Jaya Ekadashi falls on the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) Ekadashi of the month of Magha (January-February). Jaya means victory — and this Ekadashi is celebrated as the one that grants victory over the bondage of karma, the power of curses, and the endless entanglements of samsara. It is also known in some traditions as Bhishma Ekadashi, connected to the great patriarch Bhishma Pitamaha of the Mahabharata.
The Padma Purana narrates the story of Jaya Ekadashi to illustrate a theme central to Sri Vaishnava theology: that the merit of Ekadashi observance is so immense that it can shatter even divine curses and liberate souls trapped in demonic forms through no fault of their own.
The Story
The Padma Purana tells of a celestial couple who lived in Indra's heavenly court — Malyavan, a Gandharva musician of great skill, and his wife Pushpavati, a celestial dancer of incomparable beauty. The two were deeply devoted to each other, and their love was the talk of all the heavens.
One day, during a grand assembly in Indra's court, Malyavan and Pushpavati became so absorbed in each other — exchanging glances and whispered words — that they neglected their appointed duties. Malyavan's music faltered, and Pushpavati's dance lost its rhythm. Indra, enraged at this disruption to the cosmic order of his court, pronounced a terrible curse: the couple would be stripped of their celestial forms and cast down to earth as a Yaksha and a Yakshini — demonic beings condemned to wander the Himalayan forests.
Narada's Compassion
The cursed couple suffered terribly in their demonic forms — tormented by cold, hunger, and the loss of their celestial consciousness. Their son, still residing in the heavens, was heartbroken. The great sage Narada, ever compassionate, visited the grieving son and revealed the remedy: if anyone observed Jaya Ekadashi and transferred its merit to Malyavan and Pushpavati, the curse would be broken. Narada himself guided the son in the proper observance of the vrata.
The son observed Jaya Ekadashi with unwavering devotion — fasting completely, worshipping Lord Vishnu through the night, and at dawn on Dvadashi, formally transferring the accumulated merit to his cursed parents. The moment the punya reached them, the demonic forms of Malyavan and Pushpavati dissolved. They regained their celestial splendor and ascended back to the heavenly realms, reunited with their son and restored to Indra's grace.
Padma Purana on Jaya Ekadashi
“The merit of Jaya Ekadashi is such that it can destroy even the curse of Indra. What then can it not accomplish for the sincere devotee who observes it with love for Sriman Narayana?”
The Bhishma Connection
Jaya Ekadashi is also called Bhishma Ekadashi because it falls in the month of Magha, the month in which Bhishma Pitamaha — the grand patriarch of the Kuru dynasty — chose to depart from this world. Lying on his bed of arrows after the great war of Kurukshetra, Bhishma waited for the auspicious period of Uttarayana(the sun's northward journey) to relinquish his body.
During this waiting period, Bhishma delivered the profound teachings compiled as the Shanti Parva and Anushasana Parvaof the Mahabharata — teachings on dharma, governance, and devotion that rank alongside the Gita in their spiritual depth. The observance of Jaya Ekadashi thus also honors Bhishma's supreme example of dharmic steadfastness and his unwavering devotion to Sri Krishna.
How We Observe at JETNJ
Upavasa
A complete fast from sunrise on Ekadashi through sunrise on Dvadashi, with the mind fixed on the Lord's power to liberate from all bondage.
Vishnu Puja
Special abhishekam and archana for Lord Vishnu with tulasi and flowers, accompanied by the chanting of Vishnu Sahasranama.
Night Vigil
Devotees remain awake through the night, reciting the Divya Prabandham and meditating on the Lord's victory over all forms of bondage.
Dvadashi Paranam
The fast is broken on Dvadashi morning with tulasi water and prasadam, completing the vrata with gratitude.
Sarva Dharman Parityajya Mam Ekam Sharanam Vraja
— Bhagavad Gita 18.66, the Charama Sloka
Based on the Padma Purana, the Mahabharata, and the teachings of the Sri Vaishnava Acharyas. Published for educational and devotional purposes by JETNJ — Sanjeevani Jeeyar Asramam.
