Parana means breaking the fast. Ekadashi Parana is made after dawn the day after Ekadashi fast. It is necessary to make Parana within Dwadashi Tithi unless Dwadashi ends before dawn. Do not make Parana inside Dwadashi is similar to an offense.
Parana should not be done during Hari Vasara. We must wait until Hari Vasara arrives before breaking the fast. Hari Vasara is initially a fourth run of Dwadashi Tithi. The most preferred time to break the fast is Pratahkal. One should avoid breaking the fast during Madhyahna. If for some reason one can not break the fast during the Pratahkal, one must do it after Madhyahna.
Sometimes the fasting of Ekadashi is suggested for two consecutive days. It is advisable that Smartha with the family should observe fasting on the first day only. The alternative fast of Ekadashi, which is the second, is suggested for Sanyasis, widows and for those who want Moksha. When the alternative fast of Ekadashi is suggested for Smartha, it coincides with the fasting day of Vaishnava Ekadashi.
The fast of Ekadashi of the two days is suggested for faithful devotees who seek the love and affection of Lord Vishnu.
Shattila Ekadashi Vrat Puja Vidhi/Vidhanam/Procedure:
The most important aspect of Shattila Ekadashi is the use of sesame seeds (til). You can mix sesame seeds in the water for taking bath. Prepare a paste of sesame seeds to apply on the body while bathing. Offer sesame seeds to the fire, donate to the poor and eat sesame seeds during the day.
The devotee observing the catrat Shattila Ekadashi vrat should bathe in the morning, decorate the altar, install the image or idol of Lord Krishna and Sri Maha Vishnu and offer offers combined with the Vishnu Sahasranam chanting of the Krishna names. Offer tulsi water, coconut, flowers, incense, fruit and prasad the Lord and remind the Lord throughout the day. Repeat the puja the next morning of the day during Dwadashi and finish the fast after participating in the Prasad.
Shattila Ekadashi Fasting Rules:
Fasting begins at dawn on Ekadasi day and continues until Dwadashi’s morning. Fasting breaks during the parana on Dwadashi’s day after the puja to Lord Vishnu. Fasting means not eating anything. Some devotees consume sesame seeds alone that day. If complete fasting is not possible, the devotees can drink milk and fruit.
Shattila Ekadashi Vrat Story:
Once, a wealthy lady gave much of her wealth in charity. She distributed money, clothes, valuables and everything that people wanted except food. It is said that to distribute food is the most meritorious among all kinds of charitable works. Therefore, Lord Krishna wanted to remind her of this fact. He took the form of a beggar and approached the rich lady and asked for food. The lady was reluctant to give food in alms to the beggar and therefore to spread it.
When the beggar insisted on asking for food, she insulted him by throwing a clay ball into his bowl of begging. The beggar thanked her and left the scene. When the wealthy lady entered the house, she was surprised and shocked to see that all the food that had been cooked in the house had become mud. Despite his wealth, she could never eat anything what she bought to eat transformed into clay.
The health of the woman began to deteriorate day by day due to hunger. She prayed to Lord Krishna to save her. Then the Lord appeared in her dream and said that since she insulted the beggar to the clay ball, she invited this misfortune. The Lord commanded the lady to give food to the poor and to observe the Shattila Ekadashi Vrat, who returned all that she lost and was happy after she had put more emphasis on giving food to the poor.
Shattila Ekadashi Vrat Benefits:
By observing this Shattila Ekadashi Vrat with full faith and dedication can bless the devotee with much wealth, health and prosperity in all his births. Giving food, clothes, valuables and money to the poor on this day can confer great merit. Shattila Ekadashi Vrat will see to it that the devotee is never exhausted and his prosperity in his home.