Indira Ekadashi

 Indira Ekadashi is an important fast and religious festival observed in Hinduism. It falls on Ekadashi Tithi, which is the eleventh day of the lunar month.

Story-                                                                                                                                                Dharmaraja Yudhishthira asked, "Oh Lord! What is the name of Ashwin Krishna Ekadashi? What is its ritual and fruit? Please tell me." Lord Krishna replied, "This Ekadashi is called Indira Ekadashi. This Ekadashi destroys sins and liberates ancestors from the lower realm. Oh King! Listen to its story carefully. Just listening to it gives the fruits of the Vayapeya Yagna."

In ancient times, during the Satya Yuga, a mighty king named Indrasen ruled a city named Mahishmati , taking care of his subjects righteously. The king was blessed with sons, grandsons and wealth and was a great devotee of Vishnu. One day, when the king was comfortably seated in his court, Maharishi Narad descended from the sky and came to his court. On seeing him, the king stood up with folded hands and offered him a seat and water as per the rituals.

Sitting comfortably, the sage asked the king, "O King! Are all your seven limbs well? Is your intellect focused on religion and your mind focused on Vishnu Bhakti?" Hearing such words from Devrishi Narad , the king said, "O Maharishi! By your grace, everything is well in my kingdom and yagya and other auspicious deeds are being performed here. Please tell me the reason for your arrival." Then the sage said, "O King! Listen to my words which are surprising."

Once I went from Brahmaloka to Yamaloka. There, I worshipped Yamraj with devotion and praised the righteous and truthful Dharmaraj. In the court of Yamraj, I saw your father, a great scholar and a pious man, breaking the Ekadashi fast. He gave me a message, which I am telling you. He said that due to some problem in my previous life, I am living near Yamraj, so son, if you observe the fast of Ashwin Krishna Indira Ekadashi for me, then I can attain heaven.

Hearing this, the king said, "O Maharshi, please tell me the method of this fast." Naradji said, "On the Dashami day of the dark half of the month of Ashwin, after taking a bath with devotion in the morning, go to a river and take a bath again in the afternoon. Then perform the Shraddha of the ancestors with devotion and eat food once. In the morning, brush your teeth and take a bath on the day of Ekadashi, then accept the rules of the fast with devotion and take a vow that 'Today I will fast on Ekadashi without eating anything, giving up all pleasures.

O Achyuta! O Pundarikaksha! I have taken refuge in you, please protect me, thus after performing the Shraddha ritual in front of the idol of Shaligram as per the rules , feed fruits to the deserving Brahmins and give them Dakshina. Whatever is left after the Shraddha ritual of the ancestors, smell it and give it to the cow and worship Lord Rishikesh with all the materials like incense, lamp, fragrance, flowers, offerings etc.

Keep a vigil near the Lord at night. After this, in the morning of the Dwadashi, worship the Lord and feed the Brahmins. You too should eat silently along with your brothers, wife and son. Naradji said, "O King! If you observe this Ekadashi fast without laziness in this manner, then your father will surely go to heaven." Saying this, Naradji disappeared.

As per the advice of Naradji, when the king along with his relatives and servants observed the fast, flowers rained from the sky and the father of that king rode on Garuda and went to Vishnulok. King Indrasen also ruled without any trouble due to the effect of Ekadashi fast and finally went to heaven after making his son sit on the throne. O Yudhishthir! I told you the significance of fasting on Indira Ekadashi.

Associated Legend-                                                                                                                                        A powerful King by the name of Indrasena ruled a kingdom. The King was honest and cared for the betterment of his subject therefore his name and fame spread widely throughout the region. One day Narad Muni paid a visit to the palace of King Indrasena. He told the King about his visit to the abode of Lord Yama (the God of Death). Narad Muni told the King about his meeting with Indersana’s late father. The King’s father had not attained Moksha and was living in the house of Lord Yama.

The late King had told Narad Muni to convey to Indrasena that he should observe the Indira Ekadashi fast. This would help the late King to attain Moksha and find place in the feet of Lord Vishnu.

Narad Muni directed King Indrasena to observe the ekadashi fast so that his late father could attain Moksha and could find a place in Lord Vishnu’s abode. Thereafter, the King observed Indira Ekadashi fast with full devotion and his father could head to his final resting ground.

Associated Rituals-                                                                                                                                        A day before the Indira Ekadashi, Shradh rituals in honor of dead ancestors and parents need to be performed. Taking food only one time a day is advised on this day. However, the devotees need to observe complete fast on the day of Indira Ekadashi.

Prayers need to continue throughout the day on this ekadashi. Noon hours are especially considered auspicious for praying for the dead ancestors and family members. Night hours need to be spent reciting tales of Lord Vishnu and listening to various events that occurred during life of Lord Vishnu.Family games.

The fast kept on the occasion of Indira Ekadashi needs to be broken the next morning and the devotees should take the morning prasad along with members of the family. It is widely believed that if one keeps fast on this day with full religious devotion, the forefathers and dead parents achieve Moksha and spend their after lives comfortably.

Family games- Celebrating Indira Ekadashi:                                                                                        Devotees need to have a picture or an idol of Lord Vishnu to initiate Indira Ekadashi celebrations. Freshly plucked tulsi leaves, few bananas and other associated Pooja samagri are then offered to the idol.

Visiting a Vishnu temple if you have one in the vicinity of your home is also considered auspicious on this occasion. You should ensure that your heart and soul are thinking about your ancestors since this offering is for them. Observe the fast or Vrat with utmost religious devotion and all the sins will be forgiven by Lord Vishnu.