Parma Ekadashi fasting story

॥ Shri Parma Ekadashi fast story (complete story) ॥ 🐚🍯🍯

Dharmaraj Yudhishthir asked - "O Janardan! Now please tell me the importance of Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Adhik month. What is its name and what is its method?"

Lord Shri Krishna said - "O Yudhishthir! The name of this Ekadashiis 'Parama Ekadashi'. This rare fast is the destroyer of poverty and gives good speed. Its method is the same as that of other Ekadashis, but 'Pancharatri' (five days) fast has special significance in it. Now listen to its mythological story."

1. Sumedha Brahmin and the poverty of the holy

In ancient times, in the city of 'Kampilya'there lived a very pious Brahmin named Sumedha. His wife's namewas 'Pavitra'who, as per her name, was extremely devoted and polite. Sumedha and Pavitra were extremely poor. They neither had a proper house to live in nor enough food.

Brahmin Sumedha used to earn his living by begging for alms, but many times he did not get alms for the whole day. His wife Pavitra was so great that she herself would remain hungry, but would definitely feed food to the guests.

2. Pavitra's advice and Sumedha's patience

One day, saddened by his poverty, Sumedha said to his wife - "O dear! It has become difficult to live here and beg for alms. I should go abroad to earn money."

Pavitra folded her hands and said - "O Lord! A man gets wealth and glory only through the deeds and luck of his previous birth. Wherever you go, you will get only what is in your destiny. Therefore, be patient and have faith in the Lord." Sumedha stopped after listening to his wife.

3. Arrival and solution of sage Kaundinya

After some time in his houseKaundinya Rishiarrived. Sumedha and Pavitra welcomed him with great love and gave him half of their food. The sage was extremely pleased with his service. Sumedha asked the sage - "O sage! Please tell me some simple solution to remove our poverty."

The sage said - "O Brahmin! Observe a fastis 'Parama Ekadashi'on the Krishna Paksha

of Adhik month. This fast is like a lion to an elephant in the form of poverty. Lord Vishnu himself has told the glory of this fast. If possible, then starting from this Ekadashi, worship by fasting for five days (Pancharatra fast), this makes even Kuber happy."

4. Pancharatra fast and Kubera's grace

Sumedha and Pavitra observed a rigorous fast of five days on 'Parama Ekadashi' as per the advice of the sage. He worshiped Lord Vishnu with full devotion and kept vigil at night.

After the completion of the fast, one day a prince came outside his house. Pleased with Sumedha's devotion, he donated her a grand palace, a lot of land and gold coins. By the grace of Lord Vishnu and Kuber Dev, all his poverty ended in a moment. Both of them lived a happy life and finally reached Vishnuloka.