Vaikunta Ekadasi at Srirangam

(Meaning ) : There is no manthram that is superior to Gaayathri manthram ; there is no dhaivam superior to one’s mother; there is no sanctifying theertham better than Kaasi and there is no vratham that is more sacred

than EkAdasi Vratham .

King RukmAngathA , NampAduvAN Kaisikan , our AchAryAs of all Vaidhika mathams have demonstrated the greatness and power of observing EkAdasi Vratham .Through his observance of EkAdasi vratham , a Harijan like NampAduvAn has

reached such an exalted status to get an EkAdasi and a chapter of Varaha PurAnam named after him (Kaisika EkAdasi and kaisika MahAthmyam ).Sri Parasara Bhattar wrote a commentary on the Kaisika PurANam in Tamil .Parasara Bhattar read this work in fornt of Sri renganathA Vrisichika Maasa (Nov-Dec ) sulka paksah EkAdasi and was recognized by Sri RanganAthA with a Brahma ratham ( Being carried around the streets of Srirangam on a palanquin bt BrahmaNAs .

Of all EkAdasis , The one connected with Dhanur Maasa Sukla Paksha EkAdasi is the most exalted and is known as Sri Vaikunta EkAdasi .There are number of reasons assoicated with the special significance of this EkAdasi:

(1) This is the day of the churning of the Milky Ocean for nectar . Besides Amrutham , KaamadhEnu , Ucchaisravas , Iraavatham , Kalpa Vruksham , Apsaras , Kousthubham , and PaarijAtha Pushpam appeared as a result of the

churning .

(2) The most exalted of auspiciousness that happened on this day is the appearnac eof MahA Lakshmi . She appeared with the golden color ( HiraNya VarNAm HariNIm SuvarN arajathasrajAm ) and shining with Her innate glory like a cool moon ( ChandhrAm prabhAsAm YasasA jvalanthIm ).Like a brilliant lightning bolt out of the sky , she incarnated right in front of the Lord engaged in churning the Ocean and made all the directions shine with Her glory ( Ranjayanthi

disa: kAnthyA Vidhyuth SoudhAmini YathA ).

(3)BhagavAn Dhanvanthri appeared thereafter with the amrutha Kalasam ( AmruthApUrNa Kalasam Bibhrath Valaya BhUshitha: ).

(4) according to one school , the day of the GitA Upadesam to Arjuna by the Lord on the battle field is said to be on Sri Vaikunta EkAdasi day . Some opine that it was oon Vijaya dasami day . Our Lord commented on the significance of GitA in VarAha PurANam this way :

(Meaning ): I am rooted in GitA .The passages of GitA are sections of my temple. Thru the Jn~Ana Saaram housed in GitA , I rule the three worlds. GitA is my supreme Vidhyai ( UpadEsam/revealed knowledge to reach me ).

It points out to the way for Moksham . It can not be seperated from Me. It is beyond the limits of Desam , Kaalam and other limitations . This is the essence of VedAs and Upanishads .It is the key to to open the lock of Athma VichAram and to gain Moksha Siddhi. That is why the day of birth of this sacred revelation ,Sri Vaikunta Ekadasi day is considerd the most sacred .

Lord parthasarathy says further :

(Meaning ) : The One who reads all the 18 chapters of my GithOpanishad and meditates as well as comprehends the meanings of the verses, will come sthitha Praj~nan , achieve Jn~Ana sampath and finally reach the safety and comfort of

the shadow of my feet and gets fulfilled in his life’s purpose .

The tattvam behind Sri Vaikunta EkAdasi or MokshEkAdasi is the principles taught by Sri parthasArathy to us through ArjunA as an excuse . They are the essence of VedAs , Upnishads , AnushtAnAs , ashtAnga Yogam et al .

Those who are bot able to comprehend the esoteric doctrines of the Vedas , Upanishads or able to practise anushtAnams and Yogams can wake up in Brahma muhUrtham on the month declared as the most holy by GitAchAryan

( MaasAnAm margasIrsham ) , recite ThirupaLLIyezucchi , ThiruppAvai ,, paticipate in the Thiru Adhyayana Uthsavam and on Sri Vaikunta EkAdasi day travel with the Lord thru parama padha Vaasal and get Moksha Siddhi . The Lord Himself enacts the role of a Mumukshu on this day.