कामिका एकादशी व्रत कथा

The beginning
Arjun said to Shri Krishna, “O Lord, I have heard the story of Devshayani Ekadashi in the Shukla paksha of Ashadh. Now please tell me: what is the name of the Ekadashi in the Krishna paksha of Shravan? Who is worshipped on that day, and how is its fast kept?”
Shri Krishna said, “O Arjun, Brahma ji, the grandsire of all, once told the story of this Ekadashi to Devarshi Narad for the good of all. I will tell you the same story. Listen carefully.”

The story
Once Narad ji said to Brahma ji, “O Pitamah, I wish very much to hear the story of the Ekadashi in the Krishna paksha of Shravan, and how it is kept. Please tell me.”
Brahma ji said, “O Narad, you have asked a lovely question. This Ekadashi is called Kamika. On this day people worship Lord Vishnu, who holds the conch, the discus and the mace. Devotees worship him with incense, a lamp and food offerings, and remember him all day.”

Brahma ji went on, “Tulsi has a special place on this Ekadashi. Tulsi is very dear to Lord Vishnu. Diamonds, pearls, gold and silver do not please him as much as a single tulsi leaf offered with love. Devotees who worship him with tulsi leaves on this day live in the world and yet stay apart from it, just as a lotus lives in water and yet stays above the water. O Narad, I bow to Tulsi ji, whom the Lord loves so much.”

“Those who stay awake on the night of this Ekadashi singing the Lord’s name, and light a lamp of ghee or sesame oil before him, earn so much merit that even Chitragupt cannot count it. It is believed that a lamp lit before the Lord on this day brings comfort even to the ancestors.”

A folk story linked to this Ekadashi is also told in many homes. Long ago, a strong Kshatriya lived in a village. He was not a bad man at heart, but he lost his temper very quickly. One day he had an argument with a Brahmin of the village. In anger the quarrel grew into a scuffle, and without meaning to, the Kshatriya caused the Brahmin’s death.

As soon as his anger cooled, the Kshatriya was filled with sorrow. Full of regret, he wished to take part in the Brahmin’s last rites, but the village priests stopped him. They said, “The sin of a Brahmin’s death is upon you. First make amends with a true heart; only then can you take part in sacred work.”
The Kshatriya folded his hands and asked, “How can I be freed from this sin? Please show me a way.”

The priests said, “On Kamika Ekadashi, in the Krishna paksha of Shravan, keep the fast of Lord Shridhar, that is Lord Vishnu, and worship him with devotion. Then feed Brahmins, give them dakshina and receive their blessings.”

The Kshatriya did exactly that. He kept the fast with his whole heart, admitted his wrong before the Lord, begged forgiveness with tears in his eyes and worshipped him with tulsi leaves. That very night Lord Shridhar appeared before him and said, “I have seen your true regret and your devotion. You are freed from the sin of the Brahmin’s death.”

From that day the Kshatriya’s life changed. He learned to control his anger and spent the rest of his life in dharma and service.

This story of Kamika Ekadashi reminds us that the Lord values true regret, and even one tulsi leaf offered with love, and that one act done in anger can become a lifelong sorrow.

May Vishnu ji keep faith and peace in every heart.
Bolo Shri Hari Vishnu Bhagwan ki Jai!