From the 14th chapter of the Padma Purana, from the section entitled “Kriya-sagara-sara”.
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Once the great sage Jaimini Rishi said to his spiritual master, “O Gurudeva! Previously, by your mercy, you described to me the history of the Ganga River, the benefits of worshiping Vishnu, the giving of grains in charity, the giving of water in charity, and the magnanimity of drinking water that has been used to wash the feet of the brahmanas. O best of sages, Sri Gurudeva, now, with great enthusiasm, I desire to hear of the benefits of fasting on Ekadasi and of the appearance of Ekadasi.”
“O Gurudeva! When did Ekadasi take birth and from whom did she appear? What are the rules of fasting on the day of Ekadasi? Please describe the benefits of following this vow and when it should be followed. Who is the utmost worshipable presiding deity of Sri Ekadasi? What are the faults in not observing Ekadasi properly? Please bestow your mercy upon me and tell about these subjects, as you are the only personality able to do so.”
Srila Vyasadeva, upon hearing this inquiry from Jaimini Rishi, became situated in transcendental bliss. “O brahmana sage Jaimini! The results of following Ekadasi can be perfectly described by the Supreme Lord, Narayana, because Sri Narayana is the only personality capable of describing them in full. But I will give a very brief description in answer to your question.”
At the beginning of the material creation, the Supreme Lord created the moving and non-moving living entities within this world made of five gross material elements. Simultaneously, for the purpose of punishing the evil human beings, He created a personality whose form was the embodiment of the worst kinds of sin (Papa-purusha). The different limbs of this personality were constructed of various sinful activities. His head was made of the sin of murdering a brahmana, his two eyes were the form of drinking intoxicants, his mouth was made from the sin of stealing gold, his ears were the form of the sin of having illicit connection with the spiritual master’s wife, his nose was of the sin of killing one’s wife, his arms the form of the sin of killing a cow, his neck was made of the sin of stealing accumulated wealth, his chest of the sin of abortion, his lower chest of the sin of having sex with another’s wife, his stomach of the sin of killings one’s relatives, his navel of the sin of killing those who are dependent on him, his waist of the sin of egotistical self-appraisal, his thighs of the sin of offending the guru, his genitals of the sin of selling one’s daughter, his buttocks of the sin of telling confidential matters, his feet of the sin of killing one’s father, and his hair was the form of all sorts of less severe sinful activities. In this way, a horrible personality embodying all sinful activities and vices was created. His bodily color is black, and his eyes are yellow. He inflicts extreme misery upon sinful persons.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Vishnu, upon seeing this personality of sin began to think to Himself as follows: ‘I am the creator of the miseries and happiness for the living entities. I am their master because I have created this personality of sin, who gives distress to all dishonest, deceitful and sinful persons. Now I must create someone who will control this personality’. At this time Sri Bhagavan created the personality of Yamaraja and the different hellish planetary systems. Those living entities who are very sinful will be sent after death to Yamaraja, who will in turn, according to their sins, send them to an appropritate hellish region to suffer.
“After these adjustments had been made, the Supreme Lord, who is the giver of distress and happiness to the living entities, went to the house of Yamaraja, with the help of Garuda, the king of birds. When Yamaraja saw that Lord Vishnu had arrived, he immediately washed His feet and made an offering unto Him. He then had Him sit upon a golden throne. The Supreme Lord Vishnu became seated upon the throne, whereupon He heard very loud crying sounds from the southern direction. He became surprised by this and inquired of Yamaraja, ‘From where is this loud crying coming?’
“Yamaraja in reply said, ‘O Deva! The different living entities of the earthly planetary systems have fallen to the hellish regions. They are suffering extremely for their misdeeds. The horrible crying is because of suffering from the inflictions of their past bad actions.’
“After hearing this the Supreme Lord Vishnu went to the hellish region to the south. When the inhabitants saw who had come they began to cry even louder. The heart of the Supreme Lord Vishnu became filled with compassion. Lord Vishnu thought to Himself, ‘I have created all this progeny, and it is because of Me that they are suffering.’”
Vyasadeva continued: “O Jaimini, just listen to what the Supreme Lord did next. After the merciful Supreme Lord thought over what He had previously considered, He suddenly manifested from His own form the deity of the lunar day Ekadasi. Afterward, the different sinful living entities began to follow the vow of Ekadasi and were then elevated quickly to the abode of Vaikuntha. O my child Jaimini, therefore the lunar day of Ekadasi is the selfsame form of the Supreme Lord, Vishnu, and the Supersoul within the heart of the living entities. Sri Ekadasi is the utmost pious activity and is situated as the head among all vows.
Kaishika Dvadasi in Srirangam:
Kaishika Dvadasi is a sacred day celebrated on the Dvadasi Tithi (12th lunar day) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon phase) in the Tamil month of Karthigai (November-December). In Srirangam, this day holds immense spiritual importance, rooted in the Kaishika Mahatmiyam, a story from the Varaha Purana, and is celebrated with grandeur.
Kaishika Dvadasi is a day dedicated to Lord Vishnu, emphasizing devotion through singing and narrating divine hymns and stories.
It underscores the power of Kaishika Vrata, a penance and vow of devotion observed on this day.
