Devuthani Ekadashi story
In the kingdom of a king, everyone kept fast on Ekadashi. From people, servants to animals, food was not given on the day of Ekadashi. One day a person from another kingdom came to the king and said – Maharaj! Please hire me. Then the king put a condition before him that okay, let’s keep it. But every day you will get everything to eat, but on Ekadashi you will not get food.
The person said ‘yes’ at that time, but on the day of Ekadashi, when he was given the food items, he went in front of the king and started pleading – Maharaj! This won’t fill my stomach. I will die of hunger. Give me food.
The king reminded him of the condition, but he did not agree to give up the food, then the king gave him flour, pulses, rice etc. As usual, he reached the river, took bath and started cooking food. When the food was ready, he started calling God – ‘Come God! the food is ready.’
On her call, Lord Krishna arrived in a four-armed form wearing Pitambara and started eating food with her lovingly. After eating food, God disappeared and he went to his work.
Fifteen days later, on the next Ekadashi, he started saying to the king, Maharaj! Give me double the stuff. That day I remained hungry. When the king asked the reason, he told that God also eats with us. That’s why this stuff is not complete for both of us.
The king was very surprised to hear this. He said – I cannot believe that God eats with you. I observe so much fast and worship, but God never appeared to me.
After listening to the king he said – Maharaj! If you don’t believe then come along and see. The king sat hiding behind a tree. That person prepared food and kept calling God till evening, but God did not come. At last he said – Oh God! If you don’t come, I will sacrifice my life by jumping into the river.
But God did not come, then he moved towards the river with the intention of sacrificing his life. Knowing his strong intention to sacrifice his life, soon God appeared and stopped him and they sat together and had dinner. After eating and drinking, he took him in his plane and took him to his abode. Seeing this, the king thought that there is no benefit from fasting unless the mind is pure. The king gained knowledge from this. He also started fasting wholeheartedly and finally attained heaven.
Jai Shri Hari
