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| Mohini Ekadashi Vrat Katha |
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Mohini Ekadashi falls in the month of Vaisakh or Shukla paksha (April-May) . Purshottam lord Rama is worshipped on this day. It is believed that whosoever observes a complete fast on this sacred day gets great benefits to live happily in this life and the next. Observing this ekadashi vrat helps achieve peace, honour and the divine pleasure of God to all mankind on this earth.
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."
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Mohini Ekadashi fasting dedicated to Lord Vishnu is observed during the waxing phase of moon (Shukla Paksha) in Vaishakha month (April – May). Mohini Ekadashi Vrat Katha was first narrated to Lord Ram by Sage Vasishta. The story was later told to Yudhishitira by Lord Krishna and is found in the Surya Purana.
Once there lived a famous and pious merchant named Dhanapala in Bhadravati, a city along the banks of Saraswati River. An ardent devotee of Vishnu, Dhanapala was known for this charity and spiritual activities. But unfortunately the pious man had a son named Dhrstabuddhi, who was just the opposite of his father in behavior. Due to bad association Dhrstabuddhi was thrown out of the house.
After roaming in the city and spending his last remaining wealth, Dhrstabuddhi took to stealing and was caught by the guards. The king, keeping in mind the reputation of his father, asked him to leave the kingdom immediately.
He immediately left the kingdom and took refuge in a forest. There he started to kill animals to suffice his hunger. He lived the life of a hunter for several years. But quite often he was immersed in remorse thinking about his past deeds and the lovely childhood.
Once he accidentally arrived at the ashram of Sage Kaundinya. The holy atmosphere there generated different emotions in him. Sage Kaundinya was returning from this bath and accidentally a few drops of water fell on Dhrstabuddhi and he broke down in tears.
Dhrstabuddhi narrated his tale to Sage Kaundinya. The sage patiently heard the lamentations of the sinful soul and advised him to observe Mohini Ekadashi falling in Vaiskhaka month. He said that this particular Ekadasi has the power to nullify the sins committed, even if the sins accumulated is equal to mount Meru.
After observing Mohini Ekadasi, Dhrstabuddhi was able to wash away all the sins and he turned into a Vishnu devotee. He served the poor people and those that are ill. Finally, he attained Moksha. |
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Story
name Diwali is itself a contraction of the word Dipavali (Dipavali), which translates into row of lamps (din Sanskrit)[2]. Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (divas) (or Deep in Sanskrit ) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. During Diwali celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with others. Some Indian business communities begin the financial year on the first day of Diwali wishing for good luck the following year. In Hinduism, Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating (the demon king) Ravana, the ruler of Lanka in the epic Ramayana. It also celebrates the slaying of the demon king Narakasura by Lord Krishna. Both signify the victory of good over evil. In Jainism, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha by Mahavira in 527 BC. In Sikhism, Diwali commemorates the return of Guru Har Gobind Ji to Amritsar after freeing 52 Hindu kings imprisoned in Fort Gwalior by Emperor Jahangir the people lit candles and divas to celebrate his return, which is why Sikhs also refer to Diwali as Bandi Chhorh Divas, "the day of release of detainees". Diwali is considered a national festival in India and Nepal. |
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Mohini Ekadashi occurs during the waxing phase of moon in the month of Vaisakha (April – May). The greatness of this Ekadasi was explained by Vasistha to Lord Ram; also Lord Krishna narrated it to Yudishitira, the eldest of the Pandavas. In 2010, the date of Mohini Ekadasi is May 24.
Sage Vasishta talks about this Ekadasi to Lord Ram who approaches the Sage with a heavy heart after his separation from Sita. Sage Vasishta suggests to Lord Ram he will be able to over the sadness and remorse by observing Mohini Ekadasi. As it will help him to overcome ignorance and distress created by Maya. The sage also says that the Ekadasi helps in removing the burden of sins.
It is said that the fasting on Mohini Ekadasi is better than bathing in holy in rivers and performing sacrifices. |
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