Mohini Ekadashi
Mohini Ekadashi falls on Vaishakh Vad 11. This sacred vratt grants immense blessings, removes sorrow, and brings peace and divine happiness in this world and the next. Observing this Ekadashi pleases God greatly.
During Dwapar Yuga, Lord Shree Ram visited the ashram of His guru, Vashisht Muni, and expressed His deep sorrow, saying, “O Muni, ever since Sitaji left, I am drowned in grief. Please show mankind a way to overcome great sadness and difficulties.”
Vashisht Muni replied, “O Prabhu, chanting Your divine name alone brings joy to devotees. Yet for the upliftment of mankind, the vratt of Mohini Ekadashi destroys all sorrows and miseries.”
The muni narrated a story: “In the town of Bhadravati near the River Saraswati lived a generous vanik named Dhanpaal. He had five sons, the youngest named Dhrustbuddhi, who fell into sinful life—encouraging immorality, looting, and other evils. Finally, his father imprisoned him and later exiled him from the village.”
Dhrustbuddhi wandered the forests, surviving by sinful acts such as killing animals. Eventually he reached the ashram of Kaudinya Rushi near the River Ganga. The rushis were bathing, so he too entered the water, seeking purification. Crying before Kaudinya Rushi, he confessed his sins and begged for a way to be free from suffering.
Kaudinya Rushi compassionately said, “O Dhrustbuddhi, realization of your sins is the first step to purification. You must now observe Mohini Ekadashi with full faith and devotion. This vratt will free you from all sins and grant you a place in Vaikunth.”
On Vaishakh Sud 11, Dhrustbuddhi observed the vratt exactly as instructed. Over time, all his sins vanished. Upon death, he achieved a divine form, mounted Garud, and ascended to Vaikunth, the eternal abode of Bhagwan.
This sacred story shows that even the greatest sinner can be liberated and brought closer to God by sincerely observing Mohini Ekadashi.