Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry
Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja said, “O Lord Kṛṣṇa, what is the name of that Ekadasi that occurs during the bright fortnight of the month of Mārgaśīrṣa (November–December)? Please describe unto Me the process for observing it, and tell Me which Deity is to be worshiped on that sacred day.”
Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Reply
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa replied, “O Yudhiṣṭhira, O best of kings, gladly I shall tell you. This day is known as Mokṣadā Ekadasi, and it is capable of destroying all one’s sinful reactions. The worshipable Deity of this Ekadasi is Lord Dāmodara, a beautiful form of Viṣṇu who binds the fallen souls with His divine rope of love.
By fasting and worshiping Lord Dāmodara on this sacred day, one’s forefathers who have fallen into hellish conditions become liberated, and one himself attains the supreme goal of life. Now, O king, hear the ancient history connected with this sacred Ekadasi. It was once described by Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself to Arjuna in the Bhaviṣya Purāṇa.”
The Story of King Vaikhānasa and His Father
“There was once a city called Champakanagara, which was decorated with beautiful gardens and groves and was ruled by a pious king named Vaikhānasa. He ruled his kingdom according to religious principles and was always devoted to Lord Viṣṇu.
One day, as the king was sitting in his court surrounded by his ministers and priests, a brāhmaṇa entered. The brāhmaṇa’s complexion was effulgent like the sun, and his eyes shone with divine knowledge. The king and all the members of his court stood up to receive him, offering due respect.
After the brāhmaṇa was comfortably seated, the king bowed to him and said, ‘O most fortunate one, please tell me the purpose of your visit.’ The brāhmaṇa replied, ‘O king, I have come from the world of Yamarāja. Your father, who died some time ago, is now suffering great pain in a hellish condition. He is longing for your help.’
Hearing this, King Vaikhānasa became overwhelmed with grief and said, ‘O learned one, please tell me what sin my father committed that he now suffers in such a miserable condition. What can I do to deliver him?’”
The Sage’s Advice
“The brāhmaṇa replied, ‘Your father committed an offense against his wife, your mother. Because of that, he has fallen into a dreadful hell. However, there is one way to deliver him. In this very month, there is a sacred day called Mokṣadā Ekadasi. By observing fasting on that day and giving the merit to your father, he will be liberated from his suffering and attain the heavenly planets.’
Hearing this, the king bowed to the brāhmaṇa and said, ‘O saintly one, please tell me how I should observe this vow and by what process I can offer the results to my father.’”
Observance and Fasting
“The brāhmaṇa said, ‘On the day before Ekadasi, one should purify oneself, control the senses, and take only once light food. On Ekadasi day, one should rise early, take a bath, and worship Lord Dāmodara with full devotion, offering incense, flowers, lamps, and food made without grains or beans.
One should remain awake throughout the night, singing the Lord’s holy names and listening to His glories. The next morning, one should offer charity to brāhmaṇas and pray to the Lord, “O Lord Dāmodara, please accept this vow and deliver my father from suffering.” When the merit of that fast is offered to the departed soul, he immediately attains liberation and goes to the spiritual world.’
Hearing this, King Vaikhānasa observed the sacred vow exactly as the brāhmaṇa instructed him. He remained fasting throughout the day and night, engaged in worship and devotion. Then, on the next morning, he offered the result of his austerity to his father.”
The Deliverance of the King’s Father
“At that very moment, the king’s father was released from his hellish condition and appeared before his son in a celestial body, shining like a demigod. He offered his blessings and said, ‘My dear son, because you have observed the vow of Mokṣadā Ekadasi and offered its merit to me, I have now been freed from all sins and have attained the heavenly planets. I bless you with long life, good health, and devotion to the Supreme Lord.’
Saying this, the father ascended to the heavenly realms. The king, seeing his father’s liberation, became filled with happiness and continued to observe every Ekadasi with great faith and devotion.”
The Glory of Mokṣadā Ekadasi
Lord Kṛṣṇa said, “O Yudhiṣṭhira, anyone who fasts on this sacred day of Mokṣadā Ekadasi, worshiping Lord Dāmodara with devotion, and offers the merit for the benefit of his ancestors, delivers all of them from the hellish worlds and brings them to the abode of Viṣṇu.
One who observes this vow for his own spiritual benefit will also attain liberation and the supreme abode. By hearing or reading the glories of this sacred Ekadasi, one gains the merit of performing a thousand horse sacrifices. Therefore, O king, this Ekadasi should be observed by all with great faith.”
Phala-śruti (Result of Observance)
“Whoever observes this fast with devotion will attain the perfection of life. His forefathers, too, will be liberated and will bless him eternally. Simply by hearing the glories of Mokṣadā Ekadasi, one’s heart becomes purified, and one attains the path of devotion that leads directly to Lord Viṣṇu.”
Origin of the Story
This narration of Mokṣadā Ekadasi is described in the Bhaviṣya-Uttara Purāṇa and the Padma Purāṇa, where Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa speaks to Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira about the deliverance of King Vaikhānasa’s father. The observance of this Ekadasi, dedicated to Lord Dāmodara, grants liberation to oneself and one’s ancestors.
