निर्जला एकादशी व्रत कथा

The beginning
Dharmaraj Yudhishthira asked Shri Krishna, “O Janardan, please tell me about the Ekadashi that comes in the Shukla paksha of Jyeshtha.”
Shri Krishna said, “O King, its story will be told by Maharishi Ved Vyas, the son of Satyavati. He knows all the scriptures and the Vedas.”

The story
Once Maharishi Ved Vyas was explaining the importance of the Ekadashi fast to the Pandavas. He said, “One should not eat grain on the Ekadashi of either paksha. On Dwadashi, after bathing and worshipping Lord Keshav with flowers, one should first feed Brahmins and then eat.”

Hearing this, the mighty Bhimsen spoke a little shyly: “O Pitamah, please listen to me. My elder brother Yudhishthira, Mother Kunti, Draupadi, Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev all go without food on Ekadashi. They tell me too, ‘Bhim, don’t eat on Ekadashi.’ But what can I do? I cannot bear hunger. I can give charity and I can worship God, but I cannot stay hungry.”

Vyas ji said, “Bhim, this is what the scriptures say. If you wish for heaven and want to stay away from hell, you should not eat on both Ekadashis of every month.”

Bhimsen said, “Pitamah, I am telling you the truth. I cannot keep a fast even with one meal a day, so how can I go without food completely? A fire called ‘Vrik’ always burns in my stomach. It calms down only when I eat a great deal. In a whole year I can keep only one fast. Please tell me of one such fast that will be for my good. I will keep it with every rule.”

Hearing Bhim’s honest and simple words, Vyas ji said with love, “Bhim, the Ekadashi that comes in the Shukla paksha of Jyeshtha, when the Sun is in Vrishabh or Mithun, keep that fast without water. On that day you may take only a little water in your mouth for achaman; apart from that, do not drink even water. Keep this fast from sunrise on Ekadashi to sunrise on Dwadashi. On the morning of Dwadashi, bathe, give Brahmins a pot filled with water and whatever charity you can, and then eat together with everyone.”

Vyas ji went on, “Keeping this one Nirjala Ekadashi with a true heart gives the merit of all the Ekadashis of the year. Lord Keshav, who holds the conch, the discus and the mace, told me this himself. On this day one should chant ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya’ and give food, clothes, umbrellas and water to those in need.”

Bhimsen was very happy to hear Vyas ji’s words. He kept the waterless fast of Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi with his whole heart. From then on this Ekadashi also became famous as Bhimseni Ekadashi and Pandava Ekadashi.

This story of Bhimsen teaches us not to hide our weakness from our elders; when we speak honestly, they lovingly find a way for us. Even today many homes give away pots of water and sharbat on this day. Those who are ill, elderly, or whose health does not allow a fast without water keep the fast only as far as their strength allows.

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