The Greatness of the Ekadashi Vow

In Chapter 3 of the *Gurucharitra*, after listening to the glory of Shri Guru, Namadharaka felt deeply satisfied. He said to Siddhamuni that by giving him this divine knowledge, his mind had been filled with joy, and he wished to serve him. Siddhamuni replied that to recognize and understand Shri Guru, one must purify one’s conduct, maintain steady devotion and never allow doubts to enter the mind, for a doubtful mind can never attain the Guru. If one performs a seven-day *parayana* of the *Gurucharitra*, any sincere wish is fulfilled.

King Ambarisha observed the Ekadashi fast with strict discipline. One day, Sage Durvasa arrived at his home during this sacred observance. As per the duty of a householder, Ambarisha welcomed and honoured him, requesting that he complete his purification rituals quickly and return, because the *parana* (breaking of the fast) must be done after sunrise on Dvadashi, even if the auspicious moment lasts only for a minute. Missing the time is considered breaking the vow.

Durvasa delayed his return. Ambarisha faced a dilemma: waiting would violate the fast, yet eating before the guest returned would disrespect the sage. Ambarisha therefore took only a sip of holy water as his *parana*. When Durvasa learned this, he became furious and prepared to curse him. Ambarisha remembered Lord Vishnu, who appeared and said that although Durvasa’s word never becomes false, Ambarisha is His devoted servant, so He would bear the curse.

Durvasa declared that for the welfare of the world, Vishnu must take ten incarnations, the well-known Dashavatara. Thus, the greatness of Ekadashi is highlighted in the *Gurucharitra*.

On another Ekadashi, Durvasa was travelling with 1000 disciples. They rested near the sea, and Durvasa sent a newly joined disciple to Dwaraka to deliver a message to Krishna. The disciple cried in fear, saying he could not swim. Durvasa instructed him to scoop a handful of seawater and declare: *“If my Guru has never eaten a single grain since birth, give me a path; otherwise, swallow me.”* Though he had seen Durvasa eat daily, the disciple obeyed. To his amazement, the ocean parted, and he reached Krishna safely.

Krishna warmly received him and sent His son back with him. Krishna’s son told the disciple to say: *“If my father is an eternal brahmachari, give us a path.”* The ocean parted once again. Confused, the disciple asked how this was possible when both Guru and Krishna clearly lived normal worldly lives. Durvasa explained: “Brahma jānāti sa brāhmaṇaḥ — the knower of Brahman is the true Brahmin.” Their external actions did not limit their inner spiritual state.

Siddhamuni concludes by explaining that these stories demonstrate the supreme power of the Ekadashi vow. When observed with purity, devotion and discipline, Ekadashi destroys sins, removes suffering and brings spiritual upliftment. This is the sacred teaching imparted in Chapter 3 of the *Gurucharitra*.