Indira Ekadashi

Yudhisthira Maharaja said, "O Madhusudana, O killer of the Madhu demon, what is the name of the Ekadashi. that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Asvina (September-October)? Please describe its glories to me."

The Supreme Lord, Shri Krishna, replied, "This holy day is called Indira Ekadashi. If a person fasts on this day, all his sins are eradicated and his forefathers who have fallen into hell are liberated. O best of kings, one who simply hears about this Ekadashi. achieves the great merit earned by performing a horse sacrifice.

In the Satya-yuga there lived a king named Indrasena, who was so powerful that he destroyed all his enemies. His kingdom was called Mahismati-puri. The glorious and highly religious King Indrasena took good care of his subjects, and therefore he was rich in gold, grains, sons, and grandsons. He was greatly devoted to Shri Vishnu as well. He especially enjoyed chanting My name, calling out 'Govinda! Govinda!' In this way King Indrasena systematically dedicated himself to pure spiritual life and spent much time meditating on the Absolute Truth.

One day, as King Indrasena happily and peacefully presided over his assembly, the perfect orator, Narada Muni, was seen descending from the sky. The king offered Devarsi Narada, the saint among the demigods, great respect by greeting him with joined palms, inviting him into the palace, offering him a comfortable seat, washing his feet, and speaking sweet words of welcome. Then Narada Muni said to Maharaja Indrasena, 'O king, are the seven limbs of your kingdom prospering?' Is your mind absorbed in thinking of how you can properly perform your occupational duty? Are you becoming more and more devoted to the Supreme Lord, Shri Vishnu?'

The king replied, 'By your kind grace, O greatest of sages, everything is quite well. Today, just by your presence all the sacrifices in my kingdom are successful! Please show me mercy and explain the reason for your visit here.'

Shri Narada, the sage among the demigods, then said, 'O lion among kings, listen to my astonishing words. When I descended from Brahmaloka to Yamaloka, Lord Yamaraja praised me very graciously and offered me an excellent seat. As I glorified his truthfulness and wonderful service to the Supreme Lord, I noticed your father in Yamaraja's assembly. Though he had been very religious, because he broke an Ekadashi fast prematurely, he had to go to Yamaloka. Your father gave me a message for you. He said, "In Mahismati lives a king named Indrasena. Please tell him about my situation here-that because of my past sinful deeds I have somehow been forced to reside in Yamaraja's kingdom. Please give him this message from me: 'O son, kindly observe Indira Ekadashi and give much in charity so I can go upward to heaven.'

Narada continued, 'Just to deliver this message, O king, have I come to you. You should help your father by observing the fast of Indira Ekadashi. By the merit you gain, your father will go to heaven.'

King Indrasena asked, 'O great Naradaji, please be merciful and tell me specifically how to observe a fast on Indira Ekadashi, and also tell me during what month and on what day it occurs.'

Narada Muni replied, 'O king, please listen as I describe to you the full process of observing Indira Ekadashi. This Ekadashi. occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Ashvina. On Dashami, the day before Ekadashi. rise early in the morning, bathe, and then do some service for God with full faith. At noon, bathe again in running water and then offer oblations to your forefathers with faith and devotion. Be sure not to eat more than once on this day, and at night sleep on the floor.

When you awaken on Ekadashi morning, cleanse your mouth and teeth thoroughly and then with deep devotion for the Lord take this sacred vow: "Today I shall fast completely and give up all kinds of sense enjoyment. O lotus-eyed Supreme Personality of Godhead, O infallible one, please give me shelter at Your lotus feet." At noon, stand before Shri Salagrama-sila and worship Him faithfully, following all the rules and regulations; then offer oblations to your forefathers. Next, feed qualified brahmanas and offer them some charity according to your means. Now take the food you offered to your forefathers, smell it, and then offer it to a cow. Next, worship Lord Hrsikesha with incense and flowers, and finally, remain awake all night near the Deity of Shri Keshava.

Early in the morning of the next day, Dvadasi, worship Shri Hari with great devotion and invite brahmanas to a sumptuous feast. Then feed your relatives, and finally take your meal in silence. O king, if you strictly observe a fast on Indira Ekadashi in this way, with controlled senses, your father will surely be elevated to the abode of Lord Vishnu.' After saying this, Devarsi Narada immediately disappeared.

King Indrasena followed the great saint's instructions perfectly, observing the fast in the association of his relatives and servants. As he broke his fast on Dvadasi, flowers fell from the sky. The merit Indrasena earned by observing this fast released his father from the kingdom of Yamaraja and caused him to attain a completely spiritual body. Indeed, Indrasena saw him rising to the abode of Lord Hari on the back of Garuda. Indrasena himself was able to rule his kingdom without any obstacles, and in time he handed over the kingdom to his son and also went to Vaikuntha.

O Yudhisthira, these are the glories of Indira Ekadashi, which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Asvina Whoever hears or reads this narration certainly enjoys life in this world, is freed of all his past sins, and at death returns home, back to Godhead, where he lives eternally."