Jayanti Ekadashi is an auspicious Ekadashi vrat observed in Bhadrapada Month. In 2021, Jayanti Ekadashi date is September 17.
Jayanti Ekadashi Vrat Katha, Story of Jayanti Ekadashi Vrat is given here.The legend of Jayanti Ekadashi is associated with the appearance of Vamana Avatar of Lord Vishnu and the demon Mahabali.
Since, Lord Vishnu during Yoganidra of Chaturmas vrat changes his position of sleep from left side to right side, this Ekadashi is also referred to as Parivartini Ekadashi. Vamana Ekadashi, Parsva Ekadashi, Jaljhilini Ekadashi, Zilani Ekadashi and Jayanti Ekadashi are other names of Parivartini Ekadashi.
Jayanti Ekadashi Vrat Katha goes like this…
In Tretayuga there was an evil king, known as Bali. He was cruel in nature even though he was justified, ethical and merciful and followed dharma to rule kingdom. He was mighty and triumphed the world. He decided to do Aswamedha yaga and made arrangements. Indra was bothered for Bali’s decision as he would miss his empire. He met lord Vishnu to get help.
Vishnu revealed that he was not able to assassinate a justified king. Indra, gods and saints gave reason about Bali’s incapability to have indra’s throne. Vishnu accepted it and decided to halt Bali to get throne, but not to destroy. Vishnu changed his form into vamana and met Bali at yaga the place where wealth is given to Brahmines and requested to grant 3 feetspace. Bali saw vamana’s little feet and offered land & wealth. Vamana disagreed and stick to his decision to take three steps of space.
Bali accepted and gave three feet space. While giving, bali should pour water from kamandalam. Sukracharya, known as demons guru identified vamana as Vishnu and suggested Bali not to give. Bali rejected his suggestion. so sukracharya turned into bee and blocked the water flow from Kamandalam. Vamana came to know it and put grass into the whole of Kamandalam. The grass hurt the bee’s eye. So sukracharya has one eye.
After approval of the contribution, little vamana enlarged his body size. His one foot occupied the earthand another foot the other world. Vamana said to Bali to show space for the third step. Without rejecting Bali showed his head. Vamana had thrown Bali to Patala Loka. Vamana was impressed of Bali’s righteousness & lived with him.