Nirjala Ekadashi Katha

Part 1: Bhimasena's Distress

This is from the age of the Mahabharata. Bhimasena, the second of the Pandava brothers, was famous for his huge body and immense strength. In his belly burned a fierce fire called 'Vrika', so he needed a great deal of food. He could not stay hungry even for a moment. That is why he was also called 'Vrikodara'.

All his brothers, his mother Kunti and his wife Draupadi kept both Ekadashis every month with discipline. Only Bhima was unable to keep this vrat. He was deeply troubled about it in his heart. He felt, 'Although I am a devotee of Lord Vishnu, I am deprived of his favourite vrat, and so I will become a sharer in sin.'

Part 2: The Question to Vedavyasa

One day Bhimasena went to the ashram of Maharshi Vedavyasa. Bowing at his feet he said, "Gurudev, my brothers, my mother and Draupadi all keep the Ekadashi vrat and tell me too to keep it. But I cannot bear hunger. I can give in charity, I can worship the Lord, but fasting is not possible for me. Please tell me some way by which I can get the full fruit of Ekadashi without fasting every month."

Maharshi Vedavyasa said affectionately, "Bhima, if you want the joys of heaven and release from hell, keep the Ekadashi vrat of both fortnights." Bhima said, "Gurudev, that is exactly what I cannot do. If there were just one vrat in a year, I would surely keep it. Please tell me such a single vrat."

Part 3: The Remedy of the Nirjala Vrat

Then Vyasa Ji said, "Son, keep the vrat of the Ekadashi of the Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha without grain and without water. On that day take water only for achamana, not more. If you keep this vrat waterless from sunrise to sunrise, you will receive the fruit of all twenty-four Ekadashis of the year."

Part 4: Bhima's Vrat and Its Fruit

Hearing this, Bhima was not alarmed. He made a firm resolve and on Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi kept the whole vrat without food or water. In the scorching heat of Jyeshtha his body grew weak with hunger and thirst and he was nearly unconscious, but he did not break his resolve. His brothers and Draupadi also kept supporting him. The next day, on Dwadashi, Bhima bathed, worshipped Lord Vishnu, fed Brahmins, gave charity and then broke the fast himself.

It is said that from that very day this tithi became famous as 'Pandava Ekadashi' and 'Bhimaseni Ekadashi'. The person who keeps this Ekadashi vrat with full discipline, gives water and grain in charity and remembers Lord Vishnu has his sins washed away and attains Vishnu's abode.

Thus ends the complete Nirjala Ekadashi Katha