Parsva (Parivartini) Ekadashi

Maharaja Yudhishthira asked about the Ekadashi of the light fortnight of Bhadrapada, and Lord Sri Krishna told him that just hearing of its glories frees one from all past misdeeds, that observing it bestows the same merit as performing a horse sacrifice, and that there is no better Ekadashi than this, because it awards liberation so easily. One who truly desires freedom from the punishing material world should fast on Vamana Ekadashi.

While observing this holy fast a Vaishnava should lovingly worship the Supreme Lord in his form as Vamandev, the dwarf incarnation, whose eyes are like lotus petals. By doing so he worships all the other Deities as well, including Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, and at death he undoubtedly goes to the abode of Sri Hari. In all the three worlds there is no fast more important to observe.

This Ekadashi is so auspicious because it celebrates the day when the sleeping Lord Vishnu turns over on his other side; for this reason it is also known as Parivartini Ekadashi.

Yudhishthira then asked, "Oh Janardana, please clear up a question I have. How is it that the Supreme Lord sleeps and then turns over on His side? Oh Lord, when You are asleep what happens to all the other living entities? Please also tell me how You bound the king of the demons, Bali Daityaraj, as well as how one may please the brahmanas."

Sri Krishna replied, "Oh Yudhishthira, lion among Kings, I will gladly narrate to you an historical event that, simply by hearing, eradicates all one's sinful reactions. In the Treta-yuga there once was a king of the name Bali. Though born in a family dynasty of demons, he was very devoted to Me. He sang many Vedic hymns to Me and performed the homa rituals just to satisfy Me. He respected the twice-born brahmins and engaged them in performing sacrifices daily. This great soul had a quarrel with Indra, however, and eventually defeated him in battle. Bali took over his entire celestial kingdom, which I Myself had given to Indra. Therefore Indra and all the other devas, along with many great sages, approached Me and complained about Bali Maharaja. Thus I agreed to appear on their behalf as a dwarf Vamanadev, My fifth incarnation."

Yudhishthira asked how it had been possible to conquer so powerful a demon merely by coming as a dwarf, and the Lord replied, "Though a dwarf, I was a brahmana, and I approached that pious king Bali to ask him for alms in the form of land. I said, 'Oh Daityraj Bali, please give Me just three steps of land in charity. Such a small piece of land will be good as all the three worlds for Me.'"

Bali agreed without lengthy consideration. But as soon as he vowed to give the land, the Lord's body began to expand into a gigantic transcendental form. "I covered the entire Earth with My feet, all the Bhuvarloka with My thighs, the Swarga heavens with My waist, Maharloka with My stomach, Janaloka with My chest, Tapoloka with My neck, and Satyaloka with My head and face."

Seeing this, all the demigods, including Indra and Shesha the king of the snakes, began to sing Vedic hymns and offer prayers. Then the Lord took Bali by the hand and said, "Oh sinless one, I have covered the whole Earth with one step and all the heavenly planets with the second. Now where shall I place My foot to measure the third step of land you promised Me?"

Bali Maharaja bowed down in humility and offered his own head for the third step. The Lord placed his foot upon it and sent him to Patala — and, pleased with his surrender, promised to remain with him there. It is on this day that the Lord, sleeping in the milk ocean, turns upon his other side, and it is in memory of Bali's surrender that the fast is kept.

Whoever fasts on Parsva Ekadashi and worships Vamandev is freed from all sin and attains the abode of Shri Hari.