Naarad Jee said - "Now tell me about Tri-Sprashaa Vrat by doing which, people immediately get free from Karm bondage." Mahaadev Jee said - "In earlier times Sanat Kumaar Jee told this Vrat to Vyaas Jee. This Vrat destroys all sins and great sorrows. Who takes the name of Tri-Sprashaa his all sins are washed away. Bhagavaan has created this Tithi to attain Moksh, that is why it is called Vaishnavee Tithi. When the Saagar Manthan was going on, then I told this Vrat to Brahmaa Jee. Who will do this Vrat even attached to worldly pleasures, they will also attain Moksh. Naarad, You also do this Vrat, because it gives Moksh. If a Kaartik Shukla Ekaadashee falls on Monday or Wednesday, it destroys millions of sins. People attain Moksh by dying in Prayaag, or taking bath in Gomatee in Dwaarakaa; while keeping fast on Tri-Sprashaa gives Moksh sitting at home. In earlier times, Maadhav told this Vrat to Gangaa on the banks of Praachee Saraswatee.

Gangaa asked - "Hrisheekesh, Millions of people with grave sins take bath in my water. My body has become dirty with those sins, how those sins will be cleared?" Maadhav said - "Shubhey, You do Tri-Sprashaa Vrat. In whichever month it falls, whether in Krishn Paksh or Shukla Paksh, it should be observed. Then you will be free from sins. When Ekaadashee, Dwaadashee are on the same day, and Trayodashee is in the last Prahar of that night, that is called Tri-Sprashaa. There is no Yog (combination) of Dashamee in this Ekaadashee. I do not pardon the mistake of Dashamee Vedh in Ekaadashee Vrat ( List of Ekaadashee). Knowing this one must never do Ekaadashee Vrat with Dashamee. If done that, it destroys the Punya of his millions of lives and his children. Dwaadashee is very dear to me, so one should keep the Vrat of Dwaadashee."

Gangaa said - "I will surely do this Vrat, tell me its method." Maadhav said - "Make my golden statue of one or half Pal. Take a copper pot filled with sesame seeds, keep it on a pitcher filled with water and Panch Ratn in it. Establish Daamodar's idol, adorn it, worship it, offer Arghya, do Aaratee. Then worship Guru, give him clothes, ring, food, seven grains, and Dakshinaa. In the night do Jaagaran. In the end of the night, worship Bhagavaan again, feed Braahman and eat himself. Whoever do this Vrat, they all become Mukt after dying. One should do Jaap of "Aum Bhagavatey Vaasudevaaya Namah".

Naarad Jee asked - "Mahaadev, What is this Pakshvardhinee Tithi, by doing whose Vrat one becomes free from sins." Mahaadev said - "Mahaadev Jee said - "If Amaavasyaa or Poornimaa is of 60 Dand each and then some part of it goes into Pratipadaa, then that Paksh is considered as Pakshvardhinee. Ekaadashee of that Paksha is also called Pakshvardhinee. This Ekaadashee gives the fruit of 10,000 Ashwamedh Yagya.

First of all one should establish a pitcher, full of water, along with Panch-Ratn, decorated with sandal and flower garlands. Cover with a copper pot filled with wheat and keep the golden idol of Bhagavaan in it. In whichever month that Pakshvardhinee Tithi falls, Bhagavaan's idol should also be considered the same. Bathe it with Panchaamrit, apply sandalwood paste, offer two clothes, umbrella and shoes. Worship the idol and complete the Vrat by offering Arghya with coconut. Offer Naivedya, betel leaf, keep a Ghee or oil lamp burning. Then worship Guru, give him clothes, Dakshinaa, food, betel leaf etc. Poor people should also do this Pakshvardhinee Ekaadashee Vrat according to their capacity. This Ekaadashee destroys all sins. This Tithi is very dear to Vishnu.

One must do Jaagaran on this night. At the time of Jaagaran, if one takes Govind's name only once, he gets the fruit of this Vrat four times than the usual; if he takes His name up to one Prahar of the night, he gets million times more fruit. Whoever wakes up in front of Vishnu, he gets fruit million times more. Vishnu and I are the same, so one should not tell bad words for me in front of Vishnu or vice versa. If Ekaadashee is Dashamee Vedh, its all efforts are useless.

There are nine types of crimes in Jaagaran - (1) Telling bad words about others; (2) being sad; (3) not reading Shaastra; (4) without music; (5) not lighting lamp; (6) not using worship materials according to one's capacity; (7) indifference; (8) abusing somebody; and (9) quarreling. And there are 12 types of qualities of a Jaagaran - (1) Saatwik dance; (2) music; (3) musical instruments; (4) drum beat; (5) oil lamp; (6) Keertan; (7) feeling of Bhakti; (8) happiness; (9) contentment; (10) community presence; (11) Saatwik means of entertainment; and (12) Shaastra reading.

Who eats food on Ekaadashee, he is like an animal, he is worshipper of neither Shiv, nor Soorya, nor Devee, nor of Ganesh Jee. Who do Jaagaran on Ekaadashee night, they surely get free from this world. All Yagya finished with good Dakshinaa are equal to one night Jaagaran of Ekaadashee night. Wherever this Jaagaran takes place, all Teerth are gathered there. Thus after doing Jaagaran, one should worship Vishnu.

Dwaadashee should be considered as giver of Moksh and holy. One should take bath in the morning, and finish the Vrat with prayer. If even a little Dwaadashee is not there at the time of Paaran in daytime, then one should do Paaran in the night. There is no fault in eating food in the night at such time. All Karm should be completed as one does in the first Prahar or the last Prahar of day. Whoever has done this Dwaadashee Vrat, I am not able to tell you its importance. Whatever Daan is given this day; or is consumed and enjoyed; or is worshipped, it all goes to Maadhav. All Daan given on this day is successful.

Ekaadashee Contd...