Shattila Ekadashi 2026 Prep: Significance of the Six Ways to Use Sesame Seeds

Shattila Ekadashi 2026 — When a Small Seed Carries Infinite Grace

Some sacred days arrive with celebration and sound.
Others arrive quietly—like a soft knock on the heart.

Shattila Ekadashi is one such day.

Observed during the Krishna Paksha of the month of Magha, Shattila Ekadashi in 2026 falls on January 14, coinciding with Makar Sankranti, a moment of powerful cosmic transition when

the sun begins its northward journey. This rare convergence enhances the spiritual potency of the day, making it especially auspicious for purification, devotion, and surrender to Lord Vishnu.

The word Shattila comes from shat (six) and tila (sesame), pointing to the six sacred ways sesame seeds are used on this Ekadashi. Yet these practices are not mere ritual instructions. They are symbols of inner cleansing, humility, generosity, and heartfelt offering.

Spiritual Reminder:
On this Ekadashi, the Lord is not counting austerities. He is listening for intent.

It is believed that even a few sesame seeds, offered with sincerity, can dissolve lifetimes of karmic heaviness. Not because the seed is great, but because the heart offering it has softened.

Shattila Ekadashi does not ask for perfection.
It asks for truthfulness of feeling.

It arrives especially for those who feel spiritually tired, burdened, or quietly longing to begin again. This is an Ekadashi that rescues rather than judges, heals rather than demands, and gently reminds the soul where grace truly flows.

Shattila Ekadashi in the Puranas: A Sacred Narrative

The glories of Shattila Ekadashi are described in the Bhavishyottara Purana and echoed in the Padma Purana (Uttara Khanda, Chapter 42). These scriptures present observing Ekadashi is more than abstinence from food—it is a surrender of the heart, a conscious turning inward, a subtle yet powerful call to please Shree Krishna.

This day is a celestial invitation to the soul: to rise, purify, surrender, and offer every action as a vessel of devotion to the Supreme Lord.

Shree Krishna’s Teaching to King Yudhishthira

"O King, each Ekadashi refines the heart and draws the soul closer to Me. Among them, Shattila Ekadashi, observed during Magha Krishna Paksha, is especially powerful. Through the six sacred uses of sesame seeds, one aligns body, mind, and generosity with devotion. Fasting alone is not complete; charity and remembrance must accompany it."

Spiritual Insight:
Shree Krishna emphasized that discipline without compassion remains hollow. Shattila Ekadashi harmonizes restraint with generosity, renunciation with love.

Through this teaching, Shree Krishna led King Yudhishthira into a subtle, transformative truth: external acts, when performed with devotion and remembrance, become vessels of divine grace.

Dalbhya Muni and Pulastya Muni: Compassion for Fallen Souls

Concerned about souls entangled in sin and karmic bondage, Dalbhya Muni approached the sage Pulastya Muni, asking how even deeply fallen beings could find redemption.

Pulastya Muni, smiling with gentle wisdom, replied:

"O Dalbhya, your question is rare indeed. Not even Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, or Indra have asked such a profound question. Listen carefully, for I shall reveal the path of liberation."

He narrated the glories of Shattila Ekadashi:

"When Magha Krishna Paksha arrives, one should rise early, bathe, control the senses, meditate on the Supreme Lord, and observe Shattila Ekadashi with humility. Offer sesame seeds in charity, worship the Lord with sincerity, and pray from the heart."

Divine Assurance:
This Ekadashi destroys all forms of poverty—material, mental, and spiritual—when observed with devotion rather than pride.

Narada Muni’s Question and the Story of the Elderly Brahmani

Narada Muni once asked Shree Krishna about the fruits of Shattila Ekadashi. Shree Krishna narrated the story of an elderly Brahmani who is deeply austere and devoted but neglected food charity.

Shree Krishna’s eyes, full of mercy and love, fell upon Narada, and He began:

"O best of sages, I shall narrate an incident I personally witnessed. Long ago, there lived an elderly Brahmani, whose devotion to Me was unwavering. She fasted and worshipped on all auspicious days—Janmashtami, Rama Navami, Nrsimha Chaturdashi—and offered herself completely in service.”

“Her body grew frail from austerities, yet her heart overflowed with devotion and charity. She gave freely wealth, clothing, and even her house. Yet one peculiar omission marked her practice: she never offered food, neither to brahmana’s nor to the demigods."

To teach her the deeper lesson of giving, Shree Krishna descended in disguise, as a servant of Lord Shiva, garlanded with bones and carrying a begging bowl. When He approached for alms, the Brahmani threw a lump of clay into His bowl and withdrew.

Even the smallest act of sincere giving pleases the Lord beyond measure.

Though she attained the spiritual realm through austerity, her heavenly home reflected her lack of generosity.

Distressed, she approached Shree Krishna:

"O Janardana, I have fasted, worshipped, and given generously, yet my home is empty. Why is this so?"

Shree Krishna, full of mercy, guided her:

"Return to your house. Wait for the wives of the demigods to visit. Only open the door after they explain the glories of Shattila Ekadashi."

