Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry
Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja said, “O Lord Kṛṣṇa, O Janārdana, O Supreme Lord of all, please describe to me the Ekadasi which occurs during the bright fortnight of the month of Vaiśākha (April–May). What is its name, and what are its glories? Kindly instruct me on how it should be observed.”
Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Reply
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa replied, “O best of kings, your inquiry is most auspicious, for by hearing about this sacred Ekadasi one’s sins are destroyed and one’s heart purified. The Ekadasi that occurs during the bright fortnight of Vaiśākha is known as Mohinī Ekadasi.
By observing this Ekadasi, one attains deliverance from all sinful reactions and achieves liberation. It is the same sacred day on which I assumed the enchanting form of Mohinī during the churning of the ocean to bewilder the demons and distribute the nectar of immortality among the demigods.
Now hear from Me the ancient story of this Ekadasi, which was once narrated by Vasiṣṭha Muni to Lord Rāma.”
The Inquiry of Lord Rāmacandra
“Once, long ago, Lord Rāmacandra asked His spiritual master, Sage Vasiṣṭha, ‘O great sage, please tell Me about the Ekadasi that destroys all sins and grants liberation. What is its name, and how should it be observed?’
The sage replied, ‘O Lord Rāma, I shall tell You of the sacred Ekadasi that occurs during the bright fortnight of the month of Vaiśākha. This Ekadasi is known as Mohinī Ekadasi. Observing it bestows liberation, prosperity, and peace. It purifies the heart, removes illusion, and delivers one even from the worst sins.’”
The Glories of Mohinī Ekadasi
“Sage Vasiṣṭha continued, ‘O Rāma, on this day one should rise early in the morning, bathe in a sacred river or at home with pure water, and worship the Supreme Lord Viṣṇu with devotion. One should observe fasting throughout the day, meditate upon the Lord’s form, and stay awake the entire night singing His glories.
By observing this vow, one obtains the merit of performing all sacrifices and charities. This Ekadasi destroys even the sins of killing a brāhmaṇa, killing an embryo, or breaking one’s vows. It removes the illusions caused by lust, anger, greed, and envy—hence its name Mohinī, the ‘enchantress,’ for it conquers all worldly delusion.’
Even the mere hearing or reading of its glories brings purification and merit equal to that of giving a thousand cows in charity.”
The Power of the Fast
“The sage further said, ‘On the day before Ekadasi, one should eat only once and avoid indulgence in sinful acts. On the day of Ekadasi, one should completely fast, controlling the mind and senses. On the next day, Dvādaśī, one should feed qualified brāhmaṇas, offer them gifts, and then break one’s fast with humility and devotion.
One who observes this vow becomes free from all sins and attains the eternal abode of Lord Viṣṇu. Those who neglect this sacred day and continue eating grains or indulging in worldly pleasures remain bound by illusion and the cycle of birth and death.’”
The Origin of the Name “Mohinī”
Lord Kṛṣṇa continued, “O Yudhiṣṭhira, during the churning of the ocean of milk, the demigods and demons obtained the pot of nectar. The demons, greedy and powerful, seized it for themselves, refusing to share it with the demigods.
Seeing this, I assumed the form of an enchanting woman—Mohinī-mūrti. With My divine beauty and grace, I bewitched the demons and distributed the nectar only to the demigods, saving them from destruction.
In the same way, this Ekadasi removes the poison of material illusion (moha) from the heart and bestows spiritual nectar upon the devotee. Therefore, this sacred day is called Mohinī Ekadasi. Whoever observes it is freed from ignorance and illusion and attains devotion to Me.”
The Blessings and Benefits
“O king, whoever observes Mohinī Ekadasi with faith attains all auspiciousness. The merit gained by fasting on this day surpasses that obtained from performing great sacrifices, from bathing in holy rivers, or from giving mountains of gold in charity.
By fasting on this day, one obtains long life, prosperity, good fortune, and devotion to Lord Viṣṇu. A person who remains awake throughout the night, listening to My glories and chanting My names, attains residence in the spiritual world.
Even one who hears the glories of this Ekadasi becomes freed from all sins and is blessed with happiness in this life and the next.”
The Phala-śruti (Result of Observance)
Lord Kṛṣṇa concluded, “O Yudhiṣṭhira, by faithfully observing Mohinī Ekadasi, one is released from the bonds of illusion, freed from all sinful reactions, and ultimately attains My eternal abode.
This Ekadasi is the destroyer of sins and the giver of divine realization. Whoever reads or hears its glories with devotion will never again be deluded by material desires.”
Origin of the Story
This narration of Mohinī Ekadasi is described in the Kurma Purāṇa and the Bhaviṣya-Uttara Purāṇa, where Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa speaks to Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira about the conversation between Sage Vasiṣṭha and Lord Rāmacandra. Observing this Ekadasi removes all illusion and grants devotion, purity, and eternal service to the Lord.
