Mohini Ekadashi ||

Today is “Mohini Ekadashi.” The Ekadashi of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the Baishakha month is celebrated as Mohini Ekadashi. Mohini Ekadashi is considered special among all Ekadashis. Because, according to Puranic legends, on this day, Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini to enable the gods (Devatas) to drink Amrita (nectar of immortality).

Lord Shri Ram asked Gurudev Vashishtha, “Gurudev, tell me about a Vrata (vow/observance) by which all sins and sorrows can be dispelled. I am suffering greatly due to the separation from Sita.” Hearing this, Guru Vashishtha said, “You have asked a very pertinent question. By merely remembering your name, humans become pure and sanctified. This is for the best welfare of the people. By observing the Mohini Ekadashi Vrata, all of a person’s sins and sorrows are removed.”

|| Legend ||

Once, on the banks of the Saraswati river, in a city named Bhadravati, a Chandravanshi (lunar dynasty) king named Dhutinama (likely Dyutiman) was ruling. There lived a Vaishya (merchant) named Dhanapala, who was full of wealth, virtuous, extremely devout, and a devotee of Vishnu. He had built many eateries, wells, reservoirs, and dharamshalas (rest houses) in the city and planted many trees like mango, jamun (Java plum), and neem along the roads. He had five sons: Sumana, Sudbuddhi, Medhavi, Sukruta, and Dhrishtabuddhi. Among these five sons, Dhrishtabuddhi was a great sinner.

He respected no one, not even his ancestors. He associated with prostitutes and wicked men, indulged in gambling, debauchery with other women, and consumed alcohol and meat. Due to these misdeeds, he began to squander his father’s wealth. Seeing this, his father became alarmed and banished him from the house. After leaving home, Dhrishtabuddhi started selling his jewelry and clothes to survive. When all his wealth was exhausted, his wicked companions abandoned him. Dhrishtabuddhi began to spend his days in hunger and thirst, living a miserable life. Finally, he resorted to stealing. While stealing, he was caught, but people let him go because he was the son of the Vaishya. But he did not give up thievery. As a result, he was caught again, and the king ordered him to be imprisoned. He began to live his life in prison. Finally, the king ordered him to leave the city. He fled the city and started living in the forest. In the forest, he started killing and eating animals and birds.

Once, distressed by hunger, he wandered around in search of food. While wandering, he reached the ashram of Sage Kaundinya. It was the month of Baishakha. As Sage Kaundinya was returning from his bath in the river, a few drops of water from his wet clothes fell on Dhrishtabuddhi, and as a result, good sense dawned upon him. He bowed to Sage Kaundinya and said, “O Sage! I have committed many sins in my life. Please tell me a way to get rid of these sins.” Hearing this, the sage said, “Observe the Mohini Ekadashi Vrata of Baishakha Shukla Paksha, and all your sins will be destroyed.” Following the sage’s words, he observed the Vrata. By observing the Vrata, all his sins were eradicated, and in the end, he ascended to Vishnuloka (the abode of Vishnu) riding on Garuda. By this Vrata, all sins, including delusion (Moha), are destroyed. Reading or listening to its glory (Mahatmya) yields the merit of donating a thousand cows.

|| The Glory of Ekadashi ||

|| Yudhishthira Uvacha (Yudhishthira Said) ||
Yudhishthira asks, “O Lord Damodara, please tell me.
The Ekadashi of Baishakha Shukla, by what name is it known?
What are its merits, what are its rituals? Please tell, O Merciful Lord.”

|| Sri Krishna Uvacha (Sri Krishna Said) ||
When the king thus inquired, Krishna spoke for the welfare of the people.
“Previously, when Shri Ram asked, Vashishtha explained thus.
Listen, I narrate that conversation, which will dispel the sorrow of your mind.
That which is the destroyer of all sins, the remover of all sorrows.
The best among all Vratas, listen to such a Vrata attentively.
(Rama speaking to Vashishtha, as recounted by Krishna)
‘Due to separation from Sita, I have suffered greatly.
Therefore, fearing sorrow, I ask about a Vrata that grants fearlessness (solace).'”

