Nirjala Ekadashi 2024: Ekadashi fast is observed on every 11th date in the Hindu calendar. Food is usually given up on other Ekadashis of the year, but on the day of Nirjala Ekadashi falling in the month of Jyeshtha, consumption of both food and water is prohibited.
These fasts are the most difficult but their results are also very impressive. Pandava son Bhim also observed only this Ekadashi fast in a year. After all, what is the importance of Nirjala Ekadashi fast, why is it considered the best. Know the story of Nirjala Ekadashi fast.
When is Nirjala Ekadashi fast in June? (Nirjala Ekadashi 2024 in June)
Nirjala Ekadashi will be performed on 18 June 2024. As a result of fasting Nirjala Ekadashi, a person gets the same virtue as fasting on all Ekadashis.
Importance of Nirjala Ekadashi fast (Nirjala Ekadashi Significance)
Maharishi Vyas ji had said that by remaining waterless for a day, a person becomes free from sins. Those people who observe fast on Nirjala Ekadashi, they do not see terrible Yamdoots at the time of death, rather the messengers of Lord Shri Hari come from heaven and take them to heaven by sitting on Pushpak Viman. The fast of Nirjala Ekadashi is the best in the world. Those people who take bath, do penance etc. during the interval of this fast, they get the result of donating gold in millions of moments. The results of people who perform Yagya, Homa etc. on this day cannot even be described.
Nirjala Ekadashi fasting story (Nirjala Ekadashi Katha)
According to the legend, Maharishi Vyas ji once said to Bhimsen – “O grandfather! Brother Yudhishthir, mother Kunti, Draupadi, Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev etc. fast on the day of Ekadashi and even I am prohibited from eating food on the day of Ekadashi. But I can worship God devoutly and give charity, but cannot remain hungry.
On this, Maharishi Vyas said – It is mentioned in the scriptures that one should not eat food on the day of Ekadashi. If you do not want to suffer the tortures of hell and wish to go to heaven, then follow both the Ekadashis of every month.
Bhimsen fasted to attain heaven
Listening to Maharishi Vyas, Bhimsen said that I cannot live without food even for a day, then it is not possible for me to fast for the whole day. If I try, I can definitely fast on only one Ekadashi in a year. Please tell me one such fast, by observing which I can attain heaven.”
Why is it called Bhimseni Ekadashi?
Maharishi Vyas said that Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month falls between Vrishabha Sankranti and Mithun Sankranti, one should observe Nirjala fast on that day. One should not eat food on this day. Eating food destroys the fast. If a person does not drink water from sunrise to sunset, then he gets the results of twelve Ekadashis. Bhima fasted on Nirjala Ekadashi and as a result he became entitled to heaven. Bhima observed this fast, hence it is also called Bhimseni Ekadashi.