Mokṣadā-Ekādaśī

Mokṣadā-Ekādaśī

Mokṣadā-Ekādaśī Vratam Katha

Mokshada Ekādaśī also celebrated on the eleventh day of Shukla Paksha in the month of ‘Margashira.’ This Ekādaśī is also known as ‘Gita Jayanti’. As the name reveals, Mokshada Ekādaśī helps to achieve salvation or ‘Moksha’ from the cycle of birth and death to reach the Vaikuntha Lokam, the divine abode of Lord Sri MahaVishnu. Mokṣadā Ekādaśī is observed with devotion. It is also referred as ‘mauna Ekādaśī,’ and hence devotees observe ‘Mauna Vratam’ all day long. In South India and Odisha, Mokṣadā Ekādaśī is known as ‘Vaikuntha Ekādaśī.’

Significance of Mokṣadā Ekādaśī:

Mokṣadā Ekādaśī is noteworthy as it grants forgiveness for all the evil deeds and sins. By observing the Mokṣadā Ekādaśī, the observer can grant Mokṣa to their dead ancestors. The day of Mokṣadā Ekādaśī is also favourable for gifting the Bhagavad Gita to any deserving person so that they receive the love and affection of Lord mahaVishnu. The significance of Mokṣadā Ekādaśī is mentioned in various Hindu scriptures. As per Vishnu Purana, Mokṣadā Ekādaśī fasting is equivalent to the combined benefits of the other 23 Ekādaśī Vratam.

Legend:

Mokṣadā Ekādaśī is regarded as an auspicious day to worship Lord maha Vishnu because, on this day Lord Sri Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu narrated the Holy Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. During the battle of Mahabharat, Arjun was struck by despair and grief upon seeing his kith and kin dying. He was reluctant to wage war against his cousins. Lord SriKrishna narrated the 700 verse of religious discourse which is known as the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. It was Margasheersha Shukla Ekādaśī or Mokṣadā Ekādaśī.

Another legend about the Mokṣadā Ekādaśī appears in the Brahmanda Puranam. After listening to the story of Utpanna Ekadashi Dharmaraj Yudhisthira made request to Lord Krishna, "O Bhagawan! You are the lord of all three realms, bestower of happiness to everyone and the sole Lord of the world. I bow down to you. O God, you are friend of everyone, so please clear my doubts. Please tell me, what is the name of the Ekadashi of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of Margashirsha month? Which deity is worshiped on that day and what is the procedure to observe this vrata? Kindly tell us everything in detail to clear our doubts away." Hearing the request of Yudhisthira, devotee doting Lord Shri Krishna said, "O Dharmaraj, you have asked very good question. Listening to this, will spread your glory to the world, therefore listen carefully.  Ekadashi falling in the bright fortnight of Margashirsha month is called Mokshada Ekadashi. There is immense power in this day. Lord Damodara should be worshipped by incense, lamp, fruits etc, following Shodashopachara Pooja procedure.

This Ekadashi is true to its name, and grants salvation(Moksha). The devotee should follow the rules of Dashami and Ekadashi.  All relatives of the Devotee, including his parents, brothers, sons etc, who went to hell, are all elevated to heaven due to the power of Mokshada Ekadashi fast. If the ‘Vratee’ (One who observes the Vrata) observes the fast with full devotion and donates the merits for his ancestors, then they are definitely liberated. I will tell you a story from Purana about the significance of Mokshada Ekadashi, listen carefully. In ancient times a king named Vaikhanas, who ruled in Gokul city. Learned Brahmins, knowing all four Vedas, used to live in his kingdom. The king used to treat his subject as his own progeny. He was very religious and a devotee of Lord Vishnu. One night the king saw his father suffering in hell, in his dream. King was shocked at his dream. The king felt devastated by this dream. King told about his dream to learned Brahmans, in the morning.

The king said, "O Brahmans! I saw my father suffering in hell, in my dream today. He said to me, “Son, I am suffering in hell here. Do something and help me to get out of here anyhow.” I am deeply perturbed since I have heard these words. I have developed fever due to grief. I am no longer able to derive any happiness from this kingdom, wealth, son, wife, elephants, horses etc. Now what should I do, where should I go? My body is becoming torpid due to this great grief. All of you are learned people here, please suggest me what charity, fasting, penance should I do, so that my father's deliverance could be ascertained. According to Shastras, the life of such son is useless, who cannot serve his parents well and cannot ensure their liberation. A good son, who does the work for the deliverance of his parents and ancestors, is superior to many foolish sons. Like a single moon can illuminate all the world but thousands of stars together cannot.” Brahmans heard the King and replied, “O Rajan, There is a heritage of holy Parvat Muni in nearby forest. He knows past, present and future. He can surely solve your problem and will give you right answer to your queries. He will give you the right advice and show you the correct path." King was pleased to hear this and he immediately rushed towards Parvat Muni's ashram in forest. Many Yogis and Rishis were performing austerities at Parvat Muni’s hermitage. Mellifluous holy chantings and fragrant light fumes emanating from homas (fire oblations) made entire place serene and beautiful. Parvat muni was sitting there like another Brahma. He knew all four Vedas and had done great penance and austerities. King went to Parvat Muni and paid his respects to him. Parvat Muni welcomed King and asked King about his well being. Then King replied, "O Maharshi, by your grace everything is well in my kingdom. But a there a new problem has arisen today suddenly and this is causing a great pain to me." Parvat Muni closed his eyes for a moment and asked the King to elaborate the whole problem in detail. The king narrated his dream and said, "I saw my father in my dream tonight. He is suffering in hell and is being tormented at the hands of attendants of Yama." Parvat Muni, who could see the past, present and future, said, "O Rajan! I have learned about the misdeed of your father by yogic vision. He had coitus with one of his wife but did not offer the same to his other wife in spite of her several requests as he was forbidden by his first wife. Your father made discrimination between his wives and caused suffering to his pious wife. He had to go to hell with the consequences of that sinful act.” King Vaikhanas requested, "O Great Maharshi! Please tell me some remedy for the deliverance of my father." Parvat Muni said, "O Rajan, good deeds and pious acts all do not show immediate results. Only Lord Shiva is famous for granting quick boons, but it is not easy to please him. It will take time too, and till that time your father will keep on suffering the terrible pain. The fastest and quickest giver of the result is the fast of ‘Mokshada Ekadashi’. You should observe the fast of Mokshada Ekadashi of bright fortnight of Margashirsha month and dedicate its merit to your father. Your father will be freed from hell torture, with the merits gained by that Ekadashi. After listening to the words of Muni, the king returned to his palace and observed Mokshada Ekadashi vrata along with all his family members. The king offered the merit of this vrata for his father. The king's father was freed from hell due to the merits of Mokshada Ekadashi fast, offered by King Vaikhanas and he went to heaven. As he ascended to heaven, he gave his blessings to his son, "Son, I bless you all round welfare.Stay happy always" Lord Krishna said, "O Dharmaraj Yudhisthira! Devotees who observe the vrata of Mokshada Ekadashi of the bright fortnight of the Margashirsha month, all their sins are destroyed and they go to the heaven. There is no other vrata as good as Mokshada Ekadashi to attain salvation. Reading or listening to this story gives the result of ‘Vajapeya Yajna’. This fast is the bestower of salvation and is like the ‘Chintamani gem’ which fulfils all desires. Shri Krishna said, "O Dharmaraj! The strongest aspiration of human beings is to get salvation. The fasting of Mokshada Ekadashi is most important vrata to achieve the goal of salvation. Therefore, one should fast with full faith & devotion and should worship Lord Vishnu.

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