Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry
Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja said, “O Lord Kṛṣṇa, O Supreme Lord, O protector of all living beings, please tell me the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Śrāvaṇa (July–August). Kindly describe its observance and the merit that one obtains from it.”
Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Reply
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa replied, “O best of kings, the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of Śrāvaṇa is called Kāmikā Ekadasi. This sacred day is very dear to Me and destroys all kinds of sins.
Whoever observes this fast with faith and devotion becomes free from all sinful reactions and attains residence in the spiritual world.
Now hear attentively the ancient history that illustrates the glory of this holy day.”
The Supreme Power of Kāmikā Ekadasi
Lord Kṛṣṇa continued, “This Ekadasi is especially powerful in purifying one who has committed the most grievous sins, such as killing a brāhmaṇa, killing an embryo, or insulting one’s spiritual master.
Whoever observes this fast and worships Me with devotion attains the merit of performing all sacrifices and visiting all holy places.
Even if one simply hears or recites the glories of this Ekadasi, one is freed from the reactions of countless sinful deeds.”
The Importance of Worshiping the Lord
“On this day, one should worship Lord Viṣṇu with full devotion, using fresh flowers, lamps, incense, fruits, and especially tulasī leaves. The offering of tulasī is most dear to Me. Whoever offers Me even a single leaf of tulasī with devotion on this day is released from all sins and obtains liberation.
The very sight of tulasī-devī destroys all sins. Touching or watering her brings one to My eternal abode. Offering her leaves to Me pleases Me more than offering gold, jewels, or precious gems.
Therefore, on this Ekadasi, one should worship Me by offering tulasī leaves, chant My names, and remain awake throughout the night in devotion.”
The Observance of the Fast
“On the day before Ekadasi, one should eat only once and sleep on the floor. On the day of Kāmikā Ekadasi, one should rise early, bathe, and worship Me with incense, lamps, and flowers. One should fast completely, or if unable to do so, take only fruits and milk.
Throughout the day and night, one should hear about My pastimes and chant My names—especially the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. On the next day, Dvādaśī, one should bathe, feed the brāhmaṇas, and then break the fast by honoring prasāda with great devotion.”
The Glories of Offering Tulasī
“O Yudhiṣṭhira, I shall now tell you about the extraordinary merit of offering tulasī on this day.
Whoever offers Me a lamp made of ghee before the tulasī plant on Kāmikā Ekadasi attains the merit of performing all sacrifices, and his ancestors attain liberation.
A person who offers the Lord a single tulasī leaf, while keeping a pure and humble heart, is freed from all sins accumulated over many lifetimes.
Whoever offers tulasī and water to Lord Viṣṇu on this day will never have to suffer in the realm of Yamarāja, the lord of death.”
The Story of a Devotee’s Deliverance
“There once lived a sinful brāhmaṇa who, due to his offenses, suffered from disease and poverty. One day, by good fortune, he came to the temple of Lord Viṣṇu on Kāmikā Ekadasi.
Hearing the glories of this sacred day from a saintly person, he decided to fast and offer a single tulasī leaf to the Lord with devotion.
When he died, messengers of Lord Viṣṇu came on a radiant chariot and carried him to the spiritual world, while the messengers of Yamarāja watched helplessly.
Thus, even a person who simply offers tulasī and fasts with faith on Kāmikā Ekadasi attains liberation and freedom from all past misdeeds.”
The Great Merit of Hearing Its Glories
Lord Kṛṣṇa said, “O Yudhiṣṭhira, whoever observes Kāmikā Ekadasi or even hears its glories with devotion is freed from all sins and attains the merit of performing great sacrifices such as the Aśvamedha-yajña.
One who offers a lamp before Me on this day gains the same merit as giving the entire earth in charity.
By reading or hearing the glories of this Ekadasi, one attains happiness, health, and prosperity in this life and liberation in the next.”
The Phala-śruti (Result of Observance)
“O king, fasting on Kāmikā Ekadasi destroys all sins, fulfills all desires, and grants residence in My abode, Vaikuṇṭha.
Whoever keeps vigil during the night, glorifying Me, achieves the merit of bathing in all holy rivers and performing every kind of sacrifice.
Even one who simply hears or recites this story with devotion on this day will never fall into ignorance or illusion.
Therefore, O Yudhiṣṭhira, observe this sacred fast and encourage others to do so. It grants all auspiciousness and leads the soul to eternal service at My lotus feet.”
Origin of the Story
This narration of Kāmikā Ekadasi is found in the Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa and the Bhaviṣya-Uttara Purāṇa, where Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa explains to Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira the supreme merit of offering tulasī and fasting on this sacred day.
Observing Kāmikā Ekadasi purifies the heart, fulfills all desires, and brings the devotee to the eternal abode of Lord Viṣṇu.
