There was a noble and self-controlled son named Bhadraśīla, whose fame spread far and wide. Even as a child, Bhadraśīla displayed remarkable intelligence. During play with his companions, he would gently instruct them that Viṣṇu should always be worshipped by all people. Thus, from a young age, Bhadraśīla guided his friends, and, under his influence, these noble children developed deep devotion for Viṣṇu, worshipping Him with great faith. Bhadraśīla’s heart brimmed with compassion, and he would utter, “May there be well-being for all the worlds.” He undertook the sacred vow of Ekādaśī and dedicated it with devotion to Keśava. Witnessing this, his father, a storehouse of austerity, was astonished. Embracing his son, he spoke with wonder, “Your conduct is auspicious and rare, even among yogis. Free from dualities, without possessiveness, peaceful, and devoted to meditation on Hari—such devotion to Hari is difficult to obtain, even without serving great souls. O child, how did this extraordinary resolve arise in you? Your devotion to the Blessed Lord fills me with wonder.” Carefully questioned by his father, Bhadraśīla, the best of sages, reported everything he had undertaken, just as it had been performed. His father then revealed, “Because I remember my past births, I know what was spoken by Yama.” Pleased, he addressed his wise son: “Of whom, or for what reason, all this has come to be, you ought to know. In a previous life, I was known as Dharmakīrti, instructed by Dattātreya’s command. I performed both righteous and unrighteous acts in great number. Unfortunately, by associating with wicked heretics, I adopted their ways and, harassed by them, I completely abandoned the Vedic path. Seeing me engaged in unrighteousness, the sons of Mahesha observed my downfall. Always engaged in sinful conduct and addicted to vices, I once entered the forest with my army, killing many kinds of animals. Exhausted by the fierce heat of the sun, I bathed in the sacred Reva river. Alone and without my army, I was tormented by hunger. At the break of night, I saw a woman devoted to the Ekādaśī vow. Even without my army, I kept vigil through the night. At the end of that vigil, dear one, I met my death. In that moment, I saw a being with a terrifying face and protruding fangs approaching me. I asked him, ‘O learned one, tell me properly the prescribed discipline for one such as myself.’ He pondered for a long time, then this thought occurred: ‘On Ekādaśī, by fasting, one is freed from all sins. By keeping vigil and fasting, one attains sinlessness.’ All my sins were destroyed by the power of that fast. Moved by compassion, this being bowed to the ground before me. Then he summoned all his attendants and spoke these words: ‘Bring before me those mortals who are devoted to the path of righteousness. Those who always say, “Nārāyaṇa, Achyuta, Hari, be our refuge”—release them at once, for the peaceful ones utter this constantly.