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In a significant milestone for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), the ISKCON Child Protection Office (CPOi) commemorates its 25th anniversary, underscoring its unwavering commitment to protecting the young souls within the community. Spearheading this transformative journey is Kamalesh Krishna Das, the International Director of CPO, whose dedicated leadership has played a pivotal role […]
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When people say, “God will give you a sign,” they usually don’t mean that literally, but for me, that’s exactly what He did. In 2015, I was driving south on I-15 to vacation at Capitol Reef National Park. This busy interstate carries millions of cars to the “Mighty Five” national parks in southern Utah. I’d […]
The post Does Krishna Send Us Signs? Yes, Sometimes Literally appeared first on ISKCON News.
Bhaktivedanta Charity Trust, under the guidance of its lifetime chairperson, HH Jayapataka Swami, in cooperation with the Gaura Foundation, is restoring one of the holy places (Lila Sthali) in Navadwip, Mayapur. This is traditionally recognized as the place where Lord Balarama was approached by village Brahmanas to rescue them from the ferocious attacks of the […]
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The Parama Ekadasi is one of the Adhik Mass or Mala Maas Ekadasi, which comes once in 3 years. This Adhik Maas Krishna Paksha Ekadasi is dear to Lord Vishnu, to whom all Ekadasi Vrat observance is dedicated. Observing Parama Shuddha Ekadasi Vrat alleviates poverty, brings prosperity and wealth. It dissolves past sins of the devotees and brings salvation and a place at the Lotus feet of Lord Vishnu, in Vaikuntha.
Lord Krishna explained to King Yudhishthira that the Adhik Maas is the best of all months, as the cow is the best of all animals and the Brahmin the best among humans. Observing the Parama Shuddha Vrat is equivalent to the merits earned by visiting all pilgrimage places and observing all the Vrat/fasts of the year. As mentioned in the Vrat Katha, Raja Harishchandra too had observed this auspicious Vrat and got back his kingdom, wife, child and lost glory. Sincerely observing Parama Shuddha Ekadasi Vrat bestows peace, all-round happiness, spiritual advancement, increased awareness, material abundance, and much more than the devotees expect.
The significance of Chaturmas, or the sacred period of Malmas, amplifies the importance of the Parama Ekadasi this year. Chaturmas spans four months, encompassing the monsoon season (Varsha Ritu), when ascetics and spiritual seekers traditionally stay in one place to intensify their spiritual practices. This period is regarded as highly auspicious for self-discipline, fasting, penance, and religious observances.
As the Parama Ekadasi aligns with Malmas this year, its auspiciousness and spiritual powers are believed to be magnified manifold. Devotees consider this conjunction of rare celestial events as a divine opportunity to seek penance and spiritual growth. Observing a strict fast on this sacred day and staying awake during the night, devotees meditate on Lord Vishnu, seeking His divine grace and blessings.
It is also auspicious to donate to Vaishnavas and Lord Krishna’s service on Ekadasi, especially during the Purushottamma Maas, and we invite our readers to consider this Parama Ekadasi to donate towards the Give To Nrsimha 2023 Fundraiser. We are focusing on the completion and opening of the entire Nrsimhadeva hall and altar by the Fall of 2023 as a forerunner to the Grand Opening of the TOVP in 2024-25, when all the Deities will be relocated into Their new home. Please go to the Give To Nrsimha 2023 Fundraiser page TODAY and help complete this offering to the Lord.
NOTE: Parama ekadasi is observed on August 11th in the U.S. and on the 12th in India. Please refer to your local calendar through Please refer to your local calendar through www.gopal.home.sk/gcal.
View, download and share the TOVP 2023 Calendar.
Sri Yudhisthira Maharaja said,
“Oh Supreme Lord, what is the name of that Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight (krishna paksha) of the extra, leap-year month of Purushottama. What is the process for observing it properly? Kindly narrate all of this to me?”
Lord Krishna, replied,
“Oh Yudhisthira, this meritorious day is called Parama Ekadasi. It bestows the great benediction of an enjoyable life and release from birth and death. The process for observing it is similar to that for observing the Ekadasi that occurs during the light part of this month of Karttika. I will now tell you a wonderful story, I heard from the great sage in the city of Kampilya.
Once a pious brahmin named Sumedha resided in Kampilya with his wife, Pavitra, who was devoted to her husband. On account of having committed some sin in his previous life, Sumedha was without any money and he hardly had adequate food, clothing, or shelter. His wife continued to serve Sumedha faithfully despite their poverty. When guests would come she would give them her own food.
Sumedha one day said to Pavitra, ‘I beg alms from the rich but receive hardly anything. Therefore please permit me to go abroad and attain some wealth.‘
Pavitra replied to him with great respect and affection: ‘One who, though in misery, is interested in the welfare of others speaks just as you have. However, the scriptures state that whatever wealth a person attains in his life is due to his having given charity in previous lives and that if one has not given charity, then even though he may sit atop a mound of gold, he will still remain poor. Please, therefore, stay with me and be satisfied with whatever wealth we get.’
Hearing this, Sumedha decided to stay back. One day the great sage Kaundinya arrived at their place, and upon seeing him, Sumedha and his wife offered him their obeisances. ‘‘Just by having your darshan today,’ said Sumedha, ‘I have become very fortunate.’ They fed the sage as they could afford, and afterwards, Pavitra asked the sage, ‘Oh most learned one, what process can we follow to be relieved of our poverty?’
Kaundinya reflected for a moment and then said, ‘There is a fast day very dear to Lord Hari. Fasting on this day nullifies all kinds of sins and removes all miseries caused by poverty. This fast day, which occurs during the dark part (Krishna paksha) of the extra, leap-year month, is known as Parama Ekadasi. It is the topmost day of Lord Vishnu, hence the name Parama.
This holy fast was once observed faithfully by Lord Kuvera. When Lord Shiva saw how strictly he had fasted, he became very pleased and made Kuvera the treasurer of heaven. Also, king Harishchandra fasted on this Ekadasi after his dear wife and son had been sold, and the king was able to get them back. Therefore, you also should observe the sacred fast of Parama Ekadasi.’
Then he said to Sumedha,
‘On the Dvadashi, the day after Ekadasi, you should vow to observe Pancharatrika fasting according to all the rules and regulations. After taking a bath early in the morning, you and your wife, along with both your parents and hers, should fast for five days according to your ability. Then you will all become eligible to return home, to the abode of Lord Vishnu.’
Hearing this advice, Sumedha and Pavitra, observed the Parama Ekadasi and the fast of Pancharatrika, and thereafter they saw a handsome prince approaching them from the royal palace. He gave them a beautiful house and an entire village for their livelihood.
Oh Yudhisthira, one who fasts on this day has also completed the offerings of oblations to his forefathers in Gaya. He has, in effect, fasted on all other auspicious days.’
The Pancharatrika fast – the fast of five days (pancha = five, ratri = nights) in the extra, leap year month – is said to remove all kinds of abominable sins. But the Pancharatrika fast, together with the fasts of Parama and Padmini Ekadasi, destroys all of a person’s sins. If a person is unable to fast on these days, he should observe the fasts during the extra month according to his ability. The rare human birth is meant for accumulating merit and at last achieving liberating release from this material world.
King Yudhisthira did exactly as Lord Krishna had instructed, and so did all his brothers and their wife. Whoever, after taking a proper bath, observes a fast on these two extra-month Ekadasis will go to heaven.
Thus ends the narration of the glories of Parama Ekadasi, the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the extra, leap-year month, from the Skanda Purana.
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