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Arjuna, filled with devotion for Lord Krishna, said - "O Lord! Please tell me the story of the Ekadashi that occurs during the Krishna Paksha of Ashwina month. What is the name of this Ekadashi, and what benefits can be attained by observing it? Please explain with details."
Lord Krishna said to Arjuna - "O Dhanurdhara! The Ekadashi that occurs during the Krishna Paksha of Ashwina month is called Indira Ekadashi. By observing the fast on this Ekadashi, all sins are cleansed and those ancestors who have descended into hell are liberated. O Arjuna, simply by listening to the story of this Ekadashi, one can attain infinite rewards. I will narrate this story to you, so please listen attentively -
In the Satya Yuga, there was a city named Mahishmati, which was ruled by a powerful king named Indrasena. He was blessed with sons, grandsons, wealth and a prosperous kingdom. His enemies were always fearful of him. One day, while the king was sitting comfortably in his royal court, Maharishi Narada arrived. On seeing Narada, the king rose from his seat, showed his respect and offered him a seat of honour. Then Maharishi Narada said - "O king! Is everything well in your kingdom? I am very pleased to see your righteousness."
The king said - "O divine sage! By your grace, everything is well in my kingdom and all my Yajna Karma and other deeds have been successful. O Maharishi, please tell me the purpose of your arrival here. What service can I offer you?"
Maharishi Narada said - "O, noble king! I was greatly astonished to see your father seated in the assembly of Yamaraja when I visited the realm of death from Brahmaloka. Your father was a wise, charitable and pious man, but due to his violation of the Ekadashi fast, he ended up in the realm of Yama. He has sent a message to you."
The king asked eagerly - "What is the message, Maharishi? Please tell me as soon as possible."
Narada told the king, that his father said - "Maharishi! please deliver a message to my son Indrasena, the king of Mahishmati city. Due to my sinful deeds in a past life, I have found myself in this realm. If my son observes the fast of Indira Ekadashi during the Krishna Paksha of Ashwina month and donates the merit of this fast to me, I will be liberated. This will allow me to be free from this realm and reside in heaven."
On hearing that his father was suffering in the Yamaloka, Indrasena felt a deep sadness. He said to Narada - "O Narada, it is truly distressing to learn that my father is in Yamaloka. I am determined to take steps to liberate him. Please kindly explain to me the procedures for observing the Indira Ekadashi fast."
Narada Ji said - "O King! On the tenth day of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashwina, one should take a spiritual bath early in the morning. After this, it is recommended to take a bath once again at noon. Following the second bath, one should perform the Shraddha ceremony for their ancestors and have only one meal that day. At night, one should sleep on the floor. On the next day, which is Ekadashi, after completing your daily duties and taking a bath, observe the fast with devotion. Make a resolution as follows - "Today, I will abstain from food and give up all forms of enjoyment. I will eat on the following day. O Lord, you are my protector. Please assist me in completing my fast."
After that, In the afternoon, establish the idol of Shaligrama Ji and invite a Brahmin for a meal, offering him Daskhina.
Set aside a portion of the food for a cow. Worship Lord Vishnu with Dhupa, Naivedya, etc and stay awake throughout the night. On the day of Dwadashi, observe silence and share a meal with your relatives. O King! This is the method of observing the fast of Indira Ekadashi. By diligently following this fast and avoiding laziness, you will ensure that your father becomes eligible to reside in heaven."
Narada explained all the rituals to the king and then disappeared. When Indira Ekadashi arrived, the king observed the fast according to all its prescribed rites. As a result of fasting alongside his relatives, flowers rained down from the sky and the king's father ascended to heaven on a chariot, leaving the Yamaloka.
Due to the influence of this Ekadashi, King Indrasena also enjoyed happiness in this world and eventually ascended to heaven.
Lord Krishna said - O friend! I have described the greatness of Indira Ekadashi to you. By merely reading and listening to this story, all sins are absolved and one becomes eligible to reside in heaven in the end."
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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.
