Shloka 1
Ekādaśī-Vrata Nirṇaya: Avoiding Daśamī-Viddha and Establishing Trimīśrā
चतुर्विंशत्युत्तरशततमो ऽध्यायः पितामह उवाच / मान्धाता चक्रवर्त्यासीदुपोष्यैकादशीं नृपः / एकादश्यां न भुञ्जीत पक्षयोरुभयारपि
caturviṃśatyuttaraśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ pitāmaha uvāca / māndhātā cakravartyāsīdupoṣyaikādaśīṃ nṛpaḥ / ekādaśyāṃ na bhuñjīta pakṣayorubhayārapi
Pitāmaha berkata: “Dahulu ada Maharaja Māndhātā, seorang cakravartin (raja sejagat). Wahai raja, setelah berpuasa Ekādaśī, pada hari Ekādaśī janganlah makan, sama ada pada paruh terang mahupun paruh gelap.”
Pitāmaha (Brahmā)
Concept: Ekādaśī fasting as a recurring devotional discipline; abstain from eating on Ekādaśī in both waxing and waning fortnights.
Vedantic Theme: Indriya-nigraha and upavāsa as support for remembrance of the Lord; purification enabling steadier bhakti and sattva.
Application: Observe Ekādaśī twice monthly; plan diet and schedule to maintain fast safely; use the day for japa, reading, and reduced sensory indulgence.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: Ekādaśī-vrata sections and phala-śruti passages; Garuda Purana: narratives of kings attaining merit through vrata observance
FAQs
This verse frames Ekādaśī as a strict vrata: one should refrain from eating on the 11th lunar day in both fortnights, and it is exemplified through the renowned cakravartin king Māndhātā.
Indirectly: by emphasizing vrata and self-restraint as dharmic discipline, it points to purification of karma—one of the foundations for a favorable post-death journey described elsewhere in the Garuda Purana.
Observe Ekādaśī with mindful restraint (fasting or regulated diet per one’s capacity), treating it as a regular practice of self-control and devotion rather than mere ritual.