In Sri Vaishnavism, Ekadashi is the most sacred fasting day — the eleventh tithi of each lunar fortnight. The Padma Purana, Bhagavata Purana, and Vishnu Purana extensively praise Ekadashi observance. Each of the twenty-four Ekadashis has a unique name, story, and specific blessings. Fasting on Ekadashi destroys sins and draws the devotee closer to Sriman Narayana. The Acharyas of the Vedic tradition emphasize Ekadashi as an essential observance for all devotees.
Among these sacred Ekadashis, Kamada Ekadashi holds a special place as the one that fulfills all desires — kama meaning desire, da meaning giver. Observed on the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi of the month of Chaitra (March-April), this Ekadashi marks the first bright-fortnight Ekadashi of the new Hindu calendar year and carries with it the promise that righteous wishes offered with sincere devotion at the feet of Sriman Narayana will find fulfillment.
The Story
The Padma Purana narrates the story of Kamada Ekadashi through a dialogue involving King Dilipa. In the celestial city of Nagapura, there lived a Gandharva couple — the musician Lalita and his devoted wife Lalitaa. The two were inseparable, their love a reflection of the divine harmony between the soul and its Lord. Lalita's music enchanted the heavens, and Lalitaa's devotion to her husband was unwavering.
One fateful day, while performing before the court of the Gandharva king, Lalita became distracted by thoughts of his wife and faltered in his singing. Enraged at the lapse, a powerful serpent king present in the assembly cursed Lalita to become a fearsome demon — stripped of his celestial beauty, his musical gifts, and his very identity. In an instant, the radiant Gandharva was transformed into a hideous Rakshasa, wandering the forests in anguish.
Lalitaa's Devotion
Lalitaa, devastated but undeterred, refused to abandon her husband. She wandered through forests and holy places seeking a remedy for the curse. At last, she encountered the sage Vasishtha, who revealed to her the glory of Kamada Ekadashi. He instructed her to observe a complete fast on the Chaitra Shukla Ekadashi, worship Lord Vishnu with tulasi, flowers, and incense, remain awake through the night in devotional recitation, and then transfer the accumulated merit of the vrata to her cursed husband.
Lalitaa observed Kamada Ekadashi with absolute devotion. At dawn on Dvadashi, she stood before her demonized husband and formally transferred the entire merit of her fast to him. The moment the punya of Kamada Ekadashi touched Lalita, the curse shattered. His monstrous form dissolved and his original Gandharva splendor was restored. The couple ascended back to the celestial realms, reunited by the power of devotion and the incomparable merit of Ekadashi observance.
Padma Purana on Kamada Ekadashi
“The merit of observing Kamada Ekadashi is so great that it can destroy even the most terrible of curses. It fulfills all desires — both material and spiritual — and draws the devotee irrevocably toward the lotus feet of Sriman Narayana.”
Sri Vaishnava Significance
In the Vedic tradition, Kamada Ekadashi carries a subtle but profound teaching. The “desire” that this Ekadashi fulfills is not limited to worldly wishes. The Acharyas teach that the highest kama — the supreme desire — is Moksha, liberation from the cycle of samsara and eternal service at the feet of Sriman Narayana. When the devotee fasts on Kamada Ekadashi with this aspiration, the Lord Himself becomes the fulfiller of that ultimate desire.
The story of Lalitaa also embodies the Sri Vaishnava principle of Purushakaratva — divine intercession through love. Just as Sri Lakshmi Devi intercedes with the Lord on behalf of the erring soul, Lalitaa interceded for her cursed husband through the merit of her devotion. The transferability of Ekadashi merit demonstrates that the fruits of devotion are not private possessions but can be shared — a principle central to the compassionate ethos of the Ramanuja Sampradaya.
How We Observe at JETNJ
Upavasa — The Sacred Fast
Devotees observe a complete fast from sunrise on Ekadashi through sunrise on Dvadashi. Grains and beans are avoided; fruits, milk, and water are permitted for those unable to fast completely.
Vishnu Puja and Archana
Special abhishekam and archana are performed for Lord Vishnu with tulasi, flowers, and sandalwood paste. The temple resonates with the chanting of Vishnu Sahasranamam and the Divya Prabandham.
Night Vigil and Bhajan
Devotees gather at the temple for an evening of devotional singing, Purana Parayanam (reading of the Kamada Ekadashi story from the Padma Purana), and meditation on the Lord's divine names.
Dvadashi Paranam
The fast is broken on Dvadashi morning within the prescribed time. Devotees partake of tulasi-infused water and prasadam, completing the vrata with gratitude and prayer.
Sarva Dharman Parityajya Mam Ekam Sharanam Vraja
— Bhagavad Gita 18.66, the Charama Sloka
Based on the Padma Purana and the teachings of the Sri Vaishnava Acharyas. This article is published for educational and devotional purposes by JETNJ — Sanjeevani Jeeyar Asramam.
