Right now the Krishna Paksha of Magh month is going on and the Ekadashi of this Paksha is called Shattila Ekadashi. This time this fast will be observed on Tuesday, 6th February. As the name of this fast is Shattila, in this one must do 6 auspicious works related to sesame seeds.
According to the astrologer of Ujjain, Pt. Manish Sharma, on Shattila Ekadashi, one should take bath with sesame seeds, apply sesame paste, perform havan with sesame seeds, do tarpan with sesame seeds, eat sesame seeds and donate sesame seeds. Know the special things related to these 6 works…
On this day, one should make paste of sesame seeds and apply it on the body and then take bath by mixing sesame seeds in water.
Fast for Lord Vishnu and havan should also be performed on this day. Sesame seeds should be offered in Havan.
Meditate on incense for your ancestors on Ekadashi. Take water in your palm and put some black sesame seeds in the water. After this, while meditating on the ancestors, release water from the thumb.
On Shattila Ekadashi, offer sesame laddus to Lord Vishnu and sesame seeds should be included in the food also. Along with this, donate sesame seeds and things made from sesame seeds to the needy people.
Beliefs related to Shattila Ekadashi
Those who fast, donate, bathe and do penance on this day, get inexhaustible virtue. Such a virtue whose effect remains throughout life.
On this Ekadashi, black sesame seeds should be especially kept in the worship of Lord Vishnu.
It is believed that by fasting on Shattila Ekadashi, one gets virtuous results similar to the virtues obtained from many yagyas.
On this day, one should chant the mantras of Lord Vishnu (Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevay). Vishnu ji’s stories should be read and heard. Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta, Ramayana, Vishnu Purana, Geeta Saar can be recited.