Sri Yudhishthira Maharaja asked of Lord Sri Krishna, "What is
the name of that Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight
(shukla paksha) of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September
"Hrishikesha mase") ? Who is the worshipable Deity for this
Ekadasi, and what merit does one attain in observing it? Kindly
reveal all of this to me my Lord." The Supreme Personality of
Godhead Lord Sri Krishna addressed His devoted Yudhishthira as
follows, "This Ekadasii, Oh Yudhishthira, is called Vamana Ekadasi,
and it bestows upon those who observe it both great merit and
ultimate liberation from material bondage. Therefore, because it
removes all one's sinful reactions, it is also called Jayanti
Ekadasi. Just hearing of its glories frees one from all his past
misdeeds. So auspicious is this fast that observing it bestows the
same merit as that earned by performing a horse sacrifice. There is
no better Ekadasi than this, because it awards liberation so
easily. Thus if one truly desires freedom from the punishing
material world, one should fast on Vamana Ekadasi. "While observing
this holy fast, a Vaishnava should lovingly worship the Supreme
Lord in His form as Vamandev, the dwarf incarnation, whose eyes are
like lotus petals. By doing so, he worships all other Deities as
well, including Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and at death he
undoubtedly goes to that abode of Sri Hari. In all the three worlds
there is no fast that is more important to observe.
The reason this Ekadasi is so auspicious is that it celebrates
the day when the sleeping Lord Vishnu turns over on His other side;
thus it is also known as Parivartinii Ekadasi." Maharaja
Yudhishthira then asked of the Lord, "Oh Janardana, please clear up
a question I have. How is it that the Supreme Lord sleeps and then
turns over on His side? Oh Lord, when You are asleep what happens
to all the other living entities? Please also tell me how You bound
the king of the demons, Bali Daityaraj (Bali Maharaja), as well as
how one may please the brahmanas. How does one observe Chaturmasya,
which You mention in the Chaturmasya-mahatmya of the Bhavishya
Purana? Kindly be merciful to me and answer these questions." The
Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna replied, "Oh
Yudhishthira, lion among Kings, I will gladly narrate to you an
historical event that, simply by hearing, eradicates all one's
sinful reactions. "In the TretA-yuga there once was a king of the
name Bali. Though born in a family dynasty of demons (daityas), he
was very devoted to Me. He sang many Vedic hymns to Me and
performed the homa rituals (fire sacrifices) just to satisfy Me. He
respected the twice-born brahmins and engaged them in performing
sacrifices daily. This great soul had a quarrel with Indra,
however, and eventually defeated him in battle. Bali took over his
entire celestial kingdom, which I Myself had given to Indra.
Therefore Indra and all the other devas (demigods), along with many
great sages, approached Me and complained about Bali Maharaja.
Bowing their heads to the ground and offering many sacred prayers
from the Vedas, they worshipped Me along with their spiritual
master, Brihaspati. Thus I agreed to appear on their behalf as a
dwarf Vamanadev, My fifth incarnation." King Yudhishthira further
enquired, "Oh Lord, how was it possible for You to conquer such a
powerful demon, and only by coming in the form of a dwarf brahmin?
Please explain this clearly, for I am Your faithful devotee." The
Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna replied, "Though a dwarf, I was a
brahmana, and I approached that pious king Bali to ask him for alms
in the form of land. I said, 'Oh Daityraj Bali, please give Me just
three steps of land in charity. Such a small piece of land will be
good as all the three worlds for Me.' Bali agreed to grant My
request without lengthy consideration. But as soon as he vowed to
give Me the land, My body began to expand into a gigantic
transcendental form. I covered the entire Earth with My feet, all
the Bhuvarloka with My thighs, the Swarga heavens with My waist,
Maharloka with My stomach, Janaloka with My chest, Tapoloka with My
neck, and Satyaloka with My head and face. I covered the entire
material creation. Indeed, all the planets of the universe,
including the Sun and the Moon, were encompassed by My gigantic
form." "Seeing this astonishing pastime of Mine, all the demigods,
including Indra and Shesha, the king of the snakes, began to sing
Vedic hymns and offer prayers to Me. Then I took Bali by the hand
and said to him, 'Oh sinless one, I have covered the whole Earth
with one step and all the heavenly planets with the second. Now
where shall I place My foot to measure the third step of land you
promised Me?' "Upon hearing this, Bali Maharaja bowed down in
humility and offered Me his head to place My third step. Oh
Yudhishthira, I placed My foot on his head and sent him all the way
to Patalaloka. Seeing him thus humbled, I became very pleased and
told Bali that henceforth I would permanently reside in his palace.
Thereafter, on Parivartinii Ekadasi, which occurs during the light
part of the month of Bhadra (August-September), Bali, the son of
Virochana, grandson of Prahlad, installed a Deity form of Me in his
residence. "Oh king, until Haribodhinii Ekadasi, which occurs
during the light part of the month of Karttika, I continue to sleep
in the ocean of milk. The merit one accumulates during this period
is particularly powerful.
One should therefore observe Parivartinii EkAdasii carefully.
Indeed, it is especially purifying and thus cleanses one of all
sinful reactions. On this day the faithful devotee should worship
Lord Trivikrama, Vamanadeva, who is the supreme father, because on
this day I turn over to sleep on My other side. "If possible, on
this day one should give a qualified person some yogurt mixed with
rice, as well as some silver, and then remain awake throughout the
night. This simple observance will free one of all material
conditioning. One who observes this sacred Parivartinii Ekadasi in
the way I have described will surely attain all kinds of happiness
in this world and the kingdom of God in the hereafter. One who
simply hears this narration with devotion will go to the abode of
the demigods and shine there like the Moon itself, so powerful is
observance of this Ekadasi. Indeed, this observance is as powerful
as the performance of a thousand horse sacrifices." Thus ends the
narration of the glories of Parivartinii Ekadasi, or Vamana
Ekadasi, which occurs during the light part of the month of
Bhadrapada, from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.
NOTE: The next day after Ekadashi is Sri Vamana Dvadashi:
Appearance day of Lord Vamanadev. Ekadashi fast is observed till
noon. The fast is broken after noon with Ekadashi prasadam. Next
day (Sri Vamana Dvadashi), observe Lord Vamanadev's appearance by
again fasting till noon and by chanting extra Mahamantra japa
praying to the Lord for His shelter. Break this fast with joyful
feasting of Lord Vamanadev's appearance day mahaprasadam!
