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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. This holy tale of Ekadashi was once narrated by Bhishma Pitamaha to Narada for the benefit of the people."
Once, Narada said - "O Pitamaha! Today, I wish to hear the story of the Ekadashi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Shravana. Therefore, please narrate the story of this Ekadashi along with its rituals."
Upon hearing Narada's wish Bhishma Pitamah said - "O Narada! 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. During the fast of Kamika Ekadashi, one should worship Lord Vishnu, who holds the conch, discus and mace. Those who worship Lord Vishnu on this Ekadashi with Dhupa, Dipa and Naivedya receive benefits even greater than those obtained by bathing in the Ganges.
The merit obtained from bathing in Kedara and Kurukshetra during Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse is achieved by devoutly worshipping Lord Vishnu on the day of Kamika Ekadashi.
The result of devoutly worshipping Lord Vishnu during the month of Shravana exceeds the merit obtained from donating the Earth along with its oceans and forests.
The merit obtained from bathing in the Gandaki River during Vyatipata is equivalent to the merit gained from worshipping the Lord Vishnu.
The result of worshipping the Lord is the greatest in the world. Therefore, if one cannot worship the Lord with devotion, it is recommended to observe the fast of Kamika Ekadashi during the Krishna Paksha of Shravana month.
The merit obtained from donating a cow along with a calf adorned with ornaments is equivalent to the merit gained from observing the fast of Kamika Ekadashi.
Those excellent Brahmins who observe the fast of Kamika Ekadashi during the Krishna Paksha of Shravana month and worship Lord Vishnu, receive the blessings of all Deva, Nagas, Kinnaras, Pitri and others. Therefore, those who fear sin should observe this fast with proper rituals.
Those who are caught in the ocean of worldly affairs and sins should observe the fast of Kamika Ekadashi to attain liberation.
The fast of Kamika Ekadashi is effective in clearing sins, and there is no other method in the world that eliminates sins 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 observing this fast, one is not subjected to the judgment of Yama, the god of death, nor do they endure the torments of hell. Instead, they become eligible for heaven.
Those who worship Lord Vishnu with devotion using Tulasi leaves on this day remain detached from the ocean of the material world, just as the lotus flower remains separate from the water even while residing in it.
The merit obtained from worshipping Lord Vishnu with Tulasi leaves is equivalent to the merit obtained from donating gold once and silver four times. Lord Vishnu is more pleased with Tulasi leaves than with jewels, pearls, gems and other ornaments.
Those who worship the Lord with Tulasi leaves 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 Tulasi purifies the body.
Offering water to Tulasi destroys all the torments of Yama for a person. Those who devotedly offer Tulasi to the lotus feet of the Lord attain liberation.
Those who stay awake and offer Dipa on the night of Kamika Ekadashi accumulate such immense merit that even Chitragupta is unable to record all their virtues.
On the day of Ekadashi, those who light a Dipa before the Lord allow their ancestors to drink nectar in heaven.
Those who light a Dipa with Ghee or sesame oil before the Lord receive the radiance of thousands of lamps even in the Suryaloka.
Every person should observe the fast of Kamika Ekadashi.
By observing this fast, all sins, including the sin of Brahma-Hatya, are destroyed. After enjoying happiness in this world, the individual ultimately attains Vishnuloka. Listening to or reading the glory of Kamika Ekadashi leads a person to Swargaloka."
Lord Shri Hari is supreme. He is easily pleased with the sincere devotion of His devotees. Tulasi is dear to Lord Vishnu. Lord Shri Hari is not as pleased with diamonds, pearls, gold and silver as He is with the offering of Tulasidala i.e. Tulasi leaves.
Aarti is one of the most important rituals of worshipping any deity. Ekadashi Aarti is a prayer dedicated to Goddess Ekadashi. This Aarti can be sung during Ekadashi fasting and on various occasions related to Ekadashi.
Here we have listed Ekadashi Timings and all the important FAQs related to the Ekadashi fasting so that devotees can avoid the most common mistakes made while observing Ekadashi Vrat.
Learn about the food during Ekadashi Fasting. Being careful while eating anything during the Ekadashi fast is highly important. Devotees can know here what they can eat and what they should avoid eating during Ekadashi fasting.
A complete list of Ekadashi dates is given here. Go through the Ekadashi fasting dates list here so that you never miss fasting on Ekadashi. Ekadashi fast is observed with great enthusiasm by the devotees of Lord Vishnu.
Goddess Ekadashi is considered as the Yoga Maya of Lord Vishnu. Utpanna Ekadashi is the greatest Ekadashi of all. On this day, Goddess Ekadashi was manifested to kill demon named Mura.
It is believed that Vaikuntha Dwaram is opened on this day and devotees who observe fast on Vaikuntha Ekadashi attain salvation. This is a popular Ekadashi in Tamil calendar.
Nirjala Ekadashi is one of the twenty four Ekadashi Vrats which are observed to receive the special grace and blessings of Lord Vishnu. Consumption of water is prohibited during this fast.
Devutthana Ekadashi is one of the twenty four Ekadashi Vrats which are observed to receive special grace and blessings of Lord Vishnu. According to Hindu beliefs, on this day Lord Vishnu wakes up from four months of Yogic sleep.
Utpanna Ekadashi is one of the twenty four Ekadashi Vrats which are observed to receive special grace and blessings of Lord Vishnu. Ekadashi fasting is started from Utpanna Ekadashi.
ISKCON devotees can get the complete list of ISKCON Ekadashi fasting dates here. This list will prove highly informative and useful to those who observe the fast of Ekadashi as per the ISKCON.
