Ekadashi Katha: The Story of Utpanna Ekadashi

The story in brief

Utpanna means "born". Utpanna Ekadashi is kept on the Ekadashi of the waning half of Margashirsha in the Purnimanta calendar, which is Kartika Krishna Ekadashi in the Amanta calendar. It is the Ekadashi on which the day itself is said to have come into being. In the usual telling, Krishna explains its glory to Arjuna.

In Satya Yuga, the first age, there lived a powerful demon named Mura, who ruled from the city of Chandravati. He defeated Indra and the other gods and drove them from heaven. Indra went to Shiva, who sent him on to Vishnu. Vishnu came with the gods and fought Mura for a very long time, but could not end the battle.

Tired, Vishnu went to rest in a cave at Badarikashrama, in the Himalaya. Mura followed him there and prepared to kill him as he lay still. Then a radiant young woman came forth from Vishnu's own body. She fought Mura and defeated him.

Vishnu woke, saw what had happened and was pleased. He named her Ekadashi, because she had appeared on the eleventh day. When he offered her a boon, she asked that those who keep the fast on her day be freed from sins. In the tradition, Vishnu granted this and promised that they would reach his abode, Vaikuntha.

Details differ between tellings. Popular accounts name the Padma and Bhavishyottara Puranas, but the cave, the length of the battle and the exact boon are told in different ways, so follow your family's book.

Another well-known Ekadashi story is that of King Ambarisha and the sage Durvasa. While waiting for the sage to return from the river, the king takes only a sip of water so that the time for breaking his fast is kept. The offended sage sends harm after him, Vishnu's discus drives the sage back, and the king's forgiveness ends it.

What it teaches

• Ekadashi is Vishnu's own power. She comes from his body, so keeping her day is seen as turning to him for protection.
• Discipline can be devotion. The fast means restraint, simple food and attention to prayer. It is not meant to cause suffering.
• Humility and forgiveness matter. This is the lesson of the Ambarisha story.

The traditional texts promise freedom from sin and a place in Vaikuntha. This site does not promise results. Many people simply find Ekadashi a steady monthly rhythm of restraint and prayer.

How the vrat is kept

Ekadashi comes twice a month. Some teachers recommend beginning the yearly cycle of Ekadashi fasts on Utpanna Ekadashi.

• Keep the evening before (Dashami) light and simple.
• On Ekadashi morning, bathe and make a sankalpa (= a quiet resolve) to keep the fast.
• Worship Vishnu with tulsi leaves, flowers and a lamp, and chant his names or "ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय" (Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya). Ask a priest or elder to guide pronunciation.
• Read or hear the katha, and spend free time in prayer. A night vigil with bhajans is optional.
• Avoid rice, wheat, other grains and beans. Fruit, nuts, milk, potato, sabudana and rock salt are commonly eaten.
• Break the fast on Dwadashi, after sunrise, within the parana (= fast-breaking) window shown for your city.

The strictest form of the fast takes no food or water, but many families keep a lighter one. People with health conditions, pregnant or nursing women, children and the elderly should follow their doctor's advice and may keep a lighter fast. Customs vary; follow your family's way or your priest's guidance.