Mohini Ekadashi

The Significance of Mohini Ekadashi in the month of Vaishakh during the bright fortnight;(Between April and May)

Yudhishthir asked Shri Krishna-, "In bright fortnight of Vaishakh month, which Ekadashi is observed? What is its significance and what are the rituals to be followed for it?"

Lord Shri Krishna replied, "Maharaj, in ancient times, the wise Lord Shri Ram had asked Maharshi Vashistha the same question that you are asking me today. Shri Ram had said, 'O Lord! I want to know about the best fast that destroys all sins and removes all kinds of sorrows.' Vashistha replied, 'Shri Ram! You have asked a very good question. Man becomes free from all sins just by taking your name. However, for the benefit of people, I will describe the holy and best fast among the holy ones."In the bright fortnight of Vaishakh month, there is an Ekadashi named Mohini. It is excellent and destroys all sins. By observing its fast, one can overcome delusion and become free from the group of sins."

The story of Mohini Ekadashi Fast

Vashishth ji narrates the story of Mohini Ekadashi to Lord Rama, saying that there is a beautiful city called Bhadravati on the picturesque banks of the Saraswati River. A king named Dhritiman, who was born in the Chandravansh and was a man of truth, ruled there. In that same city, there lived a wealthy merchant named Dhanpal, who was prosperous and generous. He always engaged himself in virtuous deeds and constructed shelters, wells, monasteries, gardens, lakes, and homes for others. He had a heartfelt devotion for Lord Vishnu and always remained peaceful. He had five sons, Sumana, Dhrutiman, Medhavi, Sukrit, and the fifth was called Dhristabuddhi. Dhristabuddhi always indulged himself in great sins such as gambling and other addictions, and he was very fond of associating with prostitutes . His intellect was neither devoted to the worship of the gods, nor to honoring the ancestors and Brahmins. He used to waste his father's wealth. His intelligence was neither used in worshiping the gods nor in paying respect to the ancestors and Brahmins. He used to waste his father's money. One day he was seen roaming at the crossroads with his arm around the neck of a prostitute. Then his father threw him out of the house and his relatives also abandoned him. Now he remained immersed in sorrow and grief day and night.

One day, when a holy day arrived, he went to the ashram of Maharishi Kaundinya. It was the month of Vaishakh. Tapodhan Kaundinya had come after taking bath in Ganga.Dhrishtabuddhi, suffering from the burden of grief, went to Munivar Kaundinya and stood in front with folded hands and said – Brahmin! Please have mercy on me and tell me about such a fast, due to the influence of which I will be liberated.Kaundinya said- Fast on the famous Ekadashi known as Mohini in the Shukla Paksha of Vaishakh. By fasting on Mohini, even the great sins committed by living beings in many births like Meruparvat, are destroyed.

Vashishtha ji says- Shri Ramchandra! Hearing these words of the sage, the mind of the wise man became happy. He observed the fast of Mohini Ekadashi as per the teachings of Kaundinya. By observing this fast, he became sinless and assumed a divine body and went to Shri Vishnu Dham, free from all kinds of troubles, mounted on Garuda. Thus this Mohini fast is very good. By reading and listening to it one gets the result of thousands of blessings. A person observing fast on this Ekadashi becomes sinless. The person fasting on this Ekadashi attains heaven along with Shri Vishnu Narayan. By reading and listening to it, one gets the result of thousand Godan, and man becomes free from all sins and gets established in Vishnuloka.

Worship method of Mohini Ekadashi Fast

The sage said, "Listen Rajendra! I will tell you the auspicious rituals of this fast. On the auspicious day of the tenth day of the waxing moon of Vaishakh month, take a holy bath in the morning with a focused mind, accompanied by devotion, and perform the daily rituals of Ekadashi. Then have a meal at once with a focused mind at noon and sleep on the ground at night. When dawn breaks on the day of Ekadashi, take a holy bath and observe the fast with devotion, reciting the following mantra:

"Adya sthitva niraharah sarvabhogavivarjitah

Shavo bhoksye pundarikaksha sharanam me bhavachyuta"

"O lotus-eyed Lord Narayana, today I will abstain from all food and tomorrow I will break my fast. O Achyuta, please protect me." Following these rules, for the happiness of the ancestors, perform prayer ceremony for your ancestors (Shraddh) in front of a Shaligram stone with devotion to appease your ancestors in the noon time, and serve food to Brahmins as a donation from the south. After serving the otherworldly Pindas to your ancestors and having the learned man feed cow with it, worship Lord Hari Kesha with incense, sandalwood paste, and other offerings at night, and stay awake near him. On the day of Dwadashi, after performing puja with devotion, have a meal with your brothers, relatives, and sons in silence. Rajan!

Verified from Puran........

Mohini Ekadashi

Mohini Ekadashi

The Significance of Mohini Ekadashi in the month of Vaishakh during the bright fortnight;(Between April and May)

The story of Mohini Ekadashi Fast

Worship method of Mohini Ekadashi Fast

Related Ekadashi topics

About this Article