Parama Ekadashi Brata/International Youth Day

· Aug 9, 2023

Parama Ekadashi, Once in 3 years

We wanted to stir up a dialogue between Krishna and Yudhisthira.

Yudhisthira Maharaj asks, O Jarnadan, which is the Ekadashi on the Krishna side of Purushottam Mass? How to take its brat and what is its glory? Lord Krishna, Himself is present in the answer, let's start the story of Parama Ekadashi from here today.

Sri Krishna, the lord of consciousness, began his reply by saying that this courageous day and holy day is called Parama Ekadashi. It is said that by fasting on this Ekadashi, life will be meaningful, all sins will be eradicated, suffering will be removed and salvation will be achieved. In this Ekadashi, Lord Krishna himself is worshiped. Answering Yudhisthira's question, Lord Krishna narrates in detail a Vrata Katha he heard from a sadhu of Kampilya Nagar. Since this Ekadashi falls only in Adhikamas i.e. Purushottam month, it comes only once in 3 years, this Ekadashi with incomparable fruit is unique and extensive. Let's listen to the beautiful story of this Ekadashi.

A devotee Brahmin Sumedha and his wife Pavitra lived in Kampilya Nagar. Sumedha was very poor and used to feed his family by gathering Vikshya. Sumedha, who was begging for a living, could never have enough resources in his house, but her beautiful wife Pavithra always served and supported her husband. This is a story of an ideal couple from the ancient time.

The saint's wife is destined to be extremely poor and suffer from the sins of her previous karma, in some cases, she has to feed guests and even starve herself. Even so, there is no shortage of radiance and endurance in the face of the saint and his wife.

Seeing his wife's suffering due to poverty, one-day Sumedha tells his wife that he wants to go abroad and earn money to alleviate their suffering. Pavitra says that she is with her husband in every decision, but Pavitra does not mean to support her husband's decision to go abroad alone. And at the same time, Kaudinya Muni arrives at their house. Welcoming the sage according to her status, Pativrata Pavitra asks about the way to get rid of poverty. Muni explains Sumedha and Pavitra, respectively, by associating the glory of Ekadashi with the eradication of poverty and the emancipation of problems, on the Krishna side of the Purushottam month. Muni explains that this Ekadashi vow is associated with sin, poverty, and loss.

From what Lord Shiva told King Kubera of wealth to take this fast, to the example of King Harishchandra who got kingdom and house due to this Ekadashi fast, Muni tells Sumedha and Pavitra. In this way, after listening to the beautiful story of Ekadashi fasting, Sumedha and Pavitra do the same and it is mentioned in Ekadashi Mahatma that their suffering and poverty has been alleviated.

It seems that the story of Sumedha is in line with the current Nepali environment, with the thought of going abroad for earning millions of Nepali are working abroad. On this occasion, let Manohar warmth of Ekadashi communicate total destiny, deeds, and devotion in the land of Nepal.

“ॐ नारायण विदमहे वासुदेवाय धिमही थन्नो विष्णु प्रचोदय”
It means: Let me take refuge in Lord Narayana, may Lord Vasudeva grant me wisdom and may Lord Vishnu grant me the light of knowledge. When chanting any mantra, it generates energy in our body and it has to be transmitted to the universe or our environment. In this way, this power can be imparted to the universe in the form of tarpana by chanting the Tatsa Brahmarpan Mastu Mantra. When we provide the universe with tarpan, the universe re-energizes us. Ekadashi fasting is effective not only in terms of religion but also in terms of health, so it is good. This Ekadashi will come again only in the next 3 years, best wishes to all on this auspicious day. May greenness dwells in the mind and body of all, may mercy be in the heart and may compassion in the eyes.

International Youth Day

Recent estimates suggest that 600 million jobs would have to be created over the next 15 years to meet youth employment needs.

The proportion of young people not in employment, education, or training (the youth NEET rate) has remained stubbornly high over the past 15 years and now stands at 30% for young women and 13% for young men worldwide.

As part of the official outcome recommendations of the EYF, young participants stressed the importance of working towards more equitable food systems. In addition, they highlighted the need for youth to make informed decisions on food choices through increasing global education on the healthiest and most sustainable options for both individuals and the environment. Food systems include not only the basic elements of how we get food from farms to the table, but also all of the processes and infrastructure involved in feeding a population, and the negative externalities that can be generated during the process, such as air and ocean pollution as well as desertification. There is also the risk of zoonotic diseases that can result from unsustainable farming practices and the climate crisis. Population health is also key in addressing food systems challenges, especially as nutrition-related chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancer are major contributors to the global burden of disease.

Theme 2023:
Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World. Today, the world is embarking on a green transition.

In this context, the importance and solidarity for international youth day have increased. The theme of International Youth Day 2023 seeks to highlight how the engagement of young people at the local, national and global levels is enriching national and multilateral institutions and processes, as well as draw lessons on how their representation and engagement in formal institutional politics can be significantly enhanced.

As the UN turns 76, and with only 9 years remaining to make the 2030 agenda, a reality for all, trust in public institutions is eroding. At the international level, against the backdrop of an increasingly polarized world, the international system of governance is currently undergoing a crisis of legitimacy and relevance. In particular, this crisis is rooted in the need to strengthen the capacity of the international system to act in concert and implement solutions to pressing challenges and threats (examples include some of the worst contemporary conflicts and humanitarian emergencies, such as Syria, Ukraine and Myanmar, as well as global challenges, and climate change).

This year, as in other years, International Youth Day is being celebrated all over the world by organizing various programs. International Youth Day is celebrated around the world every year to show the importance of the role of youth in the development of individuals, families, communities, nations, and the world. This day also highlights innovative ways to make youth participation more active and possible change to move the international community in a positive direction.

In Nepal too, various programs are being held and it is customary to submit memorandums and declarations to the Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office. The youth needs to be aware and diligent in taking their demands and needs to the government and stakeholders. On the other hand, for the sake of good governance, transparency, and rule of law, the vigilance of the youth is always necessary. Due to this, the role of the youth who are the carriers of change is eternal, the responsibility of the fateful change and development is on the efficient shoulders of the Nepali youth.

Suyog Dhakal

Parama Ekadashi Brata/International Youth Day

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