Chapter 54 - Kāmikā Ekādaśī from Padma Puranam *Yudhiṣṭhira said**:*
1. What is the name of the Ekādaśī <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ekadashi#purana> falling in the dark half of Śrāvaṇa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shravana#purana>? Tell that to us, O Govinda <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/govinda#purana>, salutation to you. *Śrīkṛṣṇa said**:* 2. O king, listen. I shall narrate to you the account that removes sins and which formerly Brahmā <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/brahma#purana> told to Nārada <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/narada#purana> who asked (him about it). *Nārada said**:* 3-4. O lotus-seated lord, I desire to hear from you, what would be (i.e. is) the name of Ekādaśī in the dark half of Śrāvaṇa. Who is its (presiding) deity? What is the manner (in which it is to be observed)? What is its religious merit. O lord tell (this). Hearing these words of him Brahma <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/brahma#purana> spoke (the following) words: *Brahmā said**:* 5-7. O Nārada, listen. With the desire for the good of the people, I shall tell you about the Ekādaśī named Kāmikā (which falls) in the dark half of Śrāvaṇa. Merely by hearing about it, one would obtain the fruit of (having performed) a Vājapeya <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vajapeya#purana> sacrifice. Listen to the fruit which a man who worships the lord of gods holding a conch, a disc, and a mace, gets. Listen to the meritorious fruit of him (i.e. which he gets) who would worship or who meditates upon Hari <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/hari#purana>, Viṣṇu <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vishnu#purana>, Madhusūdana <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/madhusudana#purana>, called Śrī Hari. 8-18. He does not obtain that fruit (by bathing) in Gaṅgā <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ganga#purana>, at Kāśī <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kashi#purana>, Naimiṣa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/naimisha#purana> or Puṣkara <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/pushkara#purana>, which he gets by worshipping Kṛṣṇa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/krishna#purana> on that day. He obtains that fruit by worshipping Kṛṣṇa, which he obtains (by bathing) at the time of a portent foreboding a great calamity, when Jupiter is in the Leo sign, in Godāvarī <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/godavari#purana> or Daṇḍaka <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dandaka#purana>. Both, he who gives the earth along with the oceans and he who observes the Kāmikā-vow, are said to get the same fruit. The man who observes the Kāmikā-vow obtains the fruit which he who would give a milch cow along with articles of household use, gets. The excellent man who would worship god Viṣṇu in Śrāvaṇa, has worshipped gods with gandharvas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/gandharva#purana>, uragas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/uraga#purana> and pannagas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/pannaga#purana>. Therefore, sin-fearing men should, with all efforts, and according to their capacity, worship Viṣṇu on the Kāmikā day. The Kāmikā-vow is best for the emancipation of those who are plunged in the ocean of the worldly existence, full of the mud of sins. There is no other (vow) than this (so) pure and sin-removing. O Nārada, know it to be like this. Viṣṇu himself has said (so). Know that the fruit of (i.e. got by) the observers of Kāmikā-vow is much superior to the fruit obtained by those devoted to the knowledge of the supreme spirit. The man who, after having kept awake at night, observes the Kāmikā-vow. does not see the fearful Yama <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/yama#purana>, or does not face a calamity. He does not see (i.e. is not born in) a bad stock due to his observing the Kāmikā-vow. The meditating saints have reached final emancipation after observing the Kāmikā-vow. 19-29. Therefore, with all efforts it should be observed by those who have controlled themselves. The man who would worship Viṣṇu with Tulasī <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/tulasi#purana>-leaves is not tinged with sin, as a lotus-leaf with water. He obtains that fruit by worshipping Viṣṇu with a Tulasī-leaf, which he obtains by giving a bhāra <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/bhara#purana> of gold or fourfold silver of it. Worshipped with gems, pearls, lapis lazuli, corals etc. Viṣṇu