Ekadashi Vrat Katha — The Birth of Ekadashi Devi

Traditionally on Ekadashi Lord Vishnu is worshipped and grains, especially rice, are not eaten. Some fast without water, some take only fruit. At night there are bhajans and a vigil, and the next day, Dwadashi, the fast is broken at the proper time, which is called parana. This katha comes from the Padma Purana, where Shri Krishna tells it to Arjuna.

In the Satya Yug there was a terrible asura named Mur. With his power he defeated Indra and all the gods and drove them out of heaven. The grieving gods went to Lord Shiv. Shiv said, 'Go to Lord Vishnu, protector of the three worlds.' The gods reached the Ocean of Milk and pleaded with the Lord.

Lord Vishnu fought Mur. He destroyed the asura's army, but the fight with Mur himself went on very long, for thousands of years, the katha says. At last the Lord went to rest in a cave named Hemavati at Badrikashram and lay down in yoga-nidra, his meditative sleep.

Mur followed him to the cave. He thought, 'This is my chance: I will kill Vishnu while he sleeps.' As he stepped forward, a radiant maiden appeared from the Lord's body, holding divine weapons. She challenged Mur to battle and put an end to him.

When the Lord awoke, he was amazed to see Mur dead. The maiden told him everything. Pleased, the Lord said, 'You appeared on the Ekadashi tithi of the dark fortnight of Margashirsha, so your name will be Ekadashi. Whoever keeps your vrat with devotion will be dear to me.' This day is called Utpanna Ekadashi, and traditionally it is considered a good day to begin keeping Ekadashi fasts.