Significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi/Mokkoti Ekadasi

The Margashirsha shukla paksha ekadashi in lunar calendar is known as a Vaikunta Ekadasi or Mokkoti Ekadasi or even as 'Mokshada Ekadashi'. Special prayers, yagnas, discourses are arranged at Vishnu temples across the world on this day.

Vaikunta Ekadashi or Mukkoti Ekadashi is the Krishna paksha Ekadashi occurs during the Margazhi month (Dec16 to Jan14 every year. Dates may vary one or two days here and there) or Dhanurmasa periodas per Hindu calendar.

It is believed that on this day ‘Vaikunta Dwaram’ or ‘Swargha Dwaram’ which means ‘the gate to Lord's Inner Sanctum’ is opened for the devotees. So, all the Vaishnava temples are opened early in the morning with a special entrance or door symbolizing swargha dwaram is made available for entry. The one who passes the special entrance is set to have entered the swargha dwaram or Sri Vaikunta abode.

There are all together 24 Ekadasi in a year. Each Ekadasi is known by a name and has its own importance. Eleventh day of full moon day or New moon day is Ekadasi. So, in a month there would be two Ekadasi one appearing after new moon day and another appearing after full moon day. As per Hindu Shasta fasting on Ekadasi is considered holier than any other religious observation. Again as per Vishnu Purana, fasting on Vaikunta Ekadashi is equivalent to fasting on the remaining 23 Ekadashis in a year.

The Legend behind this is as Follows:

According to Padma Purana, the female energy of Lord Vishnu killed demon Muran and protects `Devas'. This happened on the eleventh day of lunar month during the sun's journey in the Dhanur rasi or rashi.

In present day the qualities of demon stands for Rajogunam and Tamogunam in people, which marks the traits like to lust, arrogance, anger, greed, desires etc. one who conquers these traits attains the purity of mind and purity of thoughts. For this Sattvaguna is essential for attaining moksha, liberation or realization of oneself in this world. Fasting acts as a bridge between the existing traits and attain trait. By fasting it is the test on self to be away from all the demonic or asuric qualities and to attain peace in mind and thought. Secondly, it starts with control over eating and keeping away from eating for 24 hrs, that in turn helps digestive system too.

Intake of rice is prohibited on Ekadasi day. It is believed that Muran demon stays in it, symbolically signifies the fact that by eating rice one could feel heavy and full. Again, this also signifies that by entertaining negative traits one is hampering one’s progress from enlightment and attains salvation.

Again the reference of this day is made in Mahabarata, Bhagavad Gita - the conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna at the beginning of Kurukshetra War is said to have occurred on this day.

Lastly, 'Ekadsi Maranam Dwadasi Dahanam' is the good old saying. My grand mother used to say that any one dying on Ekadasi day is very fortune and he/she shall enter the Lords sanctrum and shall not return back to this earth. Well, I am not sure about the later consequences of life after death. I observe Ekadasi by fasting, if not total atleast take some fruits or frit juice in the afternoon. This has benifitted me from health point of view and also as a practice it also helps in developing contol over things and aspirations and teaches to be attach with Detachment .