Vijaya Ekadashi
Also called: Vijayā Ekadashi
Vijaya means 'victory.' The vrata is associated with seeking spiritual support before a difficult undertaking. Its best-known narrative connects the observance with Rama's effort to reach Lanka.
Key facts
- Paksha
- Krishna Paksha
- Lunar month
- Phalguna (Purnimanta); Magha (Amanta)
- Observed on
- The eleventh tithi of Krishna Paksha
- Deities
- Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna
The story
In the commonly circulated story, Rama asks the sage Bakadalbhya how he can cross the ocean to reach Lanka. The sage advises him to observe Vijaya Ekadashi. Rama follows the prescribed observance and proceeds with his mission. This is a devotional vrata-katha; the ritual details vary across retellings.
Practices
- Devotees may worship Vishnu or Rama, hear the story and observe their customary fast. The narrative focuses on perseverance and seeking divine guidance.
Common questions
- When is Vijaya Ekadashi observed?
- Vijaya Ekadashi is observed on the Krishna Paksha eleventh tithi (Ekadashi) of Phalguna (Purnimanta); Magha (Amanta).
Types of Ekadashi
- Utpanna EkadashiMargashirsha (Purnimanta); Kartika (Amanta)
- Mokshada EkadashiMargashirsha
- Saphala EkadashiPausha (Purnimanta); Margashirsha (Amanta)
- Pausha Putrada EkadashiPausha
- Shattila EkadashiMagha (Purnimanta); Pausha (Amanta)
- Jaya EkadashiMagha
- Vijaya EkadashiPhalguna (Purnimanta); Magha (Amanta)
- Amalaki EkadashiPhalguna
- Papamochani EkadashiChaitra (Purnimanta); Phalguna (Amanta)
- Kamada EkadashiChaitra
- Varuthini EkadashiVaishakha (Purnimanta); Chaitra (Amanta)
- Mohini EkadashiVaishakha
- Apara EkadashiJyeshtha (Purnimanta); Vaishakha (Amanta)
- Nirjala EkadashiJyeshtha
- Yogini EkadashiAshadha (Purnimanta); Jyeshtha (Amanta)
- Devshayani EkadashiAshadha
- Kamika EkadashiShravana (Purnimanta); Ashadha (Amanta)
- Shravana Putrada EkadashiShravana
- Aja EkadashiBhadrapada (Purnimanta); Shravana (Amanta)
- Parivartini EkadashiBhadrapada
- Indira EkadashiAshwin (Purnimanta); Bhadrapada (Amanta)
- Papankusha EkadashiAshwin
- Rama EkadashiKartika (Purnimanta); Ashwin (Amanta)
- Prabodhini EkadashiKartika
- Padmini EkadashiAdhik Maas
- Parama EkadashiAdhik Maas