Padmini Ekadashi

Arjuna asked, "O Lord! Now please tell me about the Ekadashi of the Shukla Paksha of Launda month, that is Adhika Masa. What is the name of this Ekadashi and what is the procedure for observing this fast? Which deity is worshipped in it and what fruits are obtained by observing this fast?"

Lord Shri Krishna said, "O Arjuna! The Ekadashi of Adhika i.e. Launda Masa bestows immense merit. Its name is Padmini. By observing the fast of this Ekadashi, a person goes to Vishnu Loka. I first narrated the procedure of this Ekadashi fast to Devarshi Narada."

The fast begins on Dashami. On that day bronze utensils are avoided altogether, and meat, lentils, chickpeas, kodo millet, honey, leafy vegetables and anything offered by others are not eaten; havishya food is taken instead, and salt is excluded. One sleeps on the ground that night and observes celibacy. On the morning of Ekadashi, after the daily rites, one cleans the teeth and rinses the mouth twelve times, then goes to a sacred place to bathe, using cow dung, clay, sesame seeds, kusha grass and amla powder as prescribed. Before applying the clay one prays:

"O Mrittike! I bow to you. May your touch purify my body. Born from all herbs and sanctifying the earth, please cleanse me. Born from the saliva of Brahma! Purify me by touching my body. O Lord of the gods, bearer of the conch, discus and mace, Pundarikaksha! Grant me permission for this sacred bath."

Then, chanting the Varuna Mantra, one bathes — remembering the holy tirthas where they are not at hand. After bathing one puts on clean and beautiful clothes, performs Sandhya and Tarpana, and goes to the temple. There one worships the golden images of Lord Krishna with Goddess Radha and of Lord Mahadeva with Goddess Parvati. A clay or copper pot is set upon grains, adorned with cloth and fragrance, and a vessel of copper, silver or gold placed at its mouth; upon this the image of Shri Hari is installed and worshipped with incense, lamps, offerings, flowers and saffron. Afterwards one dances and sings before the Lord. On that day one should not touch a patita or a menstruating woman. With other devotees one listens to the sacred stories before the Lord.

The Padmini Ekadashi fast of the Shukla Paksha of Adhika Masa should be kept without water; one who has not the strength for this may keep it with water or with light food. One stays awake through the night, remembering the Lord in song and dance. In each prahara homage is offered to Shri Hari or to Lord Shankar: in the first prahara coconut is offered, in the second bilva fruit, in the third custard apple, and in the fourth betel nut and orange. Each offering bears its own fruit — of Agnihotra in the first prahara, of Vajapeya Yajna in the second, of Ashwamedha Yajna in the third, and of Rajasuya Yajna in the fourth. This fast surpasses all other yajnas, austerities, charities and merits, and grants the reward of all pilgrimages and sacred rituals together.

One should remain awake until sunrise, and afterwards bathe and feed Brahmins, offering to them all the articles used, including the image of the Lord. Those who worship and fast by the prescribed rites enjoy many pleasures in this world and reach Vishnu Loka at the last.

It was by this fast that King Kartavirya, who had captured Ravana, obtained his strength; and it is because Padmini falls only in the Adhika Masa that it comes but once in about three years, which is why its merit is counted so great.