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Traditional story (retold)
Part 1: The Brahmin Woman's Vrat
The katha is that a Brahmin woman kept many vrats and fasts but never gave in charity. When Lord Vishnu, in the form of a beggar, asked her for alms, she gave him a lump of clay.
Part 2: Want in Heaven
After death she got a beautiful house in heaven, but no grain. She was saddened.
Part 3: The Remedy of Shattila
The celestial women told her to keep the Shattila Ekadashi vrat and give sesame in charity. She kept the vrat by the method and her want was removed. The message is that fasting without charity is incomplete.
Thus ends the complete Shattila Ekadashi Vrat Katha
At a glance
• Deity: Lord Vishnu
• When: Magha Krishna Ekadashi
• Fast: Fruit diet or according to capacity
• Parana: On Dwadashi after sunrise
• Main lesson: The importance of charity and service
Introduction and significance
The Ekadashi vrat is kept on the eleventh tithi of every paksha for the worship of Lord Vishnu. In Shattila, sesame is used in six forms: sesame bath, sesame paste, havan, tarpan, food and charity. This is why it is called Shattila.
The vrat is regarded less as strict rules than as a practice of restraint, good conduct and devotion.
When it is observed
• Magha Krishna Ekadashi.
• See the Panchang for the tithi and the parana time.
Puja samagri
• An idol or picture of Lord Vishnu
• Yellow flowers, tulsi leaves, sandalwood paste, akshat
• Incense, lamp, panchamrit
• Fruit and sweets
Vrat vidhi
1. Take sattvik food on Dashami and make the resolve for Ekadashi in your mind.
2. On the morning of Ekadashi bathe and worship Vishnu Ji, offering tulsi and yellow flowers.
3. Chant 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya'.
4. Listen to the katha and perform the aarti.
5. Keep a fruit diet or fast according to capacity through the day and do bhajan.
6. On Dwadashi do the parana after sunrise and give charity to someone in need.
Do's
• Stay sattvik and do bhajan-kirtan.
• Offer water to tulsi.
• Give charity and do service.
• Follow the parana time.
Don'ts
• Avoid grain and rice (tradition).
• Avoid anger, slander and lies.
• Do not eat tamasic food.
Benefits (as believed)
It is believed that the Ekadashi vrat helps in purifying the mind and in restraint. Do not take it as a guarantee of any result; faith and good conduct are the main thing.
Mantras and aarti
• Mantra: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya"
• Aarti: https://divyavani.app/aarti/om-jai-jagdish-hare
• Vishnu Sahasranama: https://divyavani.app/stotra/vishnu-sahasranama
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does this Ekadashi come?
A: Magha Krishna Ekadashi. See the Panchang for the tithi.
Q: What can one eat during the vrat?
A: Fruit, milk, sabudana, kuttu and water chestnut. Avoid grain and rice. Keep the fast only according to your health.
Q: When should the parana be done?
A: On the Dwadashi tithi after sunrise, within the parana time given in the Panchang.
Q: Can everyone keep this vrat?
A: Yes, anyone can keep it with faith. The sick, the elderly and pregnant women should keep it on a doctor's advice.
Q: What are the six uses of sesame in Shattila?
A: Bathing with sesame, applying sesame paste, havan, tarpan, food and charity.
Precautions
Take care of your health while fasting and consult a doctor if needed. This katha is a retelling of a traditional story. The method and the form of the katha differ by region.