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In Sanatan Dharma, Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month is known as Aja Ekadashi. On this day, devotees are observing fast after duly worshiping Lord Shri Hari Vishnu and Mata Lakshmi. According to religious texts and Puranas, fasting on Ekadashi is not limited to just giving up food, but listening and reading the Vrat Katha on this holy date is a mandatory ritual. It is believed that those who observe fast as per the rituals but do not listen to the fast story, they do not get the full results of this ritual.
The mythological story of Aja Ekadashi provides spiritual strength to man to remain firm on the path of truth, religion and duty even in the most difficult situations. On this day, by remembering Lord Vishnu with a true heart and reciting the story, the sins accumulated over many births are mitigated. It is mentioned in the scriptures that just by listening to the greatness of Aja Ekadashi, a person attains inexhaustible virtue like Ashwamedha Yagya and the misfortunes in life come to an end.
The main fasting story of Aja Ekadashi is related to the life of Chakravarti of Ayodhya and the ultimate truthful king Harishchandra. According to mythological accounts, King Harishchandra was famous in all three worlds for his integrity, charity and commitment. To test his truth, Maharishi Vishwamitra made a divine plan. The sage appeared in the king’s dream and asked for his entire kingdom as a donation. The next day, when Vishwamitra personally appeared in the king’s court, Harishchandra without any hesitation surrendered his throne, elephants, horses, treasure and the entire empire at the feet of the sage.
After donating the empire, Maharishi Vishwamitra asked for Dakshina for the donation. King Harishchandra now had nothing left to give. To protect the truth and pay the Dakshina, the king took the tough decision of selling himself, his wife Queen Taramati and his beloved son Rohitashva. The queen and the prince were bought by a Brahmin for his household purposes, while King Harishchandra was bought by a Chandal, the lord of Manikarnika Ghat in Kashi.
Chakravarti Emperor Harishchandra now started working as a servant of Chandal at the cremation ground of Kashi. Their main work was to monitor the burning pyres day and night and to collect shroud tax from the relatives of the dead bodies coming for cremation. The king, who used to live in royal clothes and opulence, was now forced to spend day and night among the embers of the pyre and the ashes of the dead. Even in such a dire situation, he never left the orders of his master Chandal and the path of truth.
One day destiny dealt an even more terrible blow to the king. While playing in the forest, Prince Rohitashva was bitten by a poisonous snake, due to which he died untimely. Queen Taramati, mourning and carrying her dead child in her lap, reached the cremation ground of Kashi at midnight. In the thick darkness, King Harishchandra heard his wife’s lamentation and recognized his dead son. The father’s heart sobbed, but his duty as a crematorium guard came in the way. He clearly told the queen that he could not allow his own son’s body to be cremated without paying the tax, because it was against his master’s rules.
Queen Taramati did not have even an iota of money to pay taxes. She tried to give as tax by tearing half of the saree she was wearing. At the same time, this question was repeatedly arising in the mind of King Harishchandra that what sin has he committed, for which his entire family is suffering the punishment. In the midst of his anguish, the king once met Brahmarshi Gautam. The king folded his hands and asked the sage, O Rishivar, please show me some way to get rid of this unbearable suffering and slavery of Chandal.
Maharishi Gautam, after considering the accumulated deeds of the king in his previous births, told him the ritual of Aja Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month. The sage said, O king, worship Lord Vishnu by fasting on this holy date, stay awake at night and perform Hari Sankirtan and recite the story of this fast. The effect of Aja Ekadashi is so divine that it instantly burns away all the sins of the previous birth and gives back the lost honor to the man. King Harishchandra obeyed the orders of Maharishi and observed the fast of Aja Ekadashi with full devotion.
Due to the holy fast of Aja Ekadashi and the unwavering integrity of King Harishchandra, there was a stir in heaven. As soon as Queen Taramati wanted to give a piece of saree as tax, Lord Shri Hari Vishnu himself, Devraj Indra and Maharishi Vishwamitra appeared there. Vishwamitra smilingly said that this was only a test of the king’s truth, patience and piety, in which he had completely succeeded.
With the blessings of Lord Vishnu, the dead prince Rohitashva immediately came back to life. King Harishchandra was proved to be free from the slavery of Chandal and Maharishi Vishwamitra returned his entire kingdom with respect. There was a festive atmosphere in the city and the truth of King Harishchandra was being hailed everywhere. The king ruled his subjects religiously for a long time and at the last stage of his life departed for Vaikuntha world along with his entire family.
On the day of Aja Ekadashi, there is special significance of waking up early in the morning and taking bath in holy rivers or by mixing Ganga water in water at home. By installing the idols of Lord Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi at the place of worship, yellow flowers, Tulsi leaves, sandalwood, Akshat and fruits and sweets should be offered to them. At the time of worship, Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya mantra should be chanted continuously.
Reciting Vishnu Sahasranama and performing Aarti by lighting a ghee lamp in the evening is considered very auspicious. By staying awake at night and chanting bhajans and kirtans, the benefits of the fast increase manifold. Next day, during the auspicious time of Dwadashi Tithi, the fast should be broken by providing food and donations to Brahmins or the needy. In this way, the devotees who observe the fast of Aja Ekadashi and listen to the story, happiness, peace, prosperity and health reside in their house.