Padmā Ekādaśī on 6.7.2025

Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja enquired, “O Keśava, what is the name of that Ekādaśī which occurs during the bright fortnight of the month of Āṣāḍha (June–July)? Who is the worshipful Deity for that auspicious day, and what is the procedure for its observance?”

Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa replied, “O caretaker of this earthly realm, I shall gladly recount to thee a wondrous historical event which the deva, Lord Brahmā, once narrated to his son, the venerable Nārada.

“On one occasion, Nārada asked his father, ‘What is the name of the Ekādaśī that occurs during the bright half of Āṣāḍha? Kindly instruct me how I ought to observe this Ekādaśī, that I may thereby please the Supreme Lord Viṣṇu.’

“Lord Brahmā responded, ‘O great orator amongst saints, best of all sages, and purest of Lord Viṣṇu’s devotees, your question, as ever, is most excellent and beneficial to all mankind. There exists nothing superior to Ekādaśī, the sacred day of Lord Śrī Hari, in this world or any other. If observed properly, it nullifies even the gravest of sins. Therefore, I shall tell thee of this Āṣāḍha-śukla Ekādaśī.

‘Fasting on this day absolves one of all sins and fulfils all desires. Hence, whosoever neglects to observe this sacred fast becomes a suitable candidate for descent into hell. This Ekādaśī is also renowned as Padmā Ekādaśī. In order to please Hṛṣīkeśa, the Lord of the senses, one ought to fast on this day. Attend carefully, O Nārada, as I relate unto thee a marvellous history concerning this Ekādaśī, which is recorded in the scriptures. Merely hearing this account annihilates all sins and removes every obstacle on the path to spiritual perfection.

‘O my son, there once lived a saintly monarch of the solar dynasty by the name of Māndhātā. Because of his steadfast commitment to truth, he was enthroned as emperor. He governed his subjects as though they were his own kin, his very children. Owing to his piety and righteousness, there was neither pestilence, drought, nor disease of any sort throughout his realm. His citizens were free from all disturbances and enjoyed great prosperity. The royal treasury was unsullied by ill-gotten wealth, and thus the king reigned contentedly for many years.

‘However, in due course, some impiety crept into the kingdom, and a severe drought afflicted the land for three years. The people were tormented by famine. Deprived of grain, they could no longer perform the prescribed Vedic rites, offer oblations to their ancestors and the devas, nor even study the sacred scriptures. At last, in great desperation, they assembled before their beloved sovereign and addressed him thus:

‘“O King, ever concerned for our welfare, we now earnestly entreat thy aid. All life depends upon water. Without it, the world becomes barren and desolate. The Vedas proclaim that water is known as nāra, and because the Supreme Personality of Godhead lies upon water, He is called Nārāyaṇa. The Lord makes His abode upon the waters and takes His rest there. In the form of clouds, He traverses the skies and showers rain, from which all foodstuffs are grown, sustaining every creature.

‘“O King, the relentless drought has left us bereft of grain, and we are wracked with suffering. The people perish or flee the kingdom. O noblest of kings, pray, devise a remedy and restore us to peace and prosperity.”

‘The king replied, “You speak truly, for grains are verily like Brahman, the Absolute Truth, who dwelleth within grains and sustaineth all beings. Verily, by grains alone the world is maintained. Yet, why has such a calamity befallen us? The scriptures are replete with guidance on this matter. Should the ruler of a land act irreligiously, both he and his people shall suffer. Long have I pondered the cause of our plight, and having examined both my past and present conduct, I find in myself no fault. Nevertheless, for the sake of my subjects, I shall seek a solution.”

‘Thus resolved, King Māndhātā gathered his army and entourage, paid obeisance unto me, and departed for the forest. He wandered hither and thither, visiting sages in their hermitages and seeking counsel on how to alleviate his people’s distress. At length he came upon the āśrama of Aṅgirā Muni, another of my sons, whose radiance illumined all directions. Seated tranquilly in his hermitage, he appeared as a second Brahmā. Beholding that exalted sage, whose senses were wholly subdued, the king was filled with joy.

‘At once the king dismounted and bowed humbly at the lotus feet of Aṅgirā Ṛṣi. Folding his hands, he prayed for the sage’s blessings. The saint, pleased, blessed the king with sacred mantras and inquired after the seven limbs of his kingdom.

‘Having given his report, the king then enquired after the sage’s own well-being. Thereupon Aṅgirā Ṛṣi asked what had prompted such a journey into the wilderness, and the king recounted the woes that had befallen his kingdom.

‘He said, “O great sage, though I rule in accordance with the Vedic injunctions, our land suffers a grievous drought. I can find no fault in my governance. I have therefore come to seek thy guidance, that I might relieve my people of their suffering.”

‘Aṅgirā Ṛṣi then replied, “O lion amongst kings, the current age—Satya Yuga—is the noblest of all, for in it Dharma stands firm on all four legs. Brāhmaṇas are revered as the highest among men, and all follow their ordained duties. Only twice-born brāhmaṇas may undertake austerities and perform Vedic penances. Yet in thy kingdom, a śūdra unlawfully practiseth such rites, and this transgression is the cause of the drought. Such a person ought to be punished by death, whereby the land shall be cleansed and prosperity restored.”

‘The king responded, “How may I execute a man who, though of low birth, is blameless and engaged in austerity and sacrifice? I beseech thee, provide a spiritual remedy.”

‘The sage then declared, “O King, observe a fast on the Ekādaśī that falls in the bright fortnight of Āṣāḍha. This holy day is called Padmā Ekādaśī. By its potency, the rains shall return and the land shall once again yield its bounty. This Ekādaśī grants perfection to the faithful, dispels all evil influences, and removes every hindrance on the path to perfection. Therefore, you, your family, and your subjects should all undertake this sacred fast. Then, without doubt, all shall be restored.”

‘Having heard these words, the king bowed reverently and returned to his palace. When Padmā Ekādaśī arrived, King Māndhātā summoned all brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras, and enjoined them to observe the fast with utmost devotion. Upon their doing so, the heavens opened, the rains poured forth, and soon the crops flourished in abundance. By the grace of the Supreme Lord Hṛṣīkeśa, all the king’s subjects became joyful and prosperous.

‘Therefore, O Nārada, all should strictly observe this Ekādaśī fast, for it bestows manifold happiness and grants liberation to the faithful.’

Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa concluded, “My dear Yudhiṣṭhira, such is the power of Padmā Ekādaśī that merely hearing or reading its glories frees one from all sin. O son of Pāṇḍu, whosoever desires to please Me should devoutly observe this Ekādaśī, also known as Deva-śayanī Ekādaśī. O lion among kings, this day also marks the commencement of the Cāturmāsya fast, and it ought to be observed by all who seek liberation.”

Thus concludes the narration, as given by the residents of Vraja, of the glories of Āṣāḍha-śukla Ekādaśī—also known as Padmā Ekādaśī or Deva-śayanī Ekādaśī—from the Bhaviṣya-uttara Purāṇa.

Source: pgs 71- 75, Ekādaśī: The Day of Lord Hari by Swami Krsna Bala Ram