyed by your grace." On this day, one who remains without water himself and donates a pitcher full of pure water to a Brahmin or a needy person with this mantra, attains special virtue.

Rules and importance of the fast

This fast should be observed by both men and women. On this day, keeping a waterless fast and worshipping Lord Vishnu in the form of Sheshashayi has special importance. On this day, one should chant the mantra "Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevay" and donate cows, clothes, umbrellas, fruits etc.

Rules of Ekadashi fast

In the Ekadashi fast, consumption of water is prohibited except for bathing and achamana. There should not be more than six mase of water in achamana, otherwise it becomes similar to drinking alcohol. Food should not be eaten on this day, because eating food breaks the fast.

If water is not consumed from sunrise on Ekadashi to sunrise on Dwadashi, then the fasting person gets the fruits of fasting on all Ekadashis. On Dwadashi, one should get up before sunrise, take bath etc. and donate to Brahmins. After this, one should feed hungry and deserving Brahmins and then eat food himself. Its fruit is equal to all the Ekadashis of the whole year.

The story

Once Maharishi Vyas visited Pandavas here. Bhima said to Maharishi Vyas, God! Yudhishthra, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva, Mata Kunti and Draupadi all fast on Ekadashi and ask me to keep the fast, but I cannot live without eating, so tell me some such fast by avoiding the pain of being destructive on twenty four Ekadashi Which I do not have any special inconvenience to do, and I also get the fruits of everything. Maharishi Vyas knew that there is a fire called Briq in the stomach of Bhima, so his hunger does not calm down on eating a large amount. Drinking water during bathing during this fast is not guilty, this fast will also benefit the virtue of other twenty-three Ekadashis. Follow this fast throughout your life. Bhima fasted Nirjala Ekadashi with great courage, which would have resulted in the morning. When he became insensible, the Pandavas made Gajajal, Tulsi Charanamrit Prasad, make him smile. Therefore, it is also called Bhimsen Ekadashi.

Nirjala Ekadashi Sankalp for Pandavas

When the omniscient Ved Vyas made the Pandavas take a vow to observe the Ekadashi fast that gives Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, the mighty Bhima requested, "Grandfather! You have talked about fasting for one day every fortnight. Forget about one day, I cannot stay without food even for one time. There is a fire called 'Vrik' in my stomach, to keep it calm, I have to eat as much as many people and many times. Will I be deprived of a holy fast like Ekadashi because of this hunger of mine?"

Ved Vyas solved Bhima's problem and said, "No, Kunti Nandan. This is the specialty of Dharma that it embraces everyone and also provides the system of fasts and rules suitable for everyone. Therefore, you should observe the Nirjala Ekadashi fast of the Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month, which will give you the fruits of all the Ekadashis of the year. Undoubtedly, you will get happiness, fame and salvation in this world."

On this assurance, Bhimsen agreed to observe this Ekadashi fast duly. Therefore, this great Nirjala Ekadashi, which gives the merit of all the Ekadashis of the year, is also known as Pandava Ekadashi or Bhimseni Ekadashi in the world.