is not so pleased as he is with Tulasī-leaves. The sin of him, (right) from his birth, who has worshipped Viṣṇu with Tulasī-sprouts certainly perishes. Salutation to Tulasī which, when seen, destroys the entire heap of sins, which, when touched, purifies the body, which, when saluted, removes diseases, which, when sprinkled over, frightens Yama, which, when planted, brings about the vicinity of lord Kṛṣṇa, and which, when placed at his feet, gives salvation instantly. Citragupta <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/citragupta#purana> is not able to know the measure of the religious merit of the man who gives (i.e. keeps) a light day and night on the day of Viṣṇu (i.e. on the day sacred to Viṣṇu). The dead ancestors of him whose lamp burns in front of Viṣṇu, remain in heaven and are gratified with nectar. Having burnt a lamp with ghee <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ghee#hinduism> or sesamum oil, he, being honoured with a hundred crores of lamps, goes to the Sun’s world. I have told you this importance of Kāmikā. Men should, therefore, observe it which removes all sins, which removes (the sin of) the murder of a brāhmaṇa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/brahmana#purana>, which removes (the sin of) causing abortion. It gives (them) the abode of Viṣṇu, and gives the fruit of great religious merit. A man endowed with faith, on hearing about the greatness of this, obtains (i.e. goes to) Viṣṇu’s world, and is free from all sins. KR IRS 12 7 23 On Wed, 12 Jul 2023 at 03:31, Jambunathan Iyer <[email protected]> wrote: > *Kamika Ekadashi 2023 Date, 13th July 2023* > > Kamika Ekadashi is a sacred Hindu festival observed in reverence of Lord > Vishnu, the preserver and protector of the universe. It falls on the > eleventh day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) in the Hindu > month of Shravana (July-August). Ekadashi of Chaturmas itself is called > Kamika Ekadashi also It is believed that Lord Shankar and Mother Parvati > visit the earth in this month. At the same time, Lord Vishnu merges in Yog > Nidra in Kshir Sagar at the time of Sawan. > > Kamika Ekadashi serves as a time for devotees to seek divine blessings, > purify their souls, and strengthen their spiritual connection. It is > believed that one can attain immense spiritual merits by observing fasting, > engaging in prayers, and reading sacred texts (Vrat Katha).This Day Holds > great significance and is believed to grant devotees spiritual purification > and blessings. > > The name “Kamika Ekadashi” is derived from the word “Kamika,” which means > “desire” or “longing.” It is believed that observing this Ekadashi with > devotion and sincerity fulfills the wishes and desires of devotees and > helps in attaining spiritual progress. > > Devotees engage in various rituals and practices on Kamika Ekadashi to > seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu. A significant aspect of Kamika Ekadashi > is observing a strict fast. Devotees abstain from consuming grains, beans, > and certain vegetables throughout the day. During the day, devotees engage > in devotional activities such as chanting hymns, reading sacred scriptures > like the Bhagavad Gita or Vishnu Sahasranama (the thousand names of Lord > Vishnu), and listening to religious discourses. > > Observing Kamika Ekadashi is considered highly auspicious, and it is > believed to wash away sins and bestow spiritual merit. Devotees believe > that by sincerely observing this Ekadashi, they can seek forgiveness for > past wrongdoings, overcome obstacles, and attain spiritual growth. > > On the following day, known as Dwadashi, devotees break their fast after > performing the necessary rituals and offering food to Lord Vishnu. The > prasad (blessed food) is then distributed among family, friends, and the > less fortunate. > > In summary, Kamika Ekadashi is a sacred Hindu festival dedicated to Lord > Vishnu, observed with utmost devotion and sincerity. It involves rituals > such as fasting, prayers, reading scriptures, and participating in > devotional activities. Through these practices, devotees seek spiritual > purification, the fulfillment of desires, and blessings from the divine. > The festival holds deep significance in Hindu culture and serves as a means > to deepen one’s faith and connection with Lord Vishnu. > N Jambunathan Rengarajapuram-Kodambakkam-Chennai-Mob:9176159004 > > *" What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you > become by achieving your goals. If you want to live a happy life, tie it to > a goal, not to people or things "* > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZopPtwJeWH8Wt8uUvrc73_p_-Am_gCoC6h53ya--p2inTA%40mail.gmail.com.
