Bhaimi Ekadasi (Jaya Ekadasi)

Vaishnava Jaya (Bhaimi) Ekadasi is an important fasting ritual observed on the 11th day during the Shukla Paksha (the bright fortnight of the moon) in the month of Madhava in the Vaishnava calendar. This observance falls between the months of January to February in the Gregorian calendar. Jaya Ekadasi is also popularly called Bhaimi Ekadasi, and it is strongly believed that one who observes a righteous fast on this day will find a place in Vaikuntha. Observing the Vaishnava Jaya Ekadasi vrata is equivalent to observing all other Ekadasi fasts.

It is an auspicious start for the rest of the year, and we encourage devotees reading this to kindly consider donating on this day.

The Glories of Jaya (Bhaimi) Ekadashi

From the Bhavishyottara Purana

The narration of the glories of Magha-Shukla Ekadasi or Jaya (Bhaimi) Ekadashi is found in the Bhavishyottara Purana in a conversation between Maharaja Yudhishthira and Lord Krishna. It is said that one who observes upavasa (fasting) on this day is granted entry into Lord Vishnu's abode, even if they have not performed other vratas of the year. The half-day fast (vrata) for the appearance day of Lord Varahadev on the following day, Varaha Dvadasi, is also observed on this Ekadashi.

Yudhishthira Maharaj said, "Oh Lord of the lords, Sri Krishna, all glories unto You! Oh Master of the universe, You alone are the source of the four types of living entities – those born from eggs, those born from perspiration, those born from seeds, and those born from embryos. You alone are the root cause of all, Oh Lord, and therefore You are the creator, maintainer, and destroyer."

"My Lord, You have so kindly explained to me the day known as Sat-tila Ekadasi. Now please explain to me the Ekadasi that occurs in the light fortnight (shukla or Gaura paksha) of this month of Magha. By what name is it known, and what is the process for observing it? Who is the presiding Deity to be worshipped?"

Lord Sri Krishna replied, "Oh Yudhishthira, I shall gladly tell you about the Ekadasi that occurs during the light half of this month of Magha. This Ekadasi obliterates all kinds of sinful reactions and demoniac influences that may be affecting the spirit soul. It is known as Jaya Ekadasi, and the fortunate soul who observes a fast on this sacred day is relieved of the great burden of ghostly existence. Thus there is no better Ekadasi than this, for it bestows freedom from birth and death. Listen to Me very attentively, Oh Pandava, as I explain a wonderful historic episode regarding this Ekadasi, which I have also related in the Padma Purana."

The Story of Malyavan and Pushpavati

"Long, long ago in the heavenly planets, Lord Indra ruled his celestial kingdom very nicely, and all the devas (demigods) living there were happy and content. In Nandana Forest, which was beautifully graced with Parijata Flowers, Indra drank ambrosia and enjoyed the dancing of celestial Apsaras."

"Many singers, led by Pushpadanta, sang in sweet voices beyond compare. Chitrasena, Indra's chief musician, was there in the company of his wife Malini and his handsome son Malyavan. An Apsara named Pushpavati became very much attracted to Malyavan; indeed Cupid's sharp arrows pierced the core of her heart. Her beautiful body and complexion, along with the enchanting movements of her eyebrows, captivated Malyavan."

"Seeing Pushpavati in all her heavenly beauty, Malyavan was bewitched at once. They had come with the other performers to please Lord Indra by singing and dancing, but because they had become so enamored of each other, pierced through the heart by the arrows of Cupid, they were utterly unable to sing or dance properly before the lord of the heavenly realms."

"Their pronunciation was wrong and their rhythm careless. Lord Indra understood the source of the errors at once. Offended at the discord in the musical performance, he became very angry and screamed: 'You useless fools! You pretend to sing for me while in a stupor of infatuation with each other! You are mocking me! I curse you both to suffer henceforth as pisachas (hobgoblins). As husband and wife, go to the earthly regions and reap the reactions of your offenses.'"

Redemption on the Himalayan Peaks

"Struck dumb by these harsh words, Malyavan and Pushpavati at once became morose and fell from the beautiful Nandana Forest to a Himalayan peak here on planet Earth. Immeasurably distressed, and their celestial intelligence vastly diminished by the effects of Indra's curse, they lost their sense of taste and smell, and even their sense of touch. It was so cold and miserable high on the Himalayan wastes of snow and ice that they could not even enjoy the oblivion of sleep."

"Roaming aimlessly in those harsh altitudes, they suffered more and more. Even though they were situated in a cave, because of the snowfall and cold their teeth chattered ceaselessly. Malyavan said, 'What abominable sins did we commit to have to suffer in these pisacha bodies? This is absolutely hellish! Therefore it is abundantly clear that one should never commit sins.'"

"By their great good fortune, however, it so happened that very day was the all-auspicious Jaya Ekadasi. Because of their misery, they neglected to drink any water, kill any game, or eat any fruits. They unknowingly observed Ekadasi by fasting completely from all food and drink. Sunk in misery, Malyavan and Pushpavati collapsed beneath a Pipal tree. The sun set, and the night was even colder. They shivered and embraced just to keep warm. Thus they suffered through the whole night, staying awake in their agony."

"Still, Oh Yudhishthira, by the mercy of the fast they had by chance (unknowingly) observed on Jaya Ekadasi, and because they had remained awake all night, they were blessed. As Dvadashi dawned, they had given up their demonic forms and were once again beautiful heavenly beings wearing lustrous ornaments. A celestial airplane (vimana) arrived on the spot for them. A chorus of heavenly denizens sang their praises as the reformed couple stepped into the aircraft and proceeded directly to Lord Indra's capital city, Amaravati."

Indra's Obeisances

"Lord Indra was astonished to see them restored to their original status and forms so soon. He asked, 'What extraordinary meritorious deeds have you performed so that you could give up your pisacha bodies so quickly after I cursed you? Who released you?'"

"Malyavan replied, 'Oh lord, it was by the extreme mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna (Vasudeva), and also by the powerful influence of the Jaya Ekadasi, that we were released from our suffering condition as pisachas. Because we executed devotional service to Lord Vishnu (even performed unknowingly – by ajnata sukriti) by observing the day most dear to Him, we have happily been restored.'"

"Indradev then said, 'Because you served the Supreme Lord Sri Keshava by observing Ekadasi, you have become worshipable even by me, and I can see that you are now completely purified of sin. Whosoever engages in devotional service to Lord Sri Hari or Lord Shiva becomes praiseworthy and worshipable even by me. Of this there is no doubt.' He then gave them free rein to enjoy each other and wander about the heavenly planet."

"Therefore, Oh Maharaj Yudhishthira, one should strictly observe a fast on the sacred day of Lord Hari, especially on this Jaya Ekadasi, which frees one from the sin of killing even a twice-born brahmana. A great soul who observes this fast with full faith and devotion has in effect given all kinds of charity, performed all kinds of sacrifice, and bathed in all the Holy places. Fasting on Jaya Ekadasi qualifies one to reside in Vaikuntha. One who even hears or reads these glories achieves the merit of performing an Agnistoma fire sacrifice."