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Traditional story (retold)
Part 1: Yudhishthira's Question
Once Dharmaraj Yudhishthira asked Lord Shri Krishna, "O Janardana, why is the Ekadashi vrat considered the best of all vrats? How did it originate? Please tell me the full account."
Part 2: The Demon Mura and the Gods' Crisis
Shri Krishna said, "O king, this is a matter from the Satya Yuga. In the city of Chandravati lived a mighty demon named Mura. He was the son of Nadijangha. In the pride of his strength he defeated Indra, Varuna, Yama, Agni and all the gods, and took control of heaven. Terrified, the gods went into hiding in mountains and caves.
When no remedy came to mind, all the gods went with Indra to Mount Kailash to Lord Shiva and told him of their distress. Shiva Ji said, 'O gods, in this crisis, take refuge in Lord Vishnu. He alone will protect you.' Then the gods reached the Ocean of Milk, where Lord Vishnu was reclining on the serpent Shesha. The gods folded their hands, praised him and said, 'Lord, the demon Mura has taken our heaven away. We are in your shelter; protect us.'
Lord Vishnu said, 'Do not worry. I will certainly destroy that demon.' With all the gods he reached the city of Chandravati. There Mura was roaring with his countless army. With a shower of his arrows, the Lord finished his entire army in a moment. But Mura's strength was such that a terrible battle went on between the Lord and him for thousands of years.
Part 3: Goddess Ekadashi Appears in the Cave
In the end the Lord grew tired of the fighting and went to Badrikashram to rest. There was a cave twelve yojanas long called Simhavati (Hemavati). The Lord went into it and lay down to sleep. Mura followed him and reached the cave. When he saw the Lord deep in sleep, he thought, 'Today I will put an end to this Vishnu.' As he raised his weapon and stepped forward, at that very moment an extremely radiant and beautiful maiden appeared from the Lord's body. She was armed with divine weapons, and the cave lit up with her radiance.
That maiden challenged Mura and fought a fierce battle with him. In a short time she cut off the head of that mighty demon, and he fell to the ground and lay still. His remaining companions fled in fear to Patala.
When the Lord woke from his sleep, he saw Mura dead and the maiden standing before him with folded hands. In wonder he said, 'Who killed this enemy?' The maiden said, 'Lord, you were asleep, and this demon had come wishing to kill you. Then I appeared from your body and destroyed him.'
Part 4: The Boon and the Glory of Ekadashi
The Lord was very pleased and said, 'You are my own power. You appeared on the Ekadashi tithi, so from today your name will be Ekadashi. Ask for a boon.' The maiden said, 'Lord, if you are pleased, grant me the boon that whoever fasts in my name has his sins destroyed and attains your abode. May I be counted the best among all tithis.'
The Lord said, 'So be it. The devotee who keeps a vrat on your day will have his sins destroyed and will receive moksha. You will give greater fruit than all pilgrimages and sacrifices.' Having said this, the Lord disappeared. From then on the Ekadashi vrat became established in the world.
O Yudhishthira, for this reason it came to be called Utpanna Ekadashi, because on this very day Goddess Ekadashi was born. The person who gives up grain on Ekadashi, worships Lord Vishnu with faith and listens to this katha is freed from all sins and attains Vishnuloka."
Thus ends the complete Utpanna Ekadashi Vrat Katha