Utpanna Ekadashi Vrat Katha

Yudhishthira asked Shri Krishna how the Ekadashi fast began and why it is so holy. Krishna said that the Ekadashi of the dark fortnight of Margashirsha is called Utpanna, because on it Ekadashi herself was born, and told this story.

In the Satya yuga there was a mighty and terrible demon named Mura. He defeated Indra and all the gods, drove them out of heaven and took their places. The gods wandered the earth in fear. At last they went to Lord Shiva, who told them to seek the help of Lord Vishnu.

The gods went to the ocean of milk and prayed to Lord Vishnu. The Lord set out to fight the demons. He destroyed Mura's army, but Mura himself kept fighting. The battle between them went on for a thousand years of the gods.

Weary from the long fight, the Lord went to rest in a cave in Badrikashram in the Himalayas, a cave with only one entrance, and lay down in yogic sleep. Mura followed him there and, finding the Lord asleep, raised his weapon to kill him.

At that moment a radiant young woman, armed and full of light, came forth from the Lord's body. She challenged Mura and fought him, and soon killed him.

When Lord Vishnu awoke, he saw the demon lying dead and the maiden standing before him with folded hands. She told him what had happened. Pleased, the Lord said: "You were born on the eleventh day, Ekadashi, so you will be known as Ekadashi. Ask for a boon." She asked that whoever fasts on her day be freed from sin and reach the Lord's abode. The Lord granted it, and said that she would be dear to him above all.

Since then the Ekadashi fast has been kept, and this day, her birthday, is called Utpanna Ekadashi.