While listening to the stories of the Ekadashis, Arjuna asked Lord Shri Krishna - "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? Please describe it in detail."
Lord Shri Krishna said - "O Arjuna! The Ekadashi of Adhika (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 Narada Ji. This procedure destroys many sins and grants liberation and devotion. Listen carefully to its fruits and procedure -
The fast should commence on the day of Dashami. On this day, one must avoid the use of bronze utensils entirely and refrain from consuming foods like meat, lentils, chickpeas, kodo millet, honey, leafy vegetables and anything offered by others. Instead, Havishya food should be eaten and salt should be excluded. It is advised to sleep on the ground during the night of Dashami and practice celibacy. On the morning of Ekadashi, after completing daily rituals, one should brush their teeth and rinse their mouth twelve times, then proceed to a sacred place for a bath. During the bath, cow dung, clay, sesame seeds, Kusha grass and Amla powder should be used as per prescribed rituals. Before applying the clay to the body, a prayer should be recited, saying - "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."
After that, while chanting the Varuna Mantra, in the absence of holy pilgrimage sites, one should remember them and bathe in a pond. After bathing, one should put on clean and beautiful clothes, and perform Sandhya and Tarpana before going to the temple to worship the Lord. One should worship the golden idols of Lord Krishna with Goddess Radha and Lord Mahadeva with Goddess Parvati. A clay or copper pot should be placed on top of the grains. This pot should be adorned with cloth and fragrances and a copper, silver or gold vessel should be placed on its mouth. The idol of Lord Shri Hari should then be placed on this vessel and worshipped with incense, lamps, offerings, flowers, saffron and more. Afterwards, one should dance and sing in front of the Lord. On that day, one should not touch a Patita or menstruating woman. It is important to listen to mythological stories in front of the Lord with other devotees. The Padmini Ekadashi fast of the Shukla Paksha during Adhika Masa should be observed without water. If a person does not have the strength to remain without food, they may observe the fast with water or light food. One should stay awake at night, remembering the Lord through dance and song. During each Prahara, one should pay homage to Lord Shri Hari or Lord Shankar. In the first Prahara, offering coconut to the deity is recommended; in the second, Bilva fruit; in the third, custard apple; and in the fourth, betel nut and orange. Each offering is believed to bestow extraordinary benefits: the results of performing Agnihotra in the first Prahara, Vajapeya Yajna in the second, Ashwamedha Yajna in the third, and Rajasuya Yajna in the fourth. This fast is considered unparalleled - surpassing all other Yajnas, austerities, charities, and merits. Observing the Ekadashi fast is said to grant the equivalent rewards of all pilgrimages and sacred rituals combined.
To fulfill your spiritual duties, you should stay awake until sunrise. After taking a bath, it is important to feed Brahmins. All items, including the idol of the Lord, should be offered to them. Those who worship the Lord and observe the fast according to the prescribed rituals are blessed. After enjoying many pleasures in this world, they ultimately reach Vishnu Loka.
O Arjuna! I have explained to you the complete procedure for observing the Ekadashi fast. Now, I will share the story of those who have observed the Padmini Ekadashi fast with devotion. Please listen carefully. This beautiful story was told by Maharishi Pulastya to Narada Ji - Once, Kartavirya imprisoned Ravana in his prison. Maharishi Pulastya requested Kartavirya to release Ravana. Hearing this incident, Naradaa Ji questioned Maharishi Pulastya, saying - "O Maharishi! How was Kartavirya able to conquer the powerful Ravana, who had defeated all the gods, including Indra? Please explain it to me in detail."
Maharishi Pulastya said - "O Narada! First, listen to the story of Kartavirya's birth - In the Treta Yuga, a king named Kartavirya ruled the city of Mahishmati. The king had a hundred wives, but none of them bore him a worthy son to inherit the kingdom. In his desperation, the king respectfully invited Brahmins and performed Yajnas in hopes of obtaining a son, but all his efforts were in vain. Just as pleasures appear tasteless to a sad person, the king's kingdom felt sorrowful without an heir. Finally, realising that he could attain Siddhis only through penance, he decided to go to the forest to perform Tapasya. His wife, Pramada, the daughter of King Harishchandra, left her clothes and ornaments behind and accompanied her husband to the Gandhamadana Mountain. There, they performed Tapasya for ten thousand years, yet they could not achieve Siddhi. The king's body was reduced to a mere skeleton due to the severity of the penance. Seeing his condition, Pramada, filled with devotion, asked the revered Sati Anasuya - "My Lord has been performing Tapasya for ten thousand years, yet the Lord has not been pleased. This is why I have not been able to bear a son. What could be the reason for this?"
On hearing Pramada's question, Goddess Anasuya replied - "In the Adhika (Launda) month, which occurs every thirty-six months, there are two Ekadashis. The Ekadashi of the Shukla Paksha is called Padmini, while the Ekadashi of the Krishna Paksha is known as Parama. By observing their fasts and staying awake at night, you will surely be granted a son by God."
After that, Goddess Anasuya explained the procedure for the fast. Queen Pramada observed the Ekadashi fast and stayed awake at night, following the method described by Goddess Anasuya. Lord Vishnu was very pleased with her efforts and wished to bless her with a boon. Queen Pramada requested - "Lord, please grant this boon to my husband."
On hearing Queen Pramada's words, Lord Vishnu responded - "O Queen Pramada! Mala Masa (Launda) is extremely dear to me and among its days, Ekadashi is the most cherished. You have observed this Ekadashi fast and stayed awake through the night according to the prescribed rituals; therefore, I am very pleased with you." Lord Vishnu turned to the king and continued - "O King! Ask for any boon you desire, because your wife has pleased me greatly."
Listening to the divine words of God, the king said - "O Lord! Please grant me the best son, who is revered by all and invincible against gods, demons and humans, except for You."
After granting the king the desired boon, the Lord disappeared. Subsequently, both the king and his queen returned to their kingdom. In due course, they had a son named Kartavirya. He was invincible against everyone except Lord Shri Hari. Kartavirya had even conquered Ravana. This was all a result of the Padmini Ekadashi fast. After recounting this story, Maharishi Pulastya departed from there.
Shri Krishna said - "O son of Kunti, Arjuna! I have described the fast of the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi of the Adhika (Launda) Masa. The person who observes this fast will go to Vishnu Loka."
Sutaji said - "O best of sages! I have told you what you wanted to know. Now, is there anything you would like to know? Those who listen to this story of the Padmini Ekadashi fast will be entitled to heaven."
God is omnipresent and has the power to grant even the most challenging desires. However, it is essential to understand how to please the Lord in order to obtain what an individual seeks. Padmini Ekadashi is a highly revered day for the Lord; observing this fast is often considered more effective than Japa-Tapa, i.e, chanting and performing penances. Through this fast, one can achieve even the most difficult-to-obtain blessings.
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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.
