The Spiritual Power of Remembering Ekadashi Names: A Deep Study from Garg Purana

In Sanatan Dharma, spiritual progress is not always dependent on complex rituals or difficult austerities. Ancient sages repeatedly emphasized that remembrance, awareness, and sincere intention often hold greater power than outward acts. One such profound teaching appears in the Garg Purāṇa, where the simple act of remembering or reciting the names of all Ekādaśīs is described as highly meritorious and spiritually transformative.

This teaching reflects the compassionate heart of Vedic tradition, which recognizes human limitations and still offers accessible paths toward purification, devotion, and liberation. To understand this fully, we must explore the meaning of Ekādaśī, its connection to Lord Viṣṇu, and how remembrance itself becomes a form of sacred practice.

What Is Ekadashi and Why Is It Spiritually Important?

Ekādaśī occurs on the eleventh lunar day (tithi) of both the waxing and waning phases of the Moon. This day is considered especially dear to Lord Viṣṇu, the preserver of the universe. The Padma Purāṇa and other Vaishnava texts explain that Ekādaśī was personified as a divine being who destroys sin and grants devotion.

The Skanda Purāṇa highlights the sanctity of Ekādaśī:

Original Sanskrit Shloka (Skanda Purāṇa):

एकादशी व्रतं पुण्यं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् । विष्णुलोकप्रदं नॄणां विष्णुप्रीतिकरं सदा ॥

English Transliteration:

Ekādaśī vrataṁ puṇyaṁ sarva-pāpa-praṇāśanam,
Viṣṇu-loka-pradaṁ nṝṇāṁ viṣṇu-prīti-karaṁ sadā.

Meaning:

The vow of Ekādaśī is sacred; it destroys all sins, grants entry into the abode of Lord Viṣṇu, and is always pleasing to Him.

Thus, Ekādaśī is not merely a fasting day but a spiritually charged moment designed to elevate human consciousness.

The Unique Teaching of the Garg Purana

The Garg Purāṇa, an ancient text attributed to Sage Gargācārya, offers a remarkable and compassionate teaching. It states that even those who are unable to observe Ekādaśī fasting due to physical, mental, or circumstantial limitations can still receive immense merit simply by remembering or reciting the names of all Ekādaśīs.

This teaching emphasizes that divine grace is not restricted to physical discipline alone. Conscious remembrance is itself an act of devotion.

Original Sanskrit Shloka (Garg Purāṇa):

एकादशीनां नामानि ये स्मरन्ति पठन्ति च । न ते यान्ति नरं घोरं विष्णुलोकं व्रजन्ति ते ॥

English Transliteration:

Ekādaśīnām nāmāni ye smaranti paṭhanti ca,
Na te yānti naraṁ ghoraṁ viṣṇu-lokaṁ vrajanti te.

Meaning:

Those who remember or recite the names of the Ekādaśīs do not go to dreadful hellish realms; they attain the abode of Lord Viṣṇu.

This verse reveals a powerful spiritual principle: memory aligned with devotion becomes a sacred act.

Why Names Hold Power in Vedic Tradition

In Vedic philosophy, a name is not merely a label. It carries essence, vibration, and consciousness. Chanting or remembering sacred names aligns the mind with the qualities they represent. This concept is deeply rooted in the Vedas and Upaniṣads.

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad affirms the creative and purifying power of remembrance:

Original Sanskrit Shloka (Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 1.4.7):

नामरूपे व्याकरवाणि ।

English Transliteration:

Nāma-rūpe vyākaravāṇi.

Meaning:

From name and form, the manifest universe unfolds.

Thus, remembering the names of Ekādaśīs is not symbolic alone; it is a direct engagement with sacred order and cosmic rhythm.

Ekadashi and the Mind–Body Connection

Ekādaśī is also significant from a psychological and physiological perspective. Ayurveda and yogic science recognize the eleventh lunar day as a time when digestion weakens and mental clarity increases. Reducing food intake or focusing on remembrance stabilizes the mind and conserves energy for higher awareness.

However, the Garg Purāṇa acknowledges that not everyone can fast. By offering remembrance as an alternative, it ensures that spiritual opportunity remains universal and inclusive.

Support from Other Puranic Texts

The Padma Purāṇa reinforces the idea that intention and remembrance can equal physical observance:

Original Sanskrit Shloka (Padma Purāṇa):

स्मरणादेव कृष्णस्य मुक्तबन्धः स जायते ।

English Transliteration:

Smaraṇād eva kṛṣṇasya mukta-bandhaḥ sa jāyate.

Meaning:

By mere remembrance of Lord Krishna, one becomes free from bondage.

This supports the Garg Purāṇa’s teaching that remembrance itself can liberate the soul.

The Deeper Spiritual Psychology of Remembering Ekadashis

Remembering the names of all Ekādaśīs throughout the year creates a continuous connection with sacred time. It transforms the calendar into a spiritual map and keeps the practitioner inwardly aligned with dharma.

Such remembrance cultivates:

• Awareness of cosmic rhythm
• Regular mental purification
• Devotional discipline without strain
• Inner humility and gratitude

The Bhagavad Gītā supports this inner approach:

Original Sanskrit Shloka (Bhagavad Gītā 9.22):

अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते । तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् ॥

English Transliteration:

Ananyāś cintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate,
Teṣāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmy aham.

