Shattila Ekadashi fasting: Shattila Ekadashi fast will be observed on 18th January. On this day Lord Vishnu is worshiped with sesame seeds. Donation and Dakshina also have special importance on this day.
Sesame has special importance on the day of Shattila Ekadashi. Sesame seeds are used in 6 ways on this day. In this, bathing with sesame seeds, boiling sesame seeds, havan with sesame seeds, tarpan with sesame seeds, eating sesame seeds and donating sesame seeds is done. On this day only when sesame is used in 6 ways, it is called Shattila Ekadashi fast. It is also very auspicious to donate food on this day. Let us know why food donation is done on the day of Shattila Ekadashi and what is the mythological belief behind it.
Legend of Shattila Ekadashi
According to religious belief, once Narada Muni reached Baikunth, the abode of Lord Vishnu and asked him about the importance of Shattila Ekadashi fast. Lord Vishnu told that, in ancient times, a Brahmin’s wife used to live on earth. Her husband had died. She was my great devotee and used to worship me with full devotion.
Once he worshiped me by fasting for a month. That woman used to keep fasts with full devotion but never used to donate food to Brahmins and deities. One day I myself went to him to beg but he put an earthen lump on my hands. I returned to my abode with that body. After some time the woman died and she came to my world.
After reaching the other world, the woman found a cottage and a mango tree there. Seeing the empty cottage, she got scared and said to Lord Vishnu that, I am pious and I am such a big devotee of yours, still why did I get an empty cottage?
Then God told him that this happened because of not donating food and giving him a lump of clay. He told the woman that when the goddesses come to meet you, then you should open your door only until they tell you the law of fasting on Shattila Ekadashi.
The widow did the same and observed Shattila Ekadashi fast according to the methods which were told by Devkanya. Due to the effect of fasting, his hut was filled with food and money. Lord Vishnu said, therefore O Narad, accept this as truth that the person who fasts on this Ekadashi and donates sesame seeds and food, gets liberation and prosperity.
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