Pavitrā Ekādaśī

Pavitrā Ekādaśī

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja (from Bhaviṣyottara Purāṇa)

The glories of Pavitrā ekādaśī are described in Bhaviṣyottara Purāṇa in a conversation between Lord Kṛṣṇa and Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira. Once, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira said to Kṛṣṇa, “O Madhusūdana, killer of the Madhu demon, what are the name and glories of the ekādaśī which occurs during the waxing moon in the period of July-August? Please explain these things to me in detail.”

Lord Kṛṣṇa replied, “O king, the name of this sacred ekādaśī is Pavitrā ekādaśī. Now, please hear attentively as I describe this ekādaśī, which destroys one’s sinful reactions. By hearing about its glories, one obtains the result of a Vājapeya sacrifice. In ancient times, at the beginning of Dvāpara-yuga, there was a king named Mahījita who ruled a kingdom called Māhiṣmatī-purī. The king was very unhappy because he had no sons. A married man who has no sons has no happiness either in this life or the next. The king tried for many years, but he was not fortunate enough to get a jewel-like son to bring joy to his life.

“Considering his sad situation, one day the king summoned his subjects, whom he treated like his own children, to the royal assembly. He said, ‘O dear subjects, I have never committed any sinful activities in this life. None of the wealth in my treasury was obtained by unlawful means. I never stole valuables from the brāhmaṇas or demigods; I rule my kingdom by following the proper code of conduct.

I have maintained all of you as if you were my very own children. I never hesitated to give due punishment to even my dear ones, like my brother or other relatives, according to their faults. I have shown due respect to even my enemies, treating them as though they were gentle and pious. O brāhmaṇas, why, in spite of my adopting a religious life like this, am I bereft of a son? Please consider this matter carefully and explain this to me.’

“After hearing the king’s lamentation, his brāhmaṇa advisers discussed the subject. They decided that for the benefit of the king they would go to the forest and visit the āśramas of great sages who know past, present, and future. While wandering in the forest, they came across various āśramas, and finally met Lomaśa Muni, who was engaged in severe austerities.

His body was spiritual and full of bliss. He strictly observed a vow of fasting, and he was fully self-controlled. He knew the science of eternal religious principles, and he was well-conversant with all of the scriptures. His lifespan was as long as that of Brahmā, and he was an effulgent saint. When a kalpa of Brahmā passes, one hair (loma) is lost from his body; that is why his name is Lomaśa. The sage Lomaśa knew past, present, and future.

“The king’s advisers were enchanted by this great sage, and they offered their obeisances to him. They humbly said, ‘O great sage, it is our great fortune that we have met a great soul like you.’ The sage Lomaśa inquired, ‘Who are you, and why have you come here? Why are you praising me like this?’ The brāhmaṇas replied, ‘O great sage, we have come to you to remove some of our doubts.

O lord, our king, Mahījita, does not have a son. We are his subjects and he treats us like his own children. It makes us sad to see the king’s distress. O best of brāhmaṇas, we want to undergo austerities here. It is the king’s good fortune that today we have met a great personality like you. A man certainly attains all perfection by having the darśana of a great personality. Please tell us of a way that our king can have a son.’

“After hearing their sincere prayers, the sage Lomaśa entered into a deep meditation and immediately understood King Mahījita’s previous life. He said, ‘In his previous life, the king was a poor vaiśya (merchant) who committed a sinful act. Once, while traveling from village to village in the course of his business, he became overwhelmed with thirst. It was midday on dvādaśī in the month of July. Soon, he found a beautiful lake and decided to drink its water. At that time, a cow and its newly-born calf also went there to drink.

As the cow began to drink water from the lake, the merchant drove it away so that he could drink. Thus, the merchant committed a sin by obstructing the thirsty cow from drinking and obtaining satisfaction. Due to the merchant’s pious activities he later took birth as King Mahījita, but as a result of that sinful act, the king does not have a son.’

“The king’s advisers said, ‘O great sage, the Purāṇas state that one’s piety counteracts all of one’s sinful reactions. Please tell us how the king’s sinful reactions can be nullified so that he can have a son.’

“The great sage Lomaśa replied, ‘The auspicious ekādaśī known as Pavitrā ekādaśī occurs during the waxing moon in the period of July-August. You and your king should properly observe this ekādaśī. Thereafter, you should donate the piety that you will earn by doing so. If you follow my instructions, the king will certainly be blessed with a son.’

“After hearing this, the king’s advisers became satisfied. They offered their obeisances to the sage and returned home. Then, they met with King Mahījita and explained to him in detail what they had heard from the great sage Lomaśa. In time, the king’s advisers remembered the sage’s advice, and they and the king properly observed the vow of Pavitrā ekādaśī. On the day of dvādaśī, all of the advisers donated their earned piety to the king, as instructed by the sage. Consequently, the queen became pregnant and in due course of time she gave birth to a beautiful son.”

Lord Kṛṣṇa concluded, “O King Yudhiṣṭhira, anyone who observes this sacred ekādaśī is relieved from sinful reactions and is happy in both this life and the next. One who hears about the glories of this ekādaśī attains the happiness of having a son in this life, and goes back to Godhead in his next life.”