Ekadasi Devi Killing Murasura
An interesting tale associated with the day is the appearance of ‘Ekadasi Devi’. Once upon a time in Krutha Yuga, a demon called ‘Murasura’ defeated the Devas and tortured them. Upon the request of Devas, Sri Maha Vishnu entered the battlefield, fought with him for a thousand years and got thoroughly exhausted.
On an Ekadasi day, he entered a cave and slept inside due to fatigue. Coming to know of Maha Vishnu’s location, Murasura rushed to the spot to kill him. It was then that a divine beam of light came out of Maha Vishnu’s body and attained the shape of a young girl, armed with an array of lethal weapons.
When Murasura reached the spot, the protective girl killed the demon. On waking up, Vishnu found the demon dead and offered a boon to the girl.
As she came out of the Lord’s body on ‘Ekadasi’ Day, she was called ‘Ekadasi Devi’. She requested Him to grant the boon of salvation to all those praying to her on this sacred day. Since then, those praying to ‘Ekadasi Devi’ are assured of a place in Vishnu Lokam.
Ekadasi
The special feature of Ekadasi, as most people know it, is a fast, abstinence from diet. Usually there are 24 Ekadasis in a calendar year. Occasionally, there are two extra Ekadasis that happen in a leap year. Each Ekadasi day is purported to have particular benefits and blessings.
Shayana Ekadasi / Toli Ekadasi
Shayana Ekadasi means “sleeping eleventh is the eleventh lunar day (Ekadasi) of the bright fortnight (Shukla paksha) of the Hindu month of Ashadha (June – July). Thus it is also known as Ashadhi Ekadasi or Ashadhi. It is also known as Toli Ekadasi in Telugu. This holy day is of special significance to all.
Bhavishyottara Purana
In the scripture Bhavishyottara Purana, god Krishna narrates the significance of Shayana Ekadasi to Yudhishthira, as the creator Brahma narrated the significance to his son Narada once. The story of King Mandata is narrated in this context.
The pious king’s country had faced drought for three years, but the king was unable to find a solution to please the rain gods. Finally, sage Angiras advised the king to observe the vrata (vow) of Dev-Shayana Ekadasi. On doing so by the grace of Lord Vishnu, there was rain in the kingdom.
Ekadasi should be observed by all classes of people including women. According to scriptures, from the age of eight to the age of eighty, a person should fast on Ekadasi days.
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