Mokshada Ekadashi of Margashirsha

Verse 1 (padma.6.39.1)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच ।वंदे विष्णुं विभुं साक्षाल्लोकत्रयसुखावहम् । विश्वेशं विश्वकर्तारं पुराणं पुरुषोत्तमम्

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca vaṁde viṣṇuṁ vibhuṁ sākṣāllokatrayasukhāvaham viśveśaṁ viśvakartāraṁ purāṇaṁ puruṣottamam

Yudhishthira said: I bow to Vishnu, the all-pervading, who brings happiness to the three worlds directly, the Lord of the universe, its creator, the ancient one, the Supreme Person.

Verse 2 (padma.6.39.2)

पृच्छामि देवदेवेश संशयोऽस्ति महान्मम । लोकानां च हितार्थाय पापानां क्षयहेतवे

pṛcchāmi devadeveśa saṁśayo'sti mahānmama lokānāṁ ca hitārthāya pāpānāṁ kṣayahetave

O God of gods, I ask, for I have a great doubt — for the benefit of the worlds and for the destruction of sins.

Verse 3 (padma.6.39.3)

मार्गशीर्षेसिते पक्षे भवेदेकादशी तु या । किं नाम को विधिस्तस्याः को देवस्तत्र पूज्यते । एतदाचक्ष्व मे स्वामिन्विस्तरेण यथातथम्

mārgaśīrṣesite pakṣe bhavedekādaśī tu yā kiṁ nāma ko vidhistasyāḥ ko devastatra pūjyate etadācakṣva me svāminvistareṇa yathātatham

Whichever Ekadashi falls in the bright fortnight of Margashirsha, what is its name, what is its procedure, which god is worshipped therein? Tell me this, O Lord, fully and truly, in detail.

Verse 4 (padma.6.39.4)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच ।साधु पृष्टं त्वया राजन्साधु ते विमलं यशः । कथयिष्यामि राजेंद्र हरिवासरमुत्तमम्

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca sādhu pṛṣṭaṁ tvayā rājansādhu te vimalaṁ yaśaḥ kathayiṣyāmi rājeṁdra harivāsaramuttamam

Sri Krishna said: You have asked well, O king; your fame is spotless. O king of kings, I shall tell of this excellent day sacred to Hari.

Verse 5 (padma.6.39.5)

उत्पन्ना चासिते पक्षे द्वादशी मम वल्लभा । मार्गशीर्षोत्पत्तिरिति मम देह समुद्भवा

utpannā cāsite pakṣe dvādaśī mama vallabhā mārgaśīrṣotpattiriti mama deha samudbhavā

That Dvadashi arising in the dark fortnight is dear to me; arising in Margashirsha, it has manifested from my own body.

Verse 6 (padma.6.39.6)

सुरासुरवधार्थाय ह्युत्पन्ना भरतर्षभ । कथिता च मया सा वै तवाग्रे राजसत्तम

surāsuravadhārthāya hyutpannā bharatarṣabha kathitā ca mayā sā vai tavāgre rājasattama

O bull among the Bharatas, it arose for the destruction of gods and demons; O best of kings, I have told that to you already.

Verse 7 (padma.6.39.7)

पूर्वा चैकादशी राजंस्त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे । मार्गशीर्षे सिते पक्षे उत्पत्तिरिति नामतः

pūrvā caikādaśī rājaṁstrailokye sacarācare mārgaśīrṣe site pakṣe utpattiriti nāmataḥ

O king, in the three worlds together with all that moves and does not move, this is the first Ekadashi; in the bright fortnight of Margashirsha, it is known by the name 'Utpatti'.

Verse 8 (padma.6.39.8)

अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि मार्गशीर्षे सिता तु या । यस्याः श्रवणमात्रेण वाजपेयफलं लभेत्

ataḥ paraṁ pravakṣyāmi mārgaśīrṣe sitā tu yā yasyāḥ śravaṇamātreṇa vājapeyaphalaṁ labhet

After this, I shall now tell of the one belonging to the bright fortnight of Margashirsha, by merely hearing which one obtains the fruit of the Vajapeya sacrifice.

