Glories of Bhaimi Ekadashi

Yudhisthira Maharaj said, "Oh Sri Krishna, all glories unto You! You have explained to me the auspicious day
known as Sat-tila Ekadashi, which occurs during the dark fortnight (Krishna paksha) of the month of Magha
(January – February). Now please explain to me the Ekadashi that occurs in the light fortnight (Shukla or
Gaura paksha) of this month. Who is the presiding Deity that is to be worshipped and how it is to be
observed?”

Lord Sri Krishna replied, "Oh Yudhisthira, this Ekadashi obliterates all kinds of sinful reactions and demoniac
influences that may be affecting the spirit soul. It is known as Jaya Ekadashi. One who observes a fast on this
sacred day is relieved of ghostly existence. I shall explain a wonderful historic episode regarding this
Ekadashi, which I have already related in the Padma Purana.

Long ago when Lord Indra ruled his celestial kingdom, all the devas living there were happy and content. In the
Nandana Forest, Indra drank ambrosia whenever he liked and enjoyed the service of the Apsaras, who
danced in ecstasy for his pleasure.

Many singers, led by Pushpadanta, sang in sweet voices. Chitrasena, Indra's chief musician was there in the
company of his wife Malini and his handsome son Malyavan. An Apsara named Pushpavati became very
much attracted to Malyavan; indeed Cupid's sharp arrows pierced the core of her heart. Her beautiful body
and the enchanting movements of her eyebrows captivated Malyavan.

Seeing Pushpavati, Malyavan was bewitched at once. They had come with the other performers to please Lord
Indra by singing and dancing, but because they had become so enamored of each other, they were unable to
sing or dance properly before Lord Indra.
Lord Indra understood the source of the mistakes at once. Offended at the discord in the musical performance,
he became very angry and cursed them both to suffer as pisachas (hobgoblins) in the earthly regions.

Malyavan and Pushpavati at once fell from the beautiful Nandana Forest in the kingdom of heaven to a
Himalayan peak on Earth. Very much distressed, and their celestial intelligence vastly diminished by the
effects of Lord Indra’s fierce curse, they lost their sense of taste and smell. It was so cold in the Himalayan ice
that they could not even sleep. Roaming aimlessly, they suffered more and more, even though they were in a
cave, because of the snowfall and cold their teeth chattered and they were frightened.

By their great good fortune, it so happened that very day was the all auspicious Jaya Ekadashi, the Ekadashi
of the light fortnight of the month of Magha. Due to their misery, they neglected to drink any water, kill any
game, or even eat whatever fruits and leaves were available and they unknowingly observed Ekadashi by
fasting completely. Very much tired, both Malyavan and Pushpavati collapsed beneath a Pipal tree.

The night was even colder and more miserable than the day. They embraced each other just to keep warm.
They suffered through the whole night under the powerful curse of Indra. Still, by the mercy of the fast they
had unknowingly observed on Jaya Ekadashi, and as they had remained awake all night, they were blessed.

As Dvadashi dawned on the next day, Malyavan and Pushpavati had lost their demoniac forms and were once
again beautiful heavenly beings wearing exquisite garments. A celestial airplane (vimana) arrived on the spot
for them. The couple stepped into the beautiful aircraft and proceeded directly to the heavenly regions.
Malyavan and Pushpavati arrived at Amravati, Lord Indra’s capital city, and then they immediately went before
Indradev and offered him their obeisances.

Lord Indra was astonished to see that they had been transformed to their original forms so soon after he had
cursed them. Indradev asked them, ‘What meritorious deeds have you performed? Who released you from my
curse?’

Malyavan replied, ‘Oh lord, it was by the extreme mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri
Krishna and also by the powerful influence of the Jaya Ekadashi, that we were released from our suffering
condition as pisachas. We executed devotional service to Lord Vishnu unknowingly (ajnata sukruti) by
observing the day most dear to Him; we have happily been restored to our former status.’

Indradev then said, ‘As you have served the Supreme Lord by observing Ekadashi, you have become
worshipable even by me, as you are now completely purified of sin.’

It is said that if one fasts on this day, then one receives entrance to Vishnu's abode, even though one has not
performed the other vratas of the year.