Shattila Ekadashi 2026: 6 Sesame Rituals to Remove Poverty & Bad Karma

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The Date: Shattila Ekadashi falls on January 14-15, 2026 (depending on your time zone).
• The Meaning: “Shattila” translates to “Six Types of Sesame.” It is the specific day dedicated to using sesame seeds to cleanse karma.
• The Promise: Ancient texts state that observing this day eliminates poverty, misfortune, and “accidental” bad luck.
• The Ritual: There are six specific ways to use sesame seeds on this day (bathing, pasting, sacrificing, drinking, eating, and donating) to unlock the blessings.

While the world is busy looking at the Sun for Makar Sankranti, there is a quieter, equally powerful cosmic alignment happening right alongside it.

This is Shattila Ekadashi, one of the most significant days in the spiritual calendar for those seeking relief from financial struggle and karmic burdens.

Occurring on January 14, 2026 (and extending into the 15th in some regions), this Ekadashi falls during the waning phase of the moon in the sacred month of Magha. In a year ruled by the Sun (Universal Year 1), the grounding energy of this specific observance provides the necessary roots for your 2026 success.

If you have been feeling “unlucky” with money or stuck in a cycle of misfortune, this is the spiritual intervention you have been waiting for. Here is the complete guide to the spiritual meaning of Shattila Ekadashi 2026 and the six secret rituals that define it.

What is Shattila Ekadashi?

The word “Shattila” is derived from two words: “Shat” meaning six, and “Tila” meaning sesame seeds.

Unlike other Ekadashis that focus primarily on fasting from grains, Shattila Ekadashi has a very specific material ingredient: Sesame Seeds.

According to the Padma Purana, sesame seeds were created from the sweat of Lord Vishnu, making them incredibly potent for spiritual purification. On this specific day, the vibrational frequency of sesame seeds peaks, allowing them to absorb negative energy, past-life karma, and the energetic blockages that cause poverty.

This day is not just about devotion; it is about purification. It is believed that performing the six sesame rituals on this day is equivalent to donating thousands of pounds of gold in charity.

The Legend: Why We Use Sesame Seeds

The story behind this Ekadashi is essential to understanding its power.

Legend tells of a wealthy woman who was deeply spiritual and performed many fasts, but she had a flaw: she was miserly. She never donated food or clothes to the poor. To test her, Lord Krishna appeared as a beggar. When he asked for alms, she angrily threw a ball of mud into his bowl.

Years later, when the woman ascended to the spiritual realm, she was given a beautiful palace—but it was empty. There was no food, no furniture, and no comfort. Distressed, she prayed to the Lord, asking why her devotion was rewarded with an empty house.

The answer was simple: “You fasted, which purified your body, so you got a palace. But you never gave charity, so the palace is empty.”

She was told to observe Shattila Ekadashi and donate sesame seeds to rectify her mistake. She did so, and her celestial home was instantly filled with grains, gold, and abundance.

Spiritual Takeaway: 2026 is a year of action. You cannot just “pray” for wealth; you must circulate energy. This Ekadashi teaches us that withholding abundance stops the flow, while circulating it (charity) opens the floodgates.

The 6 Mandatory Sesame Rituals (The “Shat-Tila” Method)

To fully activate the blessings of this day, tradition prescribes using sesame seeds in six distinct ways. You do not need to be a monk to do this; you can perform these simple acts in your own home tomorrow.

1. Tila-Snana (Sesame Bath)

Mix a handful of black or white sesame seeds into your bathwater. Alternatively, grind them into a paste and apply it to your body before showering.

• The Benefit: This is believed to cleanse the aura of negativity and protect the body from disease. In 2026, think of this as a “spiritual shield” installation.

2. Tila-Udvartana (Sesame Paste)

If you cannot do the full bath, apply a small dot of sesame paste (mixed with water or oil) to your forehead or the soles of your feet.

• The Benefit: This grounds your energy. Since sesame is ruled by Saturn, this appeases the planet of karma and structure.

3. Tila-Homa (Sesame Fire Offering)

If you have a home altar, offer a few sesame seeds into a small flame (even a candle flame is sufficient if you set the intention).

• The Benefit: Fire transforms matter into energy. Burning sesame seeds symbolizes burning away the “poverty consciousness” and old debts.

4. Tila-Tarpan (Sesame Water Offering)

Mix black sesame seeds and water in a copper vessel. Pour this water onto the root of a plant (ideally a Tulsi plant or a Peepal tree) or simply onto the earth, facing South.

• The Benefit: This is an offering to your ancestors. Ancestral blessings are crucial for family prosperity and removing genetic karmic patterns.

5. Tila-Bhojan (Eating Sesame)

You must consume sesame seeds on this day. This could be in the form of Til-Ladoo (sweet balls), sesame brittle, or simply sprinkling roasted seeds on your fruit or salad.

• The Benefit: Consuming the seeds internalizes the high vibration, purifying your digestive system and subtle energy channels (Nadis).

6. Tila-Daan (Donating Sesame)

This is the most important step. You must give sesame seeds (or food containing them) to someone else. It could be a homeless person, a priest, or even a friend.

• The Benefit: This completes the circuit. By giving away the “seed” of abundance, you signal to the universe that you have enough to share, which attracts more.

Scientific & Astrological Significance

Why sesame? And why now?

Astrologically: January is the month of Capricorn, ruled by Saturn. Saturn governs longevity, justice, and the working class. Black sesame seeds are the primary grain of Saturn. By using them on Shattila Ekadashi, you are mitigating the malefic effects of Saturn (like delays, poverty, and depression) in your birth chart.

Scientifically: January is the peak of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The body’s core temperature drops, and immunity weakens. Sesame seeds are thermogenic (heat-producing) and rich in healthy fats, iron, and magnesium. The rituals of bathing in sesame water and eating sesame are ancient “bio-hacks” to keep the body warm and lubricated against the drying effects of winter winds.

How to Observe the Fast (Simple Version)

If you wish to fast on this day to maximize the benefits, here is the protocol:

1. Morning: Wake up during Brahma Muhurta (before sunrise). Perform the Sesame Bath ritual.
2. Intention: Light a lamp and take a vow: “Today, I dedicate my awareness to purity and charity. May my scarcity mindset be removed.”
3. Diet: Avoid grains (rice, wheat, corn) and beans. Eat only fruits, nuts, roots (potatoes/sweet potatoes), and dairy. Ensure sesame seeds are part of your intake.
4. Mantra: Chant the Vishnu mantra (provided below) 108 times.
5. Evening: Break the fast the next morning (Parana time) after sunrise.

Powerful Mantra for Shattila Ekadashi 2026

Chanting this mantra while holding sesame seeds in your hand charges them with intention.

The Maha Mantra for Wealth & Protection:

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

The Specific Prayer for Poverty Removal:

“Oh Lord of the Universe, just as this sesame seed contains oil within it, may my life contain the hidden essence of abundance. Remove the husk of my bad karma and reveal the oil of prosperity.”

Final Thoughts: The Seed of Potential

Shattila Ekadashi is a reminder that big changes start with small seeds.

A single sesame seed is tiny, yet it contains enough oil to keep a lamp burning for hours. Similarly, your acts of charity and discipline on January 14-15, 2026, might seem small, but they have the power to illuminate your entire year.

Do not let this day pass as just another Wednesday. Buy a packet of sesame seeds. Take the bath. Make the donation. Plant the seed of your future wealth today, so you can harvest it for the rest of 2026.