The
glories of Annada Ekadasi are described in the Brahma-vaivarta
Purana in the conversation between Lord Krsna and Maharaja
Yudhisthira.
Maharaja Yudhisthira said, “O Krsna! What is the name of Ekadasi
that occurs during the waning moon in the month of
August/September? Please explain this.”
Lord Krsna replied, “O King! Hear me with full attention. The
name of this auspicious Ekadasi, which removes all one’s sins,
is Annada Ekadasi. One who observes the vow of this Ekadasi and
worships Lord Hrsikesa, the master of the senses, becomes free
from the reactions of his sinful activities.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
"...Krishna is a Sanskrit name of God
meaning "all attractive", and Rama is another name meaning
"reservoir of pleasure". The divine energy of God is addressed
as Hare.
The translation of the mantra is "O all-attractive, all-pleasing
Lord, O energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your devotional
service".
Chanting God's name is the sound representation of the Lord and
is the most effective way in this age to re-established our lost
relationship with Him.
“In an ancient time there was a famous emperior named
Hariscandra. He was very truthful and honest. Due to some
unknown deeds and in order to protect the validity of his
promise, he lost his kingdom. He even had to sell himself, his
wife, and his son. O King! This pious emperor became a menial
servant of a dog-eater. Still he maintained his firm faith in
truthfulness. By the order of his master, the dog-eater, he
began to accept the cloths from the dead bodies in the
crematorium as his salary. In spite of engaging in such a
low-class service, he did not fall from his truthfulness and
proper code of conduct. In this way he passed many years.
“Then one day the King began to contemplate with great
unhappiness. ‘What should I do? Where should I go? How will I be
delivered?’ Seeing the great distress of the King, the great
sage Guatama came to him. On seeing the great sage, the King
thought that Lord Brahma has created the brahmanas for the
benefit of others. The King then offered his respectful
obeisances to that best of the brahmanas and stood before him
with folded hands. Then he narrated his entire pitiful story to
sage Gautama.
“The great sage Gautama was astonished to hear the pathetic
story of the King and said, ‘O King! The Annada Ekadasi, which
occurs during the waning moon in the month of August/September,
is extremely auspicious and removes all sins. It is your good
fortune that this Ekadasi is coming soon. You should observe
this Ekadasi by fasting and staying awake at night. As a result
of this, all your sinful reaction will soon be eradicated. O
best of kings! Only by your influence I have come here.’
“After instructing King Hariscandra in this way, the great sage
Gautama disappeared. Thereafter, according to the instruction of
the sage, the King observed the vow of Annada Ekadasi and became
liberated from all his sinful reactions.”
Lord Krsna concluded, “O lion-like King! The wonderful influence
of this Ekadasi is such that one immediately exhausts the
sufferings that he was destined to suffer for many, many years.
By the influence of this Ekadasi, King Hariscandra regained his
wife and his dead son became alive. The demigods began to play
drums and shower flowers from the sky. Thereafter, by the
influence of this Ekadasi, the King enjoyed his kingdom without
any impediment. Eventually the King went to the spiritual world
along with his relatives, associates, and subjects. O King!
Anyone who observes this Ekadasi will become free from all sins
and will go the the spiritual world.”
By hearing or reading the glories of this Ekadasi, one can
obtain the result of performing a horse sacrifice.
