Parama Ekadashi

Parama (Paramā) is the ekadashi of krishna paksha in the intercalary (adhika) month; it occurs roughly once in three years. The name comes from the Sanskrit "paramā" — "the highest," "the supreme."

Place in the system

Ekadashi is the eleventh tithi of the lunar month. Parama falls eleventh in the dark half of the adhika masa (the intercalary month), inserted into the lunar calendar roughly once every three years to keep the lunar and solar cycles in step. This means that in a year with an adhika masa, two more ekadashis are added — Padmini in shukla and Parama in krishna.

"Parama" means "the highest," "the utmost." Tradition relates this name to the vow's own high station, not to a comparison with Padmini.

Practical meaning

Tradition connects Parama with extended sadhana and with vows taken for the long term.

The Parama background works through rarity. This ekadashi falls roughly once in three years, and its uniqueness lends it particular weight.

The Parama fast is kept as on other ekadashis: without grain or legumes, with fruit, milk, and water.

In Indian folk practice Parama is a day on which devout Hindus often begin long spiritual vows or complete them. It is a rare ekadashi: it falls only in a year with an adhika masa.

In daily practice

Parama is a day for a deep intention. If, in the year it falls, you have the chance to carry out an extended spiritual practice, this is a good day to begin it, or to take stock of one already under way.

Parama also suits charity toward spiritual communities: support for ashrams, monasteries, and traditional schools that carry the practice from one generation to the next.

Parama also suits fasting: fruit, milk, water, light food. The fast here is a sign of the highest step of the practice.

How much this day is yours is refined by Tara Bala. Parama sets a background of the highest practice, and the personal layer shows how far it matches your circumstances today.