Know the complete Varuthini Ekadashi 2025 vrat katha, its significance, fasting rules, dos and don'ts, benefits, and puja vidhi with date and muhurat.
Varuthini Ekadashi is known as the very strong fasting day of Hindu calendar. This day is for Lord Vishnu, and the blessings are protections, abundance, and forgiveness of sins. Varuthini Ekadashi falls on the Krishna Paksha (waning) of Vaishakha month, and this day is important for devotees who are hoping to make spiritual advancements.
Varuthini Ekadashi, the 11th day (Ekadashi) of the waning moon of the Vaishakha month, is named after the Lord Vamana, a divine incarnation of Lord Vishnu. "Varuthini" refers to "protected" or "armored," and the fast of Varuthini Ekadashi offers divine protection from malignance and suffering due to karmic actions. Varuthini Ekadashi is primarily the fast of Vaishnava devotees of Vishnu, however it can be termed a fast that many or any Hindu will take with great faith in some way or another for their spiritual upliftment. On Ekadashi followers are to avoid all food, pray, listen to stories, and lifestyle is to be sattvic (pure). According to scriptures, Varuthini Ekadashi fast is reported to help a person overcome their sinful acts, and to assist a devotee to gain religious merit in this life, and the next. The observance of Ekadashi is not only a fasting practice, rather, it is the fasting of desires, and the direction of desires into devotion to Lord Krishna. Usually, the observance of the fast is completed by breaking the fast the next day (Dawadashi) after doing the proper puja, and respectful charity.
The spiritual advantages of Varuthini Ekadashi are well established in many Hindu texts, like the Padma Purana. It is said that this type of Ekadashi removes all material and spiritual impediments.
Historically, kings, warriors, and sages would observe this fast for strength, direction, and divine protection. The outcomes, it is said, of this Ekadashi feast, correspond to that of performing multiple yagnas or donating gold. It is perhaps worth mentioning that simply listening to the Varuthini Ekadashi Katha or simply sharing it comes with much auspiciousness.
The Padma Purana relates the story of a righteous King Mandata, who ruled his kingdom with truth but had nothing but misfortune as a result of suffering from past bad Karma. In hopes of relieving himself through penance, he went to the forest. While there, he encountered Sage Vasisht, who told him to observe the fast of Varuthini Ekadashi. The king dutifully obeyed the instructions given by the sage with great devotion. Eventually, all the misfortune was removed; the king regained his lost strength, power, and wealth, and began to rule again in a state of righteous honor and peace. This Katha story exemplifies that while it may take time, devotion may absolve all previous sins and turns nothingness into something worthy. The story reminds us that there is always grace for the one who surrender and acts in faith. Even today, many people hear and/or read this Katha on Ekadashi day, so they can also claim to be like Mandata, align themself with dharma, and use the mantras to inspire themself to take action and not procrastinate.
Observing a fast on Varuthini Ekadashi is more than just refraining from food. It is also about establishing a spiritual atmosphere by spiritually purifying thoughts, words, and actions.
Fasting on Varuthini Ekadashi is observed by people not only for various religious reasons but also the following spiritual and personal benefits:
Fasting also gives the digestive system a reset. It gives the body and mind a chance to detox. Those looking for marriage or those who are looking for stability in a career or hoping for relief from health issues also participate in this fast with faith.
Varuthini Ekadashi is celebrated on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
