Significance and legend
In the Bhavishyottara Purana, Krishna tells Yudhishthira the story first narrated by the sage Vasishtha to King Dilipa. In the city of Ratnapura, ruled by the Naga king Pundarika, lived the Gandharva singer Lalit and his devoted wife Lalita. One day, while singing in the royal court, Lalit's thoughts wandered to his absent wife and he faltered in his song. The serpent Karkotaka reported this to the king, who in anger cursed Lalit to become a man-eating rakshasa.
Lalita followed her transformed husband through forests and mountains until she reached the hermitage of the sage Shringi on the Vindhya hills. The sage advised her to observe the Ekadashi of the bright half of Chaitra, called Kamada, and to offer its merit to her husband. Lalita kept the fast with devotion, and on Dwadashi she prayed that the merit be transferred to Lalit. At once he was freed from the curse and regained his divine form, and the two returned to the heavenly realm. The story teaches that Kamada Ekadashi removes even the heaviest burdens and grants every rightful wish.
How Kamada Ekadashi is observed
Devotees eat a single sattvic meal on Dashami and refrain from grains and beans on Ekadashi, fasting completely or taking fruit and milk. Vishnu is worshipped with tulsi leaves, flowers, incense and lamps, the Vishnu Sahasranama is recited, and the story of Lalit and Lalita is read or heard. Many keep vigil at night with bhajans. The fast is broken on Dwadashi after sunrise, within the parana time and before Dwadashi ends, avoiding the first quarter of Dwadashi known as Hari Vasara. Feeding a Brahmin or the needy and giving charity before parana completes the vrata.