Mohini Ekadashi

Mohini Ekadashi
The glories of Mohini Ekadasi which occurs during the waxing moon in the month of Vaisakha are told in the Surya Purana.
Once Maharaja Yudhisthira asked Lord Krsna, "O Janardana! Pray tell me, what is the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the waxing Moon in the month of Vaisakha (April/May.) Please describe unto me the most meritorious benefit one may receive by such observance.
Sri Krsna replied: "O most merciful King, son of Dharma personified! Please hear Me attentively as I describe unto you the story that the great sage Vaisistha once told to Lord Ramacandra.
"One time, long ago Lord Ramacandra appealed to the sage Vasistha 'O respected and knowledgeable sage, I am feeling such separation from Sita devi and am therefore in the most honorific distress. She is the daughter of king Janaka and is appalling my mind with intense hankering. Please kindly explain to Me the great and merciful vow which I can follow and by which will mitigate all one's sinful reactions and distresses.
"The greatly realized sage Vasistha replied: My dear Rama, Your intelligence is sharp and mixed with faith. Moreover, your question is beneficial in a way hitherto unknown, to all humanity. Just by chanting and remembering Your all auspicious qualities, all living entities can become purified and eligible to achieve liberation. Still, for the benefit of the public at large, I will describe to You about a great vow.
"O Lord Rama the Ekadasi that occurs during the waxing Moon in the month of Vaisakha is famously renowned as Mohini Ekadasi and is most beneficial to all. By following this Ekadasi all one's sinful reactions are annihilated and one receives great purity of speech and mind. One's network of illusion is vaporized, and the grey veil of despair drifts away. Please hear attentively as I describe the topics regarding this wonderfully marvelous Ekadasi.
"There was once an exquisitely beautiful city named Bhadravati, situated on the banks of the sacred river Sarasvati, which was ruled by a king named Dyutimana. O Lord Rama, this king was born in the dynasty of Candra (the Moon) and he was tolerant and truthful; and wore a broad smile. There was a pious and prosperous devotee of Lord Visnu named Dhanapala who also lived in that city. He was a Vaisya (mercantile community) by profession. For the benefit of the ordinary people this devotee Dhanapala built many dharmashalas or guest houses, schools, temples of Lord Visnu, charitable hospitals, wide roads and marketplaces. He also made arrangements for distributing water and foodstuffs. He dug wells for cool drinking water and ponds for clear water, he also built gardens for flowers and fruits. In this way he properly utilized his wealth for the benefit of all and thus successfully demonstrated the true meaning of his name.
This pious devotee of Lord Visnu who was always peaceful, tolerant, determined and compassionate engaged in devotional service to Visnu, had five sons named: Samana, Dyutimana, Medhavi, Sukriti and Dhrstabuddhi. His son Dhrstabuddhi was most sinful. He was extremely wicked and ill natured, always engaged in bad association and having illicit connection with unchaste women. He was also killing and torturing other living entities. In this way he engaged in all kinds of sinful activities. Although the son of a most chaste and fortunate father he squandered the wealth of his family and brought ill repute to his caste. He never showed respect to the demigods, guests, old forefathers or brahmanas. He was constantly engaged in thinking of committing sinful activities and thus lived a contemptible life. The sinful wretch misused all his father’s wealth in many useless activities. He always ate abominable foodstuffs and remained always absorbed in drinking wine. One day on seeing his shameless son walking in a public place with his hand on the shoulder of a prostitute, Dhanapala became extremely hurt. On that very day he was degraded from his position in caste society and the pious community and became an object of hatred for everyone.
India | Royalty Free Music
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Composer:Benjamin Tissot (also known as Bensound)
Indian inspired song featuring a sitar, tablas and eastern music instruments such as drums, and cello.Image copyright: Aleksandar Todorovic - Shutterstock
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