❓ Prashnottari

O King! Now I tell you the procedure for Ekadashi Udyapan as spoken by Lord Krishna, because without performing Udyapan, all fasts remain fruitless.

All Ekadashis are acceptable for Udyapan, but performing Udyapan especially during the awakening time of the Lord (Dev Prabodhini), the month of Agahan (Margashirsha), or Bheem Ekadashi (Nirjalaa Ekadashi) is particularly recommended.

On the fixed date for Ekadashi Udyapan, one day prior on Dashami, the devotee should go to the Acharya (Guru) of their lineage and inform them of their resolve.
Thereafter, on Ekadashi morning, after worshipping the Acharya, bow down at their feet and pray:

"Asmadeeyam Vratam Vipra, Vishnu Vaasar Sambhavam.
Sampoornantu Bhavedyen, Tatkurushva Dvijottama॥"

Thereafter, after performing daily duties and cleaning teeth, express one's resolve in front of the Acharya and Guru and make a solemn vow:

"Ekadashyam Niraharah, Sthitva Chaiva Pare'hani.
Bhokshyami Pundareekaksha, Sharanam Me Bhavavyaya॥"

In this manner, being pure and composed, completely abandoning hypocrisy, sinful acts, and harsh words, take a bath in the pure water of a holy river or pond, perform evening prayers (Sandhya), and offer libations (Tarpan) to ancestors and deities. Then, bring the gathered materials instructed by the Acharya to the worship place.

If the worship place is made of mud, plaster it with cow dung; if paved, wash and purify it. Thereafter, construct a Havan altar in the center. To the east of the altar, for the worship of Lakshmi Narayan, the Acharya should create a Sarvatobhadra layout using multi-colored rice or arhar, masoor dal, whole urad, moong, and rice. Establish the primary Ganapati, Dwadash Vinayak, and Panchopakar in the Agni corner (South-East), and establish Sapt Ghrit Matrikas by the side of Ganapati Peeth.

Establish Shodash Matrika, Navagraha, and Rudra Kalash in the North-East corner (Ishaanya corner). Offer a dhoti, dupatta, towel, etc., on the Rudra Kalash. Thereafter, establish a silver or copper kalash on the main Sarvatobhadra altar and seat golden Lakshmi Narayan on it.

Then, seat the devotee along with their spouse tied in a ceremonial knot (this rule is equal in both cases whether wife or husband performs Udyapan; if widowed or widower, sit alone and perform worship).

Between the devotee and the main Sarvatobhadra altar of worship, construct a Havan spot according to the number of oblations because:

Khate'dhike Bhavedrogi, Heene Dhenu Dhana Kshaya.

To the south of the Havan Kund, place fifty Kushas representing Brahma on a full vessel (Purna Patra) along with Prokshani and Praneeta. As soon as the devotee sits for worship, light the lamp through them.

"Om Siddham Vaaratrayam Pathitva Aachamanam Kuryaat"
"Om Keshavaya Namah Om Madhavaya Namah Om Narayanaya Namo Namah"

Tie the hair lock (Shikha), wear the Kusha ring (Pavitri), and invoke the Earth. Thereafter, the Acharya should recite Shanti Path and Swastivachan. Then the devotee should make a formal pledge (Sankalp) for the ritual.

Necessity of Sankalp:

"Sankalpena Bina Karma Yatkinchitkurutenaraha.
Phalam Chaapyalpakantasya Dharmasyardhakshayobhavet ॥"

Thereafter, perform the protection ritual (Raksha Vidhan) and sequentially worship Ganapati, Punyahavachan, Rudra Kalash, Dwadash Vinayak, Sapt Ghrit Matrika, Navagraha, Shodash Matrika, and all deities present in the Mandap.

Perform the sequential meditation (Dhyan), invocation (Aavahan), seat (Aasana), foot-washing water (Paadya), respectful offering (Arghya), sipping water (Aachaman), five-nectar bath (Panchamrit Snan - milk, curd, honey, ghee, sugar), pure water bath, sacred thread (Yajnopavita), garments—offering yellow silk dhoti and dupatta to Lord Narayan, and a beautiful saree and cloth to Goddess Lakshmi.

Thereafter, offer sandalwood paste, auspicious ornaments (Suhag Pitari) to Goddess Lakshmi, gold jewelry, flower garlands, Tulsi leaves, incense-lamp, and food offerings (Naivedya). Offer Dakshina as per capacity. In Naivedya, use only those items and fruits that are permissible during Ekadashi fast.

