Vijaya Ekadasi on 24.2.2025

Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja addressed Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, saying:

“O Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, O illustrious son of Vasudeva, I beseech Thee to be merciful unto me and to expound upon the Ekādaśī that falls within the dark fortnight of the month of Phālguna (February-March).”

In response, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa spoke thus:

“O Yudhiṣṭhira, O sovereign among sovereigns, with gladness shall I impart to thee knowledge of this most auspicious fast, known as Vijayā Ekādaśī. Verily, he who observes this fast shall attain success both in this life and in the hereafter. Indeed, all the transgressions of one who partakes of this Ekādaśī fast and hearkens unto its sublime glories shall be utterly effaced.”

It is recounted that Nārada Muni once inquired of Lord Brahmā, the deity seated upon the lotus, regarding the merits of observing Vijayā Ekādaśī. Śrī Nārada, ever the seeker of divine wisdom, addressed his illustrious father thus:

“O pre-eminent among the celestials, I implore thee to reveal the merits conferred upon those who observe, with unwavering faith, the fast of Vijayā Ekādaśī.”

To this, Lord Brahmā replied:

“O my son, know this fast to be the most ancient and purest of all fasting days, possessing the power to absolve all sins. Until this day have I never disclosed its supreme virtue, yet unto thee shall I now impart its truth, for beyond doubt, this Ekādaśī bestoweth that which its name proclaims—Victory.”

When Lord Rāma was exiled to the forest for fourteen years, He, alongside the noble goddess Sitā and His devoted brother Lakṣmaṇa, dwelled in Pañcavaṭi as ascetics. It was in this time that the demon Rāvaṇa abducted Mother Sitā, casting Lord Rāma into great distress, for He, assuming the guise of an ordinary mortal, exhibited the sorrow of one bereft of His beloved. In His search for Sitā, the Lord encountered the valiant Jaṭāyu, who, grievously wounded, imparted to Him tidings of Sitā’s abduction ere he ascended to Vaikuṇṭha.

Subsequently, Lord Rāma forged an alliance with Sugrīva, the sovereign of the monkeys, who pledged his forces in service of the Lord’s cause. Thereupon, an army of monkeys and bears was assembled, and the valiant Hanumānji was dispatched to Śrī Laṅkā, where he beheld the divine Sitā Devī in the aśoka grove. There he presented to her the signet ring of Lord Rāma as proof of his authenticity and mission.

With Sugrīva’s aid, Lord Rāma journeyed towards Śrī Laṅkā, but upon reaching the shores of the boundless ocean, He perceived its formidable depths, teeming with menacing aquatic creatures. Addressing His brother, He said:

“O Lakṣmaṇa, O son of Sumitrā, how may We amass sufficient merit to traverse this vast ocean, the fathomless domain of Varuṇa? No facile means of passage do I discern.”

Lakṣmaṇa, wise and devoted, thus counselled:

“O supreme among beings, O primeval Lord of the celestials, O eternal personality, not far from hence, upon an isle but four miles distant, dwelleth the venerable sage Bakadālbhya. So ancient is he that he hath witnessed the rise and fall of many a Brahmā. Let Us seek his counsel, for he shall surely illumine the path that We must tread.”

Thus did Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa proceed unto the humble hermitage of that incomparable sage, rendering unto him obeisance as though he were a second Viṣṇu. Yet, with his divine insight, Bakadālbhya Muni discerned that Lord Śrī Rāma was, in truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who, for His inscrutable purposes, had chosen to walk among men in human semblance.

The sage addressed the Lord, saying:

“O Rāma, O foremost among beings, what cause bringeth Thee unto my lowly abode?”

To this, the Lord responded:

“O great twice-born brāhmaṇa, I have come hither to the shore of this vast ocean, leading a host of monkey and bear warriors, for the purpose of vanquishing Rāvaṇa and his demoniac hordes. O exalted sage, bestow upon Me Thy grace and reveal unto Me the means by which We may traverse this formidable expanse.”

The sage, suffused with divine wisdom, thus imparted his counsel:

“O Lord Rāma, I shall disclose unto Thee the most exalted of all fasts, the observance of which shall assuredly grant Thee victory over Rāvaṇa and eternal renown. Attend, therefore, with utmost diligence.”

“Upon the eve of Ekādaśī, prepare a water vessel fashioned of gold or silver, or, should these be unavailable, copper. Should neither metal be within Thy means, then even an earthen vessel shall suffice. Fill this vessel with pure water and adorn it with fresh mango leaves. Set it upon a sacred altar, atop a mound of seven grains. Upon rising from Thy morning ablutions, anoint the vessel with sandalwood paste and embellish it with floral garlands. Within the concavity of its lid, place barley, pomegranate, and coconut, and, with devotion, revere the vessel as a divine embodiment, offering unto it incense, lamps of clarified butter, and a sumptuous repast.

Throughout the night, remain wakeful in sacred vigil beside this sanctified vessel. Atop its lid, place a golden effigy of Lord Śrī Nārāyaṇa.

With the dawn of Ekādaśī, once more perform the prescribed rites of purification, adorning the vessel anew with fragrant sandalwood paste and fresh garlands. Again shall it be venerated with first-class incense, lamps, and offerings of pomegranate and coconut. With steadfast devotion, maintain vigil throughout the night.

When Dvādaśī dawns, bear this consecrated vessel to the banks of a hallowed river or, should such be distant, to the shores of a tranquil pond. Having worshipped it once more in due accordance with sacred ordinance, present it unto a pure-hearted brāhmaṇa, well-versed in the Vedic sciences. Shouldst Thou and Thy commanders observe the Vijayā Ekādaśī in this prescribed manner, verily shall Thou be victorious in all endeavours.”

Thus did Lord Śrī Rāmacandra, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, heed the sage’s counsel, whereby He triumphed over the demonic forces. Likewise, whosoever observeth the Vijayā Ekādaśī in such fashion shall attain triumph in all worldly undertakings and, upon departing this mortal realm, shall ascend to the eternal kingdom of God, where no anxiety may dwell.

Lord Brahmā then concluded:

“O Nārada, my son, from this history thou mayst comprehend the paramount importance of observing this Ekādaśī fast with unwavering adherence to its rules and precepts. So potent is this fast that it hath the power to obliterate all sinful reactions, even the most grievous.”

Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, addressing Yudhiṣṭhira, then proclaimed:

“O Yudhiṣṭhira, whosoever shall read or listen to this sacred account shall accrue merit equal to that obtained by the performance of an Aśvamedha sacrifice.”

Thus endeth the venerable narration of the glories of Phālguna-kṛṣṇa Ekādaśī, or Vijayā Ekādaśī, as recounted in the Skanda Purāṇa.

Source: Ekadasi: pgs. 51 - 55, The Day of Lord hari by Krsna Balaram Swami