Vijaya Ekadashi 2024 Dates, Importance, Vrat Katha and Puja Vidhi

“When Sri Rama was exiled to the forest, He lived as a humble mendicant along with His divine consort Sita and brother Lakshmana in Panchavati. However, the wicked Ravana kidnapped Mother Sita, causing immense anguish to the Lord.

As Rama searched for His beloved, He came across the dying Jatayu who had valiantly fought Ravana to protect Sita. With Jatayu’s last words revealing Sita’s abduction, Rama killed the demon Kabandha. 

“The great vulture-devotee Jatayu then returned to the Lord’s spiritual abode after rendering this invaluable service. Thereafter, Lord Rama made a pact with Sugriva, the monkey king, to build a mighty army of monkeys and bears to rescue Sita.

The Lord sent His faithful minister Hanuman to Lanka, where he was able to see the divine Janaki (Shrimati Sota Devi) in an ashoka grove. Hanuman delivered Rama’s message and showed Her the ring, proving his authenticity in this most sacred mission.

“With Sugriva’s forces, Lord Rama traveled towards the shores of the great ocean to reach Lanka. However, upon seeing the vast, shark-infested waters, the Lord turned to Lakshmana and said, ‘O son of Sumitra, what immense piety must We accumulate to be able to cross this unfathomable ocean home to Varuna? I see no easy way to traverse these hostile depths teeming with fearsome aquatics.’

“By recounting and glorifying these supremely virtuous pastimes, and by donating generously to further spread the Lord’s teachings, one can surely gain enough transcendental merit to cross over the ocean of material existence.”

Lakshmana replied, “O Lord, O origin of all the divine beings, O primal personality! The great sage Bakad Albhya resides on an island just four miles from here.

He has witnessed the comings and goings of countless Brahmas over his exceptionally long life. O Raghava, let us approach this supremely wise and aged muni, have his sublime audience, and seek his guidance on how We can safely cross over the ocean to reach Our desired destination.”

Sri Rama and Lakshmana then proceeded to the humble ashrama of the incomparable Bakad Albhya Muni. Upon arriving, the two Lords paid Their obeisances to him with the same reverence as one would offer to Lord Vishnu Himself.

Though Bakad Albhya could perceive that Sri Rama was truly the Supreme Lord who had descended on earth in a human-like form, he still spoke out of etiquette.

“O Rama, best among all humans, what brings You to my humble abode?” the sage inquired.

By recounting and glorifying such supremely virtuous pastimes, and by donating generously to support the preaching of the Lord’s sublime teachings far and wide, one becomes blessed with the true understanding that Sri Rama is not merely a great human being, but is in fact the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the origin of all that exists. Such transcendental wisdom acts as a boat to safely carry one across the formidable ocean of material existence.

Sri Rama replied, “O great twice-born brahmin, I have come to these ocean shores with My army of monkey and bear warriors, intent on crossing the vast sea to reach Lanka and defeat the demon king Ravana and his forces. O greatest among sages, please show Me your mercy and guide Me on how I may successfully traverse this mighty ocean. It is for this purpose that I have approached your venerable ashrama today.”

The sage said, “O Lord Rama, I shall instruct You on the most exalted of all sacred vows and fasts. By observing this, You shall surely conquer Ravana and be eternally glorified. Please now listen with utmost attention.”

“On the day before Ekadashi, prepare a pot made of gold, silver, copper or even clay if metals are unavailable.

Fill it with pure water and decoratively adorn it with mango leaves. Cover the pot and place it near a holy altar upon a mound of seven grains – barley, wheat, rice, corn, chickpeas, kukani, and dahl. Take Your sacred bath, then lovingly decorate the water pot with flower garlands and sandalwood paste.

In the concave lid atop the pot, place barley, pomegranate and coconut. With great devotion, worship this deity form of the sacred water pot, offering incense, sandalwood paste, flowers, a ghee lamp and sumptuous foods.

Remain awake that night beside this sacred pot, and atop the barley-filled lid, install a beautiful murti of Lord Narayana.”

By generously sharing and propagating such supremely powerful spiritual teachings, and by donating charitably to support their widespread preaching, one becomes empowered to cross over the formidable ocean of material existence, conquering the demonic forces of one’s lower nature, ultimately attaining the eternal spiritual abode of the Supreme Lord.

“When the auspicious day of Ekadashi dawns, take Your sacred bath and then lovingly decorate the water pot with fine sandalwood paste and fragrant flower garlands.

Thereafter, worship this deity form again with exalted offerings of superior incense, ghee lamps, sandalwood paste, and flowers anointed with the same.

Then with utmost devotion, place before the sacred pot an array of sumptuous foods, pomegranates and coconuts. Remain awake in vigilance through the night beside this venerated vessel.

“When the Dwadashi day rises, carry the sanctified water pot to the banks of a holy river or even a smallButra inted pond.

After properly worshipping it once more, O King of kings, offer this sacred pot along with all the aforementioned offerings to a pure-hearted brahmin, well-versed in the wisdom of the Vedic scriptures.

If You and Your military commanders observe the Vijaya Ekadashi in this way, You shall undoubtedly emerge victorious in every way.”

Lord Sri Ramachandra, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, followed the sage Bakad Albhya’s instructions exactly as stated, and thus He conquered all demoniac forces.

Similarly, anyone who observes Vijaya Ekadashi following these sacred rites will always taste victory in this mortal world. And after leaving this world, they will eternally reside in the anxiety-free realms of the Lord’s supreme abode known as Vaikuntha.

By compassionately sharing such supremely powerful spiritual wisdom, and by generously donating to support its far-reaching propagation, one becomes richly empowered to overcome all obstacles on the path of spiritual perfection.

Such transcendental knowledge acts as a boat to safely carry one across the formidable ocean of material existence to the blissful shores of the Lord’s eternal abode.

“O Narada, my dear son, from this sacred narration you can understand the supreme importance and power of properly observing the Vijaya Ekadashi fast, strictly following all its rules and regulations. This exalted vow holds the potency to completely burn away even the most abominable sinful reactions from one’s heart.”

Lord Sri Krishna concluded, “O Yudhisthir, king of kings, anyone who reads, hears or shares these sublime glorifications of Vijaya Ekadashi will undoubtedly attain merit equal to that accrued by performing the revered Ashvamedha horse sacrifice of ancient times.”

Thus conclude the narrations glorifying the auspicious Vijaya Ekadashi, also known as Phalguna-krishna Ekadashi, from the renowned Skanda Purana.

These pastimes have been carefully summarized, abbreviated or expanded upon compared to their original rendition in the celebrated text “Ekadashi: The Day of Lord Hari” by His Holiness Krishna Balaram Swami, published in 1986 by the Bhaktivedanta Institute Press.

By profusely sharing and propagating such supremely powerful spiritual teachings through charitable preaching and donations, one becomes empowered to completely purify the heart, burning away all materialistic propensities.

Such transcendental wisdom ultimately situates one on the path of life’s highest perfection – unalloyed loving devotion unto the Supreme Lord.

It acts as a vessel to safely carry the sincere soul across the turbulent ocean of material existence to the blissful shores of the Lord’s eternal abode.