Ekadashi Vrat Katha — Complete with Meaning
Ekadashi is the eleventh lunar day of each fortnight — both waxing and waning. This fast is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Skanda Purana and Padma Purana tell of its origin — the goddess Ekadashi slew the demon Mur, and Vishnu granted her a boon. Fasting and singing Vishnu's praises on this day destroys sins and leads to liberation.
|| Doha ||
Ekadashi ke vrat se, Vishnu hot prasann | Paap nasht, punya badhe, moksh ka dwaar khule ||
Prachin kaal mein Mur naam ka daitya tha | Devataon ko sataata, swarg par raaj karta | Vishnu ji ne usse yuddh kiya | Thake hue Vishnu gufa mein so gaye ||
Mur gufa mein aaya Vishnu ko maarne | Vishnu ki shakti se Ekadashi Devi prakat hui | Usne Mur ka vadh kiya, devataon ko bachaaya | Vishnu ne dekha — yah Devi meri bhakt hai ||
Vishnu ne Ekadashi Devi ko vardan diya | Jo is din vrat rakhe, uske paap nasht hon | Is din ka vrat sahastr yagya ke barabar | Moksh ka dwaar khole Ekadashi ka vrat ||
Raja Ambreesh ne Ekadashi vrat kiya | Durvaasa Rishi aaye, unhonne bhojan ki maang ki | Raja ne paaran mein paani piya — vrat rakha | Vishnu ki kripa se Rishi aur Raja dono prasann ||
|| Doha ||
Ekadashi ke din karo, Vishnu ka dhyan jaap | Ann tyaago, man lagaao, nasht hon sab paap ||
Meaning
Doha
Ekadashi ke vrat se, Vishnu hot prasann | Paap nasht, punya badhe, moksh ka dwaar khule ||
By the Ekadashi fast, Lord Vishnu is pleased, sins are destroyed, merit grows, and the door to liberation opens.
Verse 1
Prachin kaal mein Mur naam ka daitya tha | Devataon ko sataata, swarg par raaj karta | Vishnu ji ne usse yuddh kiya | Thake hue Vishnu gufa mein so gaye ||
In ancient times there was a demon named Mur who tormented the gods and ruled heaven. Lord Vishnu fought him and, exhausted, slept in a cave.
Verse 2
Mur gufa mein aaya Vishnu ko maarne | Vishnu ki shakti se Ekadashi Devi prakat hui | Usne Mur ka vadh kiya, devataon ko bachaaya | Vishnu ne dekha — yah Devi meri bhakt hai ||
Mur entered the cave to kill Vishnu. From Vishnu's energy, the goddess Ekadashi appeared and slew Mur, saving the gods. Vishnu saw — this goddess was his devotee.
Verse 3
Vishnu ne Ekadashi Devi ko vardan diya | Jo is din vrat rakhe, uske paap nasht hon | Is din ka vrat sahastr yagya ke barabar | Moksh ka dwaar khole Ekadashi ka vrat ||
Vishnu granted the goddess Ekadashi a boon — whoever fasts on this day shall have their sins destroyed. This fast equals a thousand yagnas and opens the door to liberation.
Verse 4
Raja Ambreesh ne Ekadashi vrat kiya | Durvaasa Rishi aaye, unhonne bhojan ki maang ki | Raja ne paaran mein paani piya — vrat rakha | Vishnu ki kripa se Rishi aur Raja dono prasann ||
King Ambreesh kept the Ekadashi fast. Sage Durvasa arrived and demanded food. The king broke his fast with only water, honoring the vow. By Vishnu's grace, both the sage and the king were pleased.
Doha
Ekadashi ke din karo, Vishnu ka dhyan jaap | Ann tyaago, man lagaao, nasht hon sab paap ||
On Ekadashi day, meditate and chant Vishnu's name. Renounce grains and fix your mind on him — all sins shall be destroyed.
Meanings written in simple language by the KathaMantra team.
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Frequently asked questions
What can be eaten on Ekadashi fast?
On Ekadashi, grains, lentils, rice and wheat are forbidden. You can eat fruits, milk, sabudana, kuttu flour, singhara, sweet potato, makhana and rock salt. Some observe a nirjala fast — without even water.
When to break the Ekadashi fast (Parana)?
Break the fast after sunrise on Dwadashi. Check the panchang for the auspicious Parana time in the morning. Begin with tulsi leaf and water. If the Parana time is missed, it can be done on Trayodashi the next day.
How many Ekadashis are there in a year?
There are 24 Ekadashis in a year — one each in the waxing and waning fortnights of every month. In a leap month, two more are added. Each Ekadashi has its own name and special significance.