Ajā Ekādaśī 2176

Sri Krishna told Yudhishthira of the truthful king Harishchandra. Through the force of past karma he lost his kingdom, was parted from his wife and son, and was sold as a servant to a keeper of the cremation ground.

Even in that bitter state he never gave up truth. Worn with grief, he wondered how he could ever be freed. At that time the sage Gautama came to him, and on hearing his story told him to fast and keep vigil on the Aja Ekadashi of the dark fortnight that was approaching.

Harishchandra kept the fast and stayed awake through the night in worship. By its merit his sins were destroyed, his sorrows ended, he was reunited with his family and restored to his kingdom, and at last he rose to the heavens. Krishna added that hearing this account brings the merit of an ashvamedha sacrifice.