Meaning:

Those who constantly remember Me with exclusive devotion—I personally carry their spiritual welfare.

Why This Teaching Is Especially Relevant Today

Modern life often limits the ability to observe detailed rituals. Stress, health issues, and professional demands make strict fasting difficult for many. The teaching from the Garg Purāṇa reassures seekers that sincere remembrance is never wasted.

It shifts spirituality from obligation to relationship, from fear to trust, and from effort to awareness.

Ekadashi Smaraṇa Sloka

कामदा वरुथिनी चैव मोहिनी चापरा तथा ।
निर्जला योगिनी चैव देवशयनी कामिका ॥

पुत्रदा चाऽजा नाम पद्मा चैव विदीर्यते ।
इन्दिरा पापाङ्कुशा च रमा देवोत्थानिका ॥

उत्पन्ना मोक्षदा चैव सफला पुत्रदा पुनः ।
षट्तिला जया चैव विजया चामलकी तथा ॥

पापमोचनी नामैताः एकादश्यः प्रकीर्तिताः ।
स्मरणात् कीर्तनात् चैव सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ॥

• 1. कामदा एकादशी (Kāmadā Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Chaitra Shukla Ekadashi
  Benefit: Fulfills righteous desires and removes deep-rooted sins.
• 2. वरुथिनी एकादशी (Varūthinī Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi
  Benefit: Grants protection, virtue, and freedom from misfortune.
• 3. मोहिनी एकादशी (Mohinī Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Vaishakha Shukla Ekadashi
  Benefit: Removes delusion and attracts divine grace.
• 4. अपरा एकादशी (Aparā Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Vaishakha Krishna Ekadashi
  Benefit: Destroys past karmic debts and grants inner purity.
• 5. निर्जला एकादशी (Nirjalā Ekādaśī) 
  Tithi: Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi
  Benefit: Bestows the combined merit of all Ekadashis.
• 6. योगिनी एकादशी (Yoginī Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Jyeshtha Krishna Ekadashi
  Benefit: Frees one from sins and grants spiritual strength.
• 7. देवशयनी एकादशी (Devaśayanī Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi
  Benefit: Marks Lord Vishnu’s cosmic rest and begins Chaturmas.
• 8. कामिका एकादशी (Kāmikā Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Ashadha Krishna Ekadashi
  Benefit: Destroys negative energies and purifies the soul.
• 9. पुत्रदा एकादशी (Putradā Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Shravana Shukla Ekadashi
  Benefit: Blesses devotees with progeny and family harmony.
• 10. अजा एकादशी (Ajā Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Shravana Krishna Ekadashi
  Benefit: Removes sins of speech, action, and thought.
• 11. पद्मा / परिवर्तिनी एकादशी (Padmā / Parivartinī Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Bhadrapada Shukla Ekadashi
  Benefit: Brings positive life transformation and devotion.
• 12. इंदिरा एकादशी (Indirā Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Bhadrapada Krishna Ekadashi
  Benefit: Liberates ancestors and grants peace to departed souls.
• 13. पापांकुशा एकादशी (Pāpāṅkuśā Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Ashwin Shukla Ekadashi
  Benefit: Removes accumulated sins and awakens compassion.
• 14. रमा एकादशी (Ramā Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Ashwin Krishna Ekadashi
  Benefit: Grants prosperity, peace, and spiritual merit.
• 15. देवउठानी एकादशी (Devotthānī Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Kartika Shukla Ekadashi
  Benefit: Awakens Lord Vishnu and restores auspicious activities.
• 16. उत्पन्ना एकादशी (Utpannā Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Margashirsha Krishna Ekadashi
  Benefit: Destroys sins at their root and protects righteousness.
• 17. मोक्षदा एकादशी (Mokṣadā Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi
  Benefit: Grants liberation and relief from bondage.
• 18. सफला एकादशी (Saphalā Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Pausha Krishna Ekadashi
  Benefit: Ensures success, stability, and divine favor.
• 19. पुत्रदा एकादशी (Putradā Ekādaśī – Pausha)
  Tithi: Pausha Shukla Ekadashi
  Benefit: Strengthens lineage and blesses family continuity.
• 20. षटतिला एकादशी (Ṣaṭtilā Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Magha Krishna Ekadashi
  Benefit: Purifies through charity and sesame offerings.
• 21. जया एकादशी (Jayā Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Magha Shukla Ekadashi
  Benefit: Grants victory over fear and negative forces.
• 22. विजया एकादशी (Vijayā Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Phalguna Krishna Ekadashi
  Benefit: Ensures success in righteous endeavors.
• 23. आमलकी एकादशी (Āmalakī Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Phalguna Shukla Ekadashi
  Benefit: Bestows health, devotion, and longevity.
• 24. पापमोचनी एकादशी (Pāpamocanī Ekādaśī)
  Tithi: Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi
  Benefit: Frees one from sinful reactions and mental guilt.

Conclusion: A Path of Grace Through Remembrance

The Garg Purāṇa’s teaching about remembering the names of Ekādaśīs reflects the deepest compassion of Sanatan Dharma. It affirms that divine grace flows toward sincerity, not perfection. Whether through fasting, worship, or simple remembrance, Ekādaśī remains a bridge between the human heart and Lord Viṣṇu.

By remembering these sacred days, one remembers order, devotion, and the eternal presence of the divine in time itself. In this remembrance lies purification, protection, and ultimately, liberation.