Nirjala Ekadashi 2023: Date , Ritual, Story & Significance of Lord Vishnu's Strictest Fast

Devotees belonging to the Vaishnava sect in Hinduism worship Lord Vishnu as their Supreme Deity and they fast on the ‘Ekadashi Tithi’ which is the 11th Date in the Hindu Lunar Calendar. The Ekadashi fast is an integral part of their spiritual practice. 24 Ekadashis occur in a year and the fasts that are associated with them are very strenuous but are strictly observed by the devotees.

The fast on Nirjala Ekadashi is considered as the toughest among all 24 Ekadashi fasts.

According to the belief, by observing this fast one gets the results of all the Ekadashis of the year and the special grace of Lord Vishnu remains. Mainly the fast of Nirjala Ekadashi is observed for longevity and salvation.

Nirjala Ekadashi 2023 Fast: Date and Vrat Parana Time

The Nirjala Ekadashi 2023 will occur on 31st May. The auspicious time of Vrat Parana will be from 5.23 am to 8.09 am on Thursday, June 1, 2023.

Why is the fast of Nirjala Ekadashi so strict?

Usually this question is asked: Out of the 24 Ekadashis of the year, why is the fast of Nirjala Ekadashi the best and so strict? We tell you about the important reason behind this.

• If you are not able to fast on any Ekadashi throughout the year, then by fasting only on Nirjala Ekadashi, you get the results of all Ekadashis.
• The fast begins with fasting from sunrise on Ekadashi and ends on Dwadashi by staying in the same state till sunrise.
• There is a law not to drink water during this fast, for this reason it is known as Nirjala Ekadashi.
• By observing this fast a person achieves great spiritual growth.

Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat: Story

According to the Holy Hindu Scriptures, the story of Nirjala Ekadashi is found in the context of Mahabharata. It so happened that Maharishi Ved Vyas got all the Pandavas resolved to observe Ekadash`i fast for attaining Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Now everyone including Mata Kunti and Draupadi observed Ekadashi fasts but Bhima who was very famous in mace wielding and had a huge appetite so he could not observe the fasts. His hunger was beyond his control so it was very difficult for him to fast for two days in a month. When the whole family started pressuring him to fast, he started looking for a way that he would not have to starve and also get the virtue of fasting. He got the solution for this problem from Maharishi Ved Vyas.

Bhima started asking, O grandfather, all the members of my family keep fast on Ekadashi and put pressure on me too, but I can do religious work, worship, do charity, but keeping fast is not a matter of my ability. There is a gastric fire called Vrik inside my stomach, to calm it, I need a lot of food, so I cannot live without food. Then Vyas ji said, Bhima if you believe in heaven and hell, then it is necessary for you to observe this fast. Bhima's concern increased even more on hearing this. He said to Vyas ji, O Maharishi, please tell me about such a fast, which has to be kept only once in a year. On this, Maharishi Ved Vyas said to Bhima that the fast on Nirjala Ekadashi is very difficult, but by keeping it, you will get the result of fasting of all Ekadashis. He said that Lord Shri Krishna himself told me about the virtue of this fast.

Bhima was told to observe the Nirjala Ekadashi fast. Nirjala Ekadashi occurs in the Shukla Paksha (Waxing Phase of the Moon) in the scorching month of Jyestha.

In this fast, apart from achaman and bath, even water cannot be taken. Therefore, on the date of Ekadashi, devotees worship Lord Vishnu by keeping a waterless fast and on the next day take a bath and give donations to Brahmins, get food served and then eat by themselves. In this way, they will get as much virtue as fasting for a whole year just by fasting for one day. On being told by Maharishi Vedvyas, Bhima kept this fast and attained the pious benefits of all the 24 Ekadashis. This is why Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Bhimseni Ekadashi and the Pandava Ekadashi.

Nirjala Ekadashi Worship Method

• Nirjala Ekadashi is considered to be the best among all Ekadashi fasts.
• Before fasting, one should pray to Lord Vishnu and renounce food & water during the entire fasting period.
• You can donate food, clothes, shoes etc. according to your capacity.
• Sweets and Dakshina should also be given to Brahmins or any poor and needy.
• Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya mantra should also be chanted on this day.
• The story of Nirjala Ekadashi should also be read or heard.
• After the sunrise of Dwadashi and post feeding a Brahmin, take food and water.
• The person observing the fast should keep in mind that even by mistake, water should not be taken apart from bathing and achaman.

However, in case your schedule or health does not permit or make it feasible to observe this incredibly strict Nirjala Ekadashi Fast, then you can simply get a Satyanarayan Puja being performed in your name by a learned Brahmin priest on Nirjala Ekadashi and get the immensely auspicious blessings of Lord Vishnu to lead a spiritually blessed life.

On festivals/occasions like Nirjala Ekadashi, the positions of planets & stars in the cosmos are such that a natural upsurge of positive cosmic energies take place and by incorporating the time-tested wisdom of Vedic Astrology in the form of certain rituals & remedies, one can open up the celestial doorway of success & prosperity in life. Therefore we urge you to contact “Indian Astrology” and Talk to Astrologer for knowing the remedial measures that are specific to your horoscope and goals, having the potential of bringing exponential growth & success in life!