Mohini Ekadashi
Posted on May 7, 2008 in Festivals by Chris
Mohini Ekadashi is a very important day for the Hindus. Occurring in the month of May, this occasion requires one to fast and abstain from food.
It is believed that any body who fasts on this particular day is absolved of all his past sins.
There is a very famous legend associated with this occasion. According to the Kurmapurana, there was a king named Dyutiman, who lived in Bhadravati, situated on the bank of Saraswati. The king was a very pious man, always seeking the good of his people. He was blessed with five sons and the king wanted his sons to work for the benefit of his people.
Unfortunately, one of his sons named Dhrishtabuddhi, was a rebel, he was completely opposite to his Father. He would go around whiling away time and money on prostitutes and other illegal activities.
Fed up with Dhrishtabuddhi’s nuisances, the king threw him out of the palace. Once he was thrown out he did not have any means to survive on. All his friends isolated him. Left with no money and food he resorted to stealing, when the king found out this, he got the guards of his palace to beat his son up black and blue and threw him into the forest.
In order to stay alive, Dhrishtabuddhi started eating the animals of the forest. One day as he was wandering around, he came across the Ashram of a very famous Sage,Kaupinda.
The saint had just stepped out of his bath and Dhrishtabuddhi was fortunate enough to touch the water dripping from his body. This fortunate encounter, cleansed him of all his previous sins.
The saint further advised him to fast on this day, and it is also believed that even Lord Rama on the advice of his teacher Vasishta Muni fasted on this day to relieve himself of the grief when Sita had been kidnapped.
Known to be a blessed day, Mohini Ekadashi is followed by all the faithful devotees.
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