Kamika Ekadashi

Arjuna said, "O Lord! I have heard the detailed description of the Devshayani Ekadashi during the Shukla Paksha of Ashadha month. Please narrate the story of the Ekadashi that occurs in the Krishna Paksha of Shravana month. What is the name of this Ekadashi? What is the method for observing it? Which deity is worshipped during this Ekadashi and what are the results of observing this fast?"

Lord Krishna said, "O Great Dhanurdhara! I will now share the sacred story of the Ekadashi that falls in the month of Shravana. Please listen attentively." He recalled how the same account had once been given for the benefit of the world, when Narada asked to hear the glories of the Ekadashi of the Krishna Paksha of Shravana together with its rites.

The answer given was this: "You have made a very wonderful request. Now listen attentively — the Ekadashi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Shravana is called Kamika. Just listening to the story of this Ekadashi grants the merit of performing a Vajapeya Yajna."

On this day one worships Lord Vishnu, who holds the conch, discus and mace. Those who worship him with dhupa, dipa and naivedya receive a benefit greater than that of bathing in the Ganges. The merit of bathing at Kedara and Kurukshetra during a solar or a lunar eclipse is gained by worshipping Lord Vishnu devoutly on Kamika Ekadashi. The fruit of worshipping him in the month of Shravana exceeds the merit of donating the Earth with its oceans and forests, and the merit of bathing in the Gandaki during Vyatipata is equal to the merit of worshipping him. The fruit of donating a cow together with an ornamented calf is equal to the fruit of keeping this fast.

Those excellent Brahmins who fast on Kamika Ekadashi and worship Lord Vishnu receive the blessings of all the Deva, Nagas, Kinnaras and Pitri. Therefore those who fear sin should observe this fast with its proper rites, and those caught in the ocean of worldly affairs and of sin should observe it to attain liberation. There is no other method in the world that clears sin as thoroughly as this one.

"O Narada! The Lord Himself has stated that the merit gained from spiritual knowledge is surpassed by the merit earned from observing the fast of Kamika Ekadashi." By keeping it one is not brought before Yama for judgement, nor endures the torments of hell, but becomes eligible for heaven.

Those who worship Lord Vishnu with Tulasi leaves on this day remain untouched by the ocean of the material world, as the lotus remains separate from the water in which it stands. The merit of worshipping him with Tulasi equals that of donating gold once and silver four times, for Lord Vishnu is more pleased with Tulasi leaves than with jewels, pearls, gems and ornaments, and those who worship him so have all their sins destroyed.

"O Narada! I bow to the highly beloved Tulasi of the Lord." The mere sight of Tulasi eradicates all sins, and merely touching her purifies the body; offering water to Tulasi destroys all the torments of Yama, and those who devotedly offer Tulasi at the lotus feet of the Lord attain liberation.

Those who stay awake and offer a dipa on the night of Kamika Ekadashi accumulate merit so great that even Chitragupta cannot record all their virtues. Those who light a lamp before the Lord on this day allow their ancestors to drink nectar in Swargaloka, and those who light it with ghee or sesame oil receive the radiance of a thousand lamps in Suryaloka.

Every person should observe the fast of Kamika Ekadashi. By it all sins, including the sin of Brahma-Hatya, are destroyed, and after enjoying happiness in this world the observer attains Vishnuloka at the last. Listening to or reading the glory of Kamika Ekadashi leads a person to Swargaloka.

The essence of the katha is that Shri Hari is supreme and is easily pleased by the sincere devotion of his devotees. He is not so pleased with diamonds, pearls, gold and silver as he is with the offering of a single Tulasi leaf.