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 Happens on 30–31 December?
Now let’s apply this rule calmly and honestly.
On 30 December, sunrise occurs before Ekādaśī begins
→ The tithi at sunrise is DaśamīEkādaśī starts at 7:50 AM on the 30th
Ekādaśī ends before sunrise on the 31st
So:
30th → Ekādaśī begins after sunrise → invalid
31st → Ekādaśī already ended before sunrise → absent
The śāstric conclusion is unavoidable:
There is no paraviddhā Ekādaśī at all.
This is not a loophole. It is an accepted and well-documented calendrical situation.
This Rule Is Not Isolated — It Is Repeated
The Skanda Purāṇa reinforces the same teaching:
दशमीविद्धया युक्ता एकादशी न पूज्यते ।
द्वादशीविद्धयायुक्ता सा ग्राह्या हरिवासरे ॥
Translation:
Ekādaśī pierced by Daśamī should not be worshipped.
Only the Ekādaśī associated with Dvādaśī is Hari’s day.
And the Dharma-Sindhu, compiling earlier authorities, states plainly:
Ekādaśī pierced by Daśamī is always to be rejected by Vaiṣṇavas.
Only paraviddhā Ekādaśī destroys sins.
Then What Is “Gauna Ekādaśī”?
You may still see Gauna Ekādaśī mentioned.
Gauna means secondary.
It exists as a later concession, mainly in Smārta household traditions, when a true Ekādaśī is not available.
Important to understand:
Gauna Ekādaśī is optional
It is never superior to a real Ekādaśī
It does not override the sunrise rule
For Vaiṣṇavas, skipping is correct.
For others, a mild observance may be done — but without confusion or guilt.
Why Ekādaśī Is So Special
Śāstra does not glorify Ekādaśī casually.
“Just as Viṣṇu is the greatest among all deities,
Ekādaśī is the greatest among all vratas.”
Viṣṇu Himself says:
“Among plants, Tulasī; among months, Kārtika;
among tithis, Ekādaśī — these are dear to Me.”
And the Garuḍa Purāṇa gives a beautiful image:
“Five boats carry the soul across the ocean of existence:
Viṣṇu, Ekādaśī, the Gītā, Tulasī, and the brāhmaṇa’s cow.”
Ekādaśī is not about hunger.
It is about lightness, clarity, and alignment with Viṣṇu.
So What Can We Do This Time?
Even when Ekādaśī is not technically valid, bhakti is always valid.
Evening Worship on 30 December
From 4:35 PM onwards, Amṛta Yoga begins.
Simple procedureFrom Bhagavad-Gītā 9.26:
पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति ।
तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः ॥
Translation:
“Whoever offers Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water—I accept that loving offering from the pure-hearted.”
Step-by-step
-
Take a clean glass of water
-
Add Tulasī leaves
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Offer flowers and fruit/naivedya to Viṣṇu
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Light a lamp Chant the mantras below with focus
Mantras to Chant
A) The “Viṣṇu takes care of you” verse (108 times) — Bhagavad-Gītā 9.22
अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते ।
तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् ॥
Meaning:
Those who worship Me with exclusive devotion — I personally carry their welfare and security.
(108 repetitions )
B) For health (1008 times)
“Achyuta Ananta Govinda”
अच्युत अनन्त गोविन्द
C) For prosperity — an authentic Lakṣmī–Nārāyaṇa mantra (1008 times)
A safe, widely attested mantra used in Śrī (Lakṣmī) + Nārāyaṇa worship is:
ॐ श्रीं नमो नारायणाय
Om Śrīṃ Namo Nārāyaṇāya
The Hidden Jewel: Early Morning of 31st December
This window is truly special.
Between 3:58 AM and 5:01(when ekadashi ends) AM on 31 December:
Sarvārtha Siddhi Yoga
Amṛta Yoga
Śubha Madhyama Yoga
All occur together.
This is an extremely rare and powerful window.
What to do in this window
Observe above mentioned rituals
Or Chant Viṣṇu Sahasranāma
Or Om Namo Nārāyaṇāya
Even a short practice here carries immense potency.
A Final, Reassuring Thought
The opening of Vaikuṇṭha Dvāra in temples is symbolic.
It came later.
Viṣṇu does not require doors, dates, or buildings.
True devotion opens Vaikuṇṭha wherever you are.
PS: Don't interpret this as temples are not powerful. That is not true
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