Ekadashi Origin - Goddess vs Demon Mur

Dadi: "Guddu, you know how I fast on certain days, right?"

Guddu: "Yes Dadi! You don't eat anything on Ekadashi. But why is that day so special?"

Dadi: "*settles into her chair* Ah, there's a beautiful story behind it. Come, let me tell you about the day a goddess was born from Lord Vishnu himself."

Guddu: "A goddess came from Vishnu? How?"

Dadi: "Patience, beta. First, let me tell you about a terrible demon named Mura. He was so powerful that he attacked heaven itself!"

Guddu: "He attacked the gods?"

Dadi: "Yes! He defeated Indra and all the devas. The poor gods had to run away from their own home. Imagine someone taking over your house and you can't do anything about it."

Guddu: "That's terrible! Did anyone help the gods?"

Dadi: "They went to Lord Shiva first. Mahadeva listened to their problem and said, "Only Lord Vishnu can defeat this demon." So the gods rushed to Vaikuntha, Vishnu's home, and begged for help."

Guddu: "Did Vishnu agree?"

Dadi: "Of course, beta. Lord Vishnu is the protector of the universe. He went to fight Mura. And what a battle it was! Mura was incredibly strong, but finally, Vishnu used his spinning weapon - the Sudarshan Chakra - and cut off the demon's head."

Guddu: "Yay! The demon was finished!"

Dadi: "*raises finger* Not so fast, beta. Mura's body was destroyed, but his spirit - his angry, vengeful ghost - was still alive. And Lord Vishnu, tired from the long battle, went to rest in a cave in the Himalayas. He fell into a deep, deep sleep."

Guddu: "Oh no... and the demon's ghost was still out there?"

Dadi: "Exactly. Mura's spirit followed Vishnu to the cave. He saw the Lord sleeping, helpless, and thought, "Now is my chance for revenge!" He crept closer and closer, ready to attack."

Guddu: "*grabs Dadi's hand* But someone saved Vishnu, right?"

Dadi: "*smiles* Something extraordinary happened. At that very moment, a bright, blazing light burst out of Lord Vishnu's body. This divine energy took the form of a beautiful and powerful goddess!"

Guddu: "From Vishnu's body?"

Dadi: "Yes, beta. Some say she came from his eleventh sense - his mind. That's why she's called Ekadashi - 'eka' means one, 'dashi' means ten. Eleven!"

Guddu: "Ekadashi means eleven! I never knew that!"

Dadi: "This goddess stood between the sleeping Lord and the attacking demon. She fought Mura's spirit and destroyed him completely - this time, forever. No more demon, no more ghost."

Guddu: "She was so brave! What happened when Vishnu woke up?"

Dadi: "Lord Vishnu opened his eyes and saw this radiant goddess standing there, and the remains of the defeated demon. He was so grateful! He asked her, "What blessing do you want? Ask for anything.""

Guddu: "What did she ask for?"

Dadi: "*leans closer* She didn't ask for gold or power for herself, Guddu. She said, "Lord, let anyone who fasts and prays on this day - the eleventh day of the moon cycle - receive happiness, good fortune, and finally, freedom from all suffering.""

Guddu: "She asked for a blessing for everyone else? Not herself?"

Dadi: "That's what makes her so special, beta. And Lord Vishnu granted her wish. He declared Ekadashi to be the most sacred day for his worship. He said observing even one Ekadashi with true devotion gives more spiritual merit than thousands of other prayers."

Guddu: "Is that why you fast, Dadi?"

Dadi: "*nods* Every month has two Ekadashis - one when the moon is growing, one when it's shrinking. That's 24 special days in a year! On these days, we fast to remember the goddess who saved Lord Vishnu, and to connect with the divine."

Guddu: "Does fasting really help?"

Dadi: "Think of it this way, beta. When you're not busy eating and digesting food, your mind becomes calmer, clearer. It's easier to pray, to think about what matters, to feel close to God. The body rests, but the soul gets stronger."

Guddu: "I want to try fasting on Ekadashi too, Dadi!"

Dadi: "*chuckles* You're young, beta. Maybe start by eating only simple food - no sweets, no fried things - and spending some time in prayer. When you're older, you can do the full fast."

Guddu: "Okay! And I'll remember the goddess who saved Vishnu."

Dadi: "The very first Ekadashi, called Utpanna Ekadashi, comes in November-December. That's when we especially remember how the goddess was born and how she defeated Mura. Next time we observe it, you'll know the whole story now!"

Guddu: "Thank you, Dadi. I never knew fasting had such an exciting story behind it!"

Dadi: "*pats his head* Everything in our tradition has a story, beta. Stories teach us why we do what we do. Now, shall we have some warm milk before bed?"