Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi. “Pandava” refers to the Pandavas, the sons of Emperor Pandu. One son of Pandu was Bhima, a most powerful warrior and a most voracious eater. He was not one who welcomed fasting and admitted to not being able to follow Ekadasi.
However, he was told that if he observed complete fasting on one particular Ekadasi day annually, he would get all the spiritual benefits of having followed every Ekadasi fast of the year.
He and his brothers thus all agreed to fast on that day. “Nirjala” means “no water.” Strict followers of Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi observe a total fast, even from water.
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