The glories Utpanna Ekadasi are described in the Bhavisyottara Purana in a conversation between Sri Krsna and Arjuna.

Sri Suta Gosvami said to the assembled brahmanas and sages: “If a person with faith and devotion duly follows or hears about the glories, rules and regulations of observing Ekadasi as described by Lord Krsna, then he will attain happiness in this life and will return to the abode of Lord Visnu in the next life.”

Once Arjuna asked Sri Krisna, “O Janardana, please explain to me what the benefit is of total fasting, eating only at night, or eating once at midday on Ekadasi?”

In reply to this, Lord Sri Krsna said, “O Arjuna! In the beginning of autumn on the Ekadasi that occurs during the waning moon in the month of November-December a person should begin observing the vow of Ekadasi. In the early morning on the day of Ekadasi he shoulud make a vow to observe fasting. At mid-day he should purify himself by taking a bath. At the time of taking bath he should pray as follows: ‘O Asvakrante! O Rathakrante! O Vinukrante! O Vasundhare! O Mrittike! O Mother earth! Please destroy all my sinful reactions accumulated from previous lifetimes so that I can attain the supreme destination.’ After completing his bath he should worship Lord Govinda.

“Once Indra, the King of Heaven, surrounded by the demigods approached the Supreme Lord and prayed to Him as follows: ‘O Lord of the universe, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, we offer our respectful obeisances to You. You are the supreme shelter, the mother and father of everyone. You create, maintain and destroy everyone. You are the befactor of the earth, the sky, and the entire material creation. You Yourself are Lord Brahma, Lord Visnu, and Lord Siva. You are the Lord and enjoyer of all kinds of sacrifices, austerities, hymns and their performers. There is no object within these three animate and inanimate worlds which is not owned and controlled by You.

O Lord! O Supreme Personality of Godhead! O master of the demigods! O protector of the surrendered souls! O Supreme mystic! The demigods have been deprived of their heavenly kingdom and have been driven out by the demons. They have fearfully surrendered to Your Lotus feet. Please protect them. O Lord of the universe! We have fallen from the heavenly planets into this earthly planet and have merged into the ocean of miseries. Kindly be pleased with us.’

“On hearing such a pathetic prayer from Indra, Lord Visnu asked him, Who is this invincible demon who has defeated even the demigods? What is his name? What is the source of his prowess? O Indra! Please explain to me everything in detail without any fear."

Indra replied, “O Lord of the demigods! O deliverer of the devotees! O Supreme Lord! A fierece demon named Nadijangha who first caused distress to the demigods, appeared in the family of a brahmana. He had an equally powerful infamous demon son called Mura. The great city of Candravati is the capital of this great demon Mura. This demon Mura has driven out all the demigods from the heavenly planets and he is living there instead. He has taken over the posts of Indra, Agni, Yama, Vayu, Isa, Candrama, Nairita, and Varuna all by himself. All the demigods combined could not conquer him. O Lord Visnu, please kill this demon and protect the demigods."

On hearing the words of Indra the Lord became very angry towards those who had harassed the demigods, and said, “O King of the demigods, I will personally kill this powerful demon who is your enemy. Now all of you should return to the city of Candravati." Thereafter all the demigods led by Lord Visnu proceeded towards the city of Candravati. On one side the demigods were preparing for the battle with thousands of various weapons in their possession, and on the other side the Demon Mura was roaring, surrounded by an innumerable demon army.

"The demigods were already scattered due to the severe beatings by the demons; but now when the demons saw the rejuvenated fearless demigods led by the Supreme Lord standing before them, the demons became extremely angry. Although the Lord easily defeated all the other demons, He felt difficulty in defeating the demon Mura. When in spite of using various weapons the Lord could not kill the demon Mura. He engaged in wrestling with the demon for ten thousand years. Finally the Lord defeated the demon and left for Badrikasrama. In Badrikasrama the Lord entered a beautiful cave called Hemavati and took rest.”

The Supreme Lord continued, “O Arjuna! Thereafter that demon chased Me and entered that cave. On seeing Me resting there, he decided to kill Me. At that time an effulgent daughter appeared from My body, and holding various divine weapons began to fight with the demon. After constantly fighting with the demon for a long time, the effulgent goddess finally severed his head. Then, out of fear, all the other demons ran away to Patalaloka.” When the Lord got up from His rest He saw the dead body of the demon Mura lying in front of Him and an effulgent goddess humbly standing before Him with folded hands. On seeing her, the Lord asked her in surprise, ‘Who are you?’

The goddess replied, ‘O my Lord, I am born from Your body and I have killed this demon. On seeing You lying down, this demon attempted to kill You, therefore I have killed him.’

The Supreme Lord said, ‘O goddess, I am very pleased with you for this act. You can ask for any benediction you desire.’ When the goddess prayed for a benediction the Lord said, ‘You are My spiritual energy and since you have appeared on the day of Ekadasi your name will be Ekadasi. Anyone who will follow the vow of Ekadasi will be relieved from all sinful reactions and attain inexhaustible heavenly happiness.’

“From that day onwards the day of Ekadasi has been nourished and worshiped in this world. O Arjuna, I awarded the supreme destination to a person who observes the vow of Ekadasi. O son of Kunti, an Ekadasi mixed with Dvadasi is the highest. One should give up sex life, eating grains, honey, meat, eating on a bell metal plate, and applying oil on the day of Ekadasi. If a person observes this Ekadasi and hears its glories he can attain even more results."