Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 4
Ekādaśī Vrata-Vidhi and the Galava–Bhadrashīla Itihāsa
Dharmakīrti before Yama
एकादश्यां न भुञ्जीत पक्षयोरुभयोपरि । यो भुंक्ते सोऽत्र पापीयान्परत्र नरकं व्रजेत् ॥ ४ ॥
ekādaśyāṃ na bhuñjīta pakṣayorubhayopari | yo bhuṃkte so'tra pāpīyānparatra narakaṃ vrajet || 4 ||
On Ekādaśī one should not eat, whether in the waxing or the waning fortnight. Whoever eats on that day becomes sinful here, and hereafter goes to hell.
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: Ekādaśī-vrata
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It establishes Ekādaśī as a strict vrata-day where abstaining from food is a core discipline; violating it is framed as producing grave demerit with painful post-death consequences.
By prescribing Ekādaśī restraint, it supports Viṣṇu-bhakti through self-control (niyama) and vrata-observance—external discipline that nourishes inward devotion.
Calendar-based ritual timing: Ekādaśī is defined by the lunar tithi within both pakṣas (śukla and kṛṣṇa), reflecting practical jyotiṣa-style observance for vrata performance.