Excerpts from HH Bhakti Charu Swami Guru Maharaj's class on Nirjala Ekadasi from Lokarno, Switzerland on 20th June 2013.
· There are 26 Ekadasis : 24 in 12 months +2 (Purusottam mas)
· 14th Ekadasi takes place in the month of Jyestha (Summer)
· This is hot season.
· Nirjala: Ekadasi which is meant to be fasted without even drinking water.
· In ISKCON Prabhupada did not set such lofty standard, since he had to deal with many westerners as well.
· Every Ekadasi is meant to be fasted without drinking water.
· Bhima had difficulty observing Ekadasi.
· Another name of Bhima is Vrkodara, he is very famous for his appetite.
· When Pandavas were in disguise, hiding in Ekacakra, half of the food collected was taken by Bhima.
· Vyasdeva gave this concession to Bhima. By fasting on Nirjala Ekadasi properly, you will get the benefit of fasting in all Ekadasis in the year.
· Even one should acamana very carefully.
· Caranamrta also should be taken very carefully.
· One should not try to take advantage of these things--taking more than required.
· Brahma muhurta to Brahma muhurta--full benefit
· Fasting full Day-- half benefit
· We should be very careful. Ekadasi is an arrangement of the Supreme Personality of Godhead to free us from the sinful reactions.
· We should take full advantage of this day.
· Nirjala means without water.
· Ekadasi means eleventh. Eleventh day of the movement of the moon.
· Vedic calculation is based on the movement of the moon, while western one is based on the sun.
· A month consists of 30 days, 15 days-waxing period of the moon, and 15 days-waning period of the moon.
· Brahma-vaivarta Purana: Along with creation also came sins (people started to behave in the wrong way)
· All the sins personified in the form of Papa Purusa, responsible for giving miseries through sinful activities.
Causes of body parts of Papa Purusa:
· Killing a brahmana--> Head
· Taking intoxication--> Eyes
· Stealing gold--> Mouth
· Sexual intercourse with wife of the Guru--> nose
· Krishna also created Yamraj, meant to judge the living entities according to his sinful activities.
· Subtle body is the embodiment of the sinful activities.
· The living entity does not want to lose the body, so yamadutas whip and drag the subtle body out of the gross body.
· Devotees do not need to worry about that, since they have taken shelter of Krishna.
· Yamraj asks yamadutas not to trouble them.
· Even if devotees go to Yamaraj they are happy to greet him as a mahajan.
· Yamaraj's clerk is Citragupta, who keeps a record of all the sinful activities.
· So we should be very careful, our activities are getting recorded.
· Once Krishna visited Yamaraj, who was very pleased to greet Krishna and washed His feet.
· At that time Krishna heard the terrible cries of humans from the southern side.
· Yamaraj told Him that the sinful living entities were getting punished.
· Krishna went to see how the living entities were getting tortured due to their sinful activities.
· Krishna decided, I must do something to alleviate their suffering.
· He created a personality, a beautiful young woman--Ekadasi. She is Krishna's internal potency.
· Krishna arranged that if anyone fasts on this day, he will be free from all his sinful reactions.
· BG: sarva dharman parityajya
· Similarly Ekadasi is another such arrangement of Krishna to free the living entities of all their sinful reactions.
· Dharma-sastra: Just observe Ekadasi and be free from all sinful reactions.
· Because there were no sins the Papa purusa was dying.
· So when Visnu saw this, He asked him why you are in this condition.
· Sin: You are creator, so it is Your responsibility to maintain me. Because of Ekadasi, there are no more sins.
· Krishna: From now on all the sins on the Ekadasi day will enter into the food-grains.
· When the crops become ripe the plant dies and grains come.
· eg. wheat, rice, maize, pulses, beans
· They fall in the category of grains
· For the sake of Papa purusa Krishna made this arrangement that all the sins will enter into grains.
· Even if a person has not committed sins, still he gets them.
· So that is why we so strictly observe not taking grains.
· Devotees should be very careful not to take grains on this day.
· Ekadasi is also known as Hari-vasara--day of Hari since it is so dear to Hari.
· Hari: Supreme Personality of Godhead, vasara: day
· One who observes Ekadasi immensely pleases Krishna.
· There was a demon called Mura. He was so powerful that he defeated all the demigods and assumed the control of the universe.
· Being completely disturbed the demigods approached Lord Siva and asked him to help them.
· Lord Siva: You can go to the SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD--Jagannath (Lord of the Universe)
· They went to Jagannath. He became very very angry, who dares to interfere in My arrangement.
· Mura was extremely powerful and was also supported by millions of other asuras.
· He counterattacked the demigods, who were unable to confront them.
· The demons then attacked the only person standing there--Hari.
· He released one weapon that killed many demons.
· Mura decided to confront Him.
· The leader themselves go forward.
· When Lord's weapons were no longer effective, he started to fight with bare hands.
· The Lord retreated to Badrikasram and went to a cave called Himavati (completely covered by ice)
· Chasing Him Mura also entered the cave and found the Lord sleeping. He decided to attack and kill Him.
· When he was about to attack, a beautiful woman appeared and stopped him.
· A battle ensued between them. Mura's weapons were ineffective.
· He started to fight with bare hands.
· Vedic tradition: When enemy loses weapons, one also throws his weapons.
· With her sharp weapon she cut the head of Mura and killed him.
· When the Lord woke up He asked, who are you?
· She narrated the whole story.
· Lord: Even I could not kill Mura, you have protected Me. You ask for any boon.
· Beautiful woman: From now on, whoever observes the austerities on this day, please free him of all sinful reactions.
· Utpanna Ekadasi: She appeared on this day.
· utpanna means generated
· It is good for health also. Our system gets complete rest. We have a tendency to overeat.
· The fire of digestion burns the undigested food and then starts burning the toxins also.
· Our purpose should be to fast for spiritual benefit.
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