Within a deep and hidden cave, Lord Vishnu lay in deep slumber, exhausted from a great and terrible battle. As he rested, the demon Mura, intent on destroying Vishnu, crept into the cave from behind. His mind clouded by the fatigue of combat and overwhelmed by the power of yogic illusion, Mura believed his opportunity had come. Seeing Vishnu asleep, the demon’s heart swelled with joy, convinced that his enemy was defeated and vulnerable. He thought to himself, “Without a doubt, I will slay Hari, the terror of the demons, and rid the worlds of their protector.” But as Mura approached the sleeping Lord, a wondrous event occurred. From the very body of Vishnu, a maiden of extraordinary beauty and fortune emerged. She was radiant, armed with divine weapons, and her presence shone with strength and valor, for she was born from a portion of Vishnu’s own brilliance. The demon king Mura, beholding this formidable maiden, was taken aback, yet he challenged her to battle. The maiden, skilled in every form of combat, fearlessly engaged Mura. Their clash was fierce, but with a mighty cry, she reduced the great demon to ashes. In that very moment, Lord Vishnu awoke from his sleep. Seeing his terrible enemy lying slain before him, Vishnu was filled with wonder and asked, “By whom has this fierce and dreadful foe of mine been destroyed?” The maiden, moved by compassion, replied, “O Lord, it was I who performed this terrible deed. By this demon, the gods, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Nagas, and Rakshasas were conquered and driven from heaven. I found you asleep, O Hari, as Mura approached from behind.” She then spoke of the consequences if sleep and old age were removed from the worlds, saying, “She who destroys these would bring ruin to the three worlds.” Listening to her words, Vishnu questioned, “He who even defeated me—how could you have conquered him?” The maiden humbly answered, “By your grace alone, O Lord, I have slain this great demon.” Pleased, the Blessed Lord said, “The sages and gods throughout the three worlds rejoice because of your deed. Tell me, O blessed one, what lies in your heart. Whatever you desire, even if it is difficult for the gods to obtain, I will grant it to you without doubt.” The maiden replied, “If you are truly pleased with me, O Lord of the world, then I desire one boon from you. I pray to you, O Master of the universe, for three wishes—if my words are true, please grant them.” The Lord assured her, “Truly, truly, I have spoken—O virtuous one, I will certainly grant you three wishes. There shall be no falsehood here.” The maiden then spoke her heart’s desire: “O Lord of gods, let it be so in all the three worlds and in all four ages, everywhere, O Master. By your grace, let me become the foremost of all sacred places, the remover of all obstacles, the goddess who bestows all accomplishments. Let those who observe my day with devotion, and those devoted to you, O Janardana, attain all accomplishments if you are pleased with me. Whoever observes fasting, night-vigil, or takes only one meal on my day—grant them, O Madhava, wealth, righteousness, and liberation.” Vishnu replied, “O auspicious one, all that you have asked will come to pass. You will grant all desires, O blessed one, and it cannot be otherwise. My devotees in this world, and those who are devoted especially in the month of Karttika, will be renowned in the four ages and three worlds. I consider you to possess great power, you who observe the Ekadashi vow. Those who worship me will attain liberation—of this, there is no doubt.” He continued, “The third, eighth, ninth, and fourteenth lunar days, and especially Ekadashi—the eleventh day—are dear to me. Ekadashi is more meritorious than all sacred places; truly, truly, there is no doubt. Having granted her these three wishes without doubt, Ekadashi, the great vow, became joyful and strong.” Vishnu blessed her further, saying, “You destroy enemies and grant supreme attainment; you remove all obstacles and bestow all desired accomplishments. O Partha, the auspicious Ekadashi is equal in both lunar fortnights; it is neither bright nor dark, and no distinction should be made. Those who observe all vows should make no distinction; whether by day or by night, one who listens with devotion is blessed.” He instructed, “There is one tithi that occurs in both lunar fortnights; when the eleventh day is diminished and the thirteenth day is at its end. In the middle, the twelfth day is complete, touching three tithis; that day, dear to Hari, should be observed with a fast, yielding the merit of a thousand eleventh-day fasts. By breaking the fast on the twelfth day, the merit is multiplied a thousandfold. The eighth, eleventh, sixth, third, and fourteenth days—if touched by the previous tithi, should not be observed; but if touched by the following, one should fast. The eleventh day lasts a full day and night, with a portion in the morning. That tithi should be avoided; one should fast when the twelfth is joined. Thus have I described the rules for both lunar fortnights.” Vishnu concluded, “One should indeed undertake fasting on the eleventh day, without doubt; those who do so attain the Vaishnava abode where Garuda-bannered Vishnu resides. Blessed are those in the world who are devoted to Vishnu; and whoever recites the greatness of the eleventh day at all times obtains merit equal to a thousand cows. Whether by day or by night, those who listen with devotion are freed from even the greatest sins, such as brahmin-murder. There is nothing equal to the Dharma of Vishnu, nor to the meaning of the Gita, O best of kings; and there is no vow equal to the eleventh day for destroying sin.” Later, Yudhishthira approached Krishna with reverence and humility, saying, “O noble Krishna, Lord of the universe, primeval god, master of the worlds, please, by your grace, tell me and show compassion to me. In the dark fortnight of the month of Magha, which is the Ekadashi? What is its name, and what is its procedure? Please explain this to me in detail.” In response, the sage Dalabhya spoke, “Beings born in the mortal world commit many sins, and are afflicted by various kinds of wrongdoing, even the most grievous, such as the killing of a brahmin…” Thus, the glory of Ekadashi was revealed, its origin, its power, the manner of its observance, and the compassion of the Lord for those who seek righteousness and liberation.