Kamika & Chakrabula Ekadashi: Ultimate Sin Absolution

-: ll Kamika Ekadashi or Chakrabula Ekadashi ll :-

Among all the Ekadashis celebrated throughout the year, the Ekadashi of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon phase) in the month of Shravana is special. While we know its name as Kamika Ekadashi, it is known in the Srimandir (Jagannath Temple, Puri) as Chakrabula Ekadashi. It is said that merely remembering the name of this Ekadashi grants the same merit as performing a Vajapeya Yajna (a great Vedic sacrifice). On this day, Lord Vishnu, the wielder of the Shankha (conch) and Chakra (discus), is worshipped by names such as Shridhar, Hari, Vishnu, Madhava, and Madhusudana. The merit obtained from this worship is greater than that which can be attained by performing penance at holy sites like the Ganga, Kashi, Naimisharanya, or Pushkar. Furthermore, the merit gained by worshipping Lord Madhusudana Sri Hari on this day is equivalent to the pious fruit of donating the entire Earth, along with its oceans and forests. By observing the vrata (fast) on this day and offering prayers to Lord Shridhar, one also worships all the deities, including the Gandharvas and Nagas.

Tulasi (holy basil) leaves are extremely dear to Lord Vishnu. However, on this day, by staying awake for the entire night (a vigil), offering a lamp (deepa-daan), and offering Tulasi manjari (basil blossoms) to Lord Vishnu, Sri Hari absolves the devotee of all sins.

There is a popular story associated with this. In a certain village, a wealthy man (Shreshthi) and a Brahmin lived as neighbors. However, there was no good relationship between them. They would quarrel with each other daily for one reason or another. Once, the quarrel escalated to such a terrible extent that the Shreshthi, in a fit of rage, killed the Brahmin. After killing the Brahmin, however, the Shreshthi was filled with remorse. He decided to perform the last rites for the Brahmin and invited other Brahmins to help with the atonement. But angered by the death of a fellow Brahmin, no one accepted the Shreshthi’s invitation. The Shreshthi became even more sorrowful and wandered in all directions to atone for his sin.

During his travels, he met a sage (Muni) and told him about his sinful act, requesting a way to atone for it. The Rishi instructed him to observe the Kamika Ekadashi vrata. The Shreshthi observed this fast with great devotion, was absolved of his sin, and ascended to heaven. That is why this Ekadashi is also called Papamochani (sin-absolving) Kamika Ekadashi. Observing this vrata can grant freedom from even the most terrible sins, like homicide. The merit gained is so immense that even Chitragupta (the celestial accountant of karma) cannot count it.

ll The Glory of Ekadashi (Ekadashi Mahatmya) ll

ll Yudhishthira Said (Yudhishthira Uvacha) ll
King Yudhishthira asks, after worshipping Vasudeva (Krishna),
“By what name is the Ekadashi of the dark fortnight of Shravana praised?”

ll Sri Krishna Said (Sri Krishna Uvacha) ll
Krishna says, “O King, listen! It is the destroyer of sins and the bestower of merits.
Listen to the dialogue between Narada and Brahma; hearing it will end all your sorrows.”

ll Narada Said (Narada Uvacha) ll
Narada asked the creator, Brahma, “As you have explained before,
O Lord Padmasana (seated on a lotus), I wish to hear from you.
Please tell me the name of the Shravana Krishna Ekadashi, O great Brahma-rishi.
And please, my Lord, tell me the rituals associated with it.”

