📅 Check dates in the Vrat calendar · 🎉 Festival calendar
Traditional story (retold)
Part 1: King Mandhata's Meditation
King Mandhata was performing austerity in the forest on the bank of the Narmada. Just then a bear came and began to chew his foot, but the king did not lose his patience.
Part 2: Vishnu Ji's Grace
The king remembered Lord Vishnu. According to the katha the Lord drove the bear away with his Sudarshana chakra.
Part 3: The Teaching of the Vrat
The Lord said, "Keep the vrat of Vaishakha Krishna Ekadashi and worship the Varaha form." The king did so and, becoming healthy, was happy.
Thus ends the complete Varuthini Ekadashi Vrat Katha
At a glance
• Deity: Lord Vishnu
• When: Vaishakha Krishna Ekadashi
• Fast: Fruit diet or according to capacity
• Parana: On Dwadashi after sunrise
• Main lesson: Patience and protection
Introduction and significance
The Ekadashi vrat is kept on the eleventh tithi of every paksha for the worship of Lord Vishnu. Varuthini means the one who protects. In this vrat there is also a tradition of worshipping the Varaha form of the Lord.
The vrat is regarded less as strict rules than as a practice of restraint, good conduct and devotion.
When it is observed
• Vaishakha Krishna Ekadashi.
• See the Panchang for the tithi and the parana time.
Puja samagri
• An idol or picture of Lord Vishnu
• Yellow flowers, tulsi leaves, sandalwood paste, akshat
• Incense, lamp, panchamrit
• Fruit and sweets
Vrat vidhi
1. Take sattvik food on Dashami and make the resolve for Ekadashi in your mind.
2. On the morning of Ekadashi bathe and worship Vishnu Ji, offering tulsi and yellow flowers.
3. Chant 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya'.
4. Listen to the katha and perform the aarti.
5. Keep a fruit diet or fast according to capacity through the day and do bhajan.
6. On Dwadashi do the parana after sunrise and give charity to someone in need.
Do's
• Stay sattvik and do bhajan-kirtan.
• Offer water to tulsi.
• Give charity and do service.
• Follow the parana time.
Don'ts
• Avoid grain and rice (tradition).
• Avoid anger, slander and lies.
• Do not eat tamasic food.
Benefits (as believed)
It is believed that the Ekadashi vrat helps in purifying the mind and in restraint. Do not take it as a guarantee of any result; faith and good conduct are the main thing.
Mantras and aarti
• Mantra: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya"
• Aarti: https://divyavani.app/aarti/om-jai-jagdish-hare
• Vishnu Sahasranama: https://divyavani.app/stotra/vishnu-sahasranama
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does this Ekadashi come?
A: Vaishakha Krishna Ekadashi. See the Panchang for the tithi.
Q: What can one eat during the vrat?
A: Fruit, milk, sabudana, kuttu and water chestnut. Avoid grain and rice. Keep the fast only according to your health.
Q: When should the parana be done?
A: On the Dwadashi tithi after sunrise, within the parana time given in the Panchang.
Q: Can everyone keep this vrat?
A: Yes, anyone can keep it with faith. The sick, the elderly and pregnant women should keep it on a doctor's advice.
Q: What does Varuthini mean?
A: In Sanskrit, varutha means armour or protection.
Precautions
Take care of your health while fasting and consult a doctor if needed. This katha is a retelling of a traditional story. The method and the form of the katha differ by region.