(12) MOHINI EKADASI (or) VAISAKHA-SUKLA EKADASI
(From Kurma Purana – As told by Sri Krishna to Dharmaraja Yudhishthira)
Once Yudhisthira Maharaja asked Shree Krishna, “Oh Natwar Nagar! what is the name of the Ekadashi that occurs during the light fortnight (shukla paksha) of the month of Vaisakha. What is the process for observing it properly. Kindly narrate all of these details to me.
Lord Sri Krishna replied, “Oh Kunti’s son ! After Sitaji’s kidnap, when lord Rama was very disturbed, he came to his guru Vasistha and said- I am going through great grief and sadness in my life. Please enlighten me and the people of this world by showing us a means of overcoming great sorrows and troubles of this life. what Vasishtha Muni once told to Lord Ramachandra I shall now describe to you. Please hear Me attentively.
“Lord Rama asked Vasishtha Muni, ‘Oh great sage, I would like to hear about the best of all fasting days that day which destroys all kinds of sins and sorrows. I have suffered long enough in separation from My dear Sita, and so I wish to hear from you about how My suffering can be ended.’
Vasishtha Muni replied, “O Prabhu, just by chanting your divine name makes a person happy in this life, but yet for the benediction of mankind the vrat of Mohini Ekadashi relieves one from all troubles of life and society.”
‘On the banks of the Sarasvati River there was once a beautiful city named Bhadravati, which was ruled by King Dyutiman. Oh Rama, that steadfast, truthful, and highly intelligent king was born in the dynasty of the Moon. In his kingdom was a merchant named Dhanapal, who possessed a great deal of wealth of food grains and money. He was also very pious. Dhanapal arranged for lakes to be dug, sacrificial arenas to be erected, and beautiful gardens to be cultivated for the benefit of all the citizens of Bhadravati. He was an excellent devotee of Lord Vishnu and had five sons: Sumana, Dyutiman, Medhavi, Sukriti, and Dhrishthabuddhi.
‘Unfortunately, his son Dhrishthabuddhi was a great sinner and performed dreadful acts to the people of the village, such as sleeping with prostitutes and associating with similar degraded persons. He enjoyed illicit sex, gambling, and many other illegal acts. Dhrishthabuddhi spent up his father’s wealth indiscriminately, always feasting on untouchable foods and drinking alcohol to excess.
Upon learning of his son’s misconduct, Dhanpal and his sons kicked him out of their house. After being disowned by his father and brothers Dhrishthabuddhi was left with no money to spend on prostitutes and other illegal activities, therefore his friends and prostitutes distanced themselves from him.
Dhrishthabuddhi was now full of anxiety, and also hungry. He then began to steal. The king’s constables arrested him, but when they learned who it was, and that his father was the famous Dhanapal, they released him. He was caught again but time the ill-mannered Dhrishthabuddhi was apprehended, handcuffed, and then beaten. After whipping him, the king’s marshals warned him and threw him out of their kingdom.
Dhrishthabuddhi thereafter entered the dense forest. He wandered here and there, hungry and thirsty and suffering greatly. Eventually he began killing the jungle animals for food. Dhrishthabuddhi was always miserable and anxious, but one day, during the month of Vaisakha, by the force of some of his past merit he chanced upon the sacred Ashram of Kaundinya Muni. The great sage had just finished bathing in the Ganges River, and water was dripping from him still. Dhrishthabuddhi had the great good fortune to touch some of those droplets of water that were falling from the great sage’s wet clothing. Instantly Dhrishthabuddhi was freed of his ignorance, and his sinful reactions were reduced. Offering his humble obeisance’s to Kaundinya Muni, Dhrishthabuddhi prayed to him with joined palms; “Oh great brahman! I have committed so many sins in my life, please describe to me some of the atonement I may perform without too much Endeavour and expense.
The Rishi replied, “Oh Dhrishthabuddhi! you have overcome most of your suffering by just realizing your mistake. To get yourself cleansed further and achieve salvation you must perform the great vrat of Mohini Ekadashi with full reliance and devotion to God Almighty. This vrat will bestow you with a place in the heavens.”
Thereafter on the next Vaisakha, Dhrishthabuddhi performed the vrat as advised by Kaundinya Rishi. As time went by, Dhrishthabuddhi became free from sins and after his death, achieved a divine body, sat on Garud and ascended to the heavenly abode Vaikunth.”
‘Oh Rama! the fast of Mohini Ekadashi removes the darkest illusory attachments to material existence. There is thus no better fast day in all the three worlds than this. And He who hears and studies the glories of Mohini Ekadashi achieves the merit of giving away one thousand cows in charity.”
(1) EKADASI RECEIPS – THE FOODS TO BE PREPARED ON EKADASI CAN BE READ HERE
(2) THE LIST AND LINKS OF 26 EKADASIS IN SEQUENCE CAN BE READ HERE
(3) How to offer worship and prayers on Ekadasi? Read Here.
(4) A-Z Tips on Ekadasi Fasting with practical considerations can be read here.