Rama Ekadashi

Rama Ekadashi is associated with King Muchukunda’s daughter Chandrabhaga and her husband Shobhana. Muchukunda’s kingdom observed Ekadashi very strictly, but Shobhana was physically weak and feared he could not endure the fast. While visiting his in-laws he nevertheless followed the rule and died after the difficult observance. The katha says that the merit of the Ekadashi gave him a splendid celestial kingdom, but because his fast had been undertaken without firm inner conviction, the kingdom was unstable. A Brahmin later met Shobhana and carried the news to Chandrabhaga. She had faithfully observed Ekadashi since childhood and dedicated the strength of her accumulated vrata to her husband, stabilizing his divine realm and reuniting with him. The story emphasizes that outward austerity gains depth through sincere faith and that one person’s disciplined devotion can become an offering for another’s welfare.

Named for Lakshmi as Rama, not for Rama of Ayodhya. Falls four days before Diwali, and is where the Diwali week begins for anyone keeping the fasts.

Kept in the week the house is being turned out for Diwali, which is most of what people remember about it. The fast is the ordinary one.