kamala ekadashi fast story

Kamala Ekadashi (also known as Padmini or Purushottam Ekadashi)

This Ekadashi falls in the Adhik Maas (Malmas), which occurs once every three years, and therefore holds great religious significance.

According to the legend, once Dharmaraj Yudhishthira asked Lord Krishna what is the name of the Ekadashi that falls in the Shukla Paksha of Malmas (extra month) and what is its significance. Then Lord Krishna narrated to him the story of Padmini (Kamala) Ekadashi.

In Treta Yuga, there was a city called Mahishmati, where King Kritvirya (Kartvirya Arjuna) ruled. He had thousands of queens, but none of them had any children. To have a child, the king performed many yagyas, havans and charity, but nothing yielded results. Finally, disappointed, the king handed over his kingdom to his ministers and went to the forest to perform severe penance. The king’s wife, Queen Padmini, decided to accompany him. They performed penance in the forest for many years, but still achieved no success. Seeing Queen Padmini’s severe penance and sorrow, Sati Anasuya advised her to observe the fast of Kamala Ekadashi (Padmini Ekadashi), which falls during the bright fortnight of Adhik Maas. He explained that Lord Vishnu is pleased by the effect of this fast and fulfills all the wishes of the devotees.
The queen observed this fast with all the rituals and worshipped Lord Vishnu. Pleased with the effect of the fast, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Narayana appeared.

Lord Vishnu asked the queen to ask for a boon. Queen Padmini did not mention any of her own desires, but simply asked for a child for the king. The god granted the boon, promising her a son who would be valiant, famous, and immortal in all three worlds. With the blessings of the Lord, the queen was blessed with a valiant son (Kartavirya Arjuna), who later became invincible even to the gods. Method and rules of fasting: The fast of this Ekadashi should be observed with full devotion and rules – Dashami Tithi: Eat Satvik food in the evening a day before the fast. Do not consume rice.

Ekadashi Tithi:

Wake up in the Brahma Muhurta, take a bath, and then take a vow to fast.

Install idols of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi in your home’s prayer place.

Pujan:
Offer fruits, flowers, incense, lamps, naivedya, and yellow clothes to the Lord.

Recite the Vishnu Sahasranama.

Donation: Donating to the poor is of great importance on this day.

Parana:
End the fast only after feeding or donating to Brahmins during the auspicious time on the next day, Dwadashi Tithi.