Ekadashi fasting is very fruitful. By observing this fast, one gets freedom from the mistake made inadvertently and along with all kinds of donations, such as food donation, land donation, gold donation, cow donation, penance, pilgrimage and performing Ashwamedha Yagya. Whatever virtuous fruit is obtained from it, the same result is obtained by fasting on Ekadashi.
In the Brahmavaivarta Purana, the greatness of Annada Ekadashi is described in the dialogue between Shri Krishna and Yudhishthira. Once Maharaj Yudhishthira asked Lord Krishna that O Krishna what is the name of Ekadashi coming in Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha, please tell me in detail. Hearing this, Lord Krishna said that O king, the name of this Ekadashi which destroys all sins is Annada Ekadashi.
It is also known as Aja Ekadashi and by observing this fast, whoever worships Lord Rishikesh becomes free from all sins. Long ago there was an emperor named Harishchandra in the lineage of Lord Shri Ram Chandra, he was a very truthful king. He had to lose his kingdom because of an unintentional mistake and to keep his word.
Not only this, but he had to sell himself and his son as well. O king, that truthful king had to live as a servant with the Chandala, yet he did not leave the path of truth. The king used to collect the clothes of the dead body by working as a labor on the orders of the Chandala. Thus he remained truthful even while doing the work of King Shudra.
He never got down due to his conduct. In this way many years passed. One day the king was contemplating his misfortune as to what I should do now. How can I get rid of this where I should go and what to do. The king was thus very worried and seeing his condition one day Gautam Rishi reached him.
Seeing the sage, the king got the idea that only for the welfare of the people, Brahma ji has created Brahmins, after bowing to the sage, the king told him his sad situation. Seeing the plight of the king, the sage said that O king, due to your good deeds, Annada Ekadashi of Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha is coming soon. On this day you observe fasting regularly and you do Jagran at night. By observing this fast regularly, you will be free from all the calamities.
O king, I came here only for you, Gautam Rishi disappeared from there by preaching to the king. The king followed this fast as prescribed by the sage and became free from all sins. God said that O king, by observing this fast, one gets rid of all sins, by observing this fast, the wife of King Harishchandra and his dead son got back alive.
He also got his kingdom back and after a few years, King Harishchandra went to the abode of God along with his relatives and subjects. O king, whoever follows this fast regularly will attain the spiritual world. Whoever reads or listens to the story of this fast, gets the result of performing Ashwamedha Yagya.
* On the day of Ekadashi, more and more Hare Krishna Mahamantra should be chanted. By doing this chanting, God is very pleased and protects us and our family from every crisis.On this day one should read texts like Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavatam.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare 🙏🙏🙏🙏🌺🌺🌺🌺❤️❤️❤️❤️🙇🙇🙇🙇