Upon learning the proper observance of Shattila Ekadashi, combining fasting with sesame charity, she corrected her practice. By the Lord’s grace, abundance and spiritual fulfillment manifested.

Shree Krishna’s Conclusion:
“Shattila Ekadashi must be observed not for material gain, but with humility and generosity. Such devotion leads the soul to My eternal abode.”

Scriptural Significance of Sesame Seeds [Til]

In the Garuda Purana and Bhavishya Purana, sesame seeds are described as pure, subtle, and eternal. They are said to have arisen from the perspiration of Lord Vishnu and are therefore especially dear to Him.

Reflection:
Just as the Lord’s essence is eternal and blissful, so too is the essence of til: a humble seed imbued with the power to purify karma, sanctify actions, and uplift the soul.

The Spiritual Potency of Til – Symbol of Surrender

Sesame seeds [til] are far more than a ritual ingredient. They are living instruments of spiritual refinement:

• Absorb and neutralize negative karmic impressions, purifying the mind and subtle energies.
• Destroy sins (pāpa-hara), offering both physical and spiritual purification.
• Please Lord Vishnu and Lord Yama, bringing protection, blessings, and the fruits of dharmic living.
• Satisfy ancestors and devas when offered sincerely, extending grace to all beings connected to the devotee.

For devotees, til becomes a symbol of surrender, a tiny seed capable of carrying the devotion, love, and humility of the heart far beyond its physical size.

The Six Sacred Ways of Sesame Seeds: Shattila Ekadashi

Six sacred ways sesame seeds purify body, mind, and heart.

As described in the Bhavishya-Uttara Purana, Pulastya Muni, in conversation with Dalbhya Muni, beautifully describes six ways to use sesame seeds that cleanse layers of our being, awaken devotion, and invite divine grace. These are not mechanical rituals, but movements of the heart, each opening a doorway to surrender, purify, and remember the Lord in every action.

1. Til Snan – Bathing with Sesame Seeds — Washing the Invisible

Mixing sesame seeds into bathwater is far more than physical cleansing. As the Purana explains, this act purifies both body and mind, dissolving subtle impressions, accumulated negativity, and karmic residues from past lives. Each drop of water, charged with til, whispers:

"May the weight I carry—even that which I cannot name—be lifted."

It is a conscious invitation to enter Ekadashi in purity, with a heart and body cleansed for devotion. Bathing with til transforms the ordinary act of washing into a spiritual rebirth, leaving us lighter, gentler, and more receptive to divine love.

Reflective Prompt:

“As you bathe, ask: Which thoughts and burdens am I ready to release today?”

2. Til Lepan – Applying Sesame Paste — Softening the Ego

Before bathing, rubbing a paste of sesame seeds on the body cultivates humility and surrender. This tactile gesture tells the ego:

"This body is not mine to decorate—it is mine to purify."

The symbolic softness of the til paste melts stubbornness, pride, and rigidity, nurturing a heart ready to serve. Scriptures describe this act as Ubtan or Lepan, preparing both inner and outer self to receive the Lord’s grace. Each stroke on the skin becomes an offering, a gentle reminder that the path of bhakti begins with humility.

Reflective Prompt:

“As I apply this paste, may my pride dissolve and my heart soften to serve the Divine.”

3. Til Havan / Homa – Offering Til into Fire — Surrendering What Burns Within

Sacred fire, whether in a homa or havan, transforms without judgment. When sesame seeds are offered into the flames, it is a surrender of the heart’s weight. This act carries our burdens to the Lord:

"Take my struggles. Take my anger. Take my resentment. Take the heat of my unfulfilled desires, O Divine. Carry them to Your compassion."

The fire becomes a messenger, lifting our inner turmoil toward divine grace, leaving the devotee: purified, light, and free to remember Him fully. This is not a ritual of obligation—it is a heartfelt dialogue with God, where the flames reflect our surrender and love.

Reflective Prompt:

“As you sprinkle til into the fire, ask: Which burdens am I ready to release today

4. Til Tarpan – Offering Til to Ancestors — Healing Old Threads

Tarpana, the offering of sesame seeds in water for ancestors, is a silent conversation across generations. It acknowledges:

"I am not alone on this journey. I walk with those who walked before me."

By offering til to forebears, karmic debts are soothed, unresolved threads healed, and blessings flow both ways. Pulastya Muni reminds that this sacred act cultivates gratitude, remembrance, and continuity of dharma, connecting the living with the departed through the tender bond of devotion.

Reflective Prompt:

“As I honor my ancestors, may their blessings and guidance flow into my life

5. Til Bhojan – Consuming Sesame — Nourishing the Soul

Ekadashi calls for restraint, yet sesame becomes both nourishment and offering. Simple foods made from til—like laddus or lightly prepared prasad—remind us:
"What sustains the body is secondary; what sustains remembrance is essential."

Each seed consumed is a conscious act of devotion, sustaining the soul while honoring the Lord. White sesame, traditionally recommended for consumption, ensures that the body partakes without compromising the sacred vow, turning nourishment into a sacred, mindful offering.