|| Vashishtha Uvacha (Vashishtha Said – to Rama) ||

“O Rama, you have asked well, for the good of all beings.
Your steadfast devotion reflects the divine nature.
By chanting whose name people quickly become pure.
Hearing it from me, you too will feel happiness in your heart.
I shall narrate that glorious [Vrata]; Vashishtha is the speaker, Rama the listener.
May this bring welfare to the people. Listen, O Mahabahu (mighty-armed Rama).
The purifier of purifiers, incomparable among Vratas.
Destroyer of sins, controller of all sorrows, listen to this best of Vratas.
The Ekadashi of Baishakha Shukla, which is called by the name Mohini.
By performing which Vrata, a soul can escape the net of delusion.
By the power of which Vrata, sins will go far away.
This truth, truth I speak, having selected from many scriptures.
Baishakha Shukla Ekadashi burns to ashes heaps of sins.
It destroys all sorrows; listen, Shri Rama, with attention.
Merely by hearing its account, whatever sins one has are severed.
O Rama, listen to this ancient story; it will remove mental anguish.
On the beautiful banks of the Saraswati, in the city of Bhadravati.
There, King Dyutimana of the Chaitra dynasty ruled with unparalleled [virtue].
He was born in the Chaitra (likely Lunar, as mentioned before) dynasty, steadfast in truth.
In that kingdom, there was a Vaishya, exceedingly rich in wealth and grain.
His name was Dhanapala, know him to be proficient in virtuous deeds.
Palaces, ponds, gardens, flower groves, and Brahmin villages,
These he established with care, his mind devoted to Vishnu.
By Dhanapala’s (here, the text says Dharmapala, likely a slight variation for Dhanapala) deeds, know that five sons were born.
The names of his sons, listen, O Shri Rama.
Sumana, Medhasva, Sukruti, Dyutimana of various [qualities].
The fifth, named Dhrishtabuddhi, his sins grew.
He delighted in the company of others’ wives, expert in the company of rogues.
Addicted to vices like gambling, attached and devoted to others’ wives.
Gods, Brahmins, and ancestors, that wicked one did not worship.
That evil one, through his unjust ways, [disrespected] his father and ancestors.
That sinner consumed forbidden food, a drunkard, and a doer of evil deeds.
With his arm on a prostitute’s shoulder, he roamed the crossroads.
Hearing of his unjust ways, his father distanced himself.
He was expelled from the house, along with his companions.
Seeing such misconduct, his relatives also shunned him.
The ornaments on his body, that wicked one squandered.
Seeing no money, the prostitutes spoke abusive words.
Distressed by hunger, the wicked one wandered, pondering.
‘Where shall I go? What shall I do? By what means shall I survive?’
Contemplating a means of livelihood, he decided on thievery.
While stealing food, he was caught by the guards.
The guards, seeing his [former] dignity, let him go due to past associations.
In this way, stealing again and again, he was caught and confined.
They bound him in fetters and beat him with harsh thorns.
‘Abandon this profession and take up another, as long as you live.’
Giving this advice, they beat him and then, as a friendly gesture, released him.
Fearing severe beating, he understood death was certain [if he continued].
He fled in fear to a dense forest, where elephants are born.
Remaining in that forest like a lion, he killed deer, boars, and mosquitoes.
Living by eating non-vegetarian food, he stayed in that forest with his [wicked] tendencies.
That Dhrishtabuddhi, like a hunter, carried a quiver full of arrows.
A bow in his left hand, a sharp arrow in his right.
Killing creatures and eating their flesh, he remained in that dense forest.
Wandering hither and thither, he killed many creatures.
Chakora birds, peacocks, bears, deer, partridges, mice.
And other creatures too, that worthless one killed daily.
Due to past sins, this behavior [led to] sorrow and grief.
When some remnant of his past merits surfaced, he entered Kaundinya’s ashram.
One day in the month of Baishakha, [Kaundinya] bathed in the Ganga.
As the sage (Tapodhana) was returning, he saw Dhrishtabuddhi’s face.
Tormented by sorrow and fear, wandering hither and thither.
Drops of water from the sage’s clothes fortunately fell upon his body.
Instantly, his sins departed, and the torment of his body ceased.
Before Kaundinya, Dhrishtabuddhi narrated his increasing sorrows.”

|| Dhrishtabuddhi Uvacha (Dhrishtabuddhi Said) ||

“O best of sages, Brahmachari, please kindly tell me.
By what merit, by what Vrata, can I be liberated?
Considering this, tell me. Bear the burden of saving this wretched soul.”

|| Kaundinya Uvacha (Kaundinya Said) ||

“Listen with a focused mind, by which your sins will be destroyed.
The Ekadashi of Baishakha Shukla, whose name is spoken as Mohini.
Perform this Ekadashi Vrata, according to my words.
Even if sins are like Mount Meru, or from previous births.
This Mohini Vrata destroys them; it makes the observer sinless.
Hearing these words of the sage, Dhrishtabuddhi was assured.
With a pleased mind, he performed the Vrata, understanding its rituals.
Following Sage Kaundinya’s advice, he performed the Vrata in detail.
Surely, he became free from sin and attained a divine body.
Riding on Garuda, he proceeded to Vishnuloka.
Where there are no disturbances, which is the source of heavenly bliss.
O Rama, this Mohini Vrata is known as the best in the world.
There is no Vrata superior to this in the three worlds.
Various sacrifices (Yajnas), pilgrimages (Tirthas), and charities (Dana) are not equal to a fraction of it.
Whoever listens to or reads this, reaps the merit of [donating] a thousand cows.”

Thus ends the twelfth chapter on the glory of Baishakha Shukla Mohini Ekadashi in the Shri Kurma Purana. ||

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