Sri Utpanna Ekadashiउत्पन्ना एकादशी

Utpanna Ekadashi is the most extraordinary of all Ekadashis because it commemorates the original appearance — utpanna — of Sri Ekadashi-devi herself. It is also the Ekadashi traditionally recommended to a novice as the first Ekadashi vow to undertake. Its glories are recorded in the Bhavishya-uttara Purana and the Brahmanda Purana, narrated by Lord Sri Krishna to His dear friend Arjuna.

Once Arjuna inquired from the Lord why a single Ekadashi fast is said to surpass the merit of a thousand Vedic sacrifices. In reply, Krishna revealed an event from a previous yuga. In Satya-yuga there lived a terrifying daitya named Mura. So ferocious and powerful was he that he defeated Lord Indra, Vivasvan the sun-god, the eight Vasus, Vayu, Agni — even Lord Brahma himself trembled before his strength. The demigods were driven from their planets and wandered helplessly upon the earth.

Bereft of all shelter, Lord Indra approached Lord Shiva, who counselled him to take refuge of the only one capable of subduing such a demon — Lord Sri Vishnu, the source of all incarnations, the protector of the surrendered. The demigods together approached Lord Vishnu in His abode of Kshira-sagara, the ocean of milk, and offered fervent prayers. The Lord, moved by their distress, mounted Garuda and proceeded with His chakra, gada, shankha and padma to face Mura. A tremendous battle ensued in the city of Chandravati. The Lord with one stroke destroyed Mura's vast army. Yet Mura himself was so powerful that even the Lord, in His pastime, chose to feign fatigue.

To rest and to enact a most wonderful pastime, Lord Vishnu entered a cave called Himavati on the Badarikashrama mountain. The cave was eleven yojanas wide and had only one entrance. There the Lord lay down and entered into yoga-nidra. Mura followed, intending to slay the Lord while He slept. As Mura raised his weapon to strike the sleeping Lord, a brilliantly effulgent goddess suddenly emerged from the body of Sri Vishnu Himself. She was radiant beyond description, armed with celestial weapons, and burning with the desire to protect her Lord.

A fierce battle began between the goddess and the demon. With one swift movement she severed Mura's head, and the daitya fell dead. When Lord Vishnu awoke, He saw Mura lying slain and the magnificent goddess standing before Him. Pleased beyond measure, He said: "O Devi, you have done what even all the demigods together could not do. Because you have appeared (utpanna) from My body on this Ekadashi tithi, you shall be known as Ekadashi-devi. You are the personification of My own potency, and you are eternally most dear to Me. Ask whatever boon you wish."

Sri Ekadashi-devi humbly replied: "O Lord, if You are truly pleased, then grant me this: that whoever observes a fast on this day with sincere devotion shall be freed from the bondage of all sins, shall obtain wealth, good progeny and ultimately Your supreme abode. Let my day be the topmost of all vratas, and let even those who simply hear my glories receive the result of great sacrifices."

Lord Vishnu joyfully granted her wish, declaring that any pious activity performed on this day would be multiplied immeasurably. He further blessed that this Krishna-paksha Ekadashi of Margashirsha — the very day of her appearance — would forever be known as Utpanna Ekadashi, and that anyone beginning the lifelong vow of Ekadashi observance should commence on this day. Thus, in every yuga, devotees who wish to undertake the Ekadashi vow for the first time are advised to formally begin on Utpanna Ekadashi.

Concluding the narration to Arjuna, Lord Krishna said: "O Partha, this is why one Ekadashi fast surpasses a thousand sacrifices. Ekadashi-devi is My own divine potency. One who honours her, honours Me directly. One who neglects her, neglects Me. Therefore, of all vows ever spoken in the Vedas, the vow of Ekadashi is supreme."