Ekādaśī, the Calendar Confusion, and the Golden Window of 31st December
Ekādaśī, the Calendar Confusion, and the Golden Window of 31st December Every year, Ekādaśī brings with it devotion — and sometimes confusion. This year, many noticed something unusual around 30–31 December : multiple Ekādaśī labels, Gauna Ekādaśī, Vaiṣṇava Ekādaśī, and questions about what is actually valid. To understand this properly, we must go back — not to calendars or social media — but to śāstra itself . What Śāstra Actually Says About Ekādaśī The Padma Purāṇa , the primary authority on Ekādaśī, gives a clear and uncompromising rule: पूर्वविद्धा न कर्तव्या परविद्धामुपोषयेत् । Meaning: An Ekādaśī that is pierced by the previous tithi (Daśamī) should not be observed. Only the Ekādaśī that stands clean at sunrise, touching Dvādaśī later, is to be observed. In simple terms: If Daśamī exists at sunrise , Ekādaśī is invalid ( pūrvaviddhā ) If Ekādaśī exists at sunrise , free from Daśamī, it is valid ( paraviddhā ) Sunrise is the deciding factor. Not midnight. Not civil dates. What Ha...