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Indira Ekadashi Vrat Katha -
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Indira Ekadashi Vrat Katha

The Kahta or story of this Indira Ekadashi Vrat is as follows:

Yudhishthira Maharaj said, "Oh Madhusudana, what is the name of the Ekadashi that occurs in the dark fortnight (Krishna-paksha) of the month of Ashwina (September-October)? Please describe to me its glory."

Lord Sri Krishna replied:

"This auspicious day is called Indira Ekadashi. If one fasts on this day, all his sins are wiped away and his ancestors who went to hell become free. O best of kings, he who only hears this auspicious Ekadashi, attains his merit by performing a horse sacrifice.

In Satya-yuga there lived a king named Indrasena who was so powerful that he destroyed all his enemies. His kingdom was called Mahishmati-pur. The religious king Indrasena took good care of his subjects and was also very devoted to Lord Sri Vishnu.

One day when King Indrasena was presiding over his congregation, Sri Narada Muni was seen descending. The king offered Devarishi Narada, great respect and washed his feet, etc. Then Narada Muni asked, "O king, are the seven parts of your kingdom prosperous?"

The Seven parts or members of the Kingdom are the welfare of the king and his ministers, his treasury, his army, his allies, the Brahmans, the sacrifices made in his kingdom, and the needs of the subjects. "Is your mind engaged in thinking how to perform your duties properly? Are you becoming more and more devoted to the service of the Supreme Lord Sri Vishnu?

The king replied: 'Grace, all is well. Today, by your mere presence, all the sacrifices made in my kingdom will succeed! Please explain the reason for your visit here.

Sri Narada then said, "When I descended from Brahmaloka to Yamaloka, Lord Yamaraja praised me and offered me an excellent seat. While praising his wonderful service to the Supreme Lord, I noticed your father in Yamaraja's assembly. Although he was very religious, because he broke the Ekadashi fast prematurely, he had to go to Yamaloka. Your father gave me a message for you. He said, "There is a king named Indrasena living in Maishmati. Please tell him that because of my past misdeeds I have somehow been forced to live in the kingdom of Yamaraja. Please convey this message from me to him: "O son, kindly observe the coming Indira Ekadashi and give a lot of charity so that I may ascend to heaven."

As stated in the Garuda Purana, a person suffering in hell cannot practice Krishna consciousness because that requires calm, which is impossible due to the regressive tortures of hell. If a relative of a sinner suffering in hell gives charity on behalf of the sinner, he can leave hell and enter the heavenly planets. But if a sinner's relative observes this Ekadashi fast for his suffering relative, the relative goes directly to the spirit world, as stated in the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.

Narada continued, "I have come to convey this message to you. You should help your father by observing the Indira Ekadashi fast. Because of your merit, your father will enter heaven.

King Indrasena asked:

"O great Narada, please tell me specifically how the fast of Indira Ekadashi should be observed and also tell me in which month and on which day it takes place."

Narada Muni replied, “O King, listen as I describe to you the entire process of observing Indira Ekadashi. This Ekadashi occurs during the dark fortnight of Ashwina month. On Dashami tithi, the day before Ekadashi, get up early in the morning, take bath and then worship with full faith. At noon bathe again in flowing water and then offer to your ancestors with faith and devotion. Do not eat more than once that day and sleep on the floor at night.

When you wake up on the morning of Ekadashi, clean your mouth and teeth thoroughly and then with deep devotion make a sacred promise to the Lord: "Today I will fast completely and renounce all sense pleasures. O lotus-eyed Supreme Personality of Godhead, please give me shelter at the feet of my Lotus Feet." Stand before the holy image of Sri Shaligram Shila at noon and worship Him faithfully following all the rules and regulations; then offer ghee oblations to the holy fire and tarpana directed to your ancestors, to help. Then feed the qualified brahmins (non-grain prasadam) and offer them charity according to your means. Now take the food grains offered to your ancestors, smell them and then offer them. Then, worship Lord Hrishikesha with incense and flowers and finally stay awake for the whole night near the deity of Lord Sri Keshava.

“Worship Sri Hari early next morning with great devotion and invite the Brahmin devotees for a sumptuous feast. Then feed your relatives and finally eat your meal in silence. O king, if you strictly observe the Indira Ekadashi fast and control your senses, your father will surely be elevated to the abode of Lord Vishnu. Saying this, Devarishi Narada immediately disappeared.

"King Indrasena perfectly followed the instructions of the great saint by observing the fast in the company of his relatives and servants. When he broke his fast on the Dvadashi tithi, flowers fell from the sky. The merit that Indrasena Maharaj earned by observing this that fast released his father from the realm of Yamaraja and made him attain complete spiritual enlightenment the body. Indeed, Indrasena saw him ascending to the abode of Lord Hari on the back of Garuda Vahana.

O Yudhishthira, that is the glory of Indira Ekadashi, which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwina."

Thus ends the description of the glories of Ashwina-Krishna Ekadashi or Indira Ekadashi, taken from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.

So friends, here ends the description of the Indira Ekadashi Vrat. I hope you liked this video, and if you did like it, then please hit the like button and also subscribe to this channel, if you haven't done so already.

I wish all of you the successful and joyful observance of all the Ekadashis and i pray that Lord Vishnu's and Lord Krishna's blessings be upon all of us.

Advaita

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