Aaja Ekadashi 2022: Calm Your Mind and Grow Spiritually – Clickastro

Aja Ekadashi is celebrated during the Krishna Paksha (decreasing phase) in the month of Bhadrapada, which corresponds to the months of August-September in the Western calendar.

Aaja Ekadashi 2022 is on Monday 22nd August.

Like all other Ekadashis, Aja Ekadashi is also dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu. Devotees observe a fast on this day to cleanse their sins and seek blessings for a healthy and prosperous life. The regions that follow the new moon calendar observe Aja Ekadashi during the month of Shravan. But despite the difference of months, the ritual and observance of the fast remains the same across the country.

Aaja Ekadashi Rituals

On the day of Aaja Ekadashi, devotees observe a fast to please Lord Vishnu. Fasting begins a day before Ekadashi (Dashami day). Nirjala Vrat, where one abstains from even consuming water, is observed only by staunch devotees. The most common method followed during fasting is to limit oneself to a sattvik diet on the day of Dashami to purify one’s body and mind. On Ekadashi day, the devotee should wake up early in the morning, preferably during Brahma Muhurta (4 am). After the bath the place of worship is cleaned and the idol of Lord Vishnu is installed in an auspicious position. A kalash is also placed on a plate of rice. Then a diya is placed in front of Lord Vishnu and lit. Then Lord Vishnu is worshiped with flowers, fruits and other essential items. All types of grains and rice should be avoided as part of the fast. Devotees spend the day chanting various names of Lord Vishnu and reciting holy texts like Bhagavad Gita. One should take care to keep his mind free from anger and other impure thoughts. He should be virtuous in speech and deed day and night. The fast ends the next day (Dwadashi day) in the morning. The normal meal is eaten along with other members of the family as part of it.

Important Timings of Aja Ekadashi

Ekadashi date starts – 22nd August 2022 at 03:35 am
Ekadashi date ends – 23 August 2022 at 06:06 AM
Time to end the fast – August 24 between 05:55 am to 08:30 am

Aaja Ekadashi fasting story

Once upon a time, in Treta Yuga, there lived a king named Harishchandra. King Harishchandra was kind and honest and was dear to his subjects. His wife was Taramati and he had a son named Rohitashva. They lived happily, as did the people of the country. Once, while chasing a deer in the forest, under the influence of Vighnaraja (Lord Ganesha), King Harishchandra abused the sage Vishwamitra, who was in meditation. Vighnaraja wanted to hinder the efforts of Rishi Vishwamatra to attain the sacred knowledge and he used King Harishchandra for this. Sage Vishwamitra’s penance was broken and the sage lost the knowledge he had gained so far through meditation. In anger, he started cursing Harishchandra. But King Harishchandra, now freed from the influence of Vighnaraj, explained the truth and asked for forgiveness. Still enraged, sage Vishwamitra asked King Harishchandra to donate for the conduct of Rajasuya Yagya. To satisfy the sage Vishwamitra, King Harishchandra had to leave his kingdom and sell his wife, son and even himself to a Chandala. As a servant of the Chandala, Harishchandra, who was no longer a king, had to prepare the corpses for cremation daily in return for a nominal salary. After years of hard work and no respite, a disheartened Harishchandra was on the verge of giving up his pious lifestyle when Gautam Rishi arrived there. Harishchandra narrated his plight to the sage. Hearing this, Gautam Rishi asked Harishchandra to observe the Aja Ekadashi fast. Harishchandra did as he was told and as a result of his steadfast observance of the fast, all his past sins were washed away. He was reunited with his wife and son and also got his kingdom back. Thus he again became King Harishchandra. After death, he received a permanent place in heaven with his family. All this happened because King Harishchandra had fasted on Aja Ekadashi.

Significance of Aja Ekadashi

By observing the fast of Aja Ekadashi, one gets freedom from the sins committed in the past and attains good fortune, long life, health and happiness in life. It helps in reducing sorrows and debts and blesses the person with peace and abundance. It is believed that by observing Aja Ekadashi one gets rid of the constant cycle and birth and death and helps him to attain salvation. On the basis of the devotion with which the fast of Aja Ekadashi is observed, the wishes of the person are fulfilled. Performing Aja Ekadashi Vrat with a focused mind on Lord Vishnu helps in the spiritual development of a person which will help in improving the overall quality of life.

What is Ekadashi? Why is Ekadashi considered important?

Ekadashi is the eleventh day of the lunar phase. There are two Ekadashis in a month, one during the Shukla Paksha and the other during the Ghati Paksha (Krishna Paksha). According to Vedic astrology, the Moon influences the mind during its orbital motion around the Earth. Ekadashi is particularly relevant to the relationship between the Moon and the mind. The effect of the Moon on the body affects the various chakras or energy centers of the body, which ultimately affects the mind as well. When the Moon increases or decreases, the mindset also changes accordingly. It is at its peak during full moon and new moon days. The movement of the moon tells about the movement of the mind through the chakras. During Ekadashi the mind finds itself in the ‘home’ chakras. In other words, it is during Ekadashi that the mind becomes concentrated and is easily collected. Therefore, spiritual people use Ekadashi to practice deep meditation, and also to observe fasting. Fasting frees the body from excessive metabolism leading to better blood flow to the head, which in turn helps in meditation.