Sat-tila Ekadashi !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Bavishyothara Puranam describes the glory of Sat-tila Ekadashi which falls on the waning period of the moon.  The most anguish Sage Dalbhya enquired Sage Pulastya about the fate of the people who were engaged in the sinful activities of Brahmahathya and people who have no control over their senses.  In order to save the sinners from the hellish torture Sage Pulastya advises there is only one way to get relieved from the sinful deeds and their punishments that is by worship of Lord Hari with pure mind and heart during the day of Ekadashi. 

Sage Pulastya explains to Sage Dalbhya about the method of worships Lord Hari on the day of Sat-tila Eakadashi.  Worshipof Lord Hari on this auspicious day with his consort Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi, giving alms to Brahmins who are invited, donating cloths, Sandals, Umbrella, a steel pitcher of water, giving away cows and sesame seeds also brings abundance of merits.

The very name 'Sat – Tila Ekadashi ' was derived from the usage of Til - for bathing, smearing paste, offering Til in the sacrificial fire, donating the same, offering  til to forefathers and consumption of the same on this day of Ekadashi  is capable to destroy all the sins.

There was a   Brahmin woman lived a life abstaining from all the pleasures.  She was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu.  Living a life of severe chastity made her weak.  Though she was engaged in all charity works, she forgot to provide any food grains to the demigods and Sanyasins.  She was engaged in all the good deeds other than serving food to the hungry.    One day Lord Vishnu took the form of a mendicant and appeared before her asking for alms in order to test her devotion.    When the Brahmin woman asked for the identity of mendicant, he just ignored to answer her.  It made the Brahmin woman angry and irritated, so she put a handful of clay as alms.   The mendicant left the spot immediately. When she returned home, she was panic struck to find that all her wealth had disappeared.   She prayed to Lord Vishnu, ' I have lived a life of utmost chastity and devotion, Lord why did you put me in this misery?'.   Instantly, she could hear a divine voice ' The wives of the demigods will visit your place and explain the glory of Sat- Tila Ekadashi'.  As per the instructions of the wives of demigods, the Brahmin woman observed Sat-tila Ekadashi and once again she regained all her wealth and beauty. 

Lord Krishna narrated the significance of Sat-tila Ekadashi and rules and regulations for the observance to Maharishi Narada about the glories and the merits of fasting on this Ekadashi.   Whoever fast and worships Lord Vishnu with Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi on this day attains  Prosperity and  one who donates Til (Sesame seeds) on this day of Ekadashi would removes all the sins committed.

Jai Sriman Narayana !!