Yogini Ekadashi

Importance of Yogini Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Ashadha month

Yudhishthir asked Shri Krishna - What is the name of the Ekadashi that occurs in the Krishna Paksha of Ashadha? Please describe it.

Lord Shri Krishna said – Nrip Shrestha! The name of Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Ashadha is Yogini. It is the destroyer of major sins. It is like an eternal boat for the beings drowned in the worldly ocean. This is an essential fast in all three worlds. The person who feeds eighty-eight thousand Brahmins gets the same results as the person who observes the fast on Yogini Ekadashi. Yogini is the one who pacifies great sins and bestows great virtuous results; by reading and listening to her, man becomes free from all sins.

Fast story of Yogini Ekadashi

Rajadhiraj Kuber lives in Alkapuri. They are always ready to worship Lord Shiva. He had a Yaksha servant named Hemmali, who used to bring flowers for worship. Hemmali's wife was very beautiful. His name was Vishalakshi. That Yaksha was always attached to his wife after being tied in the trap of Kamapash. One day, Hemmali brought flowers from Maan Sarovar and stayed in his house and started enjoying the love of his wife; Hence could not go to Kuber's house. Here Kuber was sitting in the temple and worshiping Shiva. He waited till afternoon for the flowers to appear. When the time of puja passed, Yaksharaj got angry and asked his servants - Yakshas! Find out why the evil spirit Hemmali is not coming.

Yakshas said- King! He is engrossed in his wife's wishes and is enjoying at home as per his wish. Hearing his words, Kuber was filled with anger and immediately called Hemamaali. Knowing that it was late, Hemamali's eyes were filled with fear. He came and stood in front of Kuber. Seeing him, Kuber's eyes turned red with anger. He said – O sinner! O wicked one! O evildoer! You have disobeyed God, hence, infected with leprosy and separated from your beloved, get corrupted from this place and go somewhere else. When Kuber said this, he fell down at the same place. At that time he was feeling great sorrow in his heart. The whole body was suffering from leprosy. But his memory power had not disappeared due to the influence of Shiva worship. Even when he was burdened by Patak, he still remembered his previous actions. After that, wandering here and there, he reached the peak of Merugiri, the best among the mountains. There he saw Munivar Markandeyaji, the embodiment of penance. The sinful Yaksha bowed at the feet of the sage from a distance. Seeing him trembling with fear, Munivar Markandeya called him near out of charity and said – How did the disease of leprosy overwhelm you? Why do you seem so condemnable? Yaksha said-Mune! I am a follower of Kuber. My name is Hemmali. Every day I used to bring flowers from Maan Sarovar and give them to Kuber during Shiva puja. One day, because I got trapped in the pleasure of sexual intercourse with my wife, I lost track of time; Therefore, King Kubera got angry and cursed me, due to which I got affected with leprosy and got separated from my beloved. Muni Shrestha! At this time, due to the influence of some auspicious deed, I have come near you. Knowing that the minds of saints are naturally engaged in charity, advise me, a criminal, about duty.

Markandeyaji said- You have spoken the truth here, not false speech; That's why I advise you to observe a beneficial fast. You observe the fast of Yogini Ekadashi in the Krishna Paksha of Ashadha. With the virtue of this fast, your leprosy will definitely be cured.

Lord Shri Krishna says- Due to the advice of Markandeyaji, he observed the fast of Yogini Ekadashi, due to which leprosy was cured from his body. After observing that auspicious fast as per the sage's advice, he became completely happy. Nrip Shrestha! This Yogini fast has been described as such.

Method of worship of Yogini Ekadashi

Markandeyaji said - Listen, I will tell you the auspicious method of this fast, take bath in the morning with a devotional mind on the auspicious day of Dashami in Krishna Paksha of Ashadh month. Then take a bath in the afternoon, concentrate your mind, eat one meal at a time and sleep on the ground at night, at the end of the night when there is a clear morning, do daily rituals on the day of Ekadashi and take a bath, after this, follow the rule of fasting by reciting the following mantra with devotion: -

Adya sthitva niraharah sarvabhogavivarjitah.

Shvo Bhokshaye Bhavachyut in Pundarikaksha Sharanam.

"O lotus-eyed Lord, Narayana! Today, I will separate myself from all pleasures and remain without food, and tomorrow I will eat. Achyuta! Please shelter me." After making this vow, worship the Shaligram stone with proper rituals, offer donations to Brahmins, and arrange for their meals. Then, in the night, worship Lord Hari Kesha (another name for Lord Vishnu) with incense and fragrances, staying awake near Him. After that, on the morning of Dwadashi (the twelfth day), once again worship Lord Hari with devotion.

Verified from Puran........

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