Mauni Ekadashi 2019: Date, Importance, & Celebration

This auspicious festival of the Jain community, Mauni Ekadashi or Maun Ekadashi falls on the 11th day of the month Magshar which is also referred to as Maun Agyaras. According to the English Calendar, it is supposed to be celebrated on the 8th of December in 2019.

What is the importance of Mauni Ekadashi?

Mauni Ekadashi holds great importance in the heart of the Jain devotees, which is why it is highly believed that if a person worships on this day of Ekadashi with all the traditions and rituals for a period of 11 years and 11 months, he/she is supposed to achieve salvation. This day holds great importance for the people of the Jain community as it considered to really important because of the occurrence of 150 Kalyanakas of the Tirthankars of the past, present and, future happened on the day of Mauni Ekadashi. In ancient times there was a person named Suvrat Sheth who had worshipped on the day of Mauni Ekadashi.

Here are some rituals that need to be followed in order to worship on the day of Maun Ekadashi:

• A fast is observed in Paushadha with keeping silence
• Kayotsarga of 12 Logassa
• 12 Khamasanas
• 12 Swastikas and 20 Navakarvalis of the Jap Pad

Legends that trace back to Mauni Ekadashi

• God Shri Neminath and Krishnavasudeva
  Once Shri Neminath decided to visit the beautiful city of Dwarka. The King of Dwarka, Krishnavasudeva decided he would himself pay a visit to the great Shri Neminath and pay his respects. The lectures of Shri Neminath stunned King Krishnavasudeva and he quipped him on how he can continue serving as the king and still adapt to Dharma. Lord mentioned the importance of 11th Day, i.e Ekadashi of the Margshirsh month of the Hindu calendar. He explained to the King about the significance of the day and how he can achieve all his dreams & aspirations with few vows on the day of Ekadashi.
• Story of Suvrat Sheth
  Long-time back, there was a merchant named "Sur" who lived in the state of Ghatkikhand, in Vijaypatan. Regarded as the smartest man in the neighboring areas and his own village, even the King respected him and lauded him for his acumen. One night, Sur was up around midnight churning his mind on how he is living a lavish life in the present and that is all because of his good deeds. Which gave rise to the thought of accumulating enough good deeds to attain a brighter future. He wondered if he was doing something worthy of getting a brilliant future ahead or not. As soon as the sun rose in the morning, he went to meet his Guru. After listening to his Guru’s sayings, he got motivated and asked him about how he can attain maximum blessings from God by performing comparatively fewer vows.
  His Guru responded that if he worships on the 11th day of the Magshar month (Magshar Sud 11) which is an Ekadashi, he can attain maximum benefits. But he should follow all the rituals on that day. Another ritual was that he must observe the fast in Poushada form in complete silence for a period of 11 years & 11 months starting from the day of Ekadashi. Once he has completed this ritual for 11 years, he must celebrate in a grand way. He commenced the Ekadashi fast for the stated number of days, along with his family. Upon completing the ritual, Suvrat passed away and went to the 11th Heaven, the Devlok. After spending a good quality of his earned time in heaven, he decided to take birth on this earth in the form of Bharatkshetra, the son of Sheth in Sauripur. As soon as he realized how beautiful his life has been in the previous birth, he decided to celebrate the Ekadashi again, which later led to them attaining Moksha (salvation) The day on which he attained salvation came to be celebrated by all Devas and gods.

Importance of Mauni Ekadashi

This day of Mauni Ekadashi is considered to be one of the most prominent festivals for the Jain community because of the following reasons.

1) The 18th Tirthankar of the Jains also known as Shri Aranath decided to abandon the world and became a monk.

2) The 19th Tirthankar of the Jains also known as Shri Mallinath relinquished the world and attained Liberation.

3) The 22nd Tirthankar of the Jains, Shri Neminath also was able to attain complete salvation.

Mantra

This following Mantra should be recited on the day of the Maun Ekadashi

There are a total of 150 Kalyanaks in the Kshetra for past, present, and future.
Worshipping on the day of Mauni Ekadashi helps a person to reach a state of complete salvation or Moksha!