Vaishakha Month Ekadashi (April–May)

Ekadashi In The Month Vaishakha (April–May)

🌙 Varuthini Ekadashi – Krishna Paksha (Vaishakha Month)

Varuthini Ekadashi, also known as Baruthani or Varuthini Vrat, is one of the highly revered Ekadashis observed in the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) during the Vaishakha month (April–May). The Sanskrit term “Varuthini” means “one who protects” — symbolizing divine protection, prosperity, and spiritual strength. Observing this Ekadashi is said to grant protection from evil influences, restore lost fortune, and ultimately lead to Moksha (liberation).

📜 Mythological Significance

The glory of Varuthini Ekadashi is described in the Bhavishya Purana, where Lord Krishna reveals its importance to King Yudhishthira. According to the legend, there once lived a pious and generous ruler named King Mandhata, who was known for his righteousness and devotion. However, due to a curse from a sage, the king lost his wealth, beauty, and power.

Wandering in sorrow, he met Sage Vasishta, who advised him to observe Varuthini Ekadashi Vrat with full faith and devotion to Lord Vishnu. Following the sage’s instructions, King Mandhata performed the fast with great sincerity, and through the grace of Lord Vishnu, he was freed from his curse and regained his glory.

This story emphasizes that true repentance, devotion, and the observance of sacred discipline can erase even the gravest misfortunes and sins.

🕉️ Spiritual Meaning

Varuthini Ekadashi teaches the principle of divine protection through self-restraint. The word “Varuthini” represents the shield that safeguards devotees from sins, misfortunes, and bad karma. It encourages turning inward, letting go of material attachments, and finding peace in spiritual surrender to Lord Vishnu.

This Ekadashi is also believed to cleanse the chitta (mind), atma (soul), and karma (actions) — aligning the devotee with higher virtues such as truth, compassion, humility, and contentment.

🌺 Rituals and Observances

1. Preparation (Dashami Day)

• A day before Ekadashi, devotees eat only satvik food (simple vegetarian meals).
• Avoid consuming onion, garlic, grains, lentils, and tamasic food.
• Maintain calmness in mind and speech, avoiding anger, lies, and gossip.

2. Ekadashi Day (Main Vrat)

• Wake up before sunrise and take a holy bath, ideally in a river or with Ganga Jal at home.
• Set up a clean altar with Lord Vishnu’s idol or picture, decorate it with flowers and tulsi leaves.
• Offer Panchamrit (milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar) and light a ghee lamp.
• Chant Vishnu Sahasranama, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, or Varuthini Ekadashi Vrat Katha.
• Observe a fast (Vrat) — devotees may choose:
  • Nirjala Vrat: complete fast without water.
  • Phalahar Vrat: fruits, milk, and water only.
  • Ekadashi Upvaas: one-time satvik meal without grains.
• Throughout the day, engage in bhajans, japa, and meditation dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

3. Dwadashi (Next Morning)

• The fast is broken after sunrise by offering prayers to Lord Vishnu.
• Perform daan (charity) — give food, clothes, or money to the needy.
• Feed cows, birds, or Brahmins as a mark of gratitude.
• After the ritual, devotees eat a simple meal and continue chanting the Lord’s name.

🌿 Do’s and Don’ts of Varuthini Ekadashi

✅ Do’s

• Observe silence, calmness, and devotion.
• Sleep on the floor to cultivate humility and discipline.
• Engage in scriptural reading (especially Bhagavad Gita and Vishnu Purana).
• Spend time in prayer, chanting, and self-reflection.

🚫 Don’ts

• Avoid eating grains, pulses, onion, garlic, or meat.
• Refrain from gambling, criticism, lies, or harsh speech.
• Do not indulge in sensual pleasures or excessive entertainment.
• Avoid unnecessary travel and violence of any kind.

✨ Benefits of Observing Varuthini Ekadashi

• Brings divine protection from negative energies and misfortune.
• Restores lost wealth, reputation, and happiness.
• Washes away past sins and karmic debts.
• Helps overcome bad habits, lust, anger, and ego.
• Ensures peaceful family life and spiritual progress.
• Grants Moksha (liberation) after death and entry into Vishnu’s abode, Vaikuntha.

📖 Scriptural References

• Mentioned in Bhavishya Purana and Padma Purana.
• Lord Krishna tells Yudhishthira: “By observing Varuthini Ekadashi with full faith, a person gains protection from all sins and misfortunes, and his life becomes prosperous both materially and spiritually.”

💫 Essence of Varuthini Ekadashi

Varuthini Ekadashi is a sacred reminder that the true wealth of life lies in faith, purity, and devotion. Just as King Mandhata regained his lost glory through prayer and penance, devotees too can restore peace, balance, and joy by surrendering to Lord Vishnu’s will.

