Kamada Ekadashi falls on the fortnight of the month of Chaitra. The day is known to be one of the greatest Ekadashis out of the many. The sole reason for this is that the day is perfect for the people to fast and find a way to resolve their sins and demonic curses. The story of Kamada Ekadashi comes after Lord Krishna had explained to Yudhishthira how the day’s significance and relevance came to be. Lord Krishna had highlighted the story after Yudhishthira had asked him to explain the story of the Kamada Ekadashi.
When Kamada Ekadashi Falls
Kamada Ekadashi is celebrated in the month of Chaitra. As per the legend, the day falls on the fortnight of the month of Chaitra. It is said that whoever fasts during the entire day can have their wishes fulfilled. This is how Kamada Ekadashi came into being.
Glories of Kamada Ekadashi
The glories of Kamada Ekadashi can be seen as the benefits of Ekadashi. If you think of the day through the perspective of the prevalent story, then the glories can be observed. One of the primary glories, as Lord Krishna had described to brave Yudhisthira, the best of kings, was that the wonderful aspect of fasting during the day can be perfect for the devotees.
Furthermore, after Lord Krishna had finished narrating the story to Yudhishthira, he mentioned that the glories of Ekadashi fasting are prevalent for the devotees. Additionally, Lord Krishna noted that of all the Ekadashis, Kamada Ekadashi is the most important. The glories of the day can dissolve the gravest of sins.
Story of Kamada Ekadashi
The story of Kamada Ekadasi begins when Lord Krishna has been in a conversation with Yudhishthira. One of the primary things to take note of is that Yudhishthira was the one who glorified the 24 Ekadashis and their power to cleanse and destroy sin. However, when Yudhishthira was king, he had at one point asked Lord Krishna to help him understand the Ekadashi that falls in the month of Chaitra.
Lord Krishna had been pleased with the question and obliged the great king with an explanation. However, as he began to give him the details, he asked Yudhishthira to be attentive to the details.
As Lord Krishna explained the story, he described that Kamada Ekadashi is one of the highly regarded Ekadashis. And there’s a good reason for it. He explains that Kamada Ekadashi has the power to dissolve all sins and demonic powers like forest fire consuming dry firewood. He told Yudhishthira that the Ekadashi has an extremely purifying effect on the sins and demonic powers, including curses. Furthermore, he noted that those who observe the day benefit the most from it and are given the highest merit.
The meritious day has ancient roots, and the story began in the kingdom of Kind Pundarika in a place called Ratnapura. The said kingdom was known to be rich with jewels and gold. The kingdom had many citizens, including beautiful Apsaras, Gandharvas and Kinnaras. Among the Gandharvas, there was a citizen called Lalit and his wife, Lalita.
Lalita was a well-known dancer. The two were deep in love with each other and had a house full of wealth and riches. Both of them were performers in the King’s court, which was guarded by many snakes. One day, as the Gandharvas were dancing, Lalit was singing alone. As Lalit sang, he was thinking about his beautiful wife. As he became engrossed in his thoughts as he sang, he lost track of the words and the melody. This made him end the song on the wrong note.
This made the king angry after a snake complained to the King. The furious king became so mad at Lalit that he cursed Lalit to become a cannibal. In an instant, Lalit was turned into a man-eating monster and began devouring the citizens. Everyone was afraid of him. His arms were eight miles long, his mouth was as big as a cave and his eyes were as big as the sun and the moon.
Lalita, seeing her husband in pain could not take it. So, she searched far and wide for an answer to help her husband. She would wander through forests in the hope to find an answer. Her husband, by now, had become consumed by the curse and had forgotten his human ways. One day, Lalita found a sage, Shringi, who had been sitting at the peak of Vindhyachala Hill.
When Lalita spoke about her husband’s condition, the sage advised her to fast on the upcoming Ekadashi and told her that whoever fasts during the day receives a great blessing at the end and gains whatever they wish for. Lalita followed the sage’s advice and asked for her husband to be turned back to be normal at the end of the fast. And miraculously Lalit became a human right after Lalita wished for it.
Importance of Kamada Ekadashi Fasting
The importance of Kamada Ekadashi resides in the benefit of the same. The celebration of the day is done through fasting. As per the story Lord Krishna narrated to Yudhishthira, it is evident that the day can help devotees receive blessings and resolution from their past sins. Furthermore, the story is proof that even a cannibal can turn into a human.
Also, when Lord Krishna was narrating the story, he told Yudhishthira that fasting on Kamada Ekadashi can help you resolve the worst case of sins as well. Lord Krishna gave an example and said that fasting on Kamada Ekadashi can even resolve your sin of killing Lord Bhrama.
He also added that apart from dissolving all of your sins, fasting on this day can suppress demonic curses and helps in clearing the consciousness of those who fast during the day.
Lord Krishna has been noted saying, “In all the three worlds, among movable and immovable living entities, there is no better day.”
Conclusion
Kamada Ekadashi falls on the fortnight of the month of Chaitra. Devotees who observe this day are granted the highest merit. The story of Kamada Ekadashi shows the power of the day and how fasting on this day can help devotees find a way to leave their sins behind. The glory of fasting on this day can lead devotees to have any wish granted. Additionally, it helps in cleansing the mind, soul, and body. Furthermore, it is effective in cleansing and removing all the demonic curses from the person.
