Every year Hindus celebrate Parivartini Ekadashi Vrat by strict fasting. Usually, the Vrat is celebrated in September for two believed reasons (the date changes according to the lunar cycle).
- Lord Vishnu changes his sleeping posture and continues to be in Yoga Nidra. In Sanskrit, change means Parivartan, and because it’s celebrated on Ekadashi Tithi (eleventh day), the vrat is named Parivartini Ekadashi Vrat.
- Another reason is the celebration of the Vamana avatar of lord Vishnu where he taught the mighty king an essential lesson after appearing as Vamana. We have discussed the vrat Katha below in this article.
Devotees fast the entire day to celebrate and achieve peace, happiness, and harmony. It’s also believed that anyone who completes the vrat with all devotion may find himself free from all previous karmas and sins to attain salvation after death.
The one who worships the Vamana avatar of lord Vishnu offers Lotus flowers to show their affection because the lord loves it. Also, the flower is believed to be equivalent to honoring Tridev – Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh.
Significance of celebrating Parivartini Ekadashi Vrat
As per Hindu traditions, those who fast and worship Parivartini Ekadashi receive blessings from lord Vishnu. Also, it’s mentioned in Puranas that the vrat is equivalent to the fruit of Vajpayee Yagna. However, one must follow all the required procedures described for successful vrat.
It’s claimed that worshipping the Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu on this day brings fame, and all wishes of devotees are granted. The one seeking liberation must keep the vrat and follow all rituals to get rid of wrong deeds and past sins of their life.
Parivartini Ekadashi Vrat Katha
The Katha takes us back to the times of a cruel king Bali who organized daily yagnas and was a huge devotee of lord Vishnu. However, all deities, along with Guru’s, were frustrated because of his wrongdoings and another personality he hides beneath the mask of devotion. All of them bowed down to lord Vishnu and tried to approach him through mantra. The Lord opened his eyes to solve the problem of his devotees.
He then approached Bali in the form of Vamana while performing a yagna. Bali was surprised to see a kid coming near him, so he asked why he came near him; what did he want? Brahmachari Vaman requested the king to provide him with three steps of land, said O king, you must give this three-step land to me.
King Bali was again shocked that the child could have asked anything, maybe something big. However, Vaman stood firm to his request and again mentioned that he needed three steps of land. King immediately fulfilled the request believing it was just a tiny request, and agreed to fulfill his wish.
Soon after agreeing, Lord Vamana took a massive step covering the entire Earth; his next step covered heaven. For the third step, he asked the king to provide him with a location; by this time, Bali understood that he was not an ordinary Vaman but the lord himself. He kneeled and requested he take the final step on his head. Lord Vamana agreed and ended up taking the last step on his head.
Lord Vishnu defeated Bali teaching him an important lesson. Bali then started following the path of righteousness, reliving all deities from his cruelty. You will find a Lord Vishnu idol on the back of the Sheshnag in Bali’s ashram. People believe that on this day, Lord Vishnu takes his side by sleeping and celebrating the Parivartini Ekadashi Vrat.
Fasting rules and procedures
Parivartini Ekadashi Vrat is simple. Before conducting the fast, ensure you are medically fit and not under any severe ongoing medication or treatment, then follow this process.
Wake up during Brahma Muhurat two hours before sunrise. It’s the best time and provides you with a space to follow other rituals. After waking up, cleanse yourself and wear clean clothes. Do Dhyana and take Sankalp that you will religiously keep the vrat.
Start with the Vrat, where you must avoid consuming rice, meat, wheat, legumes, lentils, garlic, and onion. Strictly prohibit yourself from consuming alcohol and tobacco. The procedure is similar to normal vrat that you occasionally follow, where you are allowed to drink milk, fruits, or other vrat recipes.
Try to do something good and let others benefit from your vrat. Donate food, clothes, or other essentials. As much as possible, Chant Lord Vishnu’s mantra ‘OM Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.’
Puja Vidhi
The final step of every vrat is conducting a pooja and showing your devotion to the Lord. Please follow the proper procedure to get the best out of your fasting.
The procedure is similar to any other pooja where you first need to cleanse yourself and your surroundings using a few drops of Gangajal (if not available, then use water from any other holy river). Then lighten an earthen pot with ghee or oil to invoke Lord Vishnu.
Chant ‘OM Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya’ and offer the Lord other essentials like flowers, perfumes, incense, and bhoog (fruit of cooked food). Then offer Paan, Supari, Haldi, Chandan, and Akshat with Dakshina. Please pre-arrange these items as they are essential for successful completion.
After providing the offerings, do puja and distribute the prasad. Make donations in cash or kind. You can always approach a brahmin if unsure about conducting the procedures yourself.
In the evening, light a lamp and offer dry fruits to the lord, you may again conduct an arti by illuminating camphor, but it’s completely optional.
Conclusion
This will complete your Parivartini Ekadashi Vrat in the right way it’s mentioned in Puranas. Please complete the procedure with a pure heart and devotion to get the special blessing and attain the best out of your efforts.
Remember the Lord’s victory over the cruel king that teaches us the importance of following the path of righteousness and that even a king is not beyond God. Tell others about the Katha if you can and have a pleasant mood all day.
May you have a successful vrat and get all the blessings from Lord Vishnu; Happy Parivartini Ekadashi in advance!
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