Varuthini Ekadashi falls on 12-04-2018, Thursday.

Varuthini Ekadashi, known as Baruthani Ekadashi falls in the month of Chaitra (April-May) on the 11^Thday after Full Moon day.It is considered sublimely holy and sacred for the rich religious benefits it brings for a devotee who fasts on the day. 

Bhavishya Purana mentions the significance of Varuthini Ekadashi as narrated by Krishna to Yudhistra.This day is dedicated to the worship of Vamana, one of the Dasavathars of Lord Vishnu.

The term ‘Varuthini’ means ‘protected’ in Hindi and as such this Ekadashi protects one from the effects of sin, grants the worldly wishes of the devotee, offers prosperity and wealth and relieves the person from the cycle of birth.

Any person who suffers from a serious disease can get cured if he prays to Lord Vishnu on this day.

An unfortunate woman becomes fortunate on observing Varuthini Ekadashi.

Animals get relieved of the cycle of birth on this Ekadashi.

King Mandhata got liberation and Dhundhumara, a king of Ikshvasu dynasty got cured of leprosy that was caused by the curse of Lord Shiva.

The story of King Mandhata related to Varuthini Ekadashi

King Mandhata was a kind and wise ruler. He married Bindumati, the daughter of Yadav king Shah Bindu. He had three sons namely Muchkund, Ambrisha and PuruKutsa. He had 50 daughters who were married to Saubhari rishi.

One day, when Mandhata was meditating in the forest, he was hurt by a bear which started chewing his leg and dragged him into the woods. The king prayed to Lord Vishnu who appeared at the place and killed the bear with his Chakra. Mandhata was worried about the lost leg but was advised by the Lord to go to Mathura and pray to Vishnu on Varuthini Ekadashi. The king observed fasting on this Ekadashi and got back his leg.

Varuthini Ekadashi is hailed high for its huge benefits which are equivalent to different kinds of charities.

Devotees gain the following benefits out of observing Varuthini Ekadashi

Punya gathered through the penances and austerities for ten thousand years is gained through observing Varuthini Ekadashi.

Fasting on this day is equivalent to donating lots of gold during the solar eclipse and the devotee achieves goals in this and next births.

Fasting on this day gains the benefits of donating horses, elephants, land, sesame seeds, gold, food grains and sharing spiritual knowledge.

Donating elephants is greater than donating horses, and the order ascends like this- land greater than elephants, sesame seeds greater than land, gold greater than land, food grains greater than sesame seeds, sharing knowledge greater than that.

One more sublime donation is donating a girl in marriage with all ornaments and dowry to an eligible person. The benefit of fasting on this Ekadashi is equivalent to kanyadhaan (giving the daughter in marriage), the greatest of the donations.

The person who stays awake during this Ekadashi night reaches eternal abode as he gets rid of all sinful effects.

Even those who read or hear about this Ekadashi’s significance get the benefit of donating one thousand cows and they reach eternity, the supreme abode of spirituality.

Rules to be followed for observing Varuthini Ekadashi fast

Reading holy scriptures like Bhagavad Gita and chanting Vishnu Sahasranamam are considered very auspicious on this day.

Keeping vigil overnight brings very favourable religious benefits on this Ekadashi.

One should not indulge in gambling, sleep, anger, robbery, lying, shaving face and body, applying oil to the body, calling names.

Devotees should not eat red lentil, black gram, non-vegetarian food, chickpea, honey, betelnut, spinach.

One should not eat in betel nut metalled utensils.

One should eat only at home and not outside.

 

Varuthini Ekadashi brings prosperity, name and fame to a person in society.