Should married women avoid keeping Ekadashi fast? What Hindu scriptures and traditional beliefs note

Ekadashi is observed twice every lunar month by millions of Hindus as a day of fasting, prayer and devotion to Lord Vishnu. Yet, alongside the tradition of observing the fast, a question has also persisted in some families: should married women, particularly women whose husbands are alive, keep an Ekadashi fast?The belief that married or “suhagin” women should avoid Ekadashi while widows may observe it is heard in some communities. But is there a scriptural basis for this distinction?A look at the traditional account of Ekadashi, along with the views of spiritual teachers, offers a different perspective.The story behind EkadashiAccording to a discourse by Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja, published by Pure Bhakti, Ekadashi is not simply about staying without food.