In the Hindu tradition, Ekadashi is a spiritually potent day dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It falls on the 11th lunar day (tithi) of each fortnight, totaling 24 in a year—and 26 in a leap year. Observing Ekadashi vrat (fast) is believed to grant immense punya (spiritual merit), dissolve sins, and aid in achieving liberation (moksha). The name Ekadashi, derived from the Sanskrit words eka (eleven) and dashi (day), refers to the eleventh day of both the waxing and waning phases of the moon in the Hindu lunar calendar.
Why Observe Ekadashi Fasting?
The Padma Purana states that fasting on Ekadashi burns accumulated karma and enhances sattvic (pure) qualities. According to Ayurvedic and yogic understanding, the 11th day of the moon influences bodily fluids and subtle energies, making it ideal for self-restraint and meditation.
Observing Ekadashi is also a form of niyama (spiritual discipline), helping individuals align their physical, mental, and emotional energies toward divine consciousness.
Fasting on Ekadashi is deeply aligned with Sri Amit Ray’s 114 Chakra System, as it reduces the intake of tamasic energies—whether from food, lethargy, or negative thought patterns—and amplifies the flow of sattvic, life-affirming energies throughout the subtle body. In this expanded system of inner transformation, Ekadashi fasting is intricately connected to the activation of the 11 special Ekadashi Devi Chakras, which represent purity, devotion, and inner discipline.
These chakras, when awakened through fasting, mantra, and mindfulness, clear the energetic pathways for higher consciousness. Moreover, the practice strengthens the Medha Chakra—the seat of spiritual wisdom and intuitive intelligence—bringing about clarity of mind, emotional stability, and luminous inner focus.
The Mythological Origin: Goddess Ekadashi and Demon Mura
The significance of Ekadashi is deeply tied to a mythological narrative involving Lord Vishnu and the demon Mura. According to ancient texts, such as those referenced in various Puranas, a powerful demon named Mura terrorized the three worlds (heaven, earth, and the netherworld) during the Satya Yuga. His tyranny overwhelmed even the gods. The gods, unable to defeat him, sought Lord Vishnu’s aid.
A Mūḍha is essentially a state of mind — while Mura is an actual mythological demon, Mūḍha is a description of the Mura - an egoic condition of the soul bound in illusion.
While Lord Vishnu was in a meditative state (often described as Yoga Nidra), Mura attempted to attack him. From Vishnu’s heart emerged a divine feminine energy in the form of a radiant goddess. This goddess, later named Ekadashi, was created to combat Mura and his demonic forces. Armed with divine power, she engaged Mura in a fierce battle, ultimately slaying him and his army. Pleased with her valor, Lord Vishnu declared that she would be revered as Goddess Ekadashi, and fasting on the eleventh day of each lunar fortnight would grant devotees spiritual merit, protection, and purification.
In the Padma Purāṇa, the powerful demon named Mura tormented the three worlds and threatened even the gods. He was a symbol of darkness, tamas (inertia), ignorance, and ego-driven delusion. His power stemmed from:
- Repression of dharma
- Disrespect for divine order
- Delighting in material pleasure and violence
To destroy him, Lord Viṣṇu entered a deep yogic slumber (yoga-nidrā) in a cave. At that time, the Ekādaśī Devī—a divine feminine emanation from Viṣṇu—arose spontaneously and killed the demon Mura. Viṣhnu then named her Ekādaśī and blessed her saying, “Those who observe fast on your day will be freed from sins and attain My abode.”
Thus, Mura represents:
- Laziness and procrastination
- Worldly arrogance
- Spiritual ignorance
- Symbolically, observing Ekādaśī helps one destroy the Mura within—our own laziness, ego, and tamas.
This story underscores the spiritual potency of Ekadashi fasting, symbolizing the triumph of divine energy over negativity and ignorance. It is believed that observing this fast aligns devotees with Vishnu’s divine grace, helping them overcome their inner “demons” of ego, desire, and attachment.
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