Rama Ekadashi
Rama Ekadashi is observed during the waning phase of the moon in the month of Ashwin (October–November). Its significance is described in the Brahmavaivarta Purana, where Lord Krishna narrates its glory to Yudhisthira. This Ekadashi is known to fulfil wishes and destroy sins.
Lord Krishna narrated a story: In ancient times, there lived a righteous king named Muchukund. He was a close friend of Indra, Yamaraja, Varuna, and even Vibhishana, the saintly brother of Ravana. The king’s daughter, Chandrabhaga, was married to Prince Shobhana.
One day, Shobhana visited his father-in-law on the day of Ekadashi. Chandrabhaga became worried because her husband was physically weak, and in her father’s kingdom **no one**—not even animals— was allowed to eat on Ekadashi.
She told him, “My father is strict. When the drum is struck, it announces that nobody should eat on Ekadashi. If you cannot fast, you must leave at once.”
But Shobhana replied, “I will fast. Whatever happens will happen.”
He tried to fast, but by night he became extremely weak. By sunrise on Dwadashi, Shobhana had passed away.
Due to the merit of observing even one Ekadashi, Shobhana was reborn as the king of Devapura, a celestial city atop Mandara Mountain. But his kingdom was temporary because he observed the fast only once.
A saint from Muchukund’s land visited Devapura, and Shobhana asked him to tell Chandrabhaga about his situation. He explained that **only Chandrabhaga**, who strictly observed every Ekadashi, had the spiritual power to make his temporary kingdom permanent.
When Chandrabhaga heard this, she sought the help of Sage Vamadeva, who transported her to Devapura. Her spiritual strength, earned through lifelong devotion and Ekadashi fasting, transformed Shobhana’s temporary kingdom into a permanent one, and the royal couple lived eternally as celestial beings.
Lord Krishna concluded: “One who observes Ekadashi during both the bright and dark fortnights is freed from the greatest sins. Ekadashis are equal—just as milk from black and white cows is the same, so are the merits of Ekadashis. Whoever listens to the glories of Rama Ekadashi attains the supreme abode of Vishnu.”