Astha SangrahASTHA SANGRAHhttps://asthasangrah.comShri Vijaya Ekadashi Vrat Katha
The Vijaya Ekadashi Vrat Katha is the story of Vijaya Ekadashi in Phalgun's dark fortnight, in which Shri Ram, seeking a way to cross the sea, goes on Lakshman's advice to the ashram of the sage Bakadalbhya, keeps this vow by the kalash rite the sage teaches, and conquers Lanka.
Chapter 1 · The Exile, Sita's Abduction and the Seashore
Yudhishthira said, 'Vasudeva, which Ekadashi falls in Phalgun's dark fortnight? Kindly tell me.' Shri Krishna said, 'Narada once asked Brahma, who sits on the lotus: best of the twice-born, kindly tell me the merit of the Ekadashi named Vijaya in Phalgun's dark fortnight. Brahma said: Narada, listen; I will tell you that supreme story which removes sin. This vow of Vijaya I have told to no one. It is an ancient, holy vow that destroys sin, and Vijaya surely gives victory to kings.'
'Long ago Shri Ram went to the forest for fourteen years and lived at Panchavati with Sita and Lakshman. While he lived there, Ravana, out of greed, carried off Sita, the illustrious wife of Ram, whose very self was victory. Ram too was overwhelmed by that grief. Wandering, he saw the dying Jatayu. Then Kabandha was slain, and as he wandered the forest, a friendship formed with Sugriva. Armies of monkeys gathered for Ram. Then Hanuman found Janaki in a garden of Lanka, gave her Ram's token ring and did a great deed, and returning, told Ram everything. Hearing Hanuman, Ramachandra set out with Sugriva's consent.'
'Reaching the seashore, Ram said: Saumitri, by what merit can this abode of Varuna, this fathomless sea full of creatures, be crossed? I see no way by which it may be crossed with ease. Lakshman said: you are the first god, the ancient supreme person. Raghava, the sage Bakadalbhya lives here, within an island; his ashram is half a yojana from here, and, Raghunandana, many other brahmins are there too. Lord of kings, go and ask that ancient, foremost sage. Hearing Lakshman's fine words, Raghava went to see the great sage Bakadalbhya, and bowed his head to the sage as the gods bow to Vishnu. The sage knew him to be Ram, the ancient supreme person, who had entered a human body for some purpose. Delighted, the sage said: Ram, for what reason have you come?'
Chapter 2 · The Sage Bakadalbhya's Counsel, and the Kalash Rite
Ram said, 'Brahmin, by your grace I have come with my army to the shore of the sea, lord of rivers, to conquer Lanka with its rakshasas. With your favour, how may I cross this sea? O sage, tell me the way and be gracious now. For this reason I have come here to see you.' Hearing Ram, the great sage Bakadalbhya, glad at heart, said to the lotus-eyed Ram, 'Ram, keep this very day the finest of vows. By keeping it you will soon have victory; conquering Lanka and the rakshasas, you will win shining fame. Keep this vow with a focused mind: in Phalgun's dark fortnight there is Vijaya Ekadashi. Ram, by its vow you will have victory, and you will surely cross the sea with the monkeys.'
'O king, hear the rite of this fruitful vow. On Dashami have a kalash made, of gold, silver, copper or clay. Adorn it, fill it with water, set leaves in it and install it. Place seven grains beneath it and spread barley over them, and set a golden image of Lord Narayana upon it. On the day of Ekadashi bathe in the morning, and keep the kalash steady, adorned with a garland and sandal paste. Worship it especially with areca nuts and coconuts, and with fragrance, incense, lamps and many kinds of food offerings. Ram, spend that day before the kalash in good stories, and let the wise keep vigil before it through the night.'
'Keep a ghee lamp burning unbroken for the vow. When the day of Dwadashi comes and the sun rises, carry the kalash to a body of water, a river, a spring or a pond, install it there and worship it with due rites. Then give that kalash, together with the deity, to a brahmin who has mastered the Vedas, and, lord of kings, give great gifts along with it. Ram, keep this vow with care by this very rite together with your commanders, and victory will be yours.'
Chapter 3 · Shri Ram's Vow, and the Conquest of Lanka
'Hearing this, Ram did just as he had been told. When the vow was complete, Raghunandana was victorious: he won back Sita, conquered Lanka, and Ravana was slain in battle. My son, those who keep this vow by this rite gain victory in this world, and the next world too is theirs for ever. For this reason the vow of Vijaya should be kept. The glory of Vijaya destroys every sin, and by reading and hearing it one gains the fruit of the Vajapeya sacrifice.'
How to Read Shri Vijaya Ekadashi Vrat Katha
On Dashami, set up a kalash of gold, silver, copper or clay filled with water and leaves, with seven grains beneath and barley above, and an image of Lord Narayana on it. On Ekadashi, bathe in the morning, adorn the kalash with a garland and sandal, worship it with areca nuts, coconuts, fragrance, incense, lamps and food offerings, spend the day in sacred stories and the night in vigil, and keep a ghee lamp burning unbroken. At sunrise on Dwadashi, worship the kalash on the bank of a river or pond and give it to a brahmin learned in the Vedas.
About Shri Vijaya Ekadashi Vrat Katha
The Vijaya Ekadashi Vrat Katha is told in three chapters. In the first, Brahma says this vow gives victory to kings, and the story follows Shri Ram's exile, Sita's abduction and Hanuman's journey to Lanka to the seashore, where Lakshman sends Ram to the sage Bakadalbhya. In the second, the sage teaches Vijaya Ekadashi and its kalash rite. In the third, Ram keeps the vow, wins back Sita and conquers Lanka.
This vow is kept on the Ekadashi of Phalgun's dark fortnight, a few days before Maha Shivratri. Those seeking success in a hard undertaking keep it especially.
The Vijaya Ekadashi Vrat Katha has no named author. It is the forty-fourth chapter of the Uttara Khanda of the Padma Purana, in which Lord Krishna tells Yudhishthira the story Brahma once told Narada. The text given here is a verse-by-verse translation of that chapter's 39 Sanskrit verses.
Benefits of the Vijaya Ekadashi Vrat Katha
The katha closes by saying that those who keep Vijaya by this rite gain victory in this world and an imperishable next world, that its glory destroys every sin, and that reading or hearing it brings the fruit of the Vajapeya sacrifice.
Frequently asked questions
How many chapters does the Vijaya Ekadashi Vrat Katha have?
It has three chapters, based on the 39 verses of the forty-fourth chapter of the Padma Purana's Uttara Khanda.
Who told Shri Ram about the Vijaya Ekadashi vow?
Finding no way to cross the sea, Shri Ram went on Lakshman's suggestion to the ashram of the sage Bakadalbhya, who lived half a yojana away within an island. The sage taught him this vow and its kalash rite.
What is the kalash rite of Vijaya Ekadashi?
On Dashami a kalash filled with water and leaves, with seven grains beneath and barley above, is set up with an image of Lord Narayana. On Ekadashi it is worshipped and the night is spent in vigil, and at sunrise on Dwadashi it is worshipped on the bank of a body of water and given to a brahmin learned in the Vedas.
When is Vijaya Ekadashi in 2027?
Vijaya Ekadashi falls on Thursday, 4 March 2027. The parana time will be given on the festival page as the date approaches.