Indira Ekadasi 1956

King Yudhishthira asked Sri Krishna the name of the Ekadashi of the dark half of Ashvina (Purnimanta; Bhadrapada in Amanta). Sri Krishna said that it is called Indira. By its power even a great sin is destroyed, and it raises up ancestors who have fallen to a low state. "Listen to its great story," He said. "Whoever hears it gains the fruit of the Vajapeya sacrifice."

Long ago, in the Krita age, there was a king named Indrasena, lord of Mahishmati. He was glorious and ruled with righteousness. He had sons and grandsons, wealth and grain. He was devoted to Vishnu alone. He silently repeated the names of Vishnu, which give liberation, and meditated on the Supreme Spirit.

One day, as the king sat at ease in his assembly, the sage Narada came down from the sky. The king rose at once with joined palms, honoured him and gave him a seat. "Best of sages," he said, "by your grace all is well with me. By seeing you, all my sacrifices and rites have borne fruit. Kindly tell me why you have come."

Narada said, "Listen to my wonderful words, O king. I went from the world of Brahma to the world of Yama. Yama honoured me and gave me a fine seat. There, in Yama's assembly, I saw your father. He had done many good deeds, but he was there because of a fault in a vow. He gave me a message for you. He said, 'Tell Indrasena, lord of Mahishmati, that because of some hindrance from a former life I am staying with Yama. My son, give me the merit of the Indira vow and send me to heaven.' That is why I have come. Keep the Indira vow for your father's sake, and by its power he will go to heaven."

The king asked Narada to teach him the vow, and Narada told him how to keep it, with offerings to the ancestors, worship of Vishnu and a night of vigil. "Keep the vow carefully in this way," he said, "and your ancestors will go to the world of Vishnu." Then the sage vanished.

The king kept the vow as the sage had taught him, together with the women of his palace, his sons and his servants. When the vow was complete, flowers rained from the sky. His father rose on Garuda and went to the abode of Vishnu.

King Indrasena ruled his kingdom free from trouble. Then he placed his son on the throne and himself went to heaven.

Sri Krishna said, "I have told you the greatness of the Indira vow. Whoever tells or hears it is freed from all sins, enjoys every happiness in this world, and lives long in the world of Vishnu."