The sage Dalabhya asks the Pulastya sage, ‘Hai Munivarya, after being born in the world of death, human beings commit many sins knowingly or unknowingly. Can a person attain heaven even if he has committed Brahmahatya, has stolen someone's property, has committed adultery? Is it possible to atone for the sins of those who commit such heinous deeds? '
Pulastya Muni says, ‘O Muni, till today even gods like Brahma, Vishnu etc. have kept this secret. Fasting on Shattila Ekadashi brings liberation from all sins. '
On the day of this vrat (vow/fast), the observer should follow celibacy. One should give up base emotions such as lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride, and jealousy.
The vrat-observer should prepare 108 balls by mixing sesame seeds (til) and cotton into cow dung. These balls should be prepared in the month of Magh, before Posh Vad Ekadashi.
On the day of Shattila Ekadashi, the observer should wake up early in the morning and worship Lord Purushottam Narayan with devotion. They should perform night vigil, worship the Lord adorned with conch, discus, mace, and lotus, offer fragrant items, and offer oblations while praying for the salvation of ancestors.
The vrat-observer should donate a vessel filled with sesame seeds according to their capacity and offer a black-colored cow in charity. For every sesame seed donated, the person earns thousands of years of heavenly abode.
Shattila Ekadashi is considered a preparation to welcome the Makar Sankranti.
The observer should:
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Massage the body with sesame oil,
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Bathe with water containing sesame seeds,
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Perform a homa (sacred fire offering) using sesame seeds,
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Drink water mixed with sesame,
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Consume food prepared with sesame, and
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Donate sesame seeds.
These six ways of using sesame help in the destruction of sins.
Lord Krishna once told the story of this Shattila Ekadashi vow to Devarshi Narad Muni.
‘O Munivarya Narad, a woman of Vipra in the world of death prayed to fulfill her psychic desires by fasting six times, fasting, worshiping God and giving alms to the poor and virgins. Charity is a stepping stone to renunciation. The glory of charity is great. Goodwill for charity is a beautiful gift. Discretion is also required in charity. ‘Shakti’ should be ‘Bhakti’. Kindness is the joy of distance. The supatra donation made by this Brahmin woman was not a substitute for fame. '
‘Hey Narad, the ultimate Mars spirit of renunciation is in the supporting role of charity. If there is only the purpose of material happiness behind the charity, then that charity is not called worthy charity. Giving alms to an adulterer, a gambler, a drunkard, a miscreant or a violent person only nurtures immorality without nurturing the sacrament. Donations are also conducive to the Mars and the glorious spirit of non-aggression. '
The scriptures say, ‘If the substance is not donated to the beggars by sunset, it is difficult to say whose substance it will be in the morning. This charity should nurture virtue. '
‘O Narad, the only essence that emerges from all the scriptures is that there is no other religion like charity, generosity and philanthropy. If human beings show generosity in life, then holiness and achievement come automatically. Selfishness can never survive in a holy distance. To have a sense of equality and contentment in every situation of happiness or sorrow, so that there is no difference between happiness and sorrow in life. '
‘Generosity is the true form of love. Even in love, sometimes selfishness is hidden. The generous devotee sees the suffering of others and becomes sad himself. It is an indelible law of nature that no renunciation goes in vain, the donation made to Supatra does not go in vain. Donating to people who are poorer than us destroys our own poverty. In this, self-confidence becomes strong, as a result, his mental strength also becomes strong. The one who is always generous, his resolutions are also fulfilled. Unbroken happiness is achieved only through generosity. Money brings material happiness, but self-satisfaction is impossible without generosity. '
'It is not generosity to give me what you do not need, but it is true generosity to give me what you need more than me.'/n/n‘Hey Narad, the fast of Shattila Ekadashi is just an example. A generous devotee can create an atmosphere of excellent generosity around himself. The more knowledge is given, the more it grows. Growing something by giving alms is not only true in the matter of education, but also in the matter of generosity.
Selfishness produces agitation in the mind and generous spirit produces modesty. Generous thinking is one of the greatest assets that can help a person in times of trouble. Generous human beings are always enthusiastic and optimistic. Generosity is a human duty. It is burdensome for a human being who does not strive for the welfare of the people to be born and live in the world. '
‘Anupam vows of Ekadashi should be spent in the way of Sarita Kalyan. He should always have a glorious spirit of public welfare in his heart. To believe that our life is for everyone, not for us alone. Kindness is a priceless treasure. The giver gains, the receiver loses. Generosity is the most beautiful part of human life. '
‘The definition of king and rank is that contented is the king and dissatisfied is the rank.
Fame and Riddhi are neither true measure of achievement. The only true measure of achievement is generosity. The generosity that mixes pride with generosity loses its sattvicism. '
‘This Brahmin woman donated food and clothing generously according to her power, so and by the virtuous influence of the Shattila Ekadashi vow, she attained beauty, radiance, Riddhi-siddhi, wealth and offspring. On this most holy day, those who renounce greed and craving, give up as much as they can, donate food, clothes, etc. to the poor class by showing renunciation spirit, generosity according to the motto 'Ten Tyakten Bhunjitha', get healthy till birth. He does not face misery, poverty and misery. '
This is how Mahatmya of Shattila Ekadashi vrata is described in Bhavishyottar Purana. Mahatmya Naradaji was narrated in detail by Lord Krishna. All the sins of those who listen and read this vratakatha are also destroyed and Vaikuntha dies.
