Mohinī Ekādaśī

⚪ ShriHari Mandir (Porbandar) is celebrating this Mohinī Ekādaśī fast on Sunday, 23rd May, 2021.

⚪ This fast is observed on the eleventh day of the first fortnight (Śukla pakṣa) of the month of ‘Vaiśākha’.

⚪ The unique significance of each Ekādaśī Kathā is described as a conversation between Śrī Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja and Śrī Krṣṇa, in the ‘Uttara Khaṇḍa’ of the Padma Purāṇa.

⚪ Śrī Krṣṇa shares the details of this Mohinī Ekādaśī through a conversation between Śrī Rāma and Munī Vaśiṣta.

⚪ Śrī Rāma asks Munī Vaśiṣta, ‘Which is the best amongst fasts, such that all sins get destroyed and all types of sorrows are removed?

⚪ Munī Vaśiṣta is pleased with Śrī Rāma’s question, telling Him that one who takes His Name even once, is immediately purified.

⚪ Munī Vaśiṣta then narrates a story about the fifth and unrighteous son (named Dṛṣṭabuddhi) of a righteous and prosperous trader (named Dhanapāla), living in the beautiful town of Bhadrāvati.

⚪ Dṛṣṭabuddhi, whose interest lied in performing unrighteous deeds such as gambling, drinking, and meeting prostitutes, was one day found walking with his hands around a prostitute. His father ousted him from his house and all his friends left him.

⚪ To learn how this fast turned Dṛṣṭabuddhi’s life around from sorrow and regret, listen to this episode, and stay tuned to know more about each Ekādaśī Kathā!

⚪What is the fruit of observing Mohinī Ekādaśī?
– It is the ultimate fast, ridding one of all their sins—from previous births, too.
– One gets freed from the trap of illusion and collective causes of downfall (sin)
– One who reads or listens to this Ekādaśī Kathā, receives the fruit of performing a charity of a thousand cows.

Did-You-Know—“Food can also be Worship. Keep an empty stomach on certain days such as Ekādaśī, etc; or eat food that is beneficial; eat only when hungry; eat slightly less food than one’s appetite demands; eat in proportion to one’s bodily activities. Balanced diet and lifestyle keep us healthy and happy,” tweets @PPBhaishri.

FunFact—There are two Ekādaśīs in every month; falling on the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight. These are the days that the digestive system is the weakest, due to the placement of the moon, and thus, the self-restraint exercised in genuine fasting is seen to have physical, mental as well as spiritual benefits.

PuraanPrasaad by Rishi Dhavalbhai Joshi