AnnadA - AjA EkAdasii
AjA - AnnadA EkAdasii, from the Brahma-vaivarta PurANa.

Sri Yudhisthira Maharaja said, “Oh JanArdana, protector of all living entities, please tell me the name of the EkAdasii that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of BhAdrapada (August-September).”

The Supreme Lord, Shri Krishna, then replied, “Oh King, hear me attentively. The name of this sin-removing, sacred EkAdasii is AjA. Any person who fasts completely on this day and worships Hrishikesha, the master of the senses, becomes free of all reactions to his sins. Even one who simply hears about this EkAdasii is freed from his past sins. Oh King, there is no better day than this in all the earthly and heavenly worlds. This is true without a doubt.

“There once lived a famous king named Harishchandra, who was the emperor of the world and a person of great truth and integrity. His wife’s name was Chandramati, and he had a son named LohitAshva. By the force of destiny, however, Harishchandra lost his great kingdom and sold his wife and son. The pious king himself became a menial servant of a dog-eater, who made him guard a crematorium. Yet even while doing such menial service, he did not forsake his truthfulness and good character, just as soma-rasa, even when mixed with some other liquid, does not lose its ability to bestow immortality.

“The king passed many years in this condition. Then one day he sadly thought, ‘What shall I do? Where shall I go? How can I be delivered from this plight?’ In this way he drowned in an ocean of anxiety and sorrow.

“One day a great sage happened by, and when the king saw him he happily thought, ‘Ah, Lord BrahmA has created brahmins just to help others.’ Harishchandra paid his respectful obeisances to the sage, whose name was Gautama Muni. With joined palms the king stood before Gautama Muni and narrated his pitiful story. Gautama Muni was astonished to hear the king’s tale of woe. He thought, ‘How has this mighty king been reduced to collecting clothes from the dead?’ Gautama Muni became very much compassionate toward Harishchandra and instructed him on the process of fasting for purification.

“Gautama Muni said, ‘Oh king, during the dark fortnight of the month of BhAdrapada there occurs an especially meritorious EkAdasii named AjA (AnnadA), which removes all sins. Indeed, this EkAdasii is so auspicious that if you simply fast on that day and perform no other austerity, all your sins will be nullified. By your good fortune it is coming in just seven days. So I urge you to fast on this day and remain awake through the night. If you do so, all the reactions of your past sins will come to an end. Oh Harishchandra, I have come here because of your past pious deeds. Now, all good fortune to you in the future!’ So saying, the great sage Sri Gautama Muni immediately disappeared for their vision.

“King Harishchandra followed Gautama Muni’s instructions concerning fasting on the sacred day of AjA EkAdasii. Oh Maharaja Yudhisthira, because the king fasted on that day, the reactions to his previous sins were completely destroyed at once. Oh lion among kings, just see the influence of this EkAdasii fast! It immediately vanquishes whatever miseries one may be suffering as a result of past karmik sinful activities.

Thus all Harishchandra’s miseries were relieved. Just by the power of this wonderful EkAdasii, he was reunited with his wife and son, who had died but were now revived. In the heavenly regions the devas (demigods) began beating on their celestial kettledrums and showering down flowers upon Harishchandra, his queen, and their son. By the blessings of the EkAdasii fast, he regained his kingdom without difficulty. Moreover, when King Harishchandra left the planet, his relatives and all his subjects too, went with him to the spiritual world.

“Oh PANDava, whoever fasts on AjA EkAdasii is surely freed from all his sins and ascends to the spiritual world. And whosoever hears and studies the glories of this EkAdasii achieves the merit gained by performing a horse sacrifice.”

Thus ends the narration of the glories of BhAdrapada-krishna EkAdasii, or AjA EkAdasii, from the Brahma-vaivarta PurANa.

These stories have been summarised and slightly changed or abbreviated from how they are found in the celebrated book, "Ekadasi: The Day of Lord Hari" 1986. HH Krishna Balaram Swami. Bhaktivedanta Institute Press, Pages 113-115.


(the above excerpt is used with permission)

The Ekadashi Book is now available in its entirety -free to download with our blessing at http://www.krsna.org
 
Entire book acknowledged to Mahamandelswar Mahant Krsna Balaram Swami

Dr. Vijay K. Parmar
European Secretary
Bhagavat Dharma Samaj


The Ekadasi Page:
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati's Navadwip Panjika Intro'
Vaishnava Calendar Page
Ekadasi Vratas according to Hari Bhakti Vilas smriti
Ekadasis Throughout the year in detail - their observances, benefits, and individual origin
Choose The Month (Vaishnava or Western), Paksha or Ekadasi
No. Name of Ekadasis Vedik - Hindu Months Fortnights
K=Krishna paksha
S=Sukla paksha
Vaishnava Month Western Months
19 Utpanna Ekadasi Margashira - K Keshava Mase Nov-Dec
20 Mokshada Ekadasi (Vaikuntha ekadasi Sri Rangam) Margashira - S Keshava Mase Nov-Dec
21 Saphala Ekadasi Pausha - K Naaraayana Mase Dec-Jan
22 Putrada Ekadasi Pausha - S Naaraayana Mase Dec-Jan
23 Trisprisha Ekadasi Maagha - K Maadhava Mase Jan-Feb
24 Bhaimi Ekadasi Maagha - S Maadhava Mase Jan-Feb
25 Vijaya - Jaya Phaalguna - K Govinda Mase Feb-Mar
26 Amalaki Ekadasi Phaalguna - S Govinda Mase Feb-Mar
1 Paapavimochani Ekadasi Chaitra - K Vishnu Mase Mar-Apr
2 Kamaada - Damanakaaropani Ekadasi Chaitra - S Vishnu Mase Mar-Apr
3 Varuthini Ekadasi Vaisaakha - K Madhusudana Mase Apr-May
4 Mohini Ekadasi  Vaisaakha - S Madhusudana Mase Apr-May
5 Aparaa Ekadasi Jyeshtha - K Trivikrama Mase May-June
6 Pandava Nirjal Ekadasi Jyeshtha - S Trivikrama Mase May-June
7 Yogini Ekadasi Aashaadha - K Vaamana Mase June-July
8 Padma - Devasayani Ekadasi Aashaadha - S Vaamana Mase June-July
9 Kaamaika Ekadasi Shravana - K Sridhar Mase July-Aug
10 Putrada - Pavitraropani Ekadasi Shravana - S Sridhar Mase July-Aug
11 Ajaa - Annadaa Ekadasi Bhaadrapada - K Hrisikesha Mase Aug-Sept
12   Parivartini - Parshva Ekadasi Bhaadrapada - S Hrisikesha Mase Aug-Sept
13 Indiraa Ekadasi Aaswina - K Padmanabha Mase Sept-Oct
14 Paashaankusha Ekadasi Aaswina - S Padmanabha Mase Sept-Oct
15 Ramaa Ekadasi Kaarttika - K Damodara Mase Oct-Nov
16 Haribodhini (Probodhini) Devotthaani (Uttana) Ekadasi Kaarttika - S Damodara Mase Oct-Nov
17 Padmini - Vishuddha Ekadasi Adikamase Adikamase
18 Paramaa - Shuddha Ekadasi Adikamase Adikamase