Aja Ekadashi

Arjuna said, "O Pundarikaksha! Kindly tell me about the Ekadashi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. What is the name of this Ekadashi and what is the procedure for its observance? What are the benefits of observing this fast?"

Lord Krishna said, "O Son of Kunti! The Ekadashi that falls in the Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month is known as Aja Ekadashi. Observing this fast eliminates all sins. Those who sincerely worship the Lord on this day will have all their sins forgiven. In this world and the next, there is no other fast as significant as this Ekadashi, which benefits both realms."

In ancient times there was an emperor named Harishchandra who ruled the city of Ayodhya. He was known for being extremely brave, powerful and truthful. By the will of the Lord, he donated his kingdom to a sage in a dream. As a result of his circumstances he was forced to sell his wife and son, and eventually became a servant to a Chandala, collecting the fees for the final rites of the dead at the Chandala's place. Yet through all of it he never once deviated from the path of truth.

Years went by. He grew increasingly distressed by this lowly work and sought a way to free himself from it, troubled constantly by the thought of how he might be rid of it. One day, while he was in deep distress, the sage Gautam approached him. Harishchandra greeted him and began to narrate his sorrowful tale.

Hearing it, sage Gautam felt a deep sadness and said to the king, "O King, the Ekadashi that falls in the Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month is known as Aja. Observe the fast of this Ekadashi with the proper rituals and stay awake throughout the night. By doing so, all your sins will be erased."

Having said this, the sage disappeared. On Aja Ekadashi the king kept the fast and performed jagarana, staying awake through the whole night as the sage had instructed. By the power of that fast all his sins were erased. In that moment drums began to sound in heaven and flowers rained down. He saw Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Lord Mahesha and Lord Indra standing before him with the other deities. To his astonishment he found his son alive again and his wife adorned in royal clothing and jewellery.

By the power of the fast the king regained his kingdom. In truth a sage had created the whole ordeal to test him, and the influence of the Aja Ekadashi fast dispelled every illusion the sage had made. In the end Harishchandra ascended to heaven together with his family.

Those who observe this fast with devotion and remain awake through the night have all their sins erased and attain heaven at the last. Simply listening to the story of this vrat gives the same merit as performing an Ashwamedha Yajna.

The essence of the katha is that one must have complete faith in God; those who do not abandon the path of truth even in the hardest circumstances attain heaven, for the test of truth comes in the most difficult situations of all.