The glories of Indira Ekadasi are described in Brahma-vaivarta Purana in the conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaja Yudhisthira Maharaja Yudhisthira said, “O Krishna! O Madhusudana! O Killer of the demon Madhu! What is the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the waning moon in the month of September/October? What are the rules and regulations for observing this Ekadasi, and what is the merit one gains by observing it?”

Lord Krishna Replied, “The name of this sacred Ekadasi is Indira Ekadasi. By observing this Ekadasi one can deliver his degraded forefathers and all of his own sinful reactions are eradicated.

“O King! There was a king named Indrasena, who lived in Satya-yuga. He was very expert in subduing his enemies and ruled his kingdom, Mahaismatipuri, with great prosperity. Surrounded by his children and grandchildren he lived happily. He was always attached to the devotional service of Lord Visnu. Being a devotee constantly absorbed in spiritual knowledge, the King spent his time chanting the holy names of Sri Govinda, the bestower of liberation.

“One day as the King was happily sitting on his royal throne, Sri Narada Muni suddenly appeared before him from the sky. On seeing the great sage Narada, the King immediately stood up with folded hands and then offered his respectful obeisances to him. The king then duly worshiped the sage by sixteen ingredients. After the sage was happily seated, he asked Indrasena, ‘O great King! Is everyone happy and prosperous in your kingdom? Is your mind fixed in religious principles, and are you engaged in devotional service to Lord Visnu?

“The King replied, ‘O best of the sages! Everything is well and auspicious by your mercy. Today my life has become successful by your darsana and my performance of sacrifices has born fruit. O sage among the demigods! Please tell me the cause of your visit.’

“After hearing these humble words of the King, Narada Muni said, ‘O lion-like King! Now hear about a wonderful incident that had happened to me. O best of kings! Once I went to the abode of Yamaraja from the abode of Lord Brahma. Yamaraja greeted me respectfully and worshiped me properly. After I was comfortably seated, I offered prayers to the pious truthful Yamaraja. Then I saw your greatly pious father in the assembly of Yamaraja. As a result of breaking a vow, your father had to go there. O King! He sent me a message and requested me to convey it to you. He said, ‘Indrasena, the King of Mahismatipuri, is my son. O Lord, please tell him that due to some sinful activities committed in my previous life I am now living in the abode of Yamaraja. Therefore he should observe the vow of Indira Ekadasi and give away its piety to me. Then I will be released from my present condition of life.’ Narada Muni continued, ‘O King! This is your father’s request to you. In order to deliver your father to the spiritual world, you should observe the vow of Indira Ekadasi.’

“Then King Indrasena said, “O sage among the demigods, kindly explain to me the procedure for following this Indira Ekadasi.’

“Narada Muni replied, ‘On the day before Ekadasi one should take bath early in the morning and faithfully offer oblations to the forefathers for their satisfaction. On that day one should eat only once and sleep on the floor at night. On the day of Ekadasi one should rise early in the morning, brush his teeth, wash his hands and mouth and take bath. Thereafter he should take a vow to not indulge in any kind of material enjoyment and thus observe a total fast. He should also pray to the Lord, saying, ‘O Lotus-eyed one, I take shelter of you.’

“Thereafter at noon, in front of salagrama-sila he should offer oblations to his forefather according to proper rules and regulations. Then he should worship the brahmanas by feeding them sumptuously and then giving them daksina. At the end one should give the remnants of the oblations to the cows. During the day one should worship Lord Hrsikesa by offering sandalwood paste, flowers, incense, lamp and foodstuffs with devotion. One should remain awake that night while chanting, hearing, and remembering the names, forms, qualities and pastimes of the Supreme Lord. The next morning one should worship Lord Hari and feed the brahmanas. Thereafter one should break his fast by eating along with his brothers, children, grandchildren, and relatives while maintaining silence. O King! If you follow this Ekadasi as I have just described, then your father will certainly attain the abode of Lord Visnu.’ After speaking in this way Narada Muni disappeared.

“According to the instructions of Narada Muni, King Indrasena strictly observed this Ekadasi accompanied by his children, servants, and others. As a result of observing this Ekadasi, flowers showered from the sky and the father of King Indrasena immediately rode on the back of Grauda to the abode of Lord Visnu. Then the saintly King Indrasena ruled his kingdom without any impediment, and at the end of his life he entrusted the kingdom to his son and personally returned to the spiritual world. Such are the glories of Indira Ekadasi.

Anyone who reads or hears the glories of this Ekadasi becomes free from all sinful reactions and ultimately returns to the abode of Lord Visnu.”