Ekadashi

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Ekadashi
Ekadashi (Sanskrit: , ekda, "Eleven"), also spelled as Ekadasi, is the eleventh lunar day (Tithi) of the
shukla (bright) or krishna (dark) paksha (fortnight) of every lunar month in the Hindu calendar (Panchang). In
Hinduism and Jainism it is considered a spiritually beneficial day. Scriptures recommend observing an (ideally
waterless) fast from sunrise on the day of Ekadashi to sunrise on the day following Ekadashi.
[citation needed]
Two Ekadashis occur in one month according to positions of the moon. The progression of the moon from full moon
to new moon is divided into fifteen equal arcs. Each arc measures one lunar day, called "tithi": The time it takes the
moon to traverse that distance is the length of that lunar day. Ekadashi refers to the 11 tithi, or lunar day. The
eleventh tithi therefore corresponds to a precise phase of the waxing and waning moon: In the bright half of the lunar
month, the moon will appear roughly 3/4 full on Ekadashi, and in the dark half of the lunar month, the moon will be
about 3/4 dark on Ekadashi.
Bhagavata Purana (sk. IX, adhy. 4) notes the observation of Ekadashi by Ambarisha, a devotee of Vishnu.
List of Ekadashis
The table below describes the Ekadashis and when they fall in the year.
Vedic (Lunar) and
Vaishnava Month
Presiding diety Krishna paksha Ekadashi name Shukla paksha Ekadashi name
Chaitra (, MarchApril) Vishnu Papamochani Ekadashi Kamada Ekadashi
Vaisakha (, AprilMay) Madhusudana Varuthini Ekadashi Mohini Ekadashi
Jyeshta (, MayJune) Trivikrama Apara Ekadashi Nirjala Ekadashi
Ashaad (, JuneJuly) Vaamana Yogini Ekadashi Shayani Ekadashi
Shraavana (, July-August) Sridhar Kamika Ekadashi Shravana Putrada Ekadashi
Bhadrapada
(, AugustSeptember)
Hrisikesha Ananda Ekadashi Parsva Ekadashi
Ashvin (, SeptemberOctober) Padmanabha Indira Ekadashi Paashunkushaa Ekadashi
Kartik (, OctoberNovember) Damodara Rama Ekadashi Prabodhini Ekadashi
Margashirsha (Agrahayana)
(, NovemberDecember)
Keshava Utpanna Ekadashi Mokshada Ekadashi
Pausha (, DecemberJanuary) Naaraayana Saphala Ekadashi Pausha Putrada Ekadashi
Maagha (, JanuaryFebruary) Maadhava Sat TilA Ekadashi Bhaimi Ekadashi
Phalguna (, FebruaryMarch) Govinda Vaikunta Ekadashi Amalaki Ekadashi
Adhika month
(, once in 23 years)
Purushottama Parama Ekadashi Padmini Visuddha EkAdasii
Ekadashi calculation
Ekadashi is different for Sri Vaishnavites and Smarthas. Whether Ekadashi is today, yesterday or tomorrow is
determined by a formula. According to KalaPrakashika, a Jyotish text discussing Muhurta, auspicious times for
beginning an activity, the Ekadashi fast is performed on a day which is not touched by or ruined by any influence of
the tenth tithi or lunar day. The cut off time is 96 minutes before sunrise. If the tenth day gets completed, at 96
minutes before sunrise, then that day is celebrated as Ekadashi. If the tenth day is not yet gets completed at 96
minutes before sunrise, but still continues to be Dashimi sometime during that day, then the Ekadashi fast is
Ekadashi
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performed on the following day. (Rules need to be included here by a Panchang Karta from Dharma Sindhu and
Nirnaya Sindhu.)
References
Iyer, N.P. Subramania, Kalaprakasika: The standard book on the election (mahoortha) system: with original text in
Devanagari and English translation, New Delhi: Asian Educational Services, 1982.
Gangadharan, N., Agni Purana, New Delhi: Motilala Banarsidass, 1985, Chapter 178.
External links
Ekadashi Dates & its Importance Stories(Mahaatmya) (http:/ / www. hariomgroup. org/ ekadashi)
Ekadashi Vrat Kathas in Hindi at Indif.Com (http:/ / www. indif. com/ nri/ kathas/ default. asp)
Ekadasi - background, references, etc. (Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition) (http:/ / www. veda. harekrsna. cz/
encyclopedia/ ekadasi. htm)
Vedic Calendar Program (freeware) (http:/ / www. krishnadays. com/ eng/ index. php?option=com_docman&
task=cat_view& gid=34& Itemid=58) Calculates Ekadasis (and other dates) for any location in the world.
Article Sources and Contributors
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Article Sources and Contributors
Ekadashi Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=575154716 Contributors: Aani.sheth, Ahmed27, Amoghanand, Avkrules, Balu.yr, ChloeD, DanielRigal, Dinesh1983, Ekabhishek,
Ekadasi, Ekantik, Fredeaker, Hariomvk, Harryboyles, Hillel, Indu, Jafeluv, K nitin r, MER-C, MKar, MNewnham, Manthakrnm, Michael Devore, MikeLynch, Moonraker12, Naniwako,
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