Indira Ekadashi

Arjuna, filled with devotion, said, "O Lord! Please tell me the story of the Ekadashi that occurs during the Krishna Paksha of Ashwina month. What is the name of this Ekadashi, and what benefits can be attained by observing it?"

Lord Krishna said, "O Dhanurdhara! The Ekadashi that occurs during the Krishna Paksha of Ashwina month is called Indira Ekadashi. By observing the fast on this Ekadashi, all sins are cleansed and those ancestors who have descended into hell are liberated. O Arjuna, simply by listening to the story of this Ekadashi, one can attain infinite rewards."

In the Satya Yuga there was a city named Mahishmati, ruled by a powerful king named Indrasena. He was blessed with sons, grandsons, wealth and a prosperous kingdom, and his enemies were always fearful of him. One day, as the king sat comfortably in his royal court, Maharishi Narada arrived. Seeing him, the king rose from his seat, showed his respect and offered him a seat of honour.

Narada said, "O king! Is everything well in your kingdom? I am very pleased to see your righteousness."

The king said, "O divine sage! By your grace, everything is well in my kingdom and all my Yajna Karma and other deeds have been successful. O Maharishi, please tell me the purpose of your arrival here. What service can I offer you?"

Narada said, "O noble king! I was greatly astonished to see your father seated in the assembly of Yamaraja when I visited the realm of death from Brahmaloka. Your father was a wise, charitable and pious man, but due to his violation of the Ekadashi fast, he ended up in the realm of Yama. He has sent a message to you."

The king asked eagerly, "What is the message, Maharishi? Please tell me as soon as possible."

Narada gave his father's words: "Maharishi! please deliver a message to my son Indrasena, the king of Mahishmati city. Due to my sinful deeds in a past life, I have found myself in this realm. If my son observes the fast of Indira Ekadashi during the Krishna Paksha of Ashwina month and donates the merit of this fast to me, I will be liberated. This will allow me to be free from this realm and reside in heaven."

Hearing that his father suffered in Yamaloka, Indrasena was deeply saddened, and said, "O Narada, it is truly distressing to learn that my father is in Yamaloka. I am determined to take steps to liberate him. Please kindly explain to me the procedures for observing the Indira Ekadashi fast."

Narada Ji said, "O King! On the tenth day of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashwina, one should take a spiritual bath early in the morning. After this, it is recommended to take a bath once again at noon. Following the second bath, one should perform the Shraddha ceremony for their ancestors and have only one meal that day. At night, one should sleep on the floor. On the next day, which is Ekadashi, after completing your daily duties and taking a bath, observe the fast with devotion." The resolution to be made is: "Today, I will abstain from food and give up all forms of enjoyment. I will eat on the following day. O Lord, you are my protector. Please assist me in completing my fast."

In the afternoon one establishes the image of Lord Shaligrama and invites a Brahmin for a meal, offering him dakshina; a portion of the food is set aside for a cow; Lord Vishnu is worshipped with dhupa and naivedya, and the night is passed awake. On Dwadashi one observes silence and shares a meal with one's relatives. "O King! This is the method of observing the fast of Indira Ekadashi. By diligently following this fast and avoiding laziness, you will ensure that your father becomes eligible to reside in heaven."

Narada explained all the rites and then disappeared. When Indira Ekadashi came, the king observed the fast according to all its prescribed rules, together with his relatives, and gave its merit to his father. Flowers rained from the sky, and his father was lifted from the realm of Yama and carried to heaven.

Whoever observes Indira Ekadashi liberates their ancestors from suffering, is cleansed of all sin, and attains the abode of Lord Vishnu at the last.