Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Katha: Bhima's Ekadashi

Nirjala Ekadashi falls on the Ekadashi of the waxing moon in Jyeshtha, in the peak of summer. Traditionally, from sunrise to the next sunrise one takes no food and not even water, hence the name Nirjala, 'without water'. Devotees worship Bhagwan Vishnu and give water, cool drinks, clay pots, fans and umbrellas to passers-by. The fast is broken on Dwadashi after puja and giving. The sick, elderly and pregnant should keep it only as their health allows.

According to the katha, among the Pandavas, Yudhishthir, Arjuna, Nakul, Sahadev, mother Kunti and Draupadi all kept every Ekadashi fast. But for Bhimsen it was very hard. A fire called 'Vrika' burned in his stomach, so he was always very hungry. He simply could not stay without food.

One day Bhima went sadly to Maharishi Ved Vyas. He said, 'Gurudev, all my brothers keep Ekadashi and ask me to keep it too. I can worship, I can give in charity, but I cannot go hungry. Is there a way for me?'

Vyas said, 'Bhima, if you cannot keep every Ekadashi, keep just one each year with full devotion: the Ekadashi of Jyeshtha Shukla. On that day do not even drink water; take only a sip for the ritual of achaman.' Tradition says this one fast was held equal to all the Ekadashis of the year.

Bhima kept this vrat with great courage. Going without water through a summer day was a hard test even for someone as strong as him, but he saw it through. Since then it is also called Bhimseni or Pandava Ekadashi.