॥ Indira Ekadashi Vrat ॥
Puja Vidhi:
- Wake up early, take a bath in the morning, and wear clean clothes.
- Mediate the Shaligram form of Lord Vishnu.
- Make a swastika on the cloth with kumkum.
- Offer flowers and rice on the swastika while chanting “Om Ganeshaya Namah” by bowing to Lord Ganesha.
- Then, install Shaligram or the picture of Lord Vishnu inside the home temple.
- Do Vishnu Puja by pouring Gangajal water on the idol or picture of Lord Vishnu.
- Offer roli, sandalwood, akshat, incense sticks, sweets, etc.
- Read Vishnu Sahasranama and perform aarti.
- In the evening, light a lamp in front of the Tulsi plant.
- Listen to the story of Indira Ekadashi Vrat.
- Donate food to Brahmins after performing Shradh in the name of ancestors.
- Conclude your fast by eating fruits on the day of Dwadashi.
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॥ Indira Ekadashi Vrat Katha ॥
Arjuna, overwhelmed with devotion towards Lord Krishna, said, “O Lord! Now, please tell me the story of Ekadashi of the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin. What is the name of this ekadashi, and what is the benefit of observing its fast? Please tell me in detail.”
Lord Krishna said to Arjuna, “O archer! Ekadashi of the dark fortnight of Ashwin month is called Indira. By observing fast on this Ekadashi, all sins are destroyed. The ancestors who have gone to hell are redeemed. O Arjuna! By merely listening to the story of this Ekadashi, a man gets infinite benefits. I am telling this story; listen carefully.
In the Satyuga, a mighty king named Indrasen ruled in a city named Mahishmati. He was full of sons, grandsons, wealth, grains, etc. His enemies were always afraid of him. One day the king was sitting comfortably in his royal court when Maharishi Narada came there. Seeing Narada ji, the king got up from his seat, bowed down, and gave him a seat with respect. Then Maharishi Narada said, ‘O King! Is everyone well in your kingdom? I am very happy to see your devotion to religion.’
The king said, ‘O Devrishi! By your grace, everyone is well in my kingdom, and by your grace, all my Yagya rituals, etc., have been successful. O Maharishi, now please tell me for what purpose did you come here? What service can I do for you?’
Maharishi Narad said, ‘O Nripotam! I am very surprised that once, when I went from Brahmaloka to Yamlok, I saw your father sitting in the court of Yamraj. Your father was a great scholar, donor, and virtuous, but due to the Ekadashi fast being spoiled, he has gone to Yamlok. Your father has sent a message for you.’
The king asked eagerly, ‘What is the message, Maharishi? Please tell me as soon as possible.’
Rajan, your father has said, ‘Maharishi! Please go to my son Indrasen, who is the king of Mahishmati city, and give him a message that I have got this world because of the bad deeds of my previous life. If my son observes the fast of Indira Ekadashi on the dark half of Ashwin month and gives me the fruits of that fast, then I will be liberated. I will also be freed from this world and live in heaven.’
Indrasen was very sad to hear that his father was in Yamalok, and he said to Narad, ‘O Naradji! This is very sad news that my father is in Yamalok. I will find a way to free him. Please tell me the rules of Indira Ekadashi fast.’
Naradji said, ‘O King! On the Dashami day of Krishna Paksha of Ashwin month, one should take a holy bath in the morning with devotion. After this, one should also take a holy bath in the afternoon. At that time, after coming out of the water, perform the Shraddha of ancestors with devotion, eat food once that day, and sleep on the ground at night. On the next day, i.e., on the day of Ekadashi, after finishing the daily chores and taking a holy bath, observe a fast with devotion and take a resolution like this: ‘I will remain without food today and will give up all pleasures. After this, I will eat food the next day. O God! You are my protector. Please complete my fast.’
After following this ritual, install the idol of Saligramji in the afternoon and call a Brahmin and feed him and give him dakshina.
Give some portion of the food to a cow, worship Lord Vishnu with incense, offerings, etc., and stay awake at night. Thereafter, on the day of Dwadashi, remain silent and eat with your friends and relatives. O King! This is the method of observing the fast of Indira Ekadashi. If you give up laziness and observe the fast of this Ekadashi, your father will become entitled to heaven.
Naradji disappeared after explaining all the rules to the king. When the king came to Indira Ekadashi, he observed the fast as prescribed by the rules. Due to observing this fast along with his friends and relatives, flowers rained from the sky, and the king’s father went to heaven from Yamlok on a chariot.
Because of this Ekadashi, King Indrasen also enjoyed happiness in this world and finally went to heaven.
Lord Krishna said, “O friend, I have described the significance of Indira Ekadashi in front of you. By just reading and listening to this story, all sins are mitigated, and in the end, a man becomes entitled to heaven.”
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Story Summary
Whatever vow a man makes, he should fulfill it with body, mind, and money. One should not break the vow of doing any work.
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