Rama Ekadasi Vrat Katha – The story associated with Rama Ekadashi Fasting

Rama Ekadasi is observed during the waning phase of moon in the month of September/October. The importance of the fast and the story associated it with was narrated to Yudhishtira by Lord Krishna. People observing the fast read or listen to the Rama Ekadasi Vrat Katha. It is said that this Ekadasi is a wish fulfilling one.

Legend has it that there lived a powerful and famous king named Muchukunda. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and his kingdom was famous through out the world.

King Muchukunda had a daughter named Chandrabhaga, she was married to Prince Shobhana. Once, the newly married prince and princess visited Muchukunda. It was during the Ekadasi period and Princess Chandrabhaga was worried as Prince Shobhana was weak and could not bear hunger so he will not be able to observe Ekadasi fasting. King Muchukunda was strict about observing Ekadasi fasting.

So Princess Chandrabhaga asked the prince to return back to his kingdom. But Prince Shobhana wanted to observe the Ekadasi fasting.

All the people in the kingdom including the Prince started observing the fast. At night all the people kept vigil. Prince Shobhana could not bear the hunger and thirst and died during the course of the night.

Due to the influence of observing Rama Ekadasi, Prince Shobhana became the king of Devapura – kingdom of celestial beings – and the city was located atop the Mandara Mountain. But the kingdom was a temporary one as the Prince had only observed the Ekadasi fasting once.

Once a learned saint from the land of King Muchukunda visited Shobhana. The Prince was happy to receive the saint and to hear about his wife. Then Shobhana told the saint that he needed the help of his wife to make his temporary kingdom permanent as she was always observing Ekadasi fasting and she has the power to do it.

The saint went to the Princess and told about her husband, Shobhana, and his new Kingdom. Princess Chandrabhaga wanted to meet her husband and for this she took the help of Sage Vamadeva who was residing in the Mandara Mountain. Soon she was transported to the temporary celestial kingdom of her husband. Due to the power of observing Rama Ekadasi the kingdom became permanent and royal couple became celestial beings.