Sri Parama Ekadashiपरम एकादशी

When Maharaja Yudhishthira asked Lord Sri Krishna about the Ekadashi that appears in the dark fortnight of the rare leap-year month of Purushottama, the Lord replied that this day is famously known as Parama Ekadashi. "Parama" means topmost — and the Lord declared that this Ekadashi bestows both worldly necessities and ultimate liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The process of observance is the same as the Padmini Ekadashi of the bright fortnight: one should worship Lord Hari with undivided love and devotion.

To illustrate the day's potency, Lord Krishna narrated a beautiful history that He had heard from a great sage in the holy city of Kampilya. In Kampilya lived a learned brahmana named Sumedha together with his exceedingly chaste and devoted wife, Pavitra. On account of past karma, Sumedha was utterly destitute. Even when he begged door to door, he received scarcely a morsel. Pavitra, despite her own hunger, would serve any guest who came to their humble home with her own portion of food. Her lotus-like face never lost its glow, and her affection for her husband never wavered.

One day, lamenting their condition, Sumedha decided to leave home and seek wealth abroad. Pavitra, with folded hands and eyes brimming with tears, gently restrained him. She reminded him of the scriptural truth that present wealth is the fruit of past charity, and that one who has not given in former lives will not gain wealth merely by wandering abroad. "Without you," she pleaded, "I cannot live even a moment. Whatever is destined will come to us here. Please remain with me, and let us be satisfied with what the Lord sends."

Touched by his wife's wisdom, Sumedha remained at home. Soon thereafter, the great sage Kaundinya Muni arrived at their cottage. Sumedha and Pavitra washed his feet, offered him a seat and fed him as best they could. Pavitra then sincerely asked the sage how a person born without the fortune of past charity could yet escape the misery of poverty. The great sage reflected for a moment and revealed a closely-guarded secret: there exists a fast day extremely dear to Lord Hari that nullifies all sins and removes the miseries born of poverty. This day occurs in the dark fortnight of the rare additional month of Purushottama and is called Parama Ekadashi — the topmost day of Lord Vishnu.

Kaundinya Muni explained that this Ekadashi bestows wealth, food grains and finally liberation. The night of Parama Ekadashi is to be passed in jagaran — chanting the glories of the Lord and dancing in ecstasy. The same vow was once observed by Kuvera, who was made the treasurer of the demigods by Lord Shiva; and by King Harishchandra, who recovered his wife and son and his kingdom after observing it. The sage therefore instructed Pavitra and Sumedha to undertake not only the Ekadashi fast itself but the accompanying five-day Pancharatrika vrata from Ekadashi through to Pournami, with bathing, charity to qualified brahmanas, celibacy and reverent worship of Lord Vishnu.

Faithfully following the sage's instructions, Sumedha and Pavitra observed Parama Ekadashi and the Pancharatrika vrata with full devotion. Very soon, a noble prince arrived from the royal palace on the order of Lord Brahma himself. He presented them with a beautiful, fully-furnished house, gifted them an entire village for their maintenance, praised their austerity and returned to his palace. Sumedha and Pavitra enjoyed every facility through the remainder of their lives, and at the end of their bodies they returned to the abode of Lord Vishnu.

Lord Krishna concluded that fasting on Parama Ekadashi is equal in merit to bathing in Pushkara and the Ganga, to giving cows in charity, and to offering oblations to one's forefathers at Gaya. Among all months the leap month of Purushottama is supreme; among all the fasts of that month, Parama and Padmini Ekadashis together with the Pancharatrika vrata destroy all sins. "O Yudhishthira," the Lord said, "this rare human birth is meant for accumulating spiritual merit and at last attaining liberation. Therefore, by all means, observe this auspicious Parama Ekadashi." The Pandavas observed this vow exactly as Krishna instructed, and ultimately returned home, back to Godhead.