O King, listen with attention to the sacred account of Ekadashi and its profound observances, as revealed in the ancient Purana. It is said that when one breaks the fast on the twelfth lunar day, the merit earned is multiplied a thousandfold. Yet, there are particular days—the eighth, eleventh, sixth, third, and fourteenth tithis—which, if they begin with the previous lunar day, should not be observed for fasting. However, if these days are joined by the tithi that follows, one should undertake the fast. The eleventh day, known as Ekadashi, is considered complete only when it spans a full day and night, including a portion of the morning. If the eleventh tithi is thus extended, it should be avoided for fasting; instead, one should fast when the twelfth is joined to it. These are the rules for observing the fasts in both lunar fortnights. Without doubt, one should undertake the fast on the eleventh day. Those who do so with devotion reach the Vaishnava realm, where Vishnu, the Lord with Garuda as his banner, resides. Fortunate are the people who remain devoted to Vishnu, and blessed are those who continually recite the greatness of Ekadashi. Such a person accrues merit equal to giving away a thousand cows. Whether by day or night, those who listen with faith to the glories of Ekadashi are freed from grievous sins, including the sin of killing a Brahmin. Indeed, there is nothing in this world equal to the Dharma of Vishnu, nor to the teachings of the Gita. No vow is as powerful for destroying sin as the observance of Ekadashi. Once, Yudhishthira, the righteous king, approached Krishna, the Supreme Lord, and asked, “O Krishna, Lord of the universe, ancient God, master of all worlds, please, by your grace, tell me and show me compassion. In the dark fortnight of the month of Magha, which Ekadashi falls? What is its name, and what is the proper way to observe it? Please explain this to me in detail.” At this, the sage Dalabhya spoke: “O Brahmin, all beings born in the mortal world are afflicted by various sins, including the terrible act of killing a Brahmin. Some steal the wealth of others, some are ensnared by others’ vices. How do such people avoid falling into hell? Speak the truth. By what effortless means, or by what small gift, can sin be destroyed? Please reveal this to me.” Then the sage Pulastya replied, “Excellent, excellent! This is a most rare and secret teaching, not revealed by Vishnu, Brahma, Indra, or the gods themselves. But since you have asked, I will tell you. 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, should gather cow-dung fallen on the ground. Mixing it with sesame seeds and a piece of cloth, one should make small balls. There is no need to deliberate further about the number one hundred and eight. When the month of Magha comes, if the constellation Ashadha is present, or if it is the beginning of the dark fortnight, or the sacred eleventh day with its observances, then at the auspicious time, one should undertake the rite. Listen as I describe the procedure. After worshipping the Lord of gods and bathing thoroughly, with a pure and focused mind, one should recite the names of Krishna, especially in cases of error or omission. The devotee should keep vigil through the night, first performing a fire offering, and worship the Lord of lords. On the following day, Hari should be worshipped again with sandalwood, aguru, camphor, and the offering of kṛsara, all the while remembering and invoking the name of Krishna. With gourds, coconuts, or vessels filled with seeds—or if these are not available, with suitable areca nuts—one should offer arghya, the ceremonial water offering, to Janardana according to the proper rite. The devotee prays: ‘O Krishna, Krishna, compassionate one, be the refuge of those who have none. O Supreme Person, have mercy on those immersed in the ocean of worldly existence. Salutations to you, O lotus-eyed one; salutations to you, creator of the universe; O Subrahmanya, salutations to you, ancient great person; accept the arghya offered by me together with Lakshmi, O Lord of the world.’ After offering the arghya-mantra, one should honor a Brahmin, gifting him a water-pot, an umbrella, sandals, and cloth, with the words, ‘May Krishna be pleased with me.’ According to one’s ability, a black cow should be given to the best of the twice-born, and a vessel filled with sesame seeds should also be gifted. For bathing and for consumption, black sesame seeds are best; these should be given with care. As many sesame seeds as have sprouted should be given to kshatriyas. For as many thousands of years as the number of sesame seeds given for bathing, anointing, fire offering, and water offering, one is honored in heaven. He who gives, consumes, bathes with, anoints with, offers in fire, and offers water with sesame—these six uses of sesame destroy all sin. Then, the sage Narada asked Krishna, “O Krishna, mighty-armed, creator of the universe, what is the result of observing the Shat-tila Ekadashi? Tell me its story, if you are pleased.” Sri Krishna replied, “Hear, O king, as it truly happened. Long ago, on earth, there lived a Brahmin woman, O Narada, ever devoted to vows and diligent in worshipping the gods. She was steadfast in monthly fasts, always devoted to me, constantly observing Krishna-fasts, and wholly dedicated to my worship. Her body was worn by austerities, and she was devoted to the gods, Brahmins, and maidens. She regularly gave away household goods and was ever engaged in severe penances. Yet, she did not give alms to beggars, nor did she satisfy the Brahmins with food. After a long time, I reflected upon her situation: surely, through severe vows and austerities, her body had become pure. She had indeed worshipped the world of Vishnu through bodily hardship, but she had not given the gift of food, by which supreme satisfaction is attained. Knowing this, O Brahmin, I descended to the mortal world, taking the form of a skull-bearing mendicant, and begged with a bowl. The Brahmin woman asked me, ‘Why have you come, O Brahmin? Where are you going? Tell me.’ I replied, ‘Give me alms, O beautiful one.’ Overcome by anger, she threw a lump of clay into my copper vessel. Thus, having received this, I returned to heaven. After a long time, that ascetic woman of great vows, by the power of her observances, ascended to heaven in her own body.” Thus, O King, is revealed the sacred account of the Ekadashi fast, its rules, and the story of the devoted Brahmin woman, all extolling the supreme merit and sin-destroying power of this holy observance.