Ekadashi Vrats – Mohini Ekadashi

Mohini Ekadashi occurs in the Vaisakha month as per both the Amanta and the Purnimanta Calendars.

Mohini Ekadashi is the eleventh day from the Amavasya day (Shukla Paksha Ekadashi). It occurs on Sunday, 19th May 2024 . The exact duration of the Ekadashi Tithi has to be ascertained from the respective regional calendars.

Mohini Ekadashi – Legend

As per the legend, it is believed that Sri Maha Vishnu had taken the avathar of Mohini, the female form on this day.

Mohini Avathar

Sri Maha Vishnu had taken the female form for providing Amrut (nectar) from the cosmic ocean to the Devas.

Cosmic ocean

Devas, the celestial beings and the asuras, the demons were always at war. The Asuras made it a point to disturb and distress the Devas at every occasion. Most of the times, it was only Sri Vishnu who came to their rescue.

Sri Vishnu

Sri Vishnu had advised the Devas that they could strive for eternity only if they consume the Amrut, i.e. nectar from the cosmic ocean.

He asked them to arrange to churn the cosmic ocean with Kurma (Tortoise) as the base, Meru as the catalyst and snake vasuki as the rope. He Himself appeared as Kurma for the purpose.

Churning

When Devas tried the churning, the Asuras too joined them as they also wished for the nectar. The asuras kept to the head side of the Vasuki and the Devas had the tail side.

Outcome

The first outcome was halahala poison which was partaken of by Bhagwan Shiva. But Sri Parvathi Devi ensured that the poison stayed at His neck. For this reason, Bhagwan Shiva is called Sri Neela Kanta.

Then came Airavatha, the white elephant, the Parijatha tree, the wish granting tree, Uchchaisrava, the holy horse, Chandra, the moon, Dhanvanthri with nectar and Sri Mahalakshmi. When Sri Mahalakshmi had emerged, they were mesmerized by Her beauty.

Asuras’ deed

The Asuras usurped the Amrut Kalash (pot of nectar) from Dhanvanthri and took it with them. Devas appealed to Sri Vishnu for help.

Sri Mohini

Sri Vishnu took the female form of Mohini. He enticed the Asuras with His looks and grabbed the Amrut Kalash from them.

He asked the Devas and Asuras to sit on either side of His Mohini form. He kept the Amrut Kalash on the dried grass named dharba and carried it. He gave the looks on the Asura side and kept pouring Amrut to Devas.

On consuming Amrut, Devas got the permanent position in Deva lok / Amar lok.

Dhrishta Buddhi

As per the legend, the person named Dhrishta Buddhi had observed this Ekadashi Vrat and attained salvation.

Bhadravathi

The place Bhadravathi was in the banks of Saraswathi river. It was ruled by the King named Dhruthiman. He was a good person and an ardent devotee of Sri Maha Vishnu.

Progeny

The King had five children. The fifth child Dhrishta Buddhi was a good for nothing person. While growing up, he brought ill fame and disrepute to the King through his misdeeds. The King’s efforts to put his son in the right path proved futile.

Exile

So, the King had decided to desert his son. He sent him out of the palace and disowned him. He had warned his son not to return to the palace.

Wandering

Dhrishta Buddhi had sold off his jewels and garments for sustaining. When he was left with nothing to sell, he had gone into the forest. He kept wandering hither and thither.

Koundinya

Dhrishta Buddhi had sighted the ashram of Sage Koundinya in the forest and surrendered there. One day, he accompanied the Sage to the river.

Sage Koundinya was taking bath. Some of the water from the Sage got sprinkled on Dhrishta Buddhi.

Change

Dhrishta Buddhi suddenly felt a change in him. His entire thought process and outlook had changed. For the first time in his life, he had realized that he had made lots of mistakes and that he should alleviate his sins.

He bowed down to the Sage Koundinya and sought advice.

Sage’s advice

The extant month was Vaisakha. The Sage advised him to observe Shukla Paksha Ekadashi Vrat praying to Sri Mohini Avathar of Sri Vishnu.

Dhrishta Buddhi had accordingly observed the Vrat and his sins were alleviated. He attained salvation.

Rituals

The general rituals followed for Ekadashi Vrats are given below:

-The exact time of dawn of Ekadashi tithi is ascertained either from family elders / astrologers. It is mentioned in the Holy Almanac (Panchang) as well. Even daily Calendars provide the information.

-The idol or picture of Sri Vishnu is decorated with flowers. Incense sticks are lit. Diyas are lit with ghee. Pujas are done with tulsi leaves.

– The items such as Jambira fruit (goose berry), Pomegranate, Mangoes, Guava, Betal nuts and leaves, Coconut, Varieties of nuts and Cloves and other aromatic spices are offered in Puja subject to availability.

Slokas or stotras of Sri Maha Vishnu including Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama are recited with devotion. Srimad Bhagavad Gitaa is also recited.

-Special Puja is done for Sri Lakshmi Devi as well.

-The Vrat Katha is read and recited.

-At the end of the puja, aarti is done. Prasad is distributed to the family members.

-Devotees of Bhagwan Maha Vishnu observe strict fasting from the dawn of Ekadashi.

-They do not sleep on the night of Ekadashi. At this time, tales of Sri Maha Vishnu are recited by the elders. Others listen to the stories.

-Various bhajans and kirtans are held.

-The fast shall continue till the sunrise of the next day, i.e., Dwadashi.

-Those devotees who cannot do fasting due to medical or other reasons can take sattvic food. Mostly prasadams and fruits are partaken.

-Making daan / donation to the needy on Ekadashi day is believed to please Sri Maha Vishnu.

-On Dwadashi day, unless it happens to be another Vrat day, a nutritious meal is partaken to balance the internal physical effects of fasting on the previous day. It is considered pious to forego eating of brinjal on Dwadashi day.