Varuthini Ekadashi, also known as Baruthani Ekadashi, is a Hindu holy day, which falls on the eleventh lunar day of the Hindu month of Chaitra. Varuthini Ekadashi falls in April or May. Like all Ekadashis, Lord Vishnu, especially his fifth incarnation Vamana, is worshiped.
Dharmaraja Yudhishthira had asked Lord Krishna, what is the name of Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month? Shri Krishna said, O Rajeshwar! The name of this Ekadashi is Varuthini. It is a blessing, a destroyer of all sins, and a salvation in the end.
Fasting on this day has the potential to give up gambling, sleep, dentistry, blasphemy, petty, theft, violence, rituals, anger and abandonment of lies. Doing so provides mental peace. The fast should be eaten as sattvik. Family members should do Bhagavad bhajan at night and do awakening. The donation of food is considered to be the biggest donation on this day.
Story
In ancient times, a king named Mandhata used to rule on the banks of Narmada. He was a very benevolent and ascetic king. One day while doing penance, a wild bear chewed the leg of King Mandhata. After a while, the bear dragged the king to the forest. King panicked and started praying to Lord Vishnu. Hearing the call of the devotee, Lord Vishnu protected his devotee by killing the bear with his Sudarshan Chakra. Lord Vishnu said to King Mandhata – O Watts! Worship my Varaha avatar idol in Mathura by observing the fast of Baruthni Ekadashi. With that effect, you will be able to regain your feet. This was your past life’s crime. The king performed this fast with great reverence and regained his feet.
Varuthini Ekadashi Rituals
Certain rules are prescribed for observing Varuthini Ekadashi. One should observe a fast with an all-night vigil, praying and singing hymns. The Varuthini Ekadashi vrat may start on Dashami (10th lunar day), the day before the Ekadashi. On the day of Varuthini Ekadashi, the devotees should wake up early, take a holy bath and worship Lord Vishnu. It is an occasion meant for spiritual attainment, and so, the day should be spent chanting prayers or singing bhajans. Full fasting without consuming any food or water is recommended for Varuthini Ekadashi vrat. Those who can’t afford this can observe a partial vrat by consuming fruits, nuts and water. The Varuthini Ekadashi vrat must only be broken the next day after offering prayers to Lord Vishnu.
The worship of Lord Vishnu or his avatar Vamana is an important Varuthini Ekadashi ritual. One can do this at home using lamps, incense sticks, Tulsi leaves, flowers, sandal paste etc. If possible, those who observe vrat must visit the temples of Lord Vishnu and stay awake, reciting mantras and reading scriptures. One may choose to read Satyanarayana katha, Vishnu Sahasranama or Bhagavad Gita chapters.
Varuthini Ekadashi Vrat
It is advised that followers of the Varuthini Ekadashi vrat fast from dawn on Ekadashi to dawn on Dwadashi. Although a full fast is advised, one can begin fasting at sunset the day before to make sure that no undigested food is still present in the stomach. Varuthini Ekadashi vrat involves more than merely giving up food. Gambling, lying, criticising others, violence, athletics, and sexual activity are all forbidden. The devout person on vrat shouldn’t give in to sleep, rage, or greed. Consequently, vrat purifies the mind, body, and soul by overcoming temptations and sensations. Varuthini Ekadashi also forbids certain practices like shaving and applying oil on one’s body.
The next day (Dwadashi), after sunrise, is appropriate to perform parana, or breaking the fast. In the event that Dwadashi does not end before sunrise, Parana must be performed the following day. Also, it is advised to avoid doing Parana in the first Dwadashi tithi quarter, which is the Hari Vasara time. While it is not advised to break the fast in Madhyahna, Pratahkal is thought to be the most fortunate moment to do so. A person should perform Parana after Madhyahna if they were unable to do it in Pratahkal.
Two types of Ekadashi Vrats are recommended; one for Smarthas, those with family, and the other for Sanyasis and Moksha seekers. While a one-day fast is recommended for Smarthas or normal devotees, alternate fasting or a two-day fast is suggested for Sanyasis and Moksha seekers.
Fasting
Although complete fasting on Varuthini Ekadashi is advised, people who are unable to do so owing to health reasons can observe a partial fast by only eating once, at midday or in the evening. In that situation, a devotee should refrain from eating or drinking anything that is not vegetarian, including meat, fish, eggs, grains, onions, peas, beans, black gram, spinach, betel nuts, paan, red lentils, honey, sesame seeds, mustard, asafoetida, cloves, fennel, cardamom, nutmeg, tulsi, tamarind, custard, salt, baking soda and baking powder.
Eating in bell metal utensils and eating from other houses are also prohibited. The devotee can choose to eat the Havishyanna food offered to Yajna on the previous day. It is said that even those who are not observing the vrat should avoid consuming grains, pulses, and non-vegetarian foods on Ekadashi.
What is the significance of Varuthini Ekadashi?
The significance of Varuthini Ekadashi is narrated by Lord Krishna to Yudhishtira in the Bhavishya Purana. He says that this Ekadashi can turn the unfortunate into the fortunate and release a soul from the cycle of birth and death. Observing this Ekadashi has helped the Ikshvaku King Dhundhumara to become free from the curse of Shiva and King Mandata to get enlightened. Also, according to various Hindu legends, observing fast on Varuthini Ekadashi is equivalent to one hundred Kanyadaans or donating gold at Kurukshetra on the day of a solar eclipse.
Thus, Varuthini Ekadashi is an important observance for Hindus, offering countless benefits. It is believed that one who observes Varuthini Ekadashi vrat will be protected from all the evils and bestowed with blessings from Lord Vamana. Also, it is supposed to bestow cures for illnesses and sufferings, fame, happiness, prosperity, material pleasure etc.
The ultimate power of Varuthini Ekadashi is granting of Moksha, freedom from the cycle of life and death. According to Hindu astrology, one who observes the vrat on this day will be freed from all sins and liberated from the cycle of re-birth.