Vijaya Ekadashi Vrat Katha

Yudhishthira asked Shri Krishna about the Ekadashi of the dark fortnight of Phalguna. Krishna said that it is called Vijaya, that it gives victory, and told the story that Brahma once told Narada.

In the Treta yuga, Shri Rama, with Sita, Lakshmana and his father's word to keep, went to live in the forest. There Ravana carried Sita away. Searching for her, Rama made friends with Sugriva, and Hanuman crossed the ocean, found Sita in Lanka and brought back news of her. Rama set out for Lanka with Sugriva's great army of monkeys.

When they reached the shore, the vast ocean lay before them, full of fearsome creatures. Rama wondered how the army could cross it. He asked Lakshmana what they should do. Lakshmana said: "Half a yojana from here is the ashram of the sage Vakadalbhya, who has seen many Brahmas come and go. Let us ask him."

Rama went to the ashram, bowed to the sage and asked how he could cross the ocean and win. The sage said: "In the dark fortnight of Phalguna comes Vijaya Ekadashi. Keep its fast with your army and you will surely cross the ocean and win." Then he taught him the method: on Dashami, fill a pot of gold, silver, copper or clay with water, decorate it with mango leaves, and place it on a heap of seven grains. Set an image of Lord Narayana on it and worship it. On Ekadashi fast and worship the pot with flowers, incense and fruit, and keep vigil through the night. On Dwadashi, after bathing, give the pot to a Brahmin at the water's edge.

Rama kept the Vijaya Ekadashi fast with his army as the sage had taught. By its power the army crossed the ocean, Rama defeated Ravana in battle and won Sita back.

Shri Krishna said that whoever keeps this fast wins victory in this world and the next, and that whoever reads or hears this story gains the merit of a horse sacrifice.