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Mokshada Ekadashi falls on the eleventh Lunar day (hence the name Ekadashi) during the waxing phase of the moon (Shukla Paksha) in the month of Margashirsha (Agrahayana) according to the Hindu lunar calendar. According to the Gregorian calendar, this is roughly in the month of November or December.
Mokshada Ekadashi Dates:
- 2024: 11 December, 2024 (Wednesday)
- 2025: 01 December, 2025 (Monday)
- 2026: 20 December, 2026 (Sunday)
Origin and Significance:
Mokshada Ekadashi is regarded as an auspicious day for the Hindus especially the Vaishnavas or the worshipers of Lord Vishnu because on this day Lord Sri Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu narrated the Holy Bhagavad Gita (which became the religious book of the Hindus) to the Pandava Prince Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra (now known as Jyotisha Tirtha) as mentioned in the Hindu epic Mahabharata.
Arjuna, a great warrior asked Lord Krishna (his charioteer) to place his chariot in between the warring armies:
“Senayorubhayormadhye Rathang Sthaapaya Mehchyuta, Yavadetaan Nireekshehang Yoddhukaamaanavasthitaan; Kairmayaa Saha Yoddhavyam Asminranasamudyame.”
(Meaning: Oh Achyuta, please place my chariot between the two armies so that I can see the determined warriors present here.)
When Arjuna saw the battle, he could not believe his eyes. He was struck by despair and grief upon seeing his own kith and kin fighting and dying on the battlefield and was reluctant to wage war against his own cousins.
Thus Lord Krishna narrated the 700 verse religious discourse which came to be known as the Bhagavad Gita to the Pandava Prince. The day was Margasheersha Shukla Ekadashi or Mokshada Ekadashi.
Another legend about the Mokshada Ekadashi appears in the Brahmanda Purana. Lord Krishna narrates the story to the Pandava King Yudhisthira about a benevolent king in the city of Champaknagar who treated his subjects (the Vishnu worshiping Vaishnavas) like his family. One night the king had a terrible dream about his father suffering in hell.
The following day he narrated his nightmare to his wise council of ministers who advised him to approach the Parvata Muni or the Sage of the mountain. The Sage told the king that his father had wronged his wife and therefore was being tormented for his sin in hell. He further advised him to observe a Vrat or fast on Mokshada Ekadashi day in order to absolve his father from his sins. The king did likewise; his wife and children also followed suit and his father was redeemed.
Mokshada Ekadashi is also called Gita Jayanti in various parts of India. It is called Baikuntha Ekadashi in Odisha and in states in South India. It is also called Mauna Ekadashi and is regarded as one of the most significant rituals to ask forgiveness for all sins committed during the year or one’s lifetime. People also ask for the forgiveness of sins of their forefathers and pray for their souls.
Mokshada Ekadashi: Rituals and Practices
Many Vaishnavas observe a 24 hour long fast to pay their respects to Lord Krishna. It is believed that those who fast regularly on this day will attain Moksha or salvation after death. Those who cannot observe a complete fast will observe a partial one consuming only vegetarian food, fruits, milk and dairy products and nuts. Consumption of garlic, onion, rice, beans and pulses is strictly prohibited on this day.
The Holy Bhagavad Gita and Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu are worshiped on this day. There are discussions around the themes scripted in the Bhagavad Gita and religious scholars and priests are invited to deliver sermons. There are readings from other sacred scriptures like Mukundashtakam and Vishnu Sahasranamam as well. Eating fruits and leaves of the Bilwa or the Bel tree is mandatory on this day.
People read the Bhagavad Gita in which Lord Krishna describes how to live a good life, follow one’s dharma or duty without expecting anything in return or bothering about the consequences. Krishna asked Arjuna to be detached from his worldly desires and attachments in order to avoid the cycle of rebirth and attain complete salvation. Hence, this Ekadashi is also called Mokshada (giver of Salvation) Ekadashi.
It is also regarded as one of the best days to gift a Bhagavad Gita to a deserving person. Anyone who does so is bestowed with generous blessings from the Lord.
मोक्षदायिनी एकादशी व्रत, जानें महत्व
मोक्षदायिनी एकादशी मार्गशीर्ष महीने के शुक्लपक्ष की एकादशी के रूप में मनाया जाता है। इसका धार्मिक महत्व पितरों को मोक्ष दिलाने वाली एकादशी के रूप में भी है। मान्यता है कि यह व्रत करने से व्रती ही नहीं बल्कि उसके पितरों के लिए भी मोक्ष के द्वार खुल जाते हैं।
बहुत पुण्य फलों वाली है मोक्षदायिनी एकादशी
पद्मपुराण में वर्णित है कि भगवान श्री कृष्ण धर्मराज युधिष्ठिर को इस दिन का महत्व समझाते हैं। वह बताते हैं कि यह मोक्षदा एकादशी बहुत ही पुण्य फलों वाली है। इस दिन सच्चे मन से पूजा-आराधना करने से व्यक्ति के सभी पापों का नाश हो जाता है। इसके अलावा यह भी जिक्र मिलता है कि इसी दिन भगवान श्रीकृष्ण ने अर्जुन को गीता का उपदेश दिया था। कथा मिलती है कि जब द्वापर युग में महाभारत युद्ध के दौरान अर्जुन अपने सगे-संबंधियों पर बाण चलाने से घबराने लगे तब श्रीकृष्ण ने उन्हें जीवन, आत्मा और कर्तव्य के बारे में विस्तार से समझाया था। इसलिए इस दिन को गीता जयंती के नाम से भी जानते हैं।
मोक्षदा एकादशी व्रत और पूजन विधि
मोक्षदा एकादशी के व्रत की विधि बहुत सरल है। इस दिन सुबह स्नानादि से निवृत्त होकर घर के मंदिर की सफाई करें और पूरे घर में गंगाजल छिड़कें। इसके बाद पूजाघर में भगवान को गंगाजल से स्नान कराएं या उनकी तस्वीर पर गंगाजल के छींटे दें। उन्हें वस्त्र अर्पित करें। इसके बाद रोली और अक्षत से तिलक करें। फूलों से भगवान का श्रृंगार करें। इत्र छिड़कें।
पहले गणपति फिर मां लक्ष्मी सहित श्रीहरि की करें पूजा
मोक्षदा एकादशी के दिन सबसे पहले भगवान गणपति और फिर माता लक्ष्मी के साथ श्रीहरि की आरती करें। पूजा करते समय भगवान को फल और मेवे का भोग लगाएं। भगवान विष्णु को तुलसी के पत्ते अवश्य अर्पित करें। दिनभर व्रत करें। फलाहार कर सकते हैं और यदि पूरे दिन व्रत संभव न हो तो एक समय सात्विक भोजन कर सकते हैं। व्रत के दौरान मन शांत रखें। क्रोध न करें और किसी को अपशब्द न कहें। शाम के समय दीपक जलाकर भजन-कीर्तन करें।
