The Ekadashi that falls on the Shukla Paksha of Vaisakha month is called Mohini Ekadashi.
The importance and significance of this Ekadashi is narrated to Dharmaraja Yudhishthira by Bhagwan Shri Krishna in Kurma Purana.
The importance and significance of this Ekadashi is narrated to Dharmaraja Yudhishthira by Bhagwan Shri Krishna in Kurma Purana.
Bhagwan mentions that the significance of this ekadashi was once narrated to Prabhu Shri Rama by Maharishi Vasishtha.
On the banks of the Sarasvati River there was once a beautiful city named Bhadravati, which was ruled by King Dyutimaan of Chandra Vamsa.
On the banks of the Sarasvati River there was once a beautiful city named Bhadravati, which was ruled by King Dyutimaan of Chandra Vamsa.
He was a steadfast, truthful, and highly intelligent king.
In his kingdom was a Vaishya named Dhanapala, who possessed a great deal of wealth of food grains and money. He was also very pious.
In his kingdom was a Vaishya named Dhanapala, who possessed a great deal of wealth of food grains and money. He was also very pious.
Dhanapala arranged for lakes to be dug, sacrificial arenas to be erected, and beautiful gardens to be cultivated for the benefit of all citizens of Bhadravati.
He was an ardent devotee of Bhagwan Vishnu and had five sons: Sumanaa, Sadbuddhi, Medhaavi, Sukrt, and Dhrshthabuddhi.
He was an ardent devotee of Bhagwan Vishnu and had five sons: Sumanaa, Sadbuddhi, Medhaavi, Sukrt, and Dhrshthabuddhi.
Dhanapala's other sons were just like him but unfortunately, his son Dhrshthabuddhi always engaged in Paapkarmas such as sleeping with prostitutes and associating with similar degraded people, gambling, disrespecting the devtas, Brahmanas,
his Purvajas and other elders of the community, as well as his family's guests. He spent his father's wealth indiscriminately, always feasting on unhealthy foods and drinking alcohol excessively.
One fine day, after getting upset, Dhanapala kicked Dhrshthabuddhi out of the house.
One fine day, after getting upset, Dhanapala kicked Dhrshthabuddhi out of the house.
After Dhrshthabuddhi had exhausted all the wealth obtained by selling all of his inherited ornaments, he became destitute. Even the prostitutes with whom he spent time abandoned him and insulted him because of his poverty.
Dhrshthabuddhi was now full of anxiety, and also hungry, and started to wonder what to do. He then began to resort to stealing. Once, the king's constables caught him, but when they learned who it was, and that his father was the famous Dhanapala, they released him.
He was caught and released in this way many times.
But at last, sick of his arrogance and total disrespect for others, and their property, the ill-mannered Dhrshthabuddhi was apprehended, handcuffed, and then beaten. Later the king asked him to leave the city.
But at last, sick of his arrogance and total disrespect for others, and their property, the ill-mannered Dhrshthabuddhi was apprehended, handcuffed, and then beaten. Later the king asked him to leave the city.
Thereafter Dhrshthabuddhi entered the dense forests.
He began killing the jungle wild animals and birds and started eating them.
On account of his previous paapas, he was now immersed in an ocean of great paap that was so relentless that it appeared that he could not get out.
He began killing the jungle wild animals and birds and started eating them.
On account of his previous paapas, he was now immersed in an ocean of great paap that was so relentless that it appeared that he could not get out.
One day, distraught with hunger and thirst, he wandered in search of food and reached the ashram of Kaundinya Rishi. It was Vaishakha month at that time. The great sage had just finished Ganga Snaan, and water was still dripping from his clothes.
Dhrshthabuddhi had the great good fortune to touch some of those droplets of water that were falling from the Rishi's wet clothes. Instantly Dhrishthabuddhi was freed of his ignorance.
Offering his humble obeisances to Kaundinya Muni, Dhrshthabuddhi prayed to him with joined palms and requested for a way to get rid of his paapas. Hearing his humble words, the Rishi was pleased and asked him to observe Vrata on Mohini Ekadashi of Vaishaka Shukla.
Hearing these words with great joy, Dhrshthabuddhi observed fast on Mohini Ekadasi according to the Rishi's instructions and direction, and finally all his paap karmas were washed away, and he was awarded a place in Vishnuloka.
Maharishi Vasishtha also further adds that whosoever undertakes vrata on Mohini ekadashi will be blessed with the fruit of having donated 1000 Cows.
Thus ends the narration.
Thus ends the narration.
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