aparA ekAdashi

- Contributed Phanindra Mankale on Sumadhwa forum

Significance:

Yudhisthira Maharaja said, "0 Janardana, what is the name of the Ekadashi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Vaishaka. I wish to hear the glories of this sacred day. Please narrate everything to me."

Sri Krishna said, "This ekadashi is called "aparA". This Ekadashi is so sublime and meritorious that even the greatest sins can be erased by its potency. O great king, the name of this unlimitedly meritorious Ekadashi is Apara Ekadashi Whoever fasts on this holy day becomes famous all over the universe. The greatest sins are completely eradicated by observing Apara Ekadashi.

The merit attained by one who performs all of the following acts of piety is equal to the merit achieved by one who observes Apara Ekadashi. bathing three times a day in Puskara-ksetra during Kartika [OctoberNovember] ; bathing at Prayag in the month of Magha [JanuaryFebruary] when the sun is in the Zodiac; rendering service to Lord shiva at Varanasi during Siva-ratri; offering oblations to one's

forefathers at Gaya; bathing in the sacred Gautami River when Jupiter transits Leo; having darsana of Lord shiva at Kedaranatha; seeing Lord Badrinatha when the sun transits the sign of Aquarius; and bathing at the time of a solar eclipse at Kuruksetra and giving cows,elephants, and gold there in charity.Guru Simha rashi Godavari river snana. When guru is in KanyaRashi Krishna river snana. All the merit one gets from performing these pious acts is gained by a person who

observes the Apara Ekadashi fast. Also, the merit attained by one who donates a pregnant cow, along with gold and fertile land, is attained by one who fasts on this day.

pApadruma kuTArIyaM pApEMdhana dAvAnalah|

pApaMdhakAra taraNih pApasAraMga kEsarI ||

For the tree full of sins this AparA ekadashi is an axe.

for the woods full of sins this ekadashi is the Fire

For the darkness full of sin this is the Sun.

For the deer full of sin this ekadashi is the Lion

- From Padma Purana

Part-3 uttarakhanda 51st chapter.