Vijaya Ekadasi 1972

King Yudhishthira asked Sri Krishna the name of the Ekadashi of the dark half of Phalguna (Purnimanta; Magha in Amanta). Sri Krishna answered by telling what Brahma, seated on the lotus, once told the sage Narada when Narada asked about the merit of the Vijaya Ekadashi.

Brahma said, "Listen, Narada. I have never told anyone of this ancient and pure vow. Vijaya surely gives victory to kings."

Long ago Sri Rama went to the forest and lived at Panchavati with Sita and Lakshmana. There Ravana, driven by lust, carried off Rama's glorious wife Sita. Rama was overcome by grief. Wandering in search of her, he found Jatayu dead. In the forest he killed Kabandha, and he made friends with Sugriva. The armies of the monkeys gathered for Rama. Hanuman found Sita in the garden of Lanka, gave her Rama's token, did a great deed there and came back to tell Rama everything.

With Sugriva's consent Rama set out to march on Lanka. But at the shore of the ocean he said to Lakshmana, "By what merit can this boundless home of Varuna, full of sea creatures, be crossed? I see no way to cross it easily."

Lakshmana said, "You are the first of the gods, the ancient Supreme Person. Yet on this island lives the sage Bakadalbhya, and his hermitage is only half a yojana from here. Many other brahmanas live there too. Go and ask the great sage."

Rama went to see the sage and bowed his head to him. The sage knew that this was the ancient Supreme Person, who had taken a human body for a purpose, and he was glad. "Rama, why have you come?" he asked.

Rama said, "By your grace I have come with my army to this shore of the ocean, to conquer Lanka and the demons. Be kind, O sage, and tell me how I can cross the ocean. For this alone I have come to you."

The sage was very pleased. He said, "Rama, keep the best of vows, the Vijaya Ekadashi of the dark half of Phalguna, and you will be victorious. You will cross the ocean with the monkeys, conquer Lanka and the demons, and win spotless fame." He told Rama how to keep the vow, and told him to keep it together with the chiefs of his army.

Rama did just as the sage had said. By keeping the vow he became victorious. He won back Sita, conquered Lanka and killed Ravana in battle.

Brahma said that those who keep this vow are successful in this world and reach the imperishable world beyond. The glory of Vijaya destroys all sins, and whoever tells or hears it gains the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice.