[Now let’s see which five types of Rabi grains are forbidden on Ekadashi:
1. All types of rice-based foods such as rice, muri, chira, suji, payas, khichuri, rice pitha, khai, etc.
2. All types of wheat-based foods such as atta, maida, suji, bakery bread, all types of biscuits, Horlicks, etc.
3. All types of barley or corn-based foods such as chatu, khai, bread, etc.
4. All types of pulse-based foods such as mug, masakalai, khesari, musuri, chola, arahar, matarshuti, borboti, and sim, etc.
5. Mustard oil, soybean oil, sesame oil, etc.
If any one of the above five Rabi grains is consumed, the Ekadashi fast is spoiled.]
Today, worship Lord Vishnu with 10 or 16 offerings. Offer asana, padya, arghya, achamana, madhuparka, oil, snanodaka, cloth, tilaka, yajnopavita, ornament, fragrance, flower, incense, lamp, naivedya, tambula, and malyadi with the mantra “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”.
Bathe with panchamrita with the mantra “Om Sahasra Shirsha Purusah”.
Prostrate with the mantra: “Kandarpa Kotiramyaya Sphuradindivaravishaya Jagat Mohanalaya Namo Gopendrasunave”.
Naivedya: payas, khir, anna, bhojana, dadhi, milk, apupa, puli, pitha, and pana.
Fruits: mango, jam, jackfruit, date, kandi, coconut, sugarcane, grapes, apple, guava, orange, and kandamuladi.
In the afternoon, offer bhoga, arati, Harisankirtan, dance, song, and stotra recitation, etc. Then, narrate the greatness of Lord Vishnu.
Stotra: “He Krishna, ocean of mercy, friend of the poor, Lord of the universe, Gopesh, Gopikakanta, Radhakanta, namostute”.
In Garg Samhita, Vrindavan Khanda: Hladini Sri Vrishabhanunandini Sriradha Thakurani is always immersed in thinking about how to make her beloved Sri Gobinda happy.
One day, she called her dear friends Lalita and Vishakha and said, “O friends! Tell me, is there any vrat that I can follow to become dear to Srimadhav?”
The friends said, “O Vhanunandini! The most auspicious and meritorious vrat is Tulsi seva. Tulsi seva should be done daily, O Gopakanya! Sri Krishna becomes obedient, and all the devas become pleased”.
Raseshwari Sriradha was very happy to hear this and started worshiping Sritulsi with devotion daily. She observed the Tulsi seva vrat from the full moon of Ashvin to the full moon of Chaitra.
Tulsi Devi was pleased and appeared before her. “Tulasi Haripriya Suvarna Pithopari Shobhit Asana Chaturbhuja Padmapalash Bishakhyam Sphuradhema Kirita Kundala” (Garg Samhita, Vrindavan Khanda, 16th chapter, 31st verse).
She was seated on a golden throne, four-armed, dark-complexioned, with lotus-like eyes, wearing a golden crown and kundala, with a yellow cloth, and a snake-like braid on her head, adorned with a flower garland, and was a young woman.
Then Tulsi Devi embraced Sriradha, seated her on her lap, kissed her, and said, “O Kalavati Kumari Radhe! I am always pleased with your devotion. O Devi! You are always successful and fulfilled. You have achieved your desired goal by worshiping me. Tulsi Devi said this and disappeared.
Then Sri Krishna appeared in the form of a beautiful goddess in Sriradha’s flower garden. The radiance of his body illuminated the surroundings, and the fragrance of his body filled the air. He was an embodiment of nectar-like beauty.
Sriradha and her friends were enchanted by his divine beauty. Sriradha got up and welcomed him with her friends.
Sriradha said, “O Devi! I welcome you. Please accept my offered water, I offer asana, padya, and worship. Your beauty is unparalleled. Your arrival is my great fortune. O Suvrate! Tell me, why have you come?”
Gopadevi said, “I heard about your greatness from Lalita Devi, and I have come to see you. I am blessed to have seen you, and my eyes are satisfied.”
Sriradha and Gopadevi conversed and enjoyed each other’s company.
When it was evening, Gopadevi said, “O Radhe! It’s getting late, I should go home now.”
Sriradha was sad and said, “O Devi! My heart is breaking to see you go.”
Gopadevi said, “Don’t be sad, I will come again tomorrow.”
Sriradha fainted, and her friends helped her up and consoled her.
The next day, Gopadevi came again, and Sriradha was overjoyed to see her. They spent the day together, and Gopadevi told Sriradha about how Nandaraja Kumar had misbehaved with her.
Sriradha was upset and said, “O Gopadevi! How can you speak ill of Sri Krishna, who is worshiped by Brahma, Shiva, and all the devas?”
Gopadevi said, “O Radhe! I spoke the truth. If Sri Krishna appears before you, then I will believe it.”
Sriradha closed her eyes and meditated, and Sri Krishna appeared before her.
Sriradha was overjoyed and fell at his feet. They embraced each other, and their love was fulfilled.
Jai Sri Radha Manmohan Sri Gobindadev Ki Jai!
Those who hear, recite, and remember this divine story on Harivasara will be freed from all sins, and Lord Vishnu will grant them their desires.
Gurupuri Padapadma Hridi Kari Asha, Bratakatha Samapil Harijana Dasa.
Iti Jaya Va Bhaimi Ekadashi Vasare Sripati Vishnu Mahima Samapta.
Hare Krishna
