Why We Don’t Eat Grains on Ekadashi: The Authentic Puranic Explanation Watch the full video explanation https://youtube.com/shorts/QZb1IbnigIY Ekadashi Fasting Rules: Why Grains Are Forbidden (Purana Story) Ask anyone observing Ekadashi why they avoid grains, and you’ll likely get vague answers: “It’s tradition,” “My grandmother did it,” “Everyone does it.” But few know the actual scriptural reasoning behind this ancient practice. Today, we’re diving deep into the Padma Purana, Skanda Purana, and other authoritative texts to uncover the fascinating story of how sin personified came to reside in grains on Ekadashi—and why this makes the 11th lunar day the most powerful fasting day in the Vedic calendar. What IS Ekadashi? Ekadashi (एकादशी) literally means “the eleventh” in Sanskrit. It refers to the 11th tithi (lunar day) in both the waxing (Shukla Paksha) and waning (Krishna Paksha) phases of the moon. Frequency: Occurs twice per month 24 Ekadashis per year (26 in leap years) Each Ekadashi has a specific name and significance Why the 11th day? The number 11 is significant in Vedic cosmology: Humans have 11 indriyas (sense organs): 5 organs of perception + 5 organs of action + 1 mind The 11th represents transcendence beyond the 10 material senses Ekadashi Devi is said to have emerged from Vishnu’s 11 senses The Origin Story: When Vishnu Fought the Demon Mura To understand why grains are forbidden on Ekadashi, we must journey to Satya Yuga (the first cosmic age) and witness an epic battle described in Padma Purana, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 38. The Demon Who Terrorized the Universe During Satya Yuga, a powerful demon named Mura (मुर) arose. He was the son of Taaljangh and surpassed even his father in strength and cruelty. Mura’s Reign of Terror: Defeated Indra (king of gods) and conquered Swargaloka (heaven) Drove all the Devas (celestial beings) into exile Terrorized the three worlds with his demonic army None could stand against his might The dispossessed Devas wandered in despair until they finally approached Lord Vishnu for help. The Thousand-Year Battle Lord Vishnu, moved by the Devas’ plight, agreed to confront Mura. Padma Purana describes: सहस्रं दिव्यं वर्षाणां युद्धं तेन कृतं प्रभो। “For one thousand divine years, the Lord battled with him.” The battle was ferocious. Vishnu’s divine weapons destroyed Mura’s vast army, but the demon himself proved extraordinarily resilient. After a thousand celestial years of continuous combat (equivalent to 360,000 human years), Lord Vishnu grew fatigued. Vishnu’s Strategic Rest Exhausted from the prolonged battle, Vishnu traveled to Badarikashrama (modern-day Badrinath in the Himalayas) and entered a beautiful cave called Himavati to rest in Yoga Nidra (divine yogic sleep). Mura, seething with rage, tracked Vishnu to the cave. Seeing his enemy sleeping, the demon thought: “Today I will kill this slayer of demons! He is vulnerable!” The Birth of Ekadashi Devi As Mura prepared to strike the sleeping Vishnu, something extraordinary happened. From Lord Vishnu’s transcendental body—specifically from his 11 senses—emerged a radiant divine feminine energy. Padma Purana describes her: तस्याः शरीरात् उद्भूता देवी दिव्यास्त्रधारिणी। तेजसा दिव्यरूपेण शोभमाना महाबला॥ “From His body emerged a goddess bearing divine weapons,Resplendent with divine radiance, possessing great power.” This magnificent goddess, armed with celestial weapons, stood between Mura and the sleeping Vishnu. The Battle: Ekadashi vs. Mura Mura, arrogant and lustful, saw the beautiful maiden and proposed marriage. She responded: “If you can defeat me in battle, I shall marry you. But if you lose, you forfeit your life.” The ensuing battle was swift and decisive. The goddess shattered all of Mura’s weapons with her divine power. She destroyed his chariot, killed his army, and finally—with one devastating blow—beheaded the demon Mura. Vishnu’s Blessing: The Creation of Ekadashi Vrata When Lord Vishnu awakened, He saw the slain demon and the victorious maiden standing before Him. Their conversation (Padma Purana): Vishnu: “Who are you, and how did you slay this terrible demon?” Goddess: “O Lord, I am Maha Shakti (Great Power), your internal potency, manifested from your eleven senses (ekadasha indriyas). I am your eternal servitor, and I have slain Mura to protect you.” Pleased beyond measure, Vishnu asked her to choose any boon. Her request: यदि तुष्टोऽसि मे स्वामिन् वरं देहि महाप्रभो। यो जनः मम वासरे उपवासं करिष्यति॥ स पापेभ्यो विमुच्येत मोक्षं च लभते परम्। “O Lord, if you are pleased with me, grant me this boon:Whoever fasts on my day (Ekadashi)Shall be freed from all sinsAnd attain supreme liberation (moksha).” Vishnu joyfully granted her wish and proclaimed: त्वां नामतः एकादशी इति ख्याता भविष्यति। एकादश्यां उपवासेन मम लोकं गमिष्यति॥ “You shall be known by the name Ekadashi (born from the eleventh).By fasting on Ekadashi, one shall attain My supreme abode.” From that day forward, Ekadashi became the most sacred fasting day, blessed by Vishnu Himself. Papa Purusha: Why Grains Are Forbidden The story doesn’t end with Mura’s death. There’s a crucial second chapter that explains why grains specifically are avoided on Ekadashi. The Personification of Sin According to Padma Purana (as narrated by Sage Vyasa to Jaimini Rishi), at the time of creation, Lord Brahma created Papa Purusha—the personification of all sins. Papa Purusha’s purpose: To punish sinful humans To create consequences for unrighteous actions To maintain karmic balance To control Papa Purusha and administer karmic justice, Yamaraja (god of death) and various hellish planetary systems were also created where sinful souls suffer. Papa Purusha’s Fear When Ekadashi Devi was created and blessed with the power to absolve all sins of those who fast on her day, Papa Purusha became terrified. His reasoning: “If people observe Ekadashi fasting, all their sins will be destroyed! My very existence will become meaningless! Where can I hide?” In desperation, Papa Purusha approached Lord Vishnu, fell at His feet, and pleaded: त्वत्कृतोऽहं महाभाग निवासं न लभे क्वचित्। एकादश्याः प्रभावेन जीवाः मुच्यन्ते सर्वतः॥ कुत्रापि तिष्ठामि तत्र न स्थातुं शक्नुवे प्रभो। “O Lord, I am Your creation, yet I find no place to reside.By the power of Ekadashi, souls are being liberated everywhere.Wherever I try to stay, I cannot remain there.Ekadashi’s power drives me away!” Vishnu’s Solution: