Parsva Ekadashi

Story of Parsva Ekadashi (Vrat Katha)

During the four months of Chaturmas, Lord Vishnu sleeps. On Bhadrapada Shukla Ekadashi he turns over from one side to the other (parivartan, parsva), and that is why the day has this name. It is also linked to the Vamana avatar. Vishnu came as a short Brahmin boy and asked the generous demon king Bali for three steps of land. With two steps he measured the earth and the sky, and for the third Bali offered his own head. Pleased by this humility, Vishnu made him ruler of Sutala and promised to stay close to him.

This is the traditional story from the Puranas, retold in our own words. Details can differ a little between regions and tellers.

Significance of Parsva Ekadashi

Also known as Vamana Ekadashi, Jayanti Ekadashi and Padma Ekadashi. Vamana Jayanti, the birthday of the Vamana avatar, is kept the next day in many calendars. Vamana puja with curd, rice and silver is popular.

The tradition says that keeping Parsva Ekadashi gives the grace of Vishnu in his Vamana form. It falls in Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha and is kept with the worship of Lord Vishnu in his Vamana form.

How to keep Parsva Ekadashi: vrat and puja vidhi

• Dashami evening: eat a light sattvik meal and avoid onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food.
• Ekadashi morning: bathe before sunrise and take the sankalp to worship Lord Vishnu in his Vamana form.
• Puja: offer yellow flowers, tulsi leaves, fruit, panchamrit and a ghee lamp. Chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" and read the katha on this page.
• During the day: no grains; phalahar or a waterless fast as your tradition says. Avoid anger and gossip.
• Night: stay awake with bhajans, kirtan or the Vishnu Sahasranama.
• Dwadashi: after bath and puja, give charity to someone in need and break the fast at parana time.

For the full rules, food list and parana details, read our complete Ekadashi vrat guide.