Varuthini Ekadashi Vrat Katha

Yudhishthira asked Shri Krishna about the Ekadashi of the dark fortnight of Vaishakha. Krishna said that it is called Varuthini, that it brings good fortune and protects its devotee in this world and the next, and told this story.

Long ago King Mandhata ruled on the banks of the river Narmada. He was generous and devoted to dharma. Once he went into the forest to do penance and stood absorbed in meditation. A wild bear came and began to chew his foot, and then dragged him deeper into the forest.

The king was a true tapasvi. He did not become angry and did not use his strength against the animal. Instead, in pain, he called on Lord Vishnu for help. Hearing his devotee's prayer, the Lord appeared at once and killed the bear with his Sudarshan chakra.

By then the bear had eaten the king's leg, and Mandhata was in great sorrow. Lord Vishnu told him: "Do not grieve. This suffering came from deeds of a past life. Go to Mathura, worship my Varaha form, and keep the fast of Varuthini Ekadashi. By its power your body will be whole again."

Mandhata went to Mathura and kept the Varuthini Ekadashi fast with devotion, worshipping the Lord as Varaha. By the merit of the fast his body became whole and strong again. He ruled happily for a long time and in the end reached the Lord's abode.

Shri Krishna said that the merit of this fast is greater than that of long penance and great gifts, and that whoever keeps it or hears its story is protected from misfortune, as if by armour.