Indira Ekadashi Fast in the Year 2022 will be observed on Wednesday, 21st September 2022
The Ekadashi of Ashwin Krishna Paksha is called the Indira Ekadashi. On, this day, Shaligram is worshipped and the fast is observed. All sins of a person are removed on observing fast of this Ekadashi. It is believed that, observing this fast gives salvation to the soul of ancestors who received hell, after death. Just by hearing the fast story of this Vrat, a person gets fruits as received by performing a Yagya.
Indira Ekadashi Fast Story :In the ancient golden age, there lived a glorious ruler Indrasen in a city named Mahishmati. He was complete with son, grandson, wealth etc. and always used to destroy his enemies.
Once, king was sitting in his assembly with peace and happiness. Then, Maharishi Narad came there. The king stood up immidiately and welcomed him with Ardhya etc. Narad Ji said “Hey King, I am very much pleased with your religious devotion.
Once I went to Yamlok. I saw your father sitting in the meeting of Yamraj. Your father was a wise, generous and religious person but he left the fast of Ekadashi in between. As a result, he received Yamlok after death. I have come here with a message from your father”.
Your Father said “my son’s name is Indrasen and he rules over Mahishamti. If he observe the fast of Indra Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha, Ashvin Masa, then I shall get salvation. By the fruits of this Ekadashi, I will leave this place and reach heaven.” Hearing this, Indrasen felt very upset and asked the procedure of Indira Ekadasi fast from Maharishi Narad.
Indira Ekadashi Fast Method :Maharishi said, on the Dashmi Tithi (a day before Ekadashi) of Ashwin Masa, Krishna Paksha, bathing etc, should be done with faith, in the early morning. After this, bath should be taken in the evening also. Then, Shraddh should be performed, for the ancestors.
On the next day, fast of Indira Ekadashi should be observed. Person observing this fast should wake up early in the morning, on the day of fast. He should complete his routine work and, then he should do Datun and bathing. Now, the resolution of fast should be taken. In the fast of Ekadshi, fruits are eaten in the night only.
And on Dvadashi (a day after Ekadashi), food should be taken making donations etc. In the noon time of Ekadashi, idol of Lord Ram is established. A Brahman should be called to do this work. And, the Brahman should be offered food and alms.
Some part of the food prepared should be given to cows. Lord Vishnu should be worshipped with incense sticks, lamps and Navedy etc. One should not sleep on the night of Ekadashi. Lord Vishnu’s Path and chanting of mantra, should be done throughout the night. Or else, Bhajan and Kritans can also be sung.
Next day, after the early morning bath, Brahmans should be given alms. Later, food is taken with the family member. If any person, observe the fast of Indra Ekadshi, without laziness, then surely his ancestors receive heaven. Listening the procedure of this fast from Maharishi Narad, the king observed the fast with full family in a systematic manner.
Seeing this, flowers started showering from the sky. And, king’s father went out of Yamlok and reached heaven. By the grace of this fast, king started living happily, and after death, he reached heaven. Just by hearing the story of this fast, a person gets rid of all his sins.
