Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Katha
The story of Bhima and Sage Vyasa — the one waterless fast that grants the merit of all the year's Ekadashis
Nirjala Ekadashi falls on the Ekadashi of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of Jyeshtha month (May–June) and is the most austere and meritorious of all the year's Ekadashis. It is kept completely without water (nirjala) from the sunrise of Ekadashi to the sunrise of Dwadashi. It is also called Bhima Ekadashi, Bhimseni Ekadashi or Pandava Ekadashi after this very katha — the story of how the mighty Bhima earned the fruit of all twenty-four Ekadashis through a single waterless fast.
Bhima's Sorrow
Among the five Pandavas, Bhima was the strongest and a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, yet he had one difficulty: he could not bear hunger. Within him burned Vrika, the fire of digestion, so fierce that he had to eat constantly. His mother Kunti, the righteous Yudhishthira, Arjuna, the twins Nakula and Sahadeva, and Draupadi all faithfully kept the two Ekadashi fasts of every month — but Bhima alone could not go without food even for a single day.
This grieved him deeply. 'I can give away wealth, I can worship Lord Keshava with all my heart, but I cannot keep even one Ekadashi fast,' he lamented. Troubled that he was failing in his devotion to Vishnu while all his family earned the great merit of Ekadashi, Bhima went to his grandfather, the sage Veda Vyasa, and laid his sorrow before him.
Sage Vyasa's Counsel
Vyasa heard him with compassion and said, 'Bhima, if you cannot fast through all the Ekadashis of the year, then keep just one with all your strength of will — the Ekadashi of the bright fortnight of Jyeshtha. Observe it completely without even water (nirjala), from the sunrise of Ekadashi until the sunrise of Dwadashi. Take no food and no water; bathe, give in charity, and worship Lord Vishnu.'
'If you keep this single waterless fast with full faith,' Vyasa promised, 'you will obtain the combined fruit of all the twenty-four Ekadashis of the year. By the grace of Lord Hari, this one vrat will grant you what the others grant, and at the end will lead the soul to liberation.' Bhima, though he dreaded the thirst, resolved to keep it.
The Waterless Fast and its Glory
On the appointed Ekadashi, the mighty Bhima kept the fast without a single drop of water. So severe was the ordeal that by evening he grew faint and trembled — yet by his determination and his love for Lord Vishnu he did not break it, and held on until the fast was completed on Dwadashi. For his sake the gods showered their grace, and Bhima received the merit of all the Ekadashis of the year through this one fast.
From that day this Ekadashi became known as Bhima Ekadashi or Bhimseni Ekadashi, and is also called Pandava Ekadashi. It is taught that whoever keeps Nirjala Ekadashi without food or water, gives water-pots, hand-fans, fruit, umbrellas and slippers in charity, and worships Lord Vishnu, gains freedom from sins, long life, prosperity and, at the last, the abode of Sri Hari. Such is the glory of the waterless fast. 'Jai Shri Hari.'
The Fruit of the Vrat
Nirjala Ekadashi is held to grant the combined merit of all twenty-four Ekadashis of the year in a single fast. Kept without food or water and joined with charity (donating water-filled pots, hand-fans, fruit and cooling things in the summer heat) and the worship of Lord Vishnu, it is said to wash away sins, bestow health, long life and prosperity, and lead the devotee to moksha. It is the most meritorious and most austere Ekadashi of the year.
Mantras & Aarti for this Puja
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Nirjala Ekadashi in 2026?
Nirjala Ekadashi falls on the Ekadashi of the Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month, in late May or June. In 2026 it is observed around 25 June. See the Ekadashi dates page for the exact date and your local timing.
Why is it called Bhima Ekadashi or Pandava Ekadashi?
Because of this katha — the mighty Pandava Bhima, who could not keep the year's many Ekadashi fasts, was advised by Sage Vyasa to keep this single waterless Ekadashi, and through it gained the merit of all twenty-four. Hence it is named Bhima Ekadashi, Bhimseni Ekadashi or Pandava Ekadashi.
Why is the fast kept without water?
'Nirjala' means without water. The vow is to take neither food nor water from the sunrise of Ekadashi to the sunrise of Dwadashi — the most austere of all Ekadashi fasts, which is why it carries the merit of all the others. Those unable to keep the full waterless fast keep a normal Ekadashi fast or take only water/fruit.
What is donated on Nirjala Ekadashi?
As it falls in the summer heat, the giving of water — pots (kalash) filled with water, hand-fans, umbrellas, slippers, cooling fruits like melon, and sweetened water (sharbat) — is especially meritorious, along with food and clothing to brahmins and the needy.