Bhisma Ekadashi ~ Jaya Ekadashi

Ekadasi is a Sanskrit word, which means 'the eleventh'. It refers to the eleventh day of a fortnight belonging to a lunar month. There are two fortnights in a lunar month—the bright and the dark. So, Ekadasi occurs twice in a month, in the bright fortnight and the dark fortnight.

Bhisma Ekadashi, or Bheesma Ekadasi, is observed in the Magha Month (January – February). In 2012, the date of Bhishma Ekadasi is February 3. It is believed that the Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram was revealed to the Pandavas on this day by Bhisma, who was lying in a bed of arrows after the Great War in Mahabharat. It is believed that Bhishma chose this period to leave his body and merge with the Supreme Soul (Brahman). It is also known as Jaya Ekadashi. Observing Jaya Ekadashi Vrata gives the devotees the opportunity to get rid of the sins and to get salvation.