VAIKUNTA EKADASI
Monday 2nd January 2023
“shaanta-kaaram bhujaga-shayanam padma-naabham
suresham
vishwa-dhaaram gagana-sadrisham megha-varanam
shubhaangam.
lakshmi-kaantam kamala-nayanam yogi-bhi-dhyaana-
agamyam
vande vishnum bhava-bhaya-haram sarva-lokaika- naatham”
I sing praising the Lord Vishnu
Shaanta – He who has the peace; Kaaram- demeanor and visage
shayanam — He who sleeps and reposes; bhujaga– on the serpents
padma– He who has a lotus shaped; naabham– Navel
He who is the master and lord
Suresham– of all the gods I pray to the Lord Vishnu.
shayanam — He who sleeps and reposes; bhujaga– on the serpents
padma– He who has a lotus shaped; naabham– Navel
He who is the master and lord
Suresham– of all the gods I pray to the Lord Vishnu.
dhaaram –He who holds the vishwaa– universe in his hands.
sadrasham –He whose vision exceeds; gagana– beyond all the skies
varanam — He whose color and visage is; megha– changeable like the clouds
shubh– he who is filled with goodness; aangam– in every part of his body.
sadrasham –He whose vision exceeds; gagana– beyond all the skies
varanam — He whose color and visage is; megha– changeable like the clouds
shubh– he who is filled with goodness; aangam– in every part of his body.
I sing praise to the Lord Vishnu. kaantam — He who is the husband
lakshmi– of the goddess of wealth; He whose eyes (nayanam) are surreal
kamala– like a lotus flower; agamyam– he who yogis yearn to reach
dhyaana– through meditation; I sing praises (vande-) to the Lord Vishnu (-vishnum)
He who removes (-haram) all our fears (-bhaya) bhava– due to our inborn nature
And he who is the master (-naatham) of the entire (-sarva) universe and creation (-lokaika).
Vaikunta Ekadasi is one of the important and auspicious days for Hindus, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It occurs in the Hindu calendar, during the month of “Margazhi” (between December and January). Whe observed, it bestows liberation from the cycle of re-births.
According to Padma Purana, the female energy of Vishnu slayed the demon “Muran” and protected the ‘Devas’. This happened on the eleventh day of lunar month during the sun’s journey in the Dhanur Rasi. Impressed by the act, Vishnu names her as ‘Ekadasi’ and gives her the boon that those who worship ‘Ekadasi’ on the day of her victory over Muran would reach ‘Vaikuntam’ (His abode).
The significance of Vaikunta Ekadashi is mentioned in the Padma Purana. The legend says that the Devas, unable to bear the tyranny of ‘Muran’ – a demon, approached Lord Shiva, who directed them to Lord Vishnu. A battle ensued between Vishnu and the demon & Vishnu realized that a new weapon was needed to slay Muran. In order to take rest and create a new weapon, Vishnu retired to a cave for the goddess named Haimavati in Badarikashrama. When Muran tried to slay Vishnu, who was sleeping, the feministic power that emerged from Vishnu burned Muran to ashes with her glance. Vishnu, who was pleased, named the goddess ‘Ekadasi’ and asked her to claim a boon. Ekadasi, instead, beseeched Vishnu that people who observed a fast on that day should be redeemed of their sins. Vishnu thus declared that people who observed a fast on that day and worshipped Ekadasi, would attain Vaikuntam.
Programme:
09.00am: Swarga Vaasal Dharsanam10.30am: Abhishekam, Alankaram & Deeparadhanai for Moolavar Sri Venkateswara.02.00pm: Kalyana Utsavam
Ritual Donations:
Abhishekam: $101Kalyana Utsavam: $151
Garland donations:
Lord Sri Venkateswara – $ 220
Utsavamurthys – $ 110
Kalyana Utsavam Malai – $ 110
All are welcome to participate in the festival and seek the blessings of Lord Sri Venkateswara.
Ohm Namo Narayanayah! Ohm Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya!!