Mokshada Ekadashi

Mokshada Ekadashi is traditionally associated with the story of King Vaikhanasa. The king once dreamed that his deceased father was suffering in a painful realm and begging for release. Deeply disturbed, Vaikhanasa consulted learned priests and was directed to Sage Parvata, who through meditation explained that the father was bearing the consequence of a past wrong. The sage advised the king and his family to observe Mokshada Ekadashi with devotion and dedicate the merit of the vrata to the ancestor. They followed the instruction, and the story says the father was freed and attained a higher state. The Ekadashi therefore became associated with moksha—liberation—and with the idea that sincere spiritual practice can be offered for the welfare of others. The same lunar day is also celebrated as Gita Jayanti, recalling Krishna’s teaching of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna.

The Gita was spoken on this day, so it is Gita Jayanti as well as an ekadashi. The name promises moksha for the ancestors rather than the keeper - the fast is offered on behalf of the dead of the line.

Kept for the dead rather than for the living: the merit of the fast is given to the family's ancestors, which is what mokshada means. The Gita is read on the day, and in many houses the whole of the second chapter.