Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat: Know Why This Day Is Also Called Bhimseni Ekadashi

Nirjala Ekadashi vrat is one of those days that a lot of people wait for. Why, you ask? Well, it is because there is a lot of importance given to this fast. There are 24 ekadashis in a year and it is said that if a person keeps fast on just Nirjala Ekadashi, then one is likely to reap the benefits of 24 ekadashi vrat. How amazing, right? Nirjala Ekadashi vrat is said to free a person from all past sins, no matter how grave they might be. Also, lord Krishna had said that by keeping this vrat, one can even seek the blessing of moksha or liberation.

Do you also know that this day is also celebrated as Bhimseni Ekadashi? Well, yes! There's story behind it. The legend has it that once Maharishi Ved Vyasa told Pandavas the importance of Ekadashi and how it is a good thing to observe fast on it. While all Pandavas agreed to observing fast on Ekadashis, it was Bhima who asked Maharishi an innocent question. He told him that how he has a good appetite and he would find it difficult to observe fast on Ekadashis. However, since he wanted to reap the benefits of the fast, he asked Maharishi for a solution to this problem. This is when Maharishi Vyasa told Bhima about Nirjala Ekadashi fast and told him that by observing fast on just this ekadashi out of 24 ekadashi, he will get virtuous results.

On this, Maharishi Vyasa explained why Nirjala Ekadashi vrat has so much relevance. He told Bhima that since in the month of Jyeshtha, one has to battle severe heat. Therefore, fasting becomes even more difficult. Those who keep fast during this time learn the importance of restraint. This is why Nirjala Ekadashi vrat is also considered as one of the difficult fasts to observe. When Bhima learnt about all this, he decided to keep Nirjala Ekadashi fast and this explains why this day is also synonymously referred to as Bhimseni Ekadashi.