This Ekadashi not only brings divine blessings but also empowers one to walk the path of righteousness, leading toward self-realization and eternal protection under the grace of Sri Hari Vishnu. inward, seek forgiveness, and embrace divine consciousness.
Observing this Ekadashi not only purifies the soul but also brings inner strength, calmness, and protection from negative influences.

🌙 Mohini Ekadashi – Shukla Paksha (Vaishakha Month)

Mohini Ekadashi is a sacred day observed during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Vaishakha (April–May). This Ekadashi holds immense spiritual importance as it is associated with Lord Vishnu’s divine incarnation as Mohini, the celestial enchantress. The name “Mohini” means “one who deludes or attracts”, symbolizing the divine power that helps devotees overcome illusion (Maya) and worldly attachments.

This Ekadashi is known for destroying sins, removing confusion, and granting spiritual clarity. It is said that by observing this fast, one attains liberation from all past karmas and achieves the grace of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe.

📜 Mythological Significance

The glory of Mohini Ekadashi is described in the Kurma Purana, where Lord Krishna narrates its importance to King Yudhishthira.

In the ancient times, during the Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean), the devas (gods) and asuras (demons) churned the ocean to obtain Amrita (nectar of immortality). When the nectar finally emerged, a fierce battle broke out between the two sides to possess it. To protect the divine nectar, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Mohini, an enchanting celestial maiden. With her beauty and charm, she deluded the asuras and distributed the nectar only among the devas, thereby restoring cosmic balance.

Thus, Mohini Ekadashi symbolizes the triumph of divine wisdom over illusion and material greed. It is said that observing this Ekadashi helps devotees conquer internal negativity, ignorance, and ego.

Another legend in the Kurma Purana mentions a man named Dhundhakari, who was a sinner and suffered greatly after death. His brother Suketuman, on the advice of Sage Vashishta, observed the Mohini Ekadashi Vrat with devotion. Through this act, Dhundhakari was freed from hell and attained moksha. This story further reinforces the belief that Mohini Ekadashi has the power to liberate souls from even the gravest sins.

🙏 Rituals and Observance

🕗 Preparation (Dashami Day)

• On the day before Ekadashi, devotees eat only one satvik meal (without onion, garlic, or grains).
• Avoid violence, harsh speech, and indulgence in worldly pleasures.

🌞 On Mohini Ekadashi

• Early Morning:
  • Wake up before sunrise and take a holy bath, ideally in a river or with Ganga Jal.
  • Set up an altar and place an image or idol of Lord Vishnu (as Mohini or as Narayana).
  • Light a ghee lamp, offer tulsi leaves, sandalwood paste, flowers, and fruits.
  • Recite Vishnu Sahasranama, Narayan Kavach, or Mohini Ekadashi Katha.
• Fasting:
  • Observe a strict fast — Nirjala (without water) or Phalahar (only fruits and milk).
  • Avoid rice, lentils, pulses, grains, onion, garlic, and non-vegetarian food.
• Night Vigil (Jagran):
  • Spend the night chanting Vishnu bhajans, meditating, and reading scriptures.

🌅 Breaking the Fast (Parana) – Dwadashi Day

• The next morning, after sunrise and after offering prayers, break the fast by eating satvik food.
• Donate food, clothes, or money to the poor or Brahmins.
• Feeding cows or offering water to the needy is considered highly meritorious.

🌿 Spiritual Significance

• The fast purifies mind and soul, removing the influence of ignorance and desire.
• It grants protection from evil forces and emotional instability.
• Helps devotees attain Vishnu’s grace and freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
• Leads to inner transformation, guiding the soul from illusion to truth.

According to the scriptures, the merit obtained by observing Mohini Ekadashi equals that of donating a thousand cows or performing great yajnas.

✨ Do’s and Don’ts on Mohini Ekadashi

✅ Do’s:

• Maintain a positive and pure state of mind.
• Engage in chanting, prayers, and reading sacred texts.
• Help those in need — it enhances the punya (merit) of the vrat.

🚫 Don’ts:

• Avoid lying, anger, and gossip.
• Stay away from grains, meat, and alcohol.
• Refrain from physical pleasures and entertainment.

📖 Scriptural References

• Kurma Purana – Describes Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as Mohini and the story of Dhundhakari’s liberation.
• Bhavishya Purana – Highlights the vrat’s ability to remove sins and grant salvation.

Lord Krishna said:

“O King, the merit earned by observing Mohini Ekadashi surpasses that of pilgrimages, yajnas, and donations. He who observes this fast is freed from all sins and attains My eternal abode.”

💫 Essence of Mohini Ekadashi

Mohini Ekadashi is not only about fasting but also about freeing oneself from Maya — the illusion of worldly desires. It reminds devotees that real beauty lies in truth, devotion, and self-control, not in material pleasures.

By observing Mohini Ekadashi with sincerity and faith, devotees are blessed with mental peace, divine clarity, and the loving grace of Lord Vishnu, who leads them from delusion to divine enlightenment.

Phalguna Ekadashi