Astha SangrahASTHA SANGRAHhttps://asthasangrah.comNirjala Ekadashi
Nirjala Ekadashi is observed on Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi, the day after Ganga Dussehra. According to the Padma Purana, fasting without water on this one day brings the fruit of every Ekadashi of the year.
This Ekadashi falls the day after Ganga Dussehra. Because of Bhimasena's story it is also called Bhimseni Ekadashi or Pandava Ekadashi.
Significance of Nirjala Ekadashi
In the Padma Purana, at Lord Krishna's word, the sage Vyasa says that one who fasts without water on Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi, when the sun is in Taurus or Gemini, from one sunrise to the next, gains the fruit of every bright and dark Ekadashi of the year. Apart from water for rinsing the mouth and achamana, not even water is taken.
According to the katha, Yudhishthira, Kunti, Draupadi, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva fasted on every Ekadashi, but in Bhimasena's belly the fire called Vrika burned always and he could not bear hunger. He asked Vyasa for a single vow by which heaven might be reached. Vyasa taught him this waterless vow, and from then on the tithi became renowned as Pandava Dwadashi.
How Nirjala Ekadashi Is Celebrated
Devotees clean their teeth and take the vow that for Lord Keshava's pleasure they will stay without food and take no water either. Through the day there is worship of Lord Vishnu and hearing of the katha, and a vigil at night.
Because it falls in the heat of Jyeshtha, giving water has special importance on this day. The katha names gifts of pots full of water, umbrellas, shoes, food, clothing and beds, and on Dwadashi the fast is broken after giving brahmins water pots with sugar.
This vow is extremely rigorous, so the sick, the elderly, pregnant women and young children keep a lighter fast with fruit or water instead of the full waterless vow.
Nirjala Ekadashi Puja Vidhi
Eat a sattvic meal on Dashami. On Ekadashi, after cleaning the teeth, take the vow of the waterless fast and take no water from one sunrise to the next except for rinsing the mouth and achamana. Worship Lord Vishnu, hear the katha and keep vigil at night. On Dwadashi, bathe, worship Lord Trivikrama, give brahmins water pots with sugar and feed them, then break the fast within the parana muhurat.
About Nirjala Ekadashi
Nirjala Ekadashi is the vow kept without food or water on Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi, held to bring the fruit of every Ekadashi of the year. This page gives its date, the vidhi of the fast, its gifts and a summary of the Padma Purana's story of Bhimasena and Vyasa.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Nirjala Ekadashi in 2027?
Nirjala Ekadashi falls on Monday, 14 June 2027, the day after Ganga Dussehra. The parana time will be added here as the date approaches.
Why is it called Bhimseni Ekadashi?
Unable to bear hunger, Bhimasena could not fast on every Ekadashi. Vyasa taught him this one waterless vow, which brings the fruit of all the Ekadashis. Because Bhimasena kept it, it is called Bhimseni, Pandava Ekadashi or Pandava Dwadashi.
What should be given on Nirjala Ekadashi?
According to the Padma Purana, one should give a jaladhenu, or a pot full of water with gold and cloth, along with food, clothing, cows, a bed, a water pot, an umbrella and shoes. On Dwadashi there is a special rite of giving brahmins water pots with sugar.