Parama Ekadashi Vrat | Parama Ekadashi Vrat Katha in Hindi

Significance of Parma Ekadashi:

Arjun said, O lotus-eyed one! You have described the Ekadashi of the waxing moon in detail, so now please tell me the name of the Ekadashi of the waning moon of Adhikamas, which deity is worshipped in it, and what is the fruit obtained from its fast? And what is its method? Please tell me about all these.

Lord Shri said, O Arjun! The Ekadashi that falls in the waning moon of Adhikamas is called Parma Ekadashi. Generally, there are 24 Ekadashis every year.

Including Adhikamas or Malmas, there are 26 Ekadashis in a year. There are 2 Ekadashis in Adhikamas, known as Padmini Ekadashi (waxing moon) and Parma Ekadashi (waning moon).

By observing this fast, all sins are destroyed, and a person attains happiness in this world and salvation in the next. This fast should be performed according to the prescribed method, and Lord Vishnu should be worshipped with incense, lamps, offerings, flowers, etc.

I will now narrate to you the holy story of this Ekadashi, which took place in the city of Kampilya with the sages. Listen attentively..

Parma Ekadashi Vrat Katha!

In the city of Kampilya, there lived a very virtuous Brahmin named Sumedha. His wife was extremely pure and devoted to her husband. Due to some past sin, the couple was living a life of extreme poverty.

The Brahmin did not receive alms even when he begged. The Brahmin's wife, though devoid of clothes, served her husband and gave food to guests, remaining hungry herself, and never asked her husband for anything. Both husband and wife were living a life of extreme poverty.

One day, the Brahmin said to his wife: O dear! When I ask the wealthy for wealth, they refuse me. A household cannot run without wealth, so if you agree, I will go to a foreign land and do some work, as scholars have praised action.

The Brahmin's wife said humbly: O husband! I am your servant. A wife should do whatever her husband says, whether good or bad. A person reaps the fruits of actions performed in past lives. Even living on Mount Sumeru, a person does not get gold without luck. Those who donate knowledge and land in past lives receive knowledge and land in the next life. What is destined by God cannot be averted.

If a person does not donate, God only gives them food, so you should stay in this place, as I cannot bear to be separated from you. Without a husband, a woman's mother, father, brother, father-in-law, and relatives all criticize her, so O husband! Please do not go anywhere; whatever is destined will be received here.

The Brahmin did not go to a foreign land, following his wife's advice. Time passed in this manner. Once, Sage Kaundinya arrived there..

Seeing the sage, the Brahmin Sumedha and his wife bowed to him and said: Today we are blessed. Our lives have been successful by your sight.

They offered the sage a seat and food. After offering food, the devoted wife said: O great sage! Please tell me the method to destroy poverty. I have stopped my husband from going abroad to earn money. By my luck, you have come. I have full faith that my poverty will soon be destroyed, so please tell me a way to destroy our poverty.

Hearing the Brahmin's words, Sage Kaundinya said: O Brahmin woman! By observing the fast of Parma Ekadashi of the waning moon of Malmas, all sins, sorrows, and poverty are destroyed. A person who observes this fast becomes wealthy. In this fast, one should stay awake at night with singing and dancing, etc..

..This Ekadashi bestows wealth and prosperity and also grants a good destination by destroying sins. Kubera, the lord of wealth, also observed this Ekadashi fast, due to which Lord Bholenath, pleased, granted him the position of treasurer. By the influence of this fast, the truthful King Harishchandra regained his son, wife, and kingdom.

After that, Sage Kaundinya told them the entire method of observing the Ekadashi fast. The sage said: O Brahmin woman! The Pancharatri Vrat is even more excellent than this. On the day of Parma Ekadashi, after finishing daily rituals in the morning, start the Pancharatri Vrat according to the prescribed method..

Those who observe a fast without water for five days go to heaven along with their mother, father, and wife. Those who eat food in the evening for five days go to heaven. Those who bathe and feed Brahmins for five days receive the merit of feeding the entire world. Those who donate horses during this fast receive the merit of donating to all three worlds. Those who donate sesame seeds to an excellent Brahmin reside in Vishnu Loka for a number of years equal to the number of sesame seeds. Those who donate a pot of ghee go to Surya Loka. Those who observe celibacy for five days go to heaven with celestial nymphs. O Brahmin woman! You should observe this fast with your husband. By this, you will surely attain accomplishment and heaven in the end.

As per the words of Sage Kaundinya, the Brahmin and his wife observed the Parma Ekadashi fast for five days. Upon completion of the fast, the Brahmin's wife saw a prince approaching their home.

Inspired by Brahmaji, the prince gave them an excellent house, complete with all amenities, to live in. Subsequently, the prince granted a village for their livelihood. Thus, the poverty of the Brahmin and his wife was removed, and after enjoying happiness on earth for many years, the couple departed for the supreme abode of Shri Vishnu.

Vrat Vidhi (Fasting Method)

The fast begins from the night of Dashami. Light and sattvic food should be consumed on this night. Observe celibacy, and sleeping on the ground is considered best.

On the day of Ekadashi, wake up in the morning, bathe, and take a vow to fast. Worship Lord Vishnu according to the prescribed method. Bathe the Lord, offer new clothes, and offering Tulsi leaves is extremely auspicious. Keep chanting the mantra "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya".

On the day of Dwadashi, after sunrise, after feeding Brahmins and giving them Dakshina, break the fast yourself. Worship Lord Vishnu during the breaking of the fast.

What to Eat and What Not to Eat During the Fast

During the Parma Ekadashi fast, fruits, Kuttu flour, sago, singhara flour, milk and milk products, nuts (like almonds, cashews, raisins), etc., can be consumed. Especially, consuming and donating amla is considered highly auspicious on this day.

Consumption of rice is completely forbidden during this fast. Also, any kind of lentils, eggplant, bottle gourd, and onion-garlic should not be consumed. The reason for forbidding rice is that, according to belief, rice is considered a part of Lord Vishnu, and consuming it on Ekadashi day destroys the merit of the fast.

Benefits of Parma Ekadashi Vrat

• Absolution of Sins – By the grace of this fast, all past and present sins of a person are destroyed. According to the Padma Purana, by the influence of this fast, a person is freed from unbearable sins.
• Attainment of Moksha – Observing the Amalaki Ekadashi fast earns the grace of Lord Vishnu, which frees a person from the cycle of birth and death and leads to Moksha.
• Worldly Benefits – This fast bestows wealth, fame, happiness, prosperity, and long life. Peace and happiness prevail in the home, and all desires are fulfilled.
• Health Benefits – Fasting provides rest to the body's digestive system, detoxifies the body, and improves health. It is an excellent means of spiritual and physical purification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The spiritual significance of Parma Ekadashi Vrat is unparalleled. It is considered the best among all Ekadashis dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Devotees who observe this fast are blessed with inexhaustible merit by Lord Vishnu himself. By performing this Ekadashi according to the prescribed method, all the sufferings of a person are removed, and they attain Vaikuntha. Worship and donation of the Amla tree make this day even more auspicious.

All devotees should observe the Parma Ekadashi fast with full faith and devotion. Lord Vishnu fulfills all the desires of his devotees and liberates them from the sorrows of the world. Jai Shri Hari!