ll Brahma Said (Brahma Uvacha) ll
When the sage Narada asked, Brahma spoke for the welfare of the world,
“The queen of Ekadashis in the dark fortnight of Shravana is named Kamini (Kamika).
Just by hearing its name, one gets the fruit of a Vajapeya Yajna.
On this day, one should worship Lord Shridhar, the wielder of the Shankha, Chakra, and Gada (mace).
By the names Madhava, Hari, Vishnu, or Sri Madhusudana.
Listen to what merit is gained from this worship or meditation.
The pious fruit that is not obtained at the Ganga, Kashi, Naimisha, or Pushkar,
Is granted by the worship of Sri Krishna on this day.
The merit gained from bathing in the Godavari when Jupiter is in the sign of Leo,
Or during a Vyatipata yoga, is obtained by worshipping Sri Krishna.
The merit of donating the entire Earth, along with its oceans and forests, to a Brahmin,
Is what a person who observes this Kamika vrata achieves.
Even the merit of donating a cow with all its ornaments
Cannot equal the merit obtained by properly observing Kamika Ekadashi.
Therefore, with all effort, one should worship Narahari (Vishnu) on Kamika day,
Worshipping to the best of one’s ability, fearing all sins.
To cross the ocean of worldly existence, which is mired in the mud of sin, this Kamika is a helpful friend.
Quickly, it helps one cross over, for it is the sacred destroyer of sins.
This is how this vrata is known, as told by Lord Narayana himself.
The fruit that one gets from being immersed in spiritual meditation,
That same fruit is obtained by a person who observes this Kamika fast, O Narahari.
Whoever observes the Kamika vrata and stays awake at night worshipping Hari,
Does not have to see the fierce Yama (the god of death) and stays far from misfortune.
One who observes this Ekadashi vrata is not reborn into a lower life form.
By completing the Kamika vrata, one attains liberation (Kaivalya) through yoga.
Therefore, with a controlled mind, observe this vrata to attain salvation (Moksha).
The person who worships Damodara (Krishna) with Tulasi leaves on this day
Is not tainted by sin, much like a lotus leaf is untouched by water.
Donating a hundred bhara (a unit of weight) of gold is not equal to a single Tulasi leaf
Offered on Kamika Ekadashi day.
The pleasure Krishna derives from the offering of Tulasi leaves
Cannot be matched by heaps of gold.
The satisfaction Krishna feels from an offering of Tulasi manjari (blossoms) on Kamika day
Cannot be earned even by worshipping with a quarter part of silver.
Coral, Vaidurya (cat’s eye), pearls, and many other such gems,
This worship does not please Hari as much as a single Tulasi blossom does.
Whoever worships the mighty-armed Lord with a Tulasi blossom,
All the sins of their entire life are certainly and completely destroyed.
Her very sight is auspicious and destroys all sins.
Touching her purifies the body, and praying to her cures diseases.
A person who relies on her, Yama does not even count.
She is revered for purifying the people who follow rituals.
When planted in a Vishnu temple, the mind becomes fixed at Vishnu’s feet.
She grants the fruit of liberation; such is the goddess Tulasi.
He who lights a lamp day and night near the Tulasi plant on Hari’s day (Ekadashi),
The count of his merits is beyond even Chitragupta’s ability to record.
O King, he who lights a lamp before Krishna on Ekadashi,
His ancestors in heaven are satisfied and drink nectar.
He who performs service by lighting a lamp of ghee or sesame oil
Goes joyfully to the realm of the Sun (Surya Loka) with the brilliance of a crore lamps.
O King, I have told you the glory of Kamika.
Hence, it must be observed by all, for its merit removes all suffering.
It has the power to destroy the sin of killing a Brahmin or an embryo.
It is the giver of great merit and always grants a place in heaven.
The person who listens to its glory with faith and devotion
Is freed from all sins and attains a place in Vishnu Loka (the abode of Vishnu).

Thus ends the seventeenth chapter named ‘The Glory of Shravana Krishna Kamika Ekadashi’ in the Sri Brahma Vaivarta Purana.

ll Chakrabula Ekadashi in the Srimandir ll :-

Today in the Srimandir, after the Madhyahna Dhupa (midday food offering) ritual is completed and the deities’ attire is changed (Mailama), the Sri Jiu (deities) are adorned with Khandua Paata (a type of silk cloth), and the Aarati and Sarbanga rituals begin. After this, the representative deity Madan Mohan is brought to the throne from the Dakshina Ghara (South Room) by the Mahajana servitors. After receiving the Agya Mala (garland of command) from Mahaprabhu (Lord Jagannath), Madan Mohan embarks on the Ekadashi Bedha Parikrama (circumambulation) within the Srimandir.

Following this, the beautifully decorated golden Chakra (Chakra Narayan), which is part of Mahaprabhu’s adornments, is brought near the throne. After receiving Mahaprabhu’s Agya Mala, it is placed in a vimana (palanquin) by the Vimana Badu servitors. The Vimana Badu servitors then carry the palanquin on their shoulders, exit through the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate), and proceed towards the Sri Na’ara (the Gajapati King’s palace).

After a special offering (Panti Bhoga) is made there, the Chakra proceeds to visit the four ancient ashrams of Srikhetra (Puri): Markandeya, Angira, Bhrigu, and Kandu ashrams. At each ashram, sheetal bhoga (cool offerings) and vandapana (worship) are performed. After this city-wide circumambulation, the golden Sudarshana Chakra returns to the Srimandir. This ritual is also known as Chakrabula Ekadashi (the Ekadashi of the roaming Chakra).

This is the only day in the entire year when the golden Chakra (Suvarna Chakra) ventures out of the Srimandir alone. On other occasions like Kumara Purnima, Radhashtami, and Gahma Purnima, it is the wooden form of the deity, Chakraraj Sudarshana (Darabatanu), that travels to the four ashrams.