EKADASHI VRAT

Falls on: Purshotam maas (Adik mass) Krishna paksh

Yudhisthir's question to Shri Krishna
Yudhisthir said, �Purna prushotam, what is the name of the Ekadashi that occurs during krishna paksh of the Adik maas (extra month). In addition, Hey Viswa ke Swami, what is the process for observing it properly? Kindly narrate all this to me�.

Bhagwan Shri Krishna�s reply Purna Prushotam Bhagwan Shri Krishna replied, �Yudhisthir, this meritorious day is called Kamla Ekadashi. It bestows the great benediction of an enjoyable life and ultimate liberation from birth and death. The process for observing it is similar to that for observing the Ekadashi that occurs during sukla paksh of Kartik. That is to say, on this Ekadashi one should worship Me, the best of all living beings, with full love and devotion. In this connection, I will now tell you a wonderful history, just as I heard it from the great sages in the city of Kampilya�.

Bhagwan narrates story of pious Brahmin Sumedha

Once a very pious Brahmin named Sumedha resided in Kampilya with his wife, Pavitra, who was extremely chaste and devoted to her husband. Sumedha was without any money or food grains, even though he begged many people for food, he could not obtain any substantial amount because of having committed some sin in his previous life. He hardly had adequate food, clothing, or shelter for himself and his beautiful young wife, who was of such excellent character that she continued to serve Sumedha faithfully despite their poverty. When guests would come to their home, Pavitra would give them her own food. Although she often went hungry, her beautiful, lotuslike face never faded. This fasting made her weak, but her affection for Sumedha remained unbreakable.

Sumedha decides to go aboard to obtain wealth
Seeing all this, and lamenting his bad luck, Sumedha one day said to Pavitra, "My dear wife, 0 most beautiful one, I beg alms from the rich but receive scarcely a scrap. What am I to do? What possible relief is there for our plight? Where should I go for relief? 0 most obedient and loving wife, without enough wealth, household affairs are never successful. Therefore please permit me to go abroad and attain some wealth. If I make such an effort, I shall certainly obtain whatever fortune I am destined to enjoy. Without making some endeavor, a person cannot satisfy his desires or meet his needs. Thus, wise men have said that enthusiastic endeavor is always auspicious."

Wife with a wisdom

Upon hearing her husband speak these words, Pavitra joined her palms and her eyes brimming with tears, spoke to him with great respect and affection: �I think there is no one greater or more learned than you, my dear. One who, though in misery, is interested in the welfare of others speaks just as you have. However, the scriptures state that whatever wealth a person attains in this life is due to his having given charity in previous lives, and that if one has not given any charity in previous lives, then even though he may sit atop a mound of gold as big as Mount Sumeru, he will remain poor."

"Whatever charity a person gives in the form of education, money, fertile land and the like, is returned to him in a future lifetime. We gain what we have given. Indeed, whatever Brahma, the creator, has written as one's fortune will certainly happen. No one attains any wealth without having given charity in his previous life."

"0 best of the Brahmin, since we are now poor, in our previous lives neither you nor I must have given any charity to worthy persons. Therefore, 0 gracious husband, you should remain here with me. Without you, I cannot live even for a moment�.

�Bereft of her husband, a woman is not welcomed by her father; mother, brother, father-in-law or any other family members. Everyone will say, you have lost your husband; you are bad luck! In this way, I shall be criticized severely! Please, therefore, stay here with me and be satisfied with whatever wealth we get. Whatever is destined, we shall obtain in due course of time and enjoy here in perfect happiness�. Hearing these plaintive words from his wife, Sumedha decided to remain in their native village.