The Story of Kaishika Dvadasi
The story of Kaishika Mahatmiyam, narrated by Lord Varaha to Bhoomi Devi, highlights the devotion of a simple Brahmin and the Lord's grace. Here's the full account:
In a small village near the temple town of Thirukurungudi (South India), lived a poor Brahmin named Nampaduvan, a great devotee of Lord Vishnu.
Despite his poverty, Nampaduvan spent his life singing the glories of the Lord, especially during the auspicious hours of the night.
The Vrata of Nampaduvan
On the night of Kaishika Ekadasi, Nampaduvan walked to the Vishnu temple in the forest to sing hymns. He observed strict fasting and vowed to sing throughout the night in praise of the Lord.
As he entered the forest, he was confronted by a fierce Rakshasa (demon) who threatened to kill and eat him.
The Dialogue Between Nampaduvan and the Rakshasa
The Rakshasa, drawn to Nampaduvan’s scent, demanded that he surrender to be his meal. However, Nampaduvan pleaded for time, saying:
“Let me fulfill my vow to sing for the Lord on this sacred night. I promise to return to you after that.”
The Rakshasa laughed at him, refusing to believe his promise, but Nampaduvan swore solemnly on the Kaishika Vrata, saying:
“If I fail to return, may I lose all merit from my prayers and devotion to the Lord.”
Nampaduvan’s Return
After completing his Kaishika Vrata by singing hymns at the temple, Nampaduvan kept his word and returned to the Rakshasa.
The demon, astonished by the Brahmin’s honesty, asked why he would willingly return to face certain death. Nampaduvan explained:
“It is my duty to keep my promise, even if it means sacrificing my life. A promise made to another, especially during a vrata, must never be broken.”
The Rakshasa's Transformation
Moved by Nampaduvan’s sincerity and purity of heart, the Rakshasa inquired about his devotion and the hymns he sang.
Upon hearing the divine songs and the glories of Lord Vishnu, the Rakshasa was spiritually transformed.
He revealed his past: he was a Brahmin cursed to become a demon due to his misdeeds. Nampaduvan’s devotion and hymns relieved him of his curse, and he attained liberation (moksha).
Significance in Srirangam
In Srirangam, Kaishika Dvadasi is celebrated to honor this story and the virtues it teaches:
1. Supremacy of Bhakti: The festival highlights that devotion to Lord Vishnu transcends all barriers, including caste, wealth, and even demonic tendencies.
2. Power of Vrata: It emphasizes the sanctity of vows and their ability to transform not only the individual but also others around them.
3. Importance of Divine Hymns: Reciting or listening to the Lord’s names and stories on this day is believed to grant immense spiritual merit.
Celebrations in Srirangam
1. Thirumanjanam and Special Poojas:
A grand Thirumanjanam (holy bath) is performed for Lord Ranganatha.
The deity is adorned with ornaments and flowers and taken in procession within the temple precincts.
2. Recitation of Kaishika Mahatmiyam:
Priests and scholars recite the Kaishika Mahatmiyam story, narrating Nampaduvan’s devotion and the Rakshasa’s transformation.
3. Alwar Pasurams and Devotional Singing:
The Nalayira Divya Prabandham, composed by the Alwars, is sung by temple musicians and devotees throughout the day.
Devotees gather to sing bhajans and hymns, recreating the spirit of Nampaduvan’s devotion.
4. Fasting and Charity:
Devotees observe a fast on Kaishika Ekadasi and break it ceremoniously on Kaishika Dvadasi after participating in temple rituals.
Acts of charity, such as feeding the poor and donating to the temple, are encouraged.
5. Utsava Murthy Procession:
The Utsava Murthy (processional deity) of Lord Ranganatha is taken on a palanquin around the temple with great fanfare, accompanied by music and chanting.
Kaishika Dvadasi is not just a day of ritual; it is a celebration of unwavering faith, truthfulness, and the transformative power of devotion.
Observing this day with sincerity and reciting the Kaishika Mahatmiyam or hymns to Lord Vishnu is believed to purify the soul and lead to liberation.
The Legend of King Pururavas and Kaishika Dwadasi
1. King Pururavas:
King Pururavas was a great ruler and an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Known for his immense devotion and commitment to dharma, he was blessed to witness a unique and divine event connected to Lord Ranganatha and the Kaishika Dwadasi festival.
2. Kaishika Dwadasi:
Kaishika Dwadasi, observed on the twelfth day (Dwadasi) of the waxing moon in the month of Karthika (November-December), is a sacred day for Vaishnavites. It celebrates the story of an ardent devotee and the power of Kaishika Puranam, which highlights how devotion transcends all barriers.
On this day, the recitation of the Kaishika Puranam takes place in many Vishnu temples, particularly in Srirangam.
3. The Divine Witnessing:
It is said that King Pururavas and his family were blessed by Lord Ranganatha to witness all the annual festivities of the temple, culminating in the grand Kaishika Dwadasi celebration.
This divine boon allowed the king and his family to stay spiritually connected to the Lord and ensured they participated in the rituals that emphasize devotion, surrender, and the power of Vishnu Bhakti.
4. Symbolism in Srirangam:
The festival of Kaishika Dwadasi also includes enactments of stories such as the one involving a low-caste devotee named Nambaduvan, whose unwavering devotion to Vishnu exemplified the power of bhakti. This event reflects the inclusivity and universality of Lord Vishnu's grace, as experienced by King Pururavas and his family.
