Vaishnava Ekadashi

Read Narasimha Lila to know how a doorkeeper in Vaikuntha takes birth as demon Hiranyakashipu and is killed by Lord Narasimha. Sages visit Vaikuntha:  Once upon a time, the great sages, Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana and Sanatkumara visited Vaikuntha. There are seven gates in Vaikuntha loka and when the sages tried to enter the seventh gate, the door keepers, Jaya and Vijaya stopped them by blocking the way with their staff, and thereby offended the sages. The sages cursed them to take birth in the material world. The door-keepers repented for their mistake. Jaya and Vijaya cursed:  At that time, Supreme Lord Vishnu, appeared there and informed that the punishment given by the sages was actually ordained by Himself. The door-keepers, Jaya and Vijaya would take birth in a demoniac family and they would be firmly united with Him in thought through mental concentration intensified by anger. He also confirmed that they would return to Vaikuntha soon...

Sri Rukhmini Dwadasi, is observed as the birthday (the day Rukmini Devi appeared on earth) of Rukmini, the consort of Lord Krishna. The love story of Rukmini and Lord Krishna and their elopement is one of the most famous stories associated with Lord Krishna. Rukmini Dwadashi is observed on the twelfth day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) of Vaisakh month (April – May). It is believed that those who offer worship prayers and pujas with flowers will have their wishes fulfilled. Prayers dedicated to Rukhmini Devi are held on the day at Lord Krishna Temples. Special pujas are held at the Dwarkadish Temple in Mathura on the day.

Sri Yudhisthira Maharaja said, "Oh Janardana, what is the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight (sukla paksha) of the month of Vaisakha (April-May) ? What is the process for observing it properly? Kindly narrate all of these details to me. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna replied, "Oh blessed son of Dharma, what Vasishtha Muni once told to Lord Ramachandra I shall now describe to you. Please hear Me attentively. "Lord Ramachandra asked Vasishtha Muni, 'Oh great sage, I would like to hear about the best of all fasting days that day which destroys all kinds of sins and sorrows. I have suffered long enough in separation from My dear Sita, and so I wish to hear from you about how My suffering can be ended.' "The sage Vasishtha replied, 'Oh Lord Rama, Oh You whose intelligence is so keen, simply by remembering Your name one can cross the ocean of the material world. You have questioned me in order to benefit a...