When the formidable Ekadashi, embodiment of the sacred vow, stood before Vishnu, she warned that if sleep and old age were taken away from her, she would have the power to destroy the three worlds. Hearing her words, Vishnu addressed her with calm wisdom. He said, “He by whom even I was once defeated—how could you hope to conquer him?” To this, Ekadashi replied with humility and gratitude, “O Lord, by your grace alone have I slain the great demon.” Pleased, the Blessed Lord spoke: “The sages and gods in all three worlds rejoice. Tell me, O blessed one, what lies in your heart. Whatever boon you desire, even if it is difficult for the gods to obtain, I shall grant it without hesitation.” Ekadashi bowed and said, “If you are pleased with me, O Lord, and if my words are true, then I desire one boon from you, O Lord of the world.” She continued, “I pray to you for what my heart desires, O Master. If you find my request sincere, O Lord of the universe, please grant me three wishes.” Vishnu, the compassionate Lord, replied, “Truly, truly, I have spoken—O virtuous one, I will certainly grant you three wishes. There will be no falsehood here.” Ekadashi then spoke her wishes: “O Lord of gods, let it be so in all three worlds and throughout the four ages, 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. May those who observe my day with devotion, and those who are devoted to you, O Janardana, attain all accomplishments if you are pleased with me. Grant that whoever observes fasting, keeps night vigil, or eats only once a day on my day—may they receive wealth, righteousness, and liberation, O Madhava.” Vishnu replied, “O auspicious one, all that you have asked will come to pass. You shall grant all desires, O blessed one, and it cannot be otherwise. My devotees throughout the world, and those who are devoted in the month of Karttika, will be renowned in all four ages and in the 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—this day is most dear to Hari. It is more meritorious than all sacred places; truly, there is no doubt. Having granted her these three wishes, Ekadashi, the great vow, became joyful and strong.” Vishnu praised her further, “You destroy the enemy and grant supreme attainment; you remove all obstacles and bestow all desired accomplishments. O Partha, 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 not make distinctions. Whether by day or by night, whoever listens with devotion—there is one tithi that occurs in both lunar fortnights, when the eleventh day wanes and the thirteenth day ends. 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 they are 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.” He 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—that person gains merit equal to gifting a thousand cows. Whether by day or by night, those who listen with devotion are freed from sins such as brahmin-murder, without doubt. There is nothing equal to the Dharma of Vishnu, nor to the meaning of the Gita, O best of kings; there is no vow equal to Ekadashi for destroying sin.” Later, Yudhishthira, the noble king, approached Krishna and said, “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 Magha, which is the Ekadashi? What is its name and what is its procedure? Please explain this to me in detail.” At this, the sage Dalabhya spoke, “Beings born in the mortal world commit sins, and are afflicted by many transgressions, including the killing of a brahmin. Some steal others’ wealth, some are deluded by others’ vices—how do they not go to hell? O Brahman, tell me this truthfully. By what effortless means, O Lord, or by what small gift, can sin be destroyed? You ought to tell me this.” Then the sage Pulastya responded, “Excellent, excellent, O great one! This secret is very rare, not revealed to anyone by Vishnu, Brahma, Indra, or the gods. But since you have asked, I shall tell you, O best of twice-born. When the month of Magha arrives, one who is pure, bathed, and self-controlled—free from desire, anger, pride, envy, greed, and slander, remembering the Lord of gods, and washing his feet with water—should take cow-dung fallen on the ground, mix it with sesame seeds and a piece of cloth, and make small balls. There is no need for further deliberation regarding the one hundred and eight; then, when the month of Magha arrives, if the constellation Ashadha is present, or if it is the root of the dark fortnight, or the eleventh day with its observances, then, at the auspicious time, one should undertake the rite. Hear from me the procedure therein.” He explained, “Having worshipped the Lord of gods, having bathed thoroughly, with mind intent and pure, one should recite the names of Krishna, especially in cases of error or omission. One should keep vigil through the night, first performing a fire offering, and worship the Lord of lords; on the second day, worship Hari again.” Thus, the greatness and procedure of Ekadashi were revealed, showing the path to liberation and the destruction of sins for all who observe with devotion.