Indira Ekadashi Vrat Katha
Yudhishthira said, “O Madhusudana, please tell me, what is the name of the Ekadashi that falls in the Krishna Paksha of the month of Ashwin?”
Lord Shri Krishna replied, “In the Krishna Paksha of the month of Ashwin, there is an Ekadashi called Indira Ekadashi. It grants liberation to departed ancestors, destroys sins, and leads to salvation. Listen carefully as I narrate its story. Long ago, in a city called Mahishmati, there ruled a famous king named Indrasena, who punished his enemies and governed with justice. That king, rich in glory, protected his subjects with dharma. Blessed with children and grandchildren, abundant wealth, and prosperity, King Indrasena was deeply devoted to Lord Vishnu. Constantly chanting the holy name of Govinda, he spent his time in spiritual contemplation, meditation, and penance.”
Read also : Indira Ekadashi 2025: Know The Date, Tithi And Rituals
“One day, while the king was happily seated in his court, Sage Narada arrived. The king immediately descended from his throne, folded his hands, performed worship according to custom, and offered him a seat. After being comfortably seated, Narada Muni asked, ‘O King, are the seven limbs of your kingdom flourishing? Is your mind firmly placed in dharma? Are you devoted to Lord Vishnu?’ Hearing these words, the king humbly replied with folded hands, ‘O revered sage, by your grace everything is well. All my sacrifices and endeavors have borne fruit with your blessed darshan. Please tell me the purpose of your arrival.’ Sage Narada said, ‘O King, listen with attention to my wondrous words. I came from Brahmaloka to Yamaloka, where Yamaraja worshiped me and offered me a seat. There, in his assembly, I saw your pious father, who despite being virtuous and devoted, had been detained due to not observing a vrata. He has sent you a message: O son, King Indrasena of Mahishmati, because of obstacles in my past birth, I remain here near Yamaraja. Perform the vrata of Indira Ekadashi and offer its merits to me, so that I may be elevated to heaven. This message, O King, is why I have come to you. For the deliverance of your father, you must observe the sacred vrata of Indira Ekadashi.’”
“The king replied, ‘O great sage, please mercifully tell me the procedure of observing Indira Ekadashi. In which month, fortnight, and tithi does it occur, and how should it be performed?’ Narada said, ‘O King, on the Dashami of Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashwin, one must bathe in the morning with devotion. At noon, bathe again, and then with faith perform Shraddha for the ancestors, followed by taking food and sleeping on the floor at night. On the next day, Ekadashi, wake early, brush your teeth, bathe, and with devotion take the vow of the fast, declaring: I will remain without food, refraining from all pleasures, and will take food only the next day. O Pundarikaksha, O Achyuta, you are my protector. Then at noon, perform Shraddha before the sacred Shaligram Shila, feed Brahmins according to your means, and offer them dakshina. The pinda offered in Shraddha should be smelled and then given to a cow. Worship Lord Hrishikesha with incense, lamps, sandalwood, and flowers. Spend the night in vigil before the deity of the Lord. On Dwadashi, worship Lord Hari with devotion, feed Brahmins, and only then break your fast silently with your family.’”
“Narada continued, ‘O King, observe this vrata with diligence and devotion. By doing so, your forefathers will be pleased and will ascend to heaven.’ After giving these instructions, Sage Narada departed. Following the sage’s words, King Indrasena observed the vrata with his entire family. As he performed the Indira Ekadashi vrata, flowers showered from the sky. His father mounted Garuda and ascended to the heavenly planets. Later, after enjoying his kingdom, King Indrasena entrusted it to his son and also attained the higher realms.”
“O King, thus I have narrated to you the glory of Indira Ekadashi Vrat Katha. By observing this vrata, one becomes free from all sins and resides eternally in the abode of Lord Vishnu.”
Read Also in Hindi : Indira ekadashi vrat katha Hindi | इंदिरा एकादशी की कथा (संपूर्ण रूप)
Last Updated on September 7, 2025 by Hinditerminal.com