Thereafter, establish the sacred fire (Agni), honor the Brahmins, perform essential offerings and Gayatri Havan. All Brahmins should offer at least 108 oblations with the mantra "Idam Vishnu", and others should offer 108 oblations with the Ashtakshara mantra.

Perform the Kshetrapal sacrifice, donate the full vessel of Brahma, complete the final offering (Purnahuti), offer Prasad to the deities, and perform the systematic Aarti and Pushpanjali of Lakshmi Narayan.

For Brahmin feast, invite 26 Brahmins with their spouses in total—24 Brahmins for the 24 Ekadashis of 12 months, and 2 Brahmins for the 2 Ekadashis of Adhik Maas. Wash their feet, seat them on clean mats, and satisfy them in clean vessels using pure materials while avoiding items forbidden on Ekadashi according to the season. Lord Krishna says that He is not as satisfied by oblations poured into the Havan fire as He is by systematically feeding Brahmins.

Thereafter, assist in water-sipping (Aachaman), adorn the foreheads of Brahmins with sandalwood paste fragrant with saffron and camphor, and honor them with dhotis, upper garments, side-pocket tunics (Bagalbandi), towels, and seating mats, inviting them for the second day's meal while partaking in Ekadashi fruits oneself.

Thereafter, holding Lord Narayan in the heart, keep a night vigil (Jagaran) with songs, music, and scriptural discourses.

The fruit obtained from donating wells, ponds, land, performing Gaya Shraddha, or bathing and donating at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse is obtained by keeping vigil and singing Lord's praise on Ekadashi.
One who keeps vigil, whether having eaten or not, becomes free from crores of sins and attains Vishnu Loka.

Spending the night of vigil in mental remembrance of the Lord, take a morning bath, perform daily duties, and invite the 26 Brahmins and Brahmin women invited on the previous day (along with other Brahmins as per capacity).
Have the Acharya conduct a brief worship, offer various cooked delicacies and sweets for Lord Narayan's fast-breaking (Parana) Prasad, bid farewell to the deities, and first feed the 26 Brahmins and 26 Brahmin women.

Adorn the Brahmins and Brahmin women with sandalwood, dhotis, veils, blouses, and Suhag items, and gift gold ornaments according to capacity, because among all donations, gold donation holds supreme significance.
Decorate Brahmins with fragrant flower garlands, and offer them Tulsi garlands, Gaumukhi, sandalwood, sacred threads, holy books like Gita and Bhagavata, wooden sandals or shoes for feet, copper vessels large enough to satisfy at least one person's thirst, umbrellas, and abundant Dakshina to satisfy them.
In Dakshina, providing a cow with her calf to all Brahmins bestows imperishable merit. But remember, never donate a cow to an unworthy Brahmin, because if a donated cow is sold, both the donor and recipient go to terrible hell.
If one lacks the capacity to give a cow to everyone, definitely donate a cow to the Acharya and pray while giving the cow:

Namaste Kapile Devi Samsararnava Tarini. Mayadatta Dvijendraya Priyataam Me Janardana ॥

Worship the Acharya along with his spouse, adorn them with clothes and ornaments, and offer a attractive bed made of two sturdy pieces of wood, fitted with metal and silk cords, equipped with a cotton-silk quilt, mattress, pillows, five utensils, and all kinds of materials in dedication to Lord Brahma.

Thereafter, receive blessings from the Acharya, bid them farewell, and break the fast by partaking in that Prasad along with all friends and relatives.
All attending devotees should depart for their homes while meditating on Lord Lakshmi Narayan. This Ekadashi fast Udyapan procedure, performed by King Yauvanashva, has been systematically narrated to you. Any person who performs this fast Udyapan systematically attains Vaikuntha.

Aathonyaam Keertan:

Praatah Paramanand Kaho,
6 Baje Chhabeele Laal,
7 Baje Sahab Ki
Sharan Mein Rahau Re.
8 Mein Aanand Kand,
9 Mein Narayan Bhaj,
10 Baje Damodar Ke
Lok Darash Gahore.
11 Mein Govind Naam,
12 Mein Biharilaal,
1 Baje Omkaar,
Aanand Se Kaho Re.
2 Baje Dayasindhu,
3 Baje Trilokinath,
4 Baje Chaturbhuj Ke
Charan Chitt Gahore.
5 Baje Parabrahm,
6 Mein Purushottam Bhaj,
7 Baje Subah Shaam,
Raam Naam Rato Re.
E Re Man Moodh
Samjhaoon Tohi Baar-Baar
Seetaram-Seetaram Kaho Re.
Man Seetaram Kaho Re.