Mohini Ekadasi
In the Mahabharata there's a story of Dhrishthabuddhi that is told. Then
there's a mention of the vrata called Vaisakh vrata that removes all sin. There
it suggests to observe a fast by eating once per day after noon for one month (Mahabharata
Anusasana parva, chapter 106.)
It also refers to Vaishakhsuklaikadasivrat known as Mohini and quotes Padma
Purana as its origin Uttara Khanda chapter 51.
The Following is Mohinii EkAdasii: from the KUrma PurANa
Sri Yudhisthira Maharaja said, “Oh JanArdana, what is the name of the EkAdasii
that occurs during the light fortnight (sukla paksha) of the month of VaisAkha
(April-May) ? What is the process for observing it properly? Kindly narrate all
of these details to me.”
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna replied, “Oh blessed son of
Dharma, what Vasishtha Muni once told to Lord Ramachandra I shall now describe
to you. Please hear Me attentively.
“Lord Ramachandra 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.’
“The sage Vasishtha replied, ‘Oh Lord RAma, Oh You whose intelligence is so
keen, simply by remembering Your name one can cross the ocean of the material
world. You have questioned me in order to benefit all of humanity and fulfill
everyone’s desires. I shall now describe that day of fasting which purifies the
whole world.
“ ‘Oh Rama, that day is known as VaisAkha-sukla EkAdasii, which falls on
DvAdasii. It removes all sins and is famous as Mohinii EkAdasii. NOTE
.
“ ‘Truly, Oh dear Rama, the merit of this EkAdasii frees the fortunate soul who
observes it from the network of illusion. Therefore, if You want to relieve Your
suffering(s), observe this auspicious EkAdasii perfectly, for it removes all
obstacles from one'’ path and relieves the greatest miseries. Kindly listen as I
describe its glories, because for one who even just hears about this auspicious
EkAdasii, the greatest sins are nullified.
“ ‘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 (Chandra-vamsa).
In his kingdom was a merchant named DhanapAla, who possessed a great deal of
wealth of food grains and money. He was also very pious. DhanapAla 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, MedhAvii,
Sukriti, and Dhrishthabuddhi.
“ ‘Unfortunately, his son Dhrishthabuddhi always engaged in greatly sinful
activities, such as sleeping with prostitutes and associating with similar
degraded persons. He enjoyed illicit sex, gambling, and many other varieties of
acts aimed at gratifying the senses. He disrespected the demigods (devas), the
brahmins, the forefathers and other elders of the community, as well as his
family’s guests. The evil-hearted Dhrishthabuddhi spent up his father’s wealth
indiscriminately, always feasting on untouchable foods and drinking alcohol to
excess.
“ ‘One day DhanapAla kicked Dhrishthabuddhi out of the house after he saw him
walking along the road arm-in-arm with a known prostitute. From then on all
Dhrishthabuddhi’s relatives were highly critical of him and distanced themselves
from him also. After he had sold all of his inherited ornaments and become
destitute, the prostitute also abandoned him and insulted him because of his
poverty.
“ ‘Dhrishthabuddhi was now full of anxiety, and also hungry. He thought, “What
should I do ? Where should I go ? How can I maintain myself ? “ 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 DhanapAla, they released him. He was caught and
released in this way many times. But at last, sick of his arrogance and total
disrespect for others, and their property, the ill-mannered Dhrishthabuddhi was
apprehended, handcuffed, and then beaten. After whipping him, the king’s
marshals warned him, “Oh evil minded one ! There is no place for you in this
kingdom……….!!!”
“ ‘However, Dhrishthabuddhi was freed from his tribulation by his father and
immediately thereafter entered the dense forest. He wandered here and there,
hungry and thirsty and suffering greatly. Eventually he began killing the jungle
animals, the lions, deer, boars, and even wolves for food. Always ready in his
hand was his bow, always on his shoulder was his quiver full of arrows. He also
killed many birds, such as chakoras, peacocks, kankas, doves and pigeons. He
unhesitatingly slaughtered many species of birds and animals to maintain his
sinful way of life, the sinful results accumulating more and more each day. On
account of his previous sins, he was now immersed in an ocean of great sin that
was so relentless that it appeared that he could not get out.
“ ‘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 Ashrama 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 obeisances
to KauNDinya Muni, Dhrishthabuddhi prayed to him with joined palms; ”Oh great
brAhmana, please describe to me some of the atonement I may perform without too
much endeavour. I have committed so many sins in my life, and these have now
made me very poor.”
“ ‘The great rishi replied, “Oh son, listen with great attention, for by hearing
me your life will change, and you will become free of all your remaining sins.
In the light fortnight of this very month, VaisAkha (April-May) there occurs the
sacred Mohinii EkAdasii, which has the power to nullify sins as vast and weighty
as Mount Sumeru. If you follow my advice and faithfully observe a fast on this
EkAdasii, which is so dear to Lord Hari, you will be freed from all the sinful
reactions of many, many births.”
“ ‘Hearing these words with great joy, Dhrishthabuddhi promised to observe a
fast on Mohinii EkAdasii according to the sage’s instructions and direction. Oh
best of kings, Oh RAmachandra Bhagavan, by fasting completely on Mohinii
EkAdasii, the once sinful Dhrishthabuddhi, the prodigal son of the merchant
DhanapAla, became sinless. Afterwards he achieved a beautiful transcendental
form and, free at last of all obstacles, rode upon the carrier of Lord Vishnu,
Garuda, to the Supreme abode of the Lord.
“ ‘Oh RAmachandra, the fast day of Mohinii EkAdasii removes the darkest illusory
attachments to material existence. There is thus no better fast day in all the
three worlds than this.’ ”
Lord Sri Krishna concluded, “…and so, Oh Yudhishthira, there is no place of
pilgrimage, no sacrifice, and no charity that can bestow merit equal to even one
sixteenth of the merit a faithful devotee of Mine obtains by observing the
Mohinii EkAdasii. And He who hears and studies the glories of Mohinii EkAdasii
achieves the merit of giving away one thousand cows in charity.
Note: Special thanks to Jaya Tirtha Caran prabhu from NZ for allowing us to use some of the content from his site to compile these pages - http://www.hknet.org.nz
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