व्रत · Vrat & Vrat Katha
Kamika Ekadashi
कामिका एकादशी
The first ekadashi of Sawan — fulfilment of desires, dissolution of brahmahatya
- When
- Shravana Krishna Ekadashi — late June or July, the first ekadashi of Sawan
- श्रावण कृष्ण एकादशी
- Deity
- Lord Vishnu (worshipped alongside Shiva in the Sawan tradition)
- भगवान विष्णु (और शिव)
- Purpose
- Fulfilment of righteous desires, dissolution of accumulated paap including brahmahatya, the opening of Sawan
About this vrat
Kamika Ekadashi (कामिका एकादशी) is observed on the Krishna Ekadashi of Shravana month — the first ekadashi of Sawan and the opening Vaishnava observance of the holy month. The name 'Kamika' derives from kama (desire), and the Brahma Vaivarta Purana describes it as uniquely powerful for the fulfilment of righteous desires and for the dissolution of accumulated paap.
Falling at the start of Sawan, Kamika has a unique dual character. It is observed in the standard Vaishnava ekadashi pattern, but in many traditional households the morning is also dedicated to a brief Shiva-puja (since Sawan is Shiva's month). The combination gives Kamika a power that no other Vaishnava ekadashi quite matches.
Kamika Ekadashi — Katha
The legendary story recited as part of the vrat. Read aloud during the morning puja.
The Kamika Ekadashi Vrat Katha is the story of a kshatriya warrior named Vishnudatta. In a quarrel with a brahmin neighbour over a small matter of cattle, Vishnudatta lost his temper and struck the brahmin so hard that he died. He had committed brahmahatya — the gravest of the five mahapatakas.
The other brahmins of the village declared him outcaste; they would not perform any sacred ritual for him. He left the village and wandered until he came to the ashram of a great sage. He fell at the sage's feet and confessed everything. The sage said: "Son, what you have done is grave, but no karma is irredeemable. There is one practice that can dissolve even brahmahatya — the Kamika Ekadashi. The next falls in fifteen days. Stay at this ashram; observe the vrat under my guidance."
Vishnudatta observed the Kamika Ekadashi at the ashram — fasting nirjala through the day, reciting the Vishnu Sahasranama eleven times, holding silent repentance for the brahmahatya, offering the merit of the entire vrat at the feet of Lord Vishnu and the deceased brahmin's spirit through formal sankalpa. He wept through the night.
That very Dwadashi morning, the brahmin's spirit appeared to the sage in a dream. The spirit said: "Maharishi, Vishnudatta's Kamika Ekadashi vrat has reached me. The pain of my death no longer holds my spirit; I ascend now to higher realms. Tell Vishnudatta that I forgive him; the karmic chain is dissolved."
Vishnudatta returned to his village; the brahmins accepted him back; he resumed his life as a chastened, transformed man. He observed Kamika Ekadashi every Shravana for the rest of his life as continued gratitude.
The katha closes with the affirmation that no paap is so grave that the merit of a sincerely observed Kamika Ekadashi vrat cannot reach Lord Vishnu and dissolve it.
Vrat Vidhi — How to observe
- Begin from Dashami evening. Standard ekadashi preparation. Many homes also begin Sawan observances on this Dashami.
- Pre-dawn bath on Ekadashi. Bathe in flowing water if accessible. Wear yellow.
- Combine Vishnu and Shiva worship. Set up a Vishnu murti as primary and a small Shiva Linga alongside. Offer tulsi to Vishnu, bilva to Shiva.
- Recite the Vishnu Sahasranama eleven times. Add 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya' 108 times and 'Om Namah Shivaya' 108 times.
- Hold silent repentance. The unique element is the silent repentance for any specific paap.
- Maintain the fast. Standard rules. Many fast nirjala.
- Parana on Dwadashi morning.
Mantras
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
Salutations to the divine Vasudeva.
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
Salutations to Shiva.
Udyapan — The concluding ceremony
Kamika Ekadashi is observed annually. Devotees observing it for paap-dissolution often continue annual observance for many years; when the karmic burden lifts, perform a special udyapan.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kamika Ekadashi?
Kamika Ekadashi falls on the Krishna Ekadashi of Shravana month — the first ekadashi of Sawan, typically late June or July. It is described as uniquely powerful for the fulfilment of righteous desires and for the dissolution of accumulated paap, including the gravest mahapataka of brahmahatya.
Why is Kamika Ekadashi observed during Sawan?
Sawan is the holy month sacred to both Shiva and Vishnu. Kamika, falling at the start of Sawan, draws on the dual blessing of both deities. Many traditional homes pair the morning Vishnu-puja with a brief Shiva-puja, giving Kamika a unique combined-grace character.
Can Kamika Ekadashi dissolve serious karmic burdens?
The Brahma Vaivarta Purana, through the Vishnudatta katha, describes Kamika Ekadashi as having the rare power to dissolve even brahmahatya. The condition is that the observer holds full repentance for the specific paap and observes with the discipline of nirjala fasting and Vishnu Sahasranama recitation.
What is the difference between Kamika Ekadashi and Pavitra Ekadashi?
Both fall in Shravana but on different paksha. Kamika (Krishna Ekadashi) is for paap dissolution. Pavitra (Shukla Ekadashi) is for consecration and yajnopavita renewal. Many traditional Sawan observers keep both.
What can I eat during Kamika Ekadashi?
Standard ekadashi rules: no grains, no beans, no onion or garlic, no meat or alcohol. Fruits, milk, sabudana, kuttu permitted. Strict observers fast nirjala.
When is Kamika Ekadashi 2026?
Kamika Ekadashi 2026 falls in early July 2026, at the start of Sawan. Verify with the Daanyam Panchang.