Vaikuntha Ekadashi - Uttara Dwaara Darshanam

Ekadashi is the 11^th lunar day (thithi) of Hindu calendar that occurs twice in a lunar month both in Sukla paksha (bright fortnight) as well as in Krishna paksha (dark fortnight). That means we get two Ekadashi days in a lunar month and in a year there will be 24 Ekadashi days; sometimes even more whenever there is Adhika maasam as per lunar calendar. Ekadashi is the most favourite day of Lord Vishnu and that’s why it is also known as Hari-Dina the day dedicated to Lord Sri Hari (Vishnu). Ekadashi has attained lot of prominence in Hindu religion as it is the most sacred day prescribed for worshiping Lord Vishnu. We find devout Hindus observe fasting on Ekadashi and spend the whole day in spiritual pursuits. It is said that there is no austerity that is equivalent to Ekadashi Vratha in terms of merits. Including Padma Purana several sacred scripts have eulogized the significance and merits of Ekadashi Vratha.  It is said that,

“na Gaayathraya para manthra; na Mathru para dhaivatham,

na Kaasya param theertham; na Ekadasya samam vratham”

That means, there is no manthra that is superior to Gaayathri manthra; there is no Daivam (Deity) superior to Mother; there is no sacred theertha (pilgrimage) better than Kaasi; and there is no Vratha (austerity) that is more meritorious than that of Ekadashi Vratha.

Significance of Vaikuntha Ekadashi

Ekadashi that occurs in sukla paksha (bright fortnight) of the lunar Month either Margasira maasam or Pushya maasam coinciding with sacred solar month Dhanurmasam is reckoned as Vaikuntha Ekadashi. Though all Ekadashi days are equal in merits, Vaikuntha Ekadashi has attained lot of prominence in terms of spirituality as it occurs during Dhanurmasam before the onset of Uttaraayana. If it occurs in Margasira maasam it is also known as Mokshada Ekadashi (capable of bestowing salvation) and if it occurs in Pushya maasam it is also called as Puthrada Ekadashi (capable of bestowing progeny). 

According to Padma Purana, Ekadashi is depicted as the female energy of Lord Vishnu who, in the form of a damsel manifested on this day; killed the demon Mura and protected the Indraadi Devathas.  Pleased by the act of His fcmale energy Lord Vishnu named her as Ekadashi. He also gave her a boon that whoever worship Ekadashi and observe fasting on this day would reach His abode Vaikuntha and his doors would be open for such people.

Vaikuntha is one of the several thousand names of Lord Vishnu. Vaikuntha is His abode. It is the place where He resides along with his consort Goddess Lakshmi Devi resting on Aadisesha. It is also known as Paramapadam the supreme abode and the most coveted place.  It is the sacred abode where every soul would be longing to go and stay eternally. Nearest reference to Vaikuntha we find in Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram sloka # 44 which reads as follows;

Vaikunthah Purushah Praanah Praanadah Pranavah Prithuh
Hiranyagarbhah Shatrughno Vyaapto VaayurAdhokshajah

Meaning:

Lord Vishnu also known as Vaikuntha is the remover of obstacles and sins and Vaikuntha is the place which removes obstacles. He is the one who has united all the Pancha Bhoothas and made them to co-exist with each other. He is the Purifier and the one who gives in plenty. He is the primordial person who existed before anything else, and the one who is the cause of the origin and end of the world. He is the one who outshines everyone. He burns away all the sins of his devotees. He is life giver and is the vital air that gives or sustains life. He is the Praana (life) to everyone including Devathas. He is the one who makes others bow before Him and the one who deserves to be adored. He is the one who expands himself as Cosmos. He is as pure as Gold. He is the one who delights every one’s heart.

Lord Vaikuntha is the slayer of enemies (Arishadvargas) of people and also destroyer of enemies of Gods. He is the one who is full of benevolence, love and affection without any discrimination. He is the one who is omnipresent and there is no single place where he does not exist. He is the one who manifests himself, never gets diminished and is the all pervasive Supreme God Sri ManNaaraayana. 

