🌗 Ekadashi Vrat Vrat Katha
The story
The birth of the goddess Ekadashi (Utpanna Ekadashi — Margashirsha Krishna): the demon Mura defeated the gods and seized heaven; Vishnu fought him, and weary, took yogic sleep in a cave at Badrikashram; when Mura tried to strike the sleeping Vishnu, a radiant maiden emerged from Vishnu's body and slew Mura — Vishnu named her 'Ekadashi' and gave the boon: 'whoever fasts on your tithi, their sins are destroyed and they become dear to me'. Hence Ekadashi is beloved of Vishnu, and grain is renounced (Mura dwells in grain — folk belief).
Ambarisha and Durvasa: King Ambarisha, waiting at the paran hour of Dwadashi for sage Durvasa to return, took paran with water (to keep the paran rule); the enraged Durvasa sent a demoness, and Vishnu's Sudarshana chased the sage — he was saved in the end only by Ambarisha's forgiveness; the lesson — paran only in Dwadashi, paran even with water is valid, Vishnu protects his devotee.
Rukmangada and Mohini (Narada Purana): King Rukmangada made the Ekadashi vrat compulsory across his kingdom — the realm of Yama emptied; Brahma sent Mohini, who demanded the king break the Ekadashi or give the head of his son Dharmangada — the king did not break the vrat, Vishnu appeared, and son, king and all went to Vaikuntha. Every Ekadashi has its own katha (Padma/Bhavishya/Skanda Purana) read on the vrat day — on the pages of the named Ekadashis.
Why this katha — the significance
Padma Purana: sin resides in grain (especially rice) on Ekadashi; the vrat destroys sin, grants Vishnu's realm and the fulfilment of wishes; Nirjala Ekadashi (Jyeshtha Shukla) alone gives the fruit of all 24; the Ekadashis of Chaturmas from Devshayani to Devuthani are special; Mokshada (Gita Jayanti), Putrada (children), Jaya-Vijaya (success), Amalaki (the amla tree), Papmochani.
The timing rule of the vrat: the day with the udaya tithi (Ekadashi at sunrise) is the vrat day; if Ekadashi touches two sunrises (tithi vriddhi), Smartas keep the first day, Vaishnavas the second; if it is Dashami-viddha (a part of Dashami before sunrise) Vaishnavas take the next day — hence panchangs sometimes list 'Smarta/Vaishnava Ekadashi' separately; the dates above follow the Smarta (householder) rule.
Paran in Dwadashi after sunrise, once Hari Vasara (the first quarter of Dwadashi) has passed, and before Dwadashi ends — skipping Dwadashi for paran in Trayodashi is regarded as a fault; rice at the paran is auspicious. The Ayurvedic view: one day of light food in a fortnight — rest for the digestion, and the Moon's influence (the Moon's force on the mind is strong on Ekadashi — a day of restraint).
How the katha is heard
- Hear or read the katha after the puja, before the aarti — the whole family sits together.
- The one keeping the vrat should listen with a calm mind; keep a lamp lit and a little akshat-flowers in hand.
- At the end, offer the flowers at the deity's feet and bow; share the prasad with everyone.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the next Ekadashi? The Ekadashi dates of {Y}?
The date and tithi window (Delhi) of the next Ekadashi are in the hero above, with the next 12 Ekadashis and their names below it — by the Smarta (householder) udaya tithi rule; there may sometimes be a difference of a day by your city and Vaishnava sect — confirm with a panchang/temple.
What is the difference between Smarta and Vaishnava Ekadashi?
When the Ekadashi is Dashami-viddha (a part of Dashami just before sunrise) or touches two sunrises, Vaishnavas (ISKCON, Srivaishnavas, Madhvas) fast on the next day (the pure Ekadashi), Smarta householders on the first; panchangs list both; follow your sect — the list above is Smarta.
What is the right time for paran?
In the Dwadashi tithi, after sunrise, once Hari Vasara (the first quarter of Dwadashi) has passed, and before Dwadashi ends — usually between 6:30 and 9 in the morning; if Dwadashi ends before noon, right after sunrise; see the end of Dwadashi from the tithi window above, the exact paran time on the panchang.
Can women keep every Ekadashi? During menstruation?
Yes — many women keep both Ekadashis; during menstruation no touching the puja, but the fruit rule can be kept (traditions differ); fruit, milk and fruit in pregnancy and breastfeeding; waterless only for the healthy; the essence of the vrat is restraint and remembrance, not suffering.
The names of the 24 Ekadashis?
Chaitra: Papmochani (K), Kamada (S); Vaishakha: Varuthini, Mohini; Jyeshtha: Apara, Nirjala; Ashadha: Yogini, Devshayani; Shravana: Kamika, Putrada; Bhadrapada: Aja, Parivartini; Ashwin: Indira, Papankusha; Kartika: Rama, Devuthani; Margashirsha: Utpanna, Mokshada; Pausha: Saphala, Putrada; Magha: Shattila, Jaya; Phalguna: Vijaya, Amalaki; Adhika month: Parama (K), Padmini (S) — by the Purnimanta month reckoning (in the Amanta reckoning each Krishna-paksha Ekadashi is counted in the previous month); every date in the list above carries its name.
Why is rice not eaten on Ekadashi?
In the Padma Purana sin resides in grain (rice) on Ekadashi; in folk tales a part of sage Medha/the demon Mura dwells in rice; in Ayurveda one day of light food in a fortnight rests the digestion and brings restraint under the Moon's influence; paran with rice on Dwadashi is auspicious — so the ban is for one day only.
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