Apara Ekadashi Vrata (Smarta)/Chittadhar Hridaya Janma Jayanti | स्मार्तहरूको अपरा एकादशी व्रत/चित्तधर हृदय जन्मजयन्ती | 2081 Jestha 20 | Hamro Patro

Apara Ekadashi Vrata (Smarta) । Chittadhar Hridaya Janma Jayanti

What is Smarta and Vaishnava Dhar?
Smarta
Smarta means householders who worship Hari, Shiva, Shakti, Ganesha and Surya, they do not attach much importance to the rising tithi. All householders who celebrate Janmashtami, Ramnavami, Ekadashi in conjunction with the previous tithi are called Smartas.

"vaishnava"
Those who believe only in Vasudeva, Shri Krishna or Lord Vishnu are called Vaishnavas and all ascetics and sanyasis who hold a Guru also come under the category of

Vaishnavas.
In the Vaishnava sect, Udaya Tithi has great importance as Ekadashi is celebrated along with Dwadashi.



Meaning of Smarta Ekadashi
When Ekadashi is reflected at the time of local sunrise, it is called Smarta Ekadashi. Vaishnava or Bhagavata Ekadashi occurs when the dashami tithi of any aspect ends on the day of Arunodaya i.e. when the day of Ekadashi ends two hours before sunrise.That is, Smart Ekadashi ends 96 minutes before sunrise on Ekadashi day. Generally, Vaishnava Ekadashi falls on the day after Smarta Ekadashi.

Apara Ekadashi Wrata
Meaning of "APARA"
Apara means limitless, by observing the fast of this Ekadashi, people are believed to achieve unlimited and evergreen health and spirit.

Apara Ekadashi
It is believed that by observing Apara Ekadashi vrat all the sins of the person will be washed away. This Ekadashi is also popular by the name of ‘Achla Ekadashi’ and gives divine and auspicious results. Like all Ekadashi, the Apara Ekadashi is also dedicated to worshipping Lord Vishnu.

Apara Ekadashi described by Lord Krishna
The glory of Apara Ekadashi has been described by Lord Krishna Himself in the Brahmanda Purana, the simple translation of which is presented in this holy Ekadashi today. One day Yudhisthira asks Janardhan. What is the Ekadashi of Krishna paksha in the month of Jeshta? Yudhisthira urges Krishna to give a comprehensive description of the glory of this Ekadashi and to summarize Hari's grace.Shri Krishna reveals with great respect and love, King, you have asked a good question, the answer to this question will benefit the entire human society.Shri Krishna said that the poetic nectar, devotional context, and holy grace of this Ekadashi will bring welfare to the entire human world.

Krishna ji added. O Rajan, this holy Ekadashi of the month of Jeshtha is Apara Ekadashi. Devotees who glorify by fasting on this Ekadashi will be famous all over the world. Even great sins like cow slaughter, killing of Brahmins, killing of fetuses, or adultery will be cut off by fasting and devotion, and penance on this Ekadashi.The real meaning of Brahman is not related to any caste, religion, or creed, but we want to make everyone aware of the essence of being counted in the category of Brahman is because of their quest for knowledge and welfare. Shri Krishna commands.

O Rajan, those people who give false information, conspire for untruth without supporting the truth, they are considered to be extremely sinful. Lord Krishna believes that those who misinterpret or read the Vedas, do not do their duty, deceive others, and do bad deeds are all great sinners.Lord Krishna believes that all these great sinners can take refuge in Hari and devotion to this Ekadashi to atone for their sins. Those who do not fast on this day are forced to be born on earth again, this day is very important for divine integration.

What is done in Apara Ekadashi?
Tribikarma is worshiped on this day, there are few other dates more important than this Ekadashi for atonement and penance. Apaar means infinite or limitless, the name is used because of the glory and fruit of this Ekadashi. After waking up in the morning, bathing before sunrise, using basil leaves, lightening incense, and lamps (Diyo) to Lord Bishnu, visiting the temple of Lord Bishnu, hearing the Apara Ekadashi Mahatma from the mouthpiece of the speaker are the rituals of this day.

