English
Utpanna Ekadashi: The Appearance of Goddess Ekadashi
Source: Traditional Ekadashi vrat katha (Ekadashi Mahatmya)
Yudhishthira asked Krishna, “Lord, why is the Ekadashi fast the greatest of all fasts? How did this tithi first appear?” Krishna smiled and said, “O king, hear its story.”
In the Satya Yuga there was a terrible asura named Mura, the son of the asura Nadijangha. By his might he defeated the gods and drove them out of heaven. Indra and all the gods were left wandering the earth.
The unhappy gods first went to Lord Shiva. Shiva said, “Go and take refuge in Lord Vishnu, the sustainer of the world.” The gods reached the Ocean of Milk, sang Lord Vishnu's praises and told him of their suffering.
Lord Vishnu went with the gods to Mura's city, Chandravati. A fierce battle broke out. The Lord destroyed countless asuras, but his fight with Mura went on for a very long time. The story says it lasted a thousand divine years.
At last the Lord left the battle to rest, went to Badrikashram, and lay down in yogic sleep in a beautiful cave named Hemavati.
But Mura did not give up the chase. Searching for him, he reached that very cave. Seeing the Lord asleep, he laughed to himself: “Today I will finish off the protector of the gods himself.”
He raised his weapon and moved towards the sleeping Lord Vishnu… and just then the cave filled with a wondrous light.
From Lord Vishnu's body emerged a supremely radiant and beautiful maiden. In her hands were divine weapons, and in her eyes a fiery brilliance.
Mura saw the maiden and arrogantly began to fight her. But he could not stand before the goddess. The story says that with a single roar (hunkar) from her, Mura was burned to ashes.
Just then Lord Vishnu awoke from his yogic sleep. He saw the ashes of Mura and asked in wonder, “Who has slain this mighty asura?”
The maiden folded her hands and said, “Lord, I am your own power, born from your body. This asura wanted to kill you in your sleep, so I put an end to him.” When the news of Mura's end reached the gods, they were overjoyed, and their lost heaven was restored to them.
The Lord was pleased and said, “Devi, you have appeared on the Ekadashi tithi of the dark fortnight of Margashirsha, so your name shall be Ekadashi. Ask for a boon.”
Goddess Ekadashi asked not for herself but for the world: “Lord, whoever fasts with devotion on this tithi, may their sins be destroyed and may they gain devotion to you.”
The Lord said, “So be it. From today you will be the dearest to me of all tithis. Whoever keeps your fast will receive my grace.”
Since then this Ekadashi has been called Utpanna Ekadashi, because on this day Goddess Ekadashi was born (utpanna). Devotees who wish to begin keeping Ekadashi through the year traditionally start with this one. On this day devotees remember Goddess Ekadashi with gratitude, together with Lord Vishnu.
What this story teaches
Even when the devotee sleeps, the Lord's power is awake. Goddess Ekadashi asked her boon not for herself but for the good of all.
Utpanna Ekadashi falls in the dark fortnight of Margashirsha (Agahan), and by tradition the practice of keeping Ekadashi is begun with it. It is customary to fast, worship Lord Vishnu and Goddess Ekadashi and keep night vigil, and to break the fast on Dwadashi. The story is told as part of the Ekadashi Mahatmya; its source is given in some places as the Bhavishyottara Purana and in others as the Padma Purana, and some versions name the cave Simhavati.
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