The description of Nirajala Ekadasi, which occurs during the month of May/June, is found in the Brahma-vaivarta Purana in the conversation between Vyasadeva and Bhimasena.

Once Bhimasena, the younger brother of Yudhisthira, inquired from the great sage Sirla Vyasadeva, “O most learned and worshipable grandfather, please hear my request. My elder brother Yudhisthira, mother Kuntidevi, brothers Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva, and Draupadi do not eat anything on the day of Ekadasi. They, especially Yudhisthira, always tells me that I should also fast on Ekadasi. But I always tell them that though I know that to fast on Ekadasi is an injunction of the scriptures, I cannot bear my hunger and therefore I am unable to fast. I can give in charity as per my capacity, I can worship Lord Kesava with proper rules and regulations, but I cannot fast. So please instruct me how can I obtain the result of Ekadasi without having to fast.” On hearing these words of Bhimasena, Sri Vyasadeva said, “O Bhima! If you want to go to the heavenly planets and avoid the hellish planets, then you must refrain from eating on both the Ekadasis of each month.”

Bhima said, “O great sage! It is impossible for me to observe fast on 24 Ekadasis every year, as instructed by the Lord. What to speak of fasting day and night I cannot even tolerate my hunger even for a moment. The fire of hunger known as ‘brika’ is always present within my stomach, and it is extinguished only by voracious eating. But with great endeavor I can fast only one day in a year. Therefore please instruct me about a vow that I can follow to attain auspiciousness both in this life and the next.”

Sri Vyasadeva said, “O King! You have already heard from me about the Vedic religious principles and the duties of the human beings. But in this age of Kali not everyone is capable of following those rules and regulations. Therefore I will tell you about a sublime method by which you can achieve great results. This method is the essence of all the Puranas. Anyone who observes the Ekadasis of waning and waxing moons by fasting never goes to hell.”

Hearing Vyasadeva’s words, that strongest warrior Bhimasena became frightened and shivered like a leaf on a banyan tree and said, “O grandfather! What should I do? I am totally unable to fast twice a month throughout the year. Therefore, O my Lord, kindly instruct me about one vow that awards the most merit and how by observing it I can achieve all benefits.”

Then Sri Vyasadeva replied, “The Ekadasi which occurs during the waxing moon in the month of May/June during the sun’s presence in either Taurus or Gemini Rasi is called Nirjala Ekadasi. One should observe total fast even from drinking water in this Ekadasi. On this day one should perform acamana for purification by drinking that amount of water in which a single mustard seed or a drop of gold can be immersed. One should place the said amount of water in his palm held in such a way as to resemble a cow’s ear. If one drinks more or less water than this, it will amount to drinking of wine.

“One must not eat anything at all on this Ekadasi, otherwise his vow will be broken. One should not drink even water from the moment of sunrise from the day of Ekadasi until the sunrise on the day of Dvadasi. In this way if one strictly observes this Ekadasi without drinking water then he can attain the results of observing all the Ekadasis of the year.

“In the early morning on the day of Dvadasi one should take bath and give gold and water in charity to the brahmanas. Thereafter the follower should gladly eat with the brahmanas.

“O Bhimsena! Now please hear about the piety one accumulates by observing this Ekadasi. By following this Ekadasi one can achieve the result of following all the Ekadasis throughout the year. Once Lord Visnu, who holds a conch, a disc, a club and a lotus flower in His hand, told me, ‘If a person gives up all activities of religion and surrenders unto Me and follows this Nirjala Ekadasi which is very dear to Me, he is certainly relieved of all sinful reactions. One cannot attain the supreme destination by giving wealth in charity or attain any benefit by following smarta rules and regulations in the Kali-yuga. In fact the Vedic religious principles have been extinct in this age of Kali, which is polluted with various results.’

“O son of Vayu! What more can I tell you? Eating is actually prohibited on all Ekadasis, and even the drinking of water is prohibited on Nirjala Ekadasi. By observing this Ekadasi one achieves the piety of visiting all the holy places. At the time of death such a person is not approached by the fierce-looking Yamadutas, rather he is approachd by the divine looking Visnudutas to be transferred to the abode of Visnu. If one gives water and cows in charity after observing this Ekadasi then he is freed from all his sinful activities.”

When the other Pandavas heard about the glories of this Ekadasi they resolved to observe it. From that day onward Bhimasena began observing this Nirjala Ekadasi, which became famous as Pandava Nirjala, or Bhimseni Ekadasi. By following thisEkadasi sinful activities as huge as Sumeru or Mandra Mountain are at once burnt to ashes. O King! Lord Krsna has declared that any pious activities such as taking bath in holy places, giving charity, chanting Vedic mantras, and performing sacrifices that are carried out on this Nirjala Ekadasi day become inexhaustible.

One who reads or hears the glories of this Ekadasi with devotion goes back to the abode of Vaikuntha. Simply hearing the glories of this Ekadasi one attains the result of observing the vow of Amavasya conjoined with Pratipada and offering oblations to the forefathers during the solar eclipse.