Parama Ekadashi

Arjuna said, "O Kamalanayana! Now, please tell me the name of the Ekadashi that falls in the Krishna Paksha of Adhika Masa, i.e., Launda month and the rules for observing its fast. Which deity is worshipped on this day and what are the benefits of observing this fast?"

Lord Shri Krishna said, "O Arjuna! The name of this Ekadashi is Parama. By observing its fast, all sins are destroyed and a person attains happiness in this world and good fortune in the afterlife." Lord Vishnu is to be worshipped with dhupa, dipa, naivedya and flowers, by the rules already given.

In the city of Kampilya there lived an extremely righteous Brahmin named Sumedha. His wife was pious and devoted to her husband. Because of sins committed in past lives the two lived in extreme poverty. Though the Brahmin begged for alms he received nothing. His wife, who had no clothes of her own, gave herself to serving him; she prepared food for their guests and went hungry herself, and never once asked her husband for anything.

One day the Brahmin said to her, "Dear, when I ask the wealthy for money, they refuse to help me. A household cannot function without wealth. If you agree, I will go abroad to work, as scholars have praised the importance of hard work."

The Brahmani answered humbly, "O Lord! I am your servant. A wife should fulfill whatever her husband says whether good or bad. A person reaps the fruits of their actions from previous lives. Even living on Mount Sumeru, one cannot obtain gold without the favor of destiny. Those who donate knowledge and land in their past lives will receive knowledge and land in their next lives. Whatever God has written in a person's destiny cannot be changed. If a person does not donate, the Lord only provides them with food. Therefore, you should stay here, as I cannot bear the thought of your absence. Without a husband, a wife is criticised by her mother, father, brother, father-in-law and all her relatives. So, O Lord, please do not go anywhere; whatever is meant for us will come our way here."

Following her advice the Brahmin did not go abroad. In time Sage Kaundinya came to their door. Seeing him, Sumedha and his wife bowed and said, "Today we are truly blessed. Our lives have been fulfilled by your presence." They offered him a seat and a meal, and afterwards the virtuous Brahmani said, "O revered sage! Please guide us on how to eliminate our poverty. I have discouraged my husband from going abroad to earn money, believing that your arrival is a sign of good fortune. I have complete faith that our poverty will soon be eradicated, so I kindly ask you to suggest a remedy."

Sage Kaundinya said, "O Brahmani! By observing the Parama Ekadashi fast during the Krishna Paksha of Mala Masa, all sins, sorrows and poverty are eradicated. The person who observes this fast becomes wealthy. During this fast, one should stay awake at night, engaging in dancing, singing and other religious activities. Lord Shankara made Kubera the lord of wealth by observing this fast. As a result of this fast, the truthful King Harishchandra regained his son, wife, and kingdom."

He then explained the whole procedure, and added, "O Brahmani! The Pancharatri Vrat is even more excellent than this. On the morning of Parama Ekadashi, after completing your daily rituals, you should begin the Pancharatri fast according to the prescribed procedure. Those who observe a waterless fast for five days will ascend to heaven with their parents and spouses. Those who eat in the evening during these five days will also go to heaven. If you bathe and feed Brahmins for five days, you will attain the merit equivalent to feeding the entire world."

The Brahmin and his wife kept the fast as the sage had taught. By its power their poverty came to an end, wealth and comfort came to their house, and at the last they attained the abode of Lord Vishnu.