Learn the Story and Worship Method of Rama Ekadashi

Rama Ekadashi Vrat Katha: Rama Ekadashi is the first Ekadashi of the month of Kartik, which falls during the Chaturmas period and coincides with Damodar.  This day is dedicated to devotion to Lord Krishna and Radha Rani and is considered to be of great importance.  According to the Skanda Purana, observing the fast of Rama Ekadashi not only brings salvation in terms of religion, economics, and work, but also enables the devotee to experience pure devotion to Lord Krishna. It is an excellent opportunity to increase the purity of the dead body and mother as well as love for God today, so that we will learn about the importance of Rama Ekadashi, its story, and the method of worship.

Importance of Rama Ekadashi

Rama Ekadashi is observed to obtain the grace of Lord Krishna and Radha Rani.  By performing this fast, all the wishes of the devotee are fulfilled and he gets the blessings of God.   This event not only completes the devotional picture but also awakens spiritual peace and love devotion to God. Skanda Purana mentions that by performing this fast in the company of pure devotees, time attains supreme devotion to Lord Krishna in front of which worldly pleasures feel very small.

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Puja Vidhi of Rama Ekadashi Vrat

Rama Ekadashi is a three-day fast that includes Dashami, Ekadashi, and Dwadashi.  Special rules and methods are prescribed for each day as follows:

On Dashami (one day before the fast)

• Preparations for Rama Ekadashi Vrat start from the tenth day. One should not eat grain at night on this day.  Before evening, one should eat a light sattvic meal.
• On this day, you can start meditating on God and chanting the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra to purify your mind and body.

On the day of Ekadashi

The day of Ekadashi is the main day of the fast in which the rules of the fast have to be followed with complete devotion: 

• Get up at Brahma Muhurt in the morning on this day.  Sleeping after sunrise is considered harmful to age and health.
• Clean yourself physically and mentally by taking a bath etc.  Sprinkle Ganga water and purify the house.
• Take the resolution of Rama Ekadashi Vrat with Ganga water in hand, and recite the mantra, or the resolution indicates your devotion to God and your loyalty to the Vrat.
• Do the Mangala Aarti of God at home.  If possible, visit the temple.
• After that, worship Tulsi, light a ghee lamp in front of Tulsi, and do Aarti. Circle Tulsi at least three times.
• Sit in front of Tulsi and chant Hare Krishna Maha Mantra. You can chant at least 8, 16, 25, or 32 malas.
• Do not eat food throughout the day. If complete fasting is not possible, you can eat fruits, milk, or dried fruits or food-free offerings made for Ekadashi.
• Recite Hare Krishna Maha Mantra throughout the day.  Study texts like the Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavat, and listen to the stories of God.  Avoid bad things like lying and slander. 
• In the evening, light a ghee lamp in front of the Lord and the Tulsi tree and chant the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra.  Wake up at night if possible.

 On the day of Dwadashi

• On the day of Dwadashi, observe the fast within the prescribed time.  Get up in the morning at Brahma Muhurt, take a bath, and do Mangala Aarti of the Lord.
• Before Paran, give charity to a qualified Brahmin or Vaishnava and then complete the fast with food offerings offered to the Lord.

Rama Ekadashi Vrat Katha

The story of Rama Ekadashi is related to a religious king Muchukund.  King Muchukunda was a devotee of Lord Vishnu and had a daughter named Chandrabhaga.  Chandrabhaga married a prince named Shobhan who was the son of a king named Chandrasena.  Shobhan was also a devotee of Lord Vishnu but his health was very poor.

Once Chandrabhaga came to her father’s kingdom with her husband on the occasion of Rama Ekadashi.  In the kingdom of King Muchukunda, observance of the Ekadashi fast was compulsory.  Shobhan also resolved to fast but his physical weakness worried Chandrabhaga.  He requested his father to exempt Shobhan from the fast, but the king said that the fast of Ekadashi was compulsory for all and it was a sin to break it.

Shobhan started the fast with determination.  He fasted all day, worshiped Lord Vishnu, and chanted the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra.  However, he died in the night due to his poor physical condition.  Chandrabhaga and King Muchukunda were very sad, but Lord Vishnu was pleased with Shobhan’s devotion and gave him a place in his abode.  Shobhan’s soul entered the heavenly abode and the fame of his devotion spread all over.

This story conveys the message that observing the fast of Rama Ekadashi with faith and devotion brings the grace of Lord Vishnu and paves the way for the devotee’s liberation.  This story inspires devotees that despite a weak body, one can attain the grace of God through the power of devotion and resolve.

FAQ- Rama Ekadashi Vrat Katha