Significance of Uttara Dwaara Darshanam

Vaikuntha Ekadashi is also known as Mukkoti Ekadashi. Dwaadasi thithi following Vaikuntha Ekadashi is called Mukkoti Dwaadasi.  Mukkoti literally means three crores; it is believed that on this sacred day of Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Lord Brahma along with the Demi Gods (3 crores in number) will have darshan of the Lord Vishnu at His abode Vaikuntha during Arunodaya kaala.  Uttara means north and dwaara means the gate or opening.

There is also a spiritual and yogic (Kundalini) significance for Mukkoti Ekadashi. Like we have geographical directions (North, South, East, & West) to the world, we also have similar directions to our body. North is towards our head, south is towards our feet, front portion is east and back portion is west.  On top of the head (skull) we have a hole called Brahma Randhra (Sahasraara Chakra) towards the Northern Direction which is not visible. Since it is in the northern direction it is called Northern gate of the human body.

It is said that one should visualize the image of God through the route of Ida; Pingala Naadi (which run through left and right nostrils) and Sushumna Naadi (running through centre of the nose) concentrating at midpoint of the eyebrows called Jnaana Nethra where Aajna chakra is located; take it further upwards to the centre of the head where Sahasraara chakra is located and have darshan of the God through the door that gets opened (Brahma Randhra) when we meditate. This is how one should visualize God even during our daily prayers or whenever one visits a temple. Since it is through the route of the confluence of three naadis (Ida, Pingala and Sushumna) taken further north towards the Sahasraara Chakra it is called Mukkoti. Koti also means an angle; a knot; an edge and Mu means tying or binding.  Having darshan of the Lord from an angle where the three Naadi’s meet is spiritually known as Uttara dwaara darshanam and the day is known as Mukkoti Ekadashi.

There are fourteen lokaas (worlds) in this Universe; seven above (including Earth) and seven below. Seven above the Earth are called Uurdhwa Lokaas which are in the Northern direction and Vaikuntha is one among them in the Northern direction. Darshan of the lord of Vaikuntha (in northern direction) Lord Vishnu on this day which is nearer to Uttaraayana the most auspicious time also catches significance for Uttara dwaara darshana.  On this most sacred day of Mukkoti Ekadashi one should have darshan of the Lord in this form and to give significance to this concept perhaps all temples provide darshan of the Lord on this day through the northern entrance that is popularly known as Uttara dwaara darshanam.

What can be done on this day?

Worshiping Lord Vishnu (according to ones’ sampradaya) on this day as well as on the next day (Mukkoti Dwaadasi) during Arunodaya kaala (early hours between 4-6 am) is prescribed. Since Ekadashi is the female energy of Lord; it is auspicious and sacred to worship Goddess Lakshmi Devi also on this day.

Total fasting (nirjala upavaasa) is prescribed on any Ekadashi day and more so if it is Vaikuntha Ekadashi. One can undertake fasting according to one’s physical fitness. Those who cannot undertake total fasting may at least resort to partial fasting by taking fruits or milk; but, please avoid taking rice/grains on this day. Fasting becomes futile if it is not accompanied by sincere prayer and meditation.

Prayer & Paaraayana

According to one’s sampradaya one may chose any of the Vishnu related prayers like Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram; Sahasra Naamaavali, Vishnu Ashtottara Naamaavali, Purusha Sooktha, Vishnu Sooktha, Narayana Upanishad, Sree Sooktha, Lakshmi Ashtottara etc. Those who cannot read them can chant at least, Om! Namo! Naaraayanaaya; Om! Namo! Bhagavathe Vaasudevaaya; Om! Namo! Venkatesaaya; or chant Sri Raama Naama or Naama Thraya Japam (Achyutaaya Namah-Anantaaya Namah-Govindaaya Namah); Harey Raama-Harey Krishna manthra as many number of times as possible.

It is befitting and considered to be the most auspicious day to worship Lord Sri ManNaaraayana along with Goddess Lakshmi Devi and to have Uttara Dwaara darshanam (both physically and spiritually) of the Lord on this day of Vaikuntha Ekadashi. Special celebrations are held on this occasion at all Vishnu related temples especially at Tirumala Kshethra, Sri Rangam, Bhadrachalam etc… where thousands of devotees gather to have the Uttara Dwaara darshanam of the Lord.