The word "Vijaya" means "victory," and this Ekadashi is believed to help devotees overcome obstacles and achieve success in their endeavors. It is also associated with the epic Ramayana, as it is said that Lord Rama observed this fast to gain victory over the demon king Ravana. On Vijaya Ekadashi, devotees typically fast and engage in prayers, rituals, and recitations of sacred texts. The fast can vary in strictness, ranging from consuming only water to partaking in a single meal of non-grain foods. The night is often spent in prayer or meditation, and many devotees visit Vishnu temples to offer their prayers.
Legends of Vijaya Ekadashi
Hindu devotees hold Vijaya Ekadashi in high esteem because of the mythological events associated with it. King Yudhisthira once asked Lord Krishna about the importance of Ekadashi that comes at the time of waning moon during February and March. In reply, Krishna informs Yudhisthira that observing vrat on the auspicious day will help cleanse all the sins of all those who remain devoted.
Divine sage Narada once asked the same question to Lord Brahma asking about the importance of Ekadashi that comes during the waning moon time in February or March. Lord Brahms replies that all those people who observe fast on the day are known to get rid of all the sins committed during the previous instances. Perhaps, it is because of the victorious result that the name "Vijaya Ekadashi" has been coined in an eventual manner for that auspicious day. Numerous people are known to throng temples to offer their sacred prayers to the God with utmost respect.
Lord Rama went to the forest for fourteen years of exile along with his beloved wife Sita Devi and brother Lakshmana. They led a beautiful life in Panchavati on the banks of River Godavari for some period. After king Ravana kidnapped Sita Devi and fled to Lanka, Rama created a team of monkey soldiers to cross Indian Ocean. However, it proved to be a herculean task for him to obtain the desired results. Eventually, he had to approach sage Bakadalbhya. In response, the sage informed Rama that Ekadashi is the most auspicious day to cross the ocean to which Rama heeded and was able to emerge victorious over Ravana. Hence, the day is referred to as “Vijaya Ekadashi”.
Celebrations of Vijay Ekadashi Across India
It is highly believed that all those people who observe fasts or listen to victorious stories related to mythology on Vijaya Ekadashi will be able to achieve immense success for sure. They are bound to obtain the same result as that of Vajapayee sacrifice. Celebrated during the Krishna Paksha Ekadashi each year, the results obtained from this holy event are considered to be the most fruitful and successful. Apart from the day being dedicated to Lord Rama, it is possible to obtain numerous benefits to ensure that the austerity is maintained on an overall. Numerous worshippers across India are known to throng temples in large numbers for this reason.
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