Ekadashi

The story behind ekadashi began with Vishnu sleeping or in a meditative state. A demon, Murdanav, approached and attempted to attack Vishnu. At that time, a beautiful woman sprungforth from Vishnu’s 11th sense (often called the “mind”). An infatuated Murdanav asked tomarry her, to which she responded that she would agree only if he defeated her in battle. As theyfought, Murdanav was eventually killed. Vishnu awoke from his sleep, and blessed the womanbynaming her “Ekadashi”, and stated that if anyone were to fast on this day, they would be
given moksha (spiritual liberation).