OM SAIRAM: Ashadi Ekadasi=Pundalik Varade Hari Vithal !

Today is Ashadi Ekadasi or Shyani Ekadashi. Shirdi Majhe Pandarpura Sai Baba Ramavara. (Shirdi is my Pandarpur and Sai Baba is the presiding diety) is one of the arati sung in Shirdi. Sai Baba also respected Vitthoba a lot. Das Ganu wanted to go to Pandarpur on a pilgrimage and Baba dissuaded and said Shirdi is Pandarpur. There are many instances in Sai Satcharitra where mention of Pandarpur is made.

Pilgrims and devotees of Lord Vitthal known as Warkari will gather at Pandarpur. Lord Vishnu or Vitthal will take rest beginning today for nearly 4 months ending on Kartick Ekadashi (in November) or Devathuni Ekadashi. Pilgrims or Warkari begin their journey on foot from Alandi on Jyestha Krishnapaksh (10th June) and terminate their Padayatra on Ashadi Ekadasi Skula Ekadashi (July) at Pandarpur. On their journey they pass through Shirdi and after taking Sai’s blessing continue their onward yatra or wari.
Chapter 4 of Sai Satcharitra gives us enough information that Sainath is Lord Pandarinath. Chapter 7 of Sai Satcharitra tells us about Nana Saheb Chandorkar. He got an order for transfer to Pandarpur. His devotion to Sai Baba bore fruit, as he got an order to and stay at Pandarpur which is regarded as Bhuvaikunta – Heaven on earth. He wanted to give a surprise visit at Shirdi, his Pandarpur and salute his Vithobha (Baba) and then proceed further. Baba then said to Mhalsapthi and others saying “Let us all four do some Bhajan, the doors of Pandhari are open let us sing merrily”. The Song being “I have to go to Pandharpur and I have to stay on there, for it is the house of my Lord.”
Let us all imagine that we are at Pandarpur today mentally and enjoy the nectar of Vitthal and Sai Darshan.

Shayani Ekadashi (lit. "sleeping eleventh") or Maha-ekadashi (lit. "The great eleventh") or Prathama-ekadashi (lit. "The first eleventh") or Padma Ekadashi is the eleventh lunar day (Ekadashi) of the bright fortnight (Shukla paksha) of theHindu month of Ashadha (June - July). Thus it is also known as Ashadhi Ekadashior Ashadhi.

This day, a huge yatra or religious procession of pilgrims known as Pandharpur Ashadi Ekadasi Waari Yatra [4]culminates at Pandharpur, in Solapur district in south Maharashtra, situated on the banks of the Bhima River. Pandharpur is main center of worship of the deity Vithoba, a local form of Vishnu. Thousands of pilgrims come to Pandharpur on this day from different parts of Maharashtra. Some of them carry Palkhis (palanquins) with the images of the saints of Maharashtra. Dnyaneshwar's image is carried from Alandi, Tukaram's from Dehu, Eknath's from Paithan,Nivruttinath's from Trimbakeshwar, Muktabai's from Muktainagar, Sopan's from Sasvad and Saint Gajanan Maharaj from Shegaon. These pilgrims are referred to as Warkaris. They sing Abhangas (chanting hymns) of Saint Tukaram and Saint Dnyaneshwar, dedicated to Vithoba.

As per the legend,Pundalik,was the devoted son of Janudev and Satyavati.After his marriage he ill treated them.Annoyed with his behaviour,the parents left for the pilgrimage to Kashi ,Varanasi etc.

Pundalik and his wife also joined them and continued with their harassment to them.Pundalik made his old parents walk while he and his young wife rode on a horse.On the way, they reached the hermitage of the sage, Kukkutswami. All of them being tired of journey,decided to rest for some days there itself.The next morning,just before the dawn,Pundalik saw a group of beautiful, young women dressed in dirty clothes who entered the hermitage.They cleaned the floor,washed the Sage’s clothes and did other such jobs.On finishing their jobs, they went to the prayer room and came out with spotlessly clean clothes and they disappeared.

Pundalik was very happy to see all this but thought he was dreaming.The next day when the incident was repeated,he talked to the women and asked curiously,'Who are you ?'They replied,'We are Ganga, Yamuna and all the holy rivers of India.People wipe away their sins by taking a bath in us.But you are a biggest sinner,because of the way you treat your parents.'

Pundalik was shaken with their statement.He realized his mistake and wanted to improve his ways.He soon started serving his parents well and looked after all their needs and comforts.

Lord Vishnu was extremely pleased by seeing Pundalik’s sincere devotion towards his parents.He left his abode,Vaikauntha-Lok, to bless Pundalik.Lord Vishnu came to Pundalik’s house and knocked his door.Pundalik was engrossed serving his parents and his devotion to his parents was so sincere that he wanted to finish his duties first and then attend to whoever was at the door.

Pundalik flung a brick(Vit) towards the door to offer a platform for the guest,to wait at the door.The Lord Vishnu was very much pleased with Pundalik's devotion to his parents and he waited for him on the brick.When came to know the fact,Pundalik apologised Lord Vishnu,for keeping him waiting,but the Lord instead offered him to get a boon to be fulfilled.

Pundalik soon requested him to remain on earth and bless all his devotees.His wish was granted and the Lord remained behind and is known as Vithoba(Lord who stands on a brick).This form of the Lord Vishnu is Swayambhu(came into existence on its own).He is always seen accompanied by his consort Rakhumai or Rukmini.

*In the scripture Bhavishyottara Purana,God narrated significance of Shayani Ekadashi to king Yudhisthira, as the creator-god Brahma did it to his son Narada.The story of king Mandata has reference to this.The country of king Mandata was struck by drought for three years,but the king could not to find a solution to come out of it and to please the rain god.

Later on,the sage Angiras advised the king Mandata to observe the 'Vrat' of Dev-shayani ekadashi.King Mandata followed his advise and on doing so Lord Vishnu was pleased and blessed king Mandata and there was rain in the kingdom and all were happy.