Reflective Prompt:

“As I eat, may my devotion grow and my mind stay anchored in remembrance.”

6. Til Daan – Donating Sesame — The Smallest Gift with the Greatest Echo

Charity performed on Shattila Ekadashi multiplies merit beyond measure. Til daan—whether as seeds, sweets, or oil—pleases the Lord immeasurably. Pulastya Muni emphasizes that giving with sincerity, not size or quantity, is what makes the offering eternal. One seed given to feed the hungry resonates across lifetimes:

"I offer this in Your name. May it please You and benefit all beings."

The act of giving cultivates detachment, compassion, and love—the very qualities dear to Lord Vishnu.

Reflective Prompt:

“May this small gift, given with love, touch hearts and inspire generosity beyond measure.”

Share Prompt:
Share this with someone who wishes to purify their heart this Ekadashi.

Observing Shattila Ekadashi Devotionally

• not mere ritual.

Preparation:

• Rise early, take a purifying bath, and meditate upon the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu.
• Keep the mind anchored in surrender, remembrance, humility, and inner reflection, not mere ritual.
• Ekadashi blossoms fully in sacred association.

Fasting Guidelines:

Shattila Ekadashi fasting may be observed according to one’s capacity:

• Complete Fast (Nirjala): Abstain from all food and water, embracing discipline, renunciation, and heartfelt longing.
• Partial Fast (Phalahar / Sattvic): Consume fruits, milk, roots, and other sattvic preparations.
• Traditional Restrictions: Avoid grains (rice, wheat), lentils, onions, and garlic, in line with classical Ekadashi observance.
• Swami Mukundanandaji’s teachings emphasize that the inner attitude matters more than external severity.

Shree Krishna’s guidance to King Yudhishthira reminds us: Fasting without generosity is incomplete. Offering sesame seeds, food, or other aid to the needy expands the heart and allows devotion to radiate beyond the self.

Meditation and Remembrance:

Meditate on Lord Vishnu and cultivate longing; feel the presence of the Divine in every thought, action, and breath; expressions of surrender and gratitude.

• Chanting such as reciting Vishnu Sahasranam, the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, or Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevay.

Inner Transformation: The True Purpose

Shattila Ekadashi is ultimately heart-centered, not ritual-centered. Fasting, giving, bathing, and offering are tools to refine the soul.

The fruits of Shattila Ekadashi are subtle:

• Clarity of thought and action.
• Humility and self-awareness.
• Patience, forgiveness, and generosity.
• Steady remembrance on divine love over worldly distractions.
• Deepened intimacy with Lord Vishnu in everyday life.

Spiritual progress is measured by subtle shifts in perception and heartfulness, not external display.

When Sincerity Completes What Effort Cannot

"O Janardana, may even these humble seeds carry my love to Your lotus feet."

Shattila Ekadashi does not demand grandeur or faultless observance.
It invites sincerity.

It whispers to the heart:

“Offer what you have.
Remember Who you belong to.
And let grace complete what effort cannot.”

Shattila Ekadashi teaches that:

• Devotion is measured by depth of love, not scale of ritual.
• Purification is meaningful only when it leads to remembrance.
• Charity is not duty, but a natural overflow of softened devotion.
• Even the smallest act, when offered with love, echoes eternally.

As you prepare for Shattila Ekadashi 2026, remember:
a few sesame seeds, a restrained mind, and a sincere heart are enough.

And allow Lord Vishnu’s grace to complete what effort alone never could.

Call to Action

Celebrate Ekadashi in Sacred Association

For Ekadashi events, Satsang, kirtans, and spiritual gatherings, visit the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas:
👉 Radha Krishna Temple Website

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. When is Shattila Ekadashi in 2026?

Shattila Ekadashi falls on January 14, 2026, during the Krishna Paksha of Magha. This year, it coincides with Makar Sankranti, enhancing its spiritual significance.

2. Why are sesame seeds (til) important on Shattila Ekadashi?

Scriptures such as the Garuda Purana and Bhavishya Purana describe sesame seeds as spiritually purifying and dear to Lord Vishnu, making them central to this Ekadashi.

3. Is fasting mandatory on Shattila Ekadashi?

Fasting is encouraged but should be observed according to one’s capacity—nirjala, phalahar, or simple sattvic restraint—when done with sincere remembrance.

4. What are the six ways of using sesame seeds on this Ekadashi?

The six practices include eating, applying, donating, offering in fire, bathing with, and offering sesame seeds in worship, symbolizing purification and surrender.

5. What is the spiritual focus of Ekadashi fasting according to Swami Mukundanandaji?

Swami Mukundanandaji teaches that Ekadashi fasting is about refining the mind and deepening devotion, where sincerity matters more than austerity.

References

Sources for this Sacred Story

• Bhavishyottara Purana – Dialogue of Dalbhya → Pulastya → Krishna → Narada → Brahmani
• Padma Purana, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 42 – Krishna’s teaching to Yudhishthira

🙏 To understand the spiritual heart of Ekadashi fasting—as explained by Swami Mukundanandaji—you can watch his talks here: