2105 മോക്ഷദ ഏകാദശി വ്രതം

Mokshada means to destroy the temptation and that is why this Ekadashi is known as Mokshada Ekadashi. On the same day in Dwapara Yuga, Lord Shri Krishna gave the knowledge of Gita in Kurukshetra. So, the day is also celebrated as Gita Jayanti as it was the same day when Gita was preached, to lead humanity towards the path of righteousness.

Mokshada Ekadashi Vrat Puja Vidhi

Lord Shri Krishna, Maharishi Ved Vyasa and Shrimad Bhagwat Gita are worshipped on this Ekadashi. The Puja Vidhi of the Vrat is as follows:

●  Have food only one time on the day of Dashami, the day before Ekadashi, and keep in mind that you should not have food at night.
●  Take vows for the fast after bathing in early morning of Ekadashi day.
●  Offer incense, lamp (Diya), Naivedya (Prasad), etc and worship Lord Shri Krishna. Perform devotional singing (Jagrans) and worship the God in the night.
●  Next day on Dwadashi, feed and donate things to the needy after worshipping the God. Then, have your food to open the fast.

Importance of Mokshada Ekadashi and Gita Jayanti

A person’s ancestors attain liberation and are freed of their Karmas with the effect of this Vrat. Also, the sins of a person gets destroyed when she/he fasts for this Ekadashi.

It is believed that Lord Krishna gave the knowledge of Gita to Arjuna on this day. This is the reason why, Gita Jayanti is celebrated on the occasion of Mokshada Ekadashi. Shrimad Bhagwat Gita is a great Hindu scripture which explains divine spiritual essence. It is not just a book to keep at home wrapped up in a red cloth, but to read and embrace its preachings in one’s life. It leads a person to enlightenment from ignorance and reveals the importance of spiritual essence. Reading or listening to the verses of Gita gives life a new inspiration. Thus on this day, Gita Jayanti is celebrated by ritually worshipping Shrimad Bhagwat Gita, Lord Krishna and Maharishi Ved Vyasa.

Mokshada Ekadashi Vrat Katha

At one time, a King named Vaikhanasa used to ruled in the Gokul city. One night, he dreamt that his father is suffering in hell (Narak) and praying for salvation from his son. Seeing the condition of his father, the King gets worried. Next day, he called Brahmins and asked the reason behind his dreams. They said, “Hey Rajan! Go the hermitage of hermit (Muni) named Parvat and ask him the solution for your father’s salvation.” So, he went there and told Rishi about his dream. Rishi told him, “ Hey Rajan! Your father is in hell because of the Karmas of his past life. You can help him attain liberation by performing the fast of this Ekadashi and offering its fruits to him.” As per his guidance, the King performed the fast of Mokshada Ekadashi and offered food, donation, clothes, etc to the Brahmins and earned their blessings. With the effect of this Vrat, his father attained liberation.