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In the tradition of Sanatan Dharma, the Ekadashi date of Krishna Paksha of Ashwin month is known as ‘Indira Ekadashi’. While fasting on Ekadashi on normal days helps the devotee attain virtue and Vaikuntha Lok, the importance of Indira Ekadashi, which falls during Pitripaksha i.e. Shraddha Paksha, increases manifold. According to religious beliefs and scriptures, if a person’s ancestors or forefathers are wandering in Yamaloka or any other painful world due to the deeds of their previous births, then by observing the fast of Indira Ekadashi as per the rituals for them and dedicating its virtuous results to the ancestors, they get immediate relief from the sufferings of Yamaloka and they directly attain salvation. On this day, worshiping the Shaligram form of Lord Vishnu, offering tarpan and providing food to Brahmins is considered to have special significance.
In the scriptures, the exact time of Udaya Tithi and Paran for Ekadashi fast is given great importance. For worshiping Lord Narayana and offering Shraddha on Indira Ekadashi, the ‘Kutup’ and ‘Rohin’ muhurat of the day is considered to be the best, which is between 11:30 pm to 1:30 pm. Performing puja in the auspicious Choghadiya after morning bath and meditation is extremely fruitful. The fast should be broken only on the next day i.e. after sunrise on Dwadashi Tithi and after Hari Vasar ends. On the morning of Dwadashi, there is a rule to consume food only after serving food to a needy or Brahmin and giving donations.
On the day of Indira Ekadashi, the fasting person should wake up in Brahma Muhurta and take bath with pure water mixed with Ganga water and wear yellow clothes. After this, taking water, Akshat and flowers in hand, take a pledge to fast in front of Lord Vishnu. Spread a yellow cloth on a post at the place of worship and install the idol of Lord Vishnu or Shaligram ji. Bathe them with Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, Ganga water) and offer yellow sandalwood, Akshat, yellow flowers, Tulsi leaves and seasonal fruits. Keep in mind that Tulsi Dal is considered mandatory in the worship of Lord Vishnu, but Tulsi leaves should not be plucked on the day of Ekadashi, hence pluck the leaves a day before and keep them. At the time of puja, light the ghee lamp and incense, listen to the fast story and finally distribute the prasad by singing the aarti of the Lord.
According to the story described in Padma Purana, in Satyayuga, a glorious and pious king named King Indrasen ruled in the city of Mahishmati. He treated all the subjects like a son and was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. One day Devarshi Narad reached the royal court of King Indrasen through the sky. The king welcomed him grandly and asked the reason for his coming. Devarshi Narad told that a few days ago he had gone to Yamlok, where he saw King Indrasen’s father. The king’s father had sent a message through Narad ji that due to some mistake in fasting in his previous birth, he was suffering in Yamalok. If his son Indrasen observes a fast on Indira Ekadashi of Ashwin Krishna Paksha and donates his entire virtue to him, then he will be freed from the torture of Yama and will reach heaven. King Indrasen asked Narad ji the complete method of fasting and on Ashwin Krishna Ekadashi, he fasted with all the rituals along with his family, performed Shraddha in the afternoon and after breaking the fast on Dwadashi, he offered all the virtues to his father. Due to the effect of this fast, flowers rained from the sky and the king’s father mounted on Garuda and went to Vaikuntha Dham.
If there are obstacles in your work due to Pitra Dosh in your horoscope or there is an atmosphere of discord in the family, then you must try some special remedies on the day of Indira Ekadashi. On this day, at noon, face the south direction and offer black sesame, kush and water to the ancestors. After this, recite the seventh or eleventh chapter of Srimad Bhagavad Gita, because this recitation gives immense peace to the ancestors. In the evening, offer raw milk, water and sugar to the root of the Peepal tree and light a four-sided lamp of mustard oil. Along with all the Gods and Goddesses, ancestors are also believed to reside in the Peepal tree. Apart from this, on this day feed green fodder and jaggery to the cow, give food to crows and dogs and donate yellow food or clothes to a poor person. This great donation removes the troubles of the house and opens the doors of happiness, peace and prosperity.
During the puja, powerful mantras of Lord Vishnu must be chanted with Tulsi rosary for concentration of mind and divine blessings. The seeker should chant the Mahamantra ‘Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya’ at least 108 times. Apart from this, ‘Shaantakaaram Bhujagashayanam Padmanabham Suresham, Vishwadhaaram Gaganasadrisham Meghavarnam Shubhangam. Lakshmi Kantam Kamalanayanam Yogibhirdhyanagamyaam, Vande Vishnu Bhavabhayaharam Sarvlokaikanatham. By meditating while reciting the shloka, the conscience is purified and all the sins of life are extinguished.