06/06/2025
Nirjala Ekadasi Today (June 7, 2025)
Once Bhimasena, the younger brother of Maharaj Yudhisthira, asked Shrila Vyasadev, the grandfather of the Pandavas, how he could obtain the results of Ekadasi without fasting. Bhima's four brother's, his mother Kuntidevi and wife Drupadi all fasted on Ekadasi but he was unable to do so because a digestive fire known as "vrika" burned so strongly in his stomach that it could only be quelled by eating voraciously. Bhima asked Vyasadev if there was as an Ekadasi he could observe that would bestow the benefit of observing all other Ekadasis, perhaps making him eligible for liberation.
Shrila Vyasadev replied that, although in the age of Kali one cannot follow all the rules and regulations, to be safe from hell one must observe Ekadasi. Hearing this Bhima, the most powerful of warriors, became frightened. Shaking like a leaf, he confessed that he was completely unable to fast twice monthly. Shrila Vyasadev then told Bhimasena that he'd heard personally from Lord Keshava about an Ekadasi called Nirjala. The Lord promised that one who surrenders to Him and observes this supremely meritorious Ekadasi is very dear to Him. Vyasadev urged Bhima to observe Nirjala Ekadasi because this difficult fast--requiring no food, drink, or even water from sunrise on Ekadasi to sunrise the next day--gives the results of observing all the other Ekadasis. And, at the time of death, a person who has observed this Ekadasi will not be approached by the fierce Yamaduttas. Instead, the divine Vishnuduttas will take him to the abode of Lord Vishnu. In fact, even reading or hearing about this Ekadasi with devotion delivers one to the spiritual world.
Hearing all this from Shrila Vyasadev, all the Pandavas including Bhimasena fully observed Nirjala Ekadasi from that day onwards. This day is also therefore known as Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi or Bhimasena Ekadasi.
