Observing Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi with right Consciousness

Today is Nirjala Ekadashi, it is also called Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi. This is said to be the most important Ekadashi because as per the scriptures, if anyone has not been able to observe any of the ekadashis of the year then by observing this ekadashi one can get the benefit of observing all the ekadashi of the year.

Although this is said to be the most important reason but if we delve deep into it, we will find that this ekadashi is giving us a very important spiritual message.

Let us see how.

The word nirjala means “without water”. In other ekadashis, devotees take non grain prasadam and water is not prohibited. But in this ekadashi, no water, no food. But why so?

It is because it is expected that on this day, we should give up our attachment to the most basic necessity of life – not just food but also water.

Food and water are required for sustaining our physical body but spiritually we are souls and as souls we are not afflicted by hunger and thirst.

It is when we accept this material body and get attached to it then the physical demands of the body start troubling us.

Most important message of Nirjala Ekadashi

The most important message we get in Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi is that we are not this body, but we are spirit souls.

And if we remain absorbed in chanting and hearing about the Lord then we will not be troubled by bodily demands of hunger and thirst and under the shelter of Krishna’s holy name we will be happy and satisfied.

So, we should spend every moment of the day in chanting the names of Krishna, reading Srimad Bhagavatam, hearing lectures of Srila Prabhupada, our spiritual master, senior devotees, visiting temple, taking darshan of the Lord, participating in arati and kirtan in the temple.

Also, on this day, we should keep ourselves away from mobile, internet, TV, newspaper, mundane discussions – like discussion on politics, sports or something like this. And it should also not happen that we switch on AC and sleep for hours and just try to complete nirjala ekadashi without chanting and reading scriptures.

If someone is not able to observe nirjala ekadashi because of serious health issues, then they should do the same thing which the devotees who are observing nirjala ekadashi are doing – sravanam & kirtanam, hearing and chanting the names of the Lord.

Lord accepts humble devotees

Now whatever we do the most important thing is to do with right consciousness. Sometimes while observing nirjala ekadashi some may develop ego that I am practicing austerity and start looking down upon those who are not observing it or are not able to observe because of health issues.

Lord only accepts humble devotees and not the one who carries pride in their heart. We know that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu did not accept a brahmana who used to live only by drinking milk. But later when the same brahmana had humility in his heart then Mahaprabhu accepted him.

So, with a humble heart let us observe Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi. On this auspicious day, let us rise above bodily consciousness and keep ourselves completely occupied spiritually.

Seeking Lord’s mercy to observe nirjala ekadashi successfully

If we are able to do so, then we will find that hunger and thirst will not trouble us much. And when we are able to complete nirjala ekadashi successfully then next day after breaking fast we will feel deep inner satisfaction and happiness.

So, let us pray at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Govinda, Sri Jagannath, Baladeva, Subhadra Maharani, Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga and Srila Prabhupada to shower their mercy upon us so that we can successfully observe Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi and spend the entire day in sravanam and kirtanam.

Three Reflections

Observing Nirjala ekadashi gives benefit of all the ekadashi.
Today we have to rise above bodily consciousness and give up attachment to food and water.
We should spend entire day in chanting the names of Krishna and reading about Krishna from scriptures like Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam and Chaitanya Charitamrta.