-: ll Apara Jala Krida Ekadashi ll :-

Today is Jala Krida Ekadashi of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) in the month of Jyeshtha. This day is also celebrated by its other name, “Apara Ekadashi.” This is because, by observing the vow (Brata) of this Ekadashi, the observer (Brati) easily crosses the vast ocean of worldly existence.

All great sins such as Kshatriyas deserting the battlefield, defaming one’s mother, father, and elders, killing a Brahmin (Brahmahatya), killing a cow (Gohatya), abducting another’s wife, speaking falsehoods, reading false Vedas, writing false scriptures, and practicing false knowledge, etc., which lead to a hellish state, are destroyed by observing this Ekadashi, and the observer attains a place in Vaikuntha. Furthermore, it is said that by observing this Ekadashi, one receives the meritorious results of bathing in the three Pushkaras, taking the Kartik Snan (holy bath in Kartik month), and bathing in the Ganga. The merit obtained by people of the Simha (Leo) zodiac sign bathing in the Gomati river on a Thursday, by people of the Kumbha (Aquarius) zodiac sign having a darshan (sacred viewing) of Kedarnath, and by residing in Badrika Ashram, or the merit obtained by bathing in Kurukshetra during a lunar or solar eclipse, is all attained solely by observing the vow of this Ekadashi. It is also said that the merit obtained from donating elephants, horses, and gold in a Yajna (sacrificial ritual) is also achieved by observing this Ekadashi. By observing this Ekadashi, there is no need for the merit of donating land, gold, cows, or daughters. For cutting down the tree of sin, this Ekadashi is like an axe, or just as deer flee upon seeing a lion, sin does not touch one who observes this Ekadashi; that is, it stays away from them.

ll Ekadashi Mahatmya (Glory of Ekadashi) ll

|| Yudhishthira Uvacha (Yudhishthira said) ||

The son of Pandu (Yudhishthira) asks, “O Lord Achyuta, please tell me,
The special glory of the Krishna Ekadashi of Jyeshtha month.”

|| Sri Krishna Uvacha (Sri Krishna said) ||

Krishna says, “Yudhishthira, you have asked an excellent question,
Which is certainly for the welfare of the people, know this.
The Krishna Ekadashi of Jyeshtha is known by the name Apara.
It bestows much merit and destroys great sins.
One who has committed cow-slaughter, Brahmin-slaughter, killed kinsmen or friends,
An abortionist, one who lusts after another’s wife, or one who slanders others,
Even after committing such great sins, by observing Apara Ekadashi, one is saved.
Those deceitful sins, born from layers of deceit.
He who reads deceitful Vedas and Shastras, who is renowned among deceivers,
The deceitful one posing as a Veda-knower, the deceiver who cheats on another’s wife,
Such people, destined for hell, will be liberated by observing Apara.
The Kshatriya who, disregarding his dharma, flees the battlefield to save his life,
And destroys his master’s wealth, that Kshatriya falls into hell.
By performing the Apara Vrata, he becomes sinless and goes to heaven.
The disciple who, after studying, becomes engrossed in defaming his Guru,
That great sinner is certainly destined for a terrible hell.
By observing the Apara Vrata, he is delivered from hell.
Know the glory of Apara Vrata to be immense.
Bathing three times in Pushkar during Kartik Purnima, know this,
Or bathing in Prayag when the sun is in Makara (Capricorn) in the month of Magha,
Observing vigil, worship, and fasting on Shivaratri in Kashi,
Offering Pinda (oblations to ancestors) in Gaya with appropriate materials,
Bathing in the Gautami (Godavari) river when Jupiter is in Simha (Leo),
Having darshan of Kedarnath when Jupiter is in Kumbha (Aquarius), residing in Badarikashrama,
Bathing and making donations in Kurukshetra during eclipses, without a doubt,
Performing Yajna-Homa (fire rituals) with proper rites, donating elephants and horses,
Apara grants all these fruits, removing all sins.
Like a cow yielding milk from both udders, or fertile land,
The fruits obtained during eclipses, Apara bestows them all.
It is an axe to the tree of sin, like a forest fire to the fuel of sin.
In the city (body) where fasting is observed, know that birth and death are overcome.
By observing the fast of Apara and worshipping Trivikrama (Vishnu),
One is freed from all sins and is revered in Vishnu Loka (the abode of Vishnu).
Reading or listening to this yields the merit of donating a thousand cows.

Thus ends the thirteenth chapter on the glory of Jyeshtha Apara Ekadashi in the Sri Brahmanda Purana. 🙏❤️

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