Whoever observes a fast on this sacred day is regarded as equal among the virtuous, for on this day, the Lord of the world—Hari Himself—is especially pleased. On this occasion, the Lord truly reveals Himself, and the rewards are said to be boundless. In times past, illustrious kings such as Sagara, Kakutstha, and Nahuṣa performed this observance and attained its infinite merit. On this day, when Krishna is worshipped, He grants all that is desired on earth. Sins committed by speech, mind, or especially by the body are absolved. Indeed, one is freed from the sins accumulated over seven lifetimes—there can be no doubt about this. Fasting on this one day, especially when it coincides with an auspicious lunar mansion, bestows the merit of a thousand Ekādaśī fasts. Whatever is undertaken on this day—bathing, giving in charity, recitation of scriptures, fire offerings, self-study, or worship of the deities—yields imperishable fruit. Therefore, those who seek spiritual benefit should carefully observe this day. After completing his fifth Aśvamedha sacrifice, the righteous Yudhiṣṭhira approached Krishna, the scion of the Yadu line, with a humble question. He asked, “O Lord, please tell me in full what merit and fruit arise from fasting, night-fasting, or eating once a day.” The Blessed Lord replied, “When the beautiful month of Mārgashīrsha arrives in winter, O Pārtha, one should observe the fast on the Dvādaśī that falls in the dark fortnight. With a pure mind and firm resolve, take only one meal on the tenth day. On that day, one should remain restrained, eating at night when the sun has faded into the eighth portion of the day. However, know that ‘eating at night’ does not mean eating in the deep night; for householders, it means eating when the stars become visible. For ascetics, eating during the eighth portion of the day is prohibited at night; afterwards, at dawn, the vow-holder should perform the prescribed observances. “At midday, O Pārtha, the pure devotee should bathe. Bathing in a well is considered inferior, in a pond is middling, in a lake is superior, while bathing in a river—where many creatures are pressed together—is highest. When one bathes there, sin and merit become equal. Bathing at home is also excellent, provided the water is purified. Therefore, O best of the Pāṇḍavas, one should bathe at home, on earth sanctified by the tread of horses, chariots, and by Viṣṇu Himself. “One should pray, ‘O clay, remove my sins which I have accumulated previously,’ while abandoning anger and greed, with single-mindedness and firm resolve. Avoid the company of those who speak falsely, imposters, those devoted to untruth, and those who revile Brāhmaṇas. Also shun those of bad conduct, those engaged in forbidden relations, those who steal others’ property, and those who approach others’ wives. “After worshipping Keśava, one should offer food and give a lamp in the house with a mind filled with devotion. On that day, O Pārtha, one should avoid sleep and sexual intercourse, spending the whole day engaged in the enjoyment of Dharmaśāstra. At night, remaining awake with devotion, O best of kings, one should give gifts to Brāhmaṇas, bowing down and seeking forgiveness. “Just as this is done on the dark fortnight, so also on the bright; a twice-born should make no distinction between the two Ekādaśīs, O Pārtha. He who acts thus—hear of the fruit he attains: after bathing at the rising of the conch and beholding the Lord who holds the mace, the merit gained is unmatched. Even sixteen parts of the merit from fasting on Ekādaśī cannot be equaled by one who gives four hundred thousand gifts at the solstices, O best of kings; nor by the merit gained at Prabhāsa Kṣetra or during lunar or solar eclipses. “Surely, that is the fruit gained by one who fasts on Ekadashi; and having drunk water in a field, there is no further rebirth. In the same way, O Pārtha, Ekadashi destroys the cycle of birth, just as the Ashvamedha sacrifice brings great reward. The merit of one who fasts on Ekadashi is a hundred times greater than that, especially when ascetics and excellent twice-borns are fed in his house. “The merit obtained by giving a thousand cows to a learned Vedic scholar is also surpassed a hundredfold by the merit of fasting on Ekadashi. In whose body dwell the three gods—Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara—those who fast on Ekadashi are equal to them; these men of virtuous deeds, devoted worshippers of Hari. “Even the measure of merit of the Ekadashi vow cannot be comprehended; this merit accrues to the devotee, and it is difficult even for the gods to obtain. From eating only at night, half that merit is gained; and half of the merit of night-eating accrues to those who eat once a day. Pilgrimages, gifts, and vows echo only so long as one does not observe the day dear to Vishnu. “Therefore, O best of the Pandavas, you should observe this vow. I do not know the full extent of its merit, even though you ask, O Pandava. This, O Pārtha, is the supreme vow, to be kept secret; there is nothing equal to Ekadashi, even after performing a thousand sacrifices.” Then Yudhiṣṭhira asked, “How did this holy Ekadashi day arise, O God? How is it pure in this world, and how is it dear to the gods?” The Blessed Lord replied, “In ancient times, O Pārtha, in the Krita age, there was a demon named Mura, exceedingly wondrous, very fierce, and terrifying to all the gods. Even Indra was defeated by him, as were all the gods, O king, by that great demon, that evil-minded death incarnate.