Ekadashi

Ekadashi is the eleventh day (tithi) of each lunar fortnight, and so it comes to us twice every month — once in the bright half (sud), as the moon waxes toward Poonam, and once in the dark half (vad), as it wanes toward Amaavas. In Gujarati we lovingly call it Agiyaras; both names mean the same sacred day. The shastras call this tithi 'Haridini' — the day that belongs to Shri Hari Himself.

The Puranas tell of its origin: while the Lord rested, a radiant shakti arose from His own being and destroyed the demon Mura; pleased, the Lord blessed her — 'You shall be known as Ekadashi, and whoever honours your day with fasting and remembrance shall be freed of sin and be dear to Me.' From that boon flows the whole garland of Ekadashis through the year. Each one carries its own name, its own katha and its own mahatmya — Shattila, Jaya, Vijaya, Amalaki and the rest — yet all share one heart: a day of upvas (setting aside grains), of kirtan, of jagran, and of unbroken smaran of Prabhu.

In Pushtimarg, Ekadashi is not kept as austerity for its own sake — ours is the path of grace, not of hard tapas. The word upvas itself means 'dwelling near': upa-vasa, to live close to the Lord. By setting aside grains and heavy food, the body grows light and the day grows spacious; the hours usually spent on cooking and worldly bustle are returned to Prabhu. A Vaishnav fills that space with seva and smaran of Shrinathji — rising early, taking His name, singing the kirtans of the day, remembering His leela, and keeping the tongue for His praise rather than idle talk.

The vrat is thus less a denial of food than a feast of remembrance. Kept in this bhav, twice a month the Agiyaras gently re-tunes the heart: it loosens the grip of habit, softens pride, and renews the sense that everything we have is His prasad. The phal the shastras promise — release from sin, nearness to the Lord — arrives quietly, as a heart that turns to Prabhu more easily than before.