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.
Varuthini Ekadashi falls on the Krishna Paksha Ekadashi of the month of Chaitra (March-April). The name Varuthini derives from the Sanskrit root meaning “one who protects” or “one who shields.” This Ekadashi is extolled in the Varaha Purana as granting a fortress of divine protection around the devotee, with merit that surpasses charity, yajna, and pilgrimage combined.
The Story
The Varaha Purana narrates the glory of this Ekadashi through Lord Varaha's discourse to Bhudevi (the Earth Goddess). The great King Mandhata, a righteous ruler of the Ikshvaku dynasty and an ancestor of Lord Rama, was known throughout the three worlds for his adherence to dharma. His kingdom prospered, his subjects lived in peace, and his devotion to Sriman Narayana was unwavering.
Yet even the most virtuous king is not immune to the trials of samsara. When a prolonged drought struck his kingdom, causing suffering among his people, Mandhata sought counsel from the sages. The great rishi Angirasrevealed to him that the observance of Varuthini Ekadashi would generate merit so vast that it would not only relieve the kingdom's suffering but would protect the king and his subjects from all future calamities.
Varaha Purana on Varuthini Ekadashi
“The merit of Varuthini Ekadashi surpasses that of giving elephants and horses in charity, exceeds the fruit of performing great yajnas, and outshines the punya earned from pilgrimage to all the sacred tirthas. He who observes this Ekadashi with devotion is wrapped in the Lord's own protection.”
King Mandhata, along with his entire court and subjects, observed the fast with complete faith. The rains returned, the land flourished, and the kingdom was restored. But the greater fruit, as the scripture teaches, was spiritual — Mandhata's devotion deepened, his attachment to worldly sovereignty diminished, and he drew ever closer to the feet of Sriman Narayana. The Varaha Purana declares that the protection granted by this Ekadashi extends not merely to the body and its circumstances but to the soul itself, shielding it from the accumulated weight of countless lifetimes of papa (sin).
Sri Vaishnava Significance
The Vedic tradition reads the story of Varuthini Ekadashi as an illustration of the Lord's Rakshaka-tva — His nature as the ultimate protector. In Vishishtadvaita Vedanta, the Lord's protection is not conditional upon the devotee's strength or merit. It is an expression of His own svabhava — His essential nature. Just as the mother protects the child not because the child deserves it but because protection is her nature, so Sriman Narayana protects the surrendered soul because He is the Sharanya — the refuge of all.
That this Ekadashi is narrated in the Varaha Purana is itself significant. Lord Varaha — the cosmic boar who plunged into the primordial waters to rescue Bhudevi from the demon Hiranyaksha — is the supreme emblem of divine protection. The protector's Ekadashi finds its most fitting voice in the Purana of the protecting avatara.
The Teaching of the Acharyas
The Acharyas of the Ramanuja Sampradaya teach that Ekadashi fasting is not merely asceticism but an act of Prapatti — surrender. By willingly accepting the austerity of the fast, the devotee acknowledges dependence upon the Lord alone for sustenance, protection, and liberation. Varuthini Ekadashi, with its explicit promise of protection, perfectly illustrates this principle: the one who lets go of self-reliance and clings to Narayana alone is the one who is truly shielded.
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; the mind is turned entirely toward the Lord.
Vishnu Puja and Abhishekam
Special abhishekam is performed for Lord Vishnu with panchamritam, tulasi, and flowers. Archana with Vishnu Sahasranamam and Divya Prabandham recitation fills the sanctum.
Purana Parayanam
The narrative of Varuthini Ekadashi from the Varaha Purana is read aloud. Devotees contemplate the Lord's nature as the eternal protector of the surrendered soul.
Dvadashi Paranam
The fast is broken on Dvadashi morning within the prescribed time 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 Varaha Purana and the teachings of the Sri Vaishnava Acharyas. This article is published for educational and devotional purposes by JETNJ — Sanjeevani Jeeyar Asramam.
