Utthana Ekadasi
The Day the Gods Awake
There is a lovely, almost 700-page book entitled Ekadasi Svarupa Darshana, issued by ISKCON, that is the most detailed text I’ve found on Ekadasi, the fast observed by many Hindus during the eleventh day of the waxing and waning moon according to the lunar calendar. Each Ekadasi has its own lore and significance, and this book beautifully captures this. I’ll be sharing gems from this book, along with my own reflections, on each Ekadasi.
And so it is only fitting to start with Utthana Ekadasi, the day when the Devas arise from their four-month nap which coincides with Chaturmasya. Chaturmasya is a four-month period of retreat and fasting observed by Hindus during the rainy season, when even sadhus retire to one place for study and sadhana.
As Ekadasi Svarupa Darshana notes,
The importance of following Chaturmasya-vrata is stated in all the shastras. To follow this vrata is not only of paramount importance for the sadhaka. It is to be followed by everyone, by all family members and by all souls in all species of life. All the shastras proclaim that everyone should follow Chaturmasya.
Bharata & The Baby Deer
Many of us are familiar with the story of Bharata from the Srimad Bhagavatam. There is an interesting connection between him and…