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 ||
Pada hari Ekādaśī—baik paruh terang maupun paruh gelap—janganlah makan. Siapa yang makan pada hari itu menjadi berdosa di sini dan kelak pergi ke neraka.
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.