Vijaya Ekadashi

In the Padma Purana, Brahma tells this story to Narada. After Sita was carried off, when Shri Ram reached the seashore with the monkey army, he asked Lakshman by what merit this fathomless sea, full of fearsome creatures, could be crossed. Lakshman told him that half a yojana away, on an island, was the ashram of the sage Bakadalbhya, and that they should ask him.

The sage Bakadalbhya recognised Shri Ram and told him of Vijaya Ekadashi in Phalgun's dark fortnight. Its vidhi is this: on Dashami, set up a kalash of gold, silver, copper or clay filled with water and leaves, and place a golden image of Lord Narayan on it. On Ekadashi, put seven grains and barley on the kalash and worship it with fragrance, incense, lamp and offerings, spend the day in sacred talk and keep vigil at night. At sunrise on Dwadashi, carry the kalash to the bank of a river, spring or pond, worship it and give it, with the image, to a brahmin learned in the Vedas.

At the sage's word Shri Ram kept this vow with his commanders, and by its power he was victorious: he slew Ravana in battle, conquered Lanka and won back Sita. That is why this Ekadashi is called 'Vijaya', the victorious. According to the Purana, reading and hearing this episode brings the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice.

Devotees bathe in the morning and take the vow, observing a fruit-based or waterless fast through the day. Lord Vishnu is worshipped, and the legend of Vijaya Ekadashi is heard.

The vow's special rite is the kalash puja: on Dashami a water-filled kalash is set up with an image of Lord Narayan on it, on Ekadashi it is worshipped and the night spent in vigil, and on Dwadashi the kalash is worshipped on the bank of a water body and given to a brahmin.

The fast is broken the next day, on Dwadashi, within the scripturally prescribed Parana muhurat. This vow is observed especially by devotees wishing for victory in an important task, examination, or competition.