On this Ekadashi, it is advised not to consume food and use oil on the body, all these things have the same scientific significance. Remember that in Ekadashi Vrat, it is important to focus not only on food fasting but also on reducing negative thoughts and stress. The recitation of Bishnu Sahasranama is indispensable in Ekadashi, let this Ekadashi pass in the proximity of bhajan kirtan and purity as well as devotion.

Chittadhar Hridaya Janmajayanti: an inspiration for Nepali poetry



Poet Chittadhar, an introduction
Poet Chittadhar was born on Jestha 5, 1962 BS in Raktakali, Kathmandu. His father Dravyadhar Tuladhar was a local businessmen and mother Gyanalakshmi was a housewife. Chittadhar was jailed in 1997 BS for creating a poem "childless child", as this was a satire against autocratic Ranas, he was jailed by the Rana government. At that time, in 2002 BS, his wife moved to Kalimpong at her father's house and then Calcutta, she was also afraid of Ranas. Chittadhar was released from prison in 2002 BS. Since then, he has grown a beard. Chittadhar is also known for his long beard besides his immortal poetry that depicted the misery and oppression during the Rana regime.

Upon release from prison, he cut his hair and beard only for three occasions, after the death of King Tribhuvan, after the death of King Mahendra and the death of his wife. He was married to Gyanprava but the couple did not have children. Together with his uncle Mandas Tuladhar, he set up a bicycle shop in Kamalachhi, Bhotahiti. The name of the shop was 'Mandas Chittadhar's Bicycle Shop'. He also sold books from this shop.

Chittadhar Hridaya's cycle shop

At that time, the shop was very busy with cycles and readers. In that shop, many writers also gave the address of their correspondence. Pandit Somnath Sigdel also concluded his correspondence address in the same shop, the shop was well-known for the mobility of cycles and the knowledge seekers and rebels.
Chittadhar wrote 33 books. They were based on the Nepal language. Due to his dedicated writing, unceasing creation, and unceasing practice, King Mahendra awarded him the title of 'Kavikeshwari' in 2013 BS. According to Phanindra Ratna Bajracharya, he was also given a literary title from Chwasapasa, a Newa literary platform of those days. Chittadhar created literature under different names. Sometimes he wrote as a devotee of Buddhism and sometimes as a devotee of Chittadhar. He also wrote as Chitta, Hridaya, Ruparatna Upasak, Hridayadarshan Upasak, Dharmavir, Manmaya, and Buddhibajra Bajracharya. It was his inspiration that led Yuga Kawi Siddhicharan Shrestha to Dharmaratna Yami to write poetry in their mother tongue. Kedarman Vyathit also became a poet due to his inspiration.

Leader Ganeshman Singh praised poet Chittadhar
Chittadhar was the first prose poet of Nepal language (Newa/ Newari Vasa). He wrote epics, short stories, songs, stories, essays, novels, plays, children's literature, criticism, and autobiographies. He was also known as a researcher and editor. He was also a publisher and translator. Accordingly, Ganesh Man Singh, the iron man of Nepali politics wrote, “After 2007, the Nepali language movement gained momentum and this was under the leadership of Chitadhar." Chittadhar was also at the forefront of giving alms. He donated more than a hundred valuable books from his collection to the Anandakuti Library. He sold his land to the Nepal Language Council and gave it in cash. He was also the one who offered gold deities to Swayambhu Vikas Mandal.

He also visited India, China, and Burma as the Deputy Leader of the Nepali Cultural Council.
His wife used to say, 'You have to do business.' Then Chittadhar would reply, 'Poets are poor and this is the destiny of words.' And he would go astray and draw pictures. He had learned to draw from Chandra Man Singh Maske in jail. Chitadhar's life is not a mediocre narration, its full of anecdotes, courage, life, and creativity. While giving a speech in Kathmandu in 2028 BS, Chittadhar was paralyzed.

After the arduous journey of 11 years, that is, on Jestha 26, 2039, he suffered a heart attack. Ten years after Chittadhar's death, a postage stamp with his face was issued. Various Guthis and awards were also established in his name.A silver coin of five hundred rupees was also issued in his honor. His statue is also instituted in Kalimati, Kathmandu. Because he is the heritage of Nepali culture.

-Suyog Dhakal