Verse 9 (padma.6.39.9)

मोक्षा नामेति सा प्रोक्ता सर्वपापहरा परा । देवं दामोदरं राजन्पूजयेच्च प्रयत्नतः

mokṣā nāmeti sā proktā sarvapāpaharā parā devaṁ dāmodaraṁ rājanpūjayecca prayatnataḥ

That is called by the name Moksha, the supreme tithi that removes all sin. O king, the god Damodara should be worshipped diligently.

Verse 10 (padma.6.39.10)

तुलस्या मंजरीभिश्च धूपैर्दीपैः प्रयत्नतः । पूर्वेण विधिना चैव दशम्येकादशी तथा

tulasyā maṁjarībhiśca dhūpairdīpaiḥ prayatnataḥ pūrveṇa vidhinā caiva daśamyekādaśī tathā

With Tulsi buds, with incense and lamp, diligently — from the Dashami through the Ekadashi, according to the aforesaid procedure.

Verse 11 (padma.6.39.11)

मोक्षा चैकादशी नाम्ना महापातकनाशिनी । रात्रौ जागरणं कार्यं नृत्यगीतस्तवैर्मम

mokṣā caikādaśī nāmnā mahāpātakanāśinī rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ kāryaṁ nṛtyagītastavairmama

This Ekadashi named Moksha destroys great sins. At night, a vigil should be kept, with dance, song, and hymns to me.

Verse 12 (padma.6.39.12)

शृणु राजन्प्रवक्ष्यामि दिव्यां पौराणिकीकथाम् । यस्याः श्रवणमात्रेण सर्वपापक्षयो भवेत्

śṛṇu rājanpravakṣyāmi divyāṁ paurāṇikīkathām yasyāḥ śravaṇamātreṇa sarvapāpakṣayo bhavet

O king, listen, I shall tell a divine Puranic tale, by merely hearing which all sins are destroyed.

Verse 13 (padma.6.39.13)

अधोयोनिगतश्चैव पितरो यस्य पापतः । अस्याश्च पुण्यदानेन मोक्षं यांति न संशयः

adhoyonigataścaiva pitaro yasya pāpataḥ asyāśca puṇyadānena mokṣaṁ yāṁti na saṁśayaḥ

He whose ancestors, because of sin, have fallen into lower births — even they attain liberation through the merit of this gift, without doubt.

Verse 14 (padma.6.39.14)

चंपके नगरे रम्ये वैष्णवैश्च विभूषिते । वैखानसो नाम नृपः पुत्रवत्पालयेत्प्रजाः

caṁpake nagare ramye vaiṣṇavaiśca vibhūṣite vaikhānaso nāma nṛpaḥ putravatpālayetprajāḥ

In the delightful city named Champaka, adorned with Vaishnavas, a king named Vaikhanasa protected his subjects as if they were his own sons.

Verse 15 (padma.6.39.15)

वसंति बहवो विप्रा वेदवेदांगपारगाः । ऋद्धिमत्यः प्रजास्तस्य राज्ञो वैखानसस्य हि

vasaṁti bahavo viprā vedavedāṁgapāragāḥ ṛddhimatyaḥ prajāstasya rājño vaikhānasasya hi

There dwelt many brahmins accomplished in the Vedas and Vedangas; the subjects of King Vaikhanasa were prosperous.

Verse 16 (padma.6.39.16)

एवं राज्यं प्रकुर्वाणो रात्रौ स्वप्नस्य मध्यतः । स्वकीयपितरो दृष्ट्वा अधोयोनिगता नृप

evaṁ rājyaṁ prakurvāṇo rātrau svapnasya madhyataḥ svakīyapitaro dṛṣṭvā adhoyonigatā nṛpa

While ruling thus, one night, in the midst of a dream, O king, he saw his own ancestors fallen into lower births.

Verse 17 (padma.6.39.17)

एवं दृष्ट्वा च तान्सर्वान्विस्मयाविष्टमानसः । कथयामास वृत्तांतं स्वप्नजातं द्विजान्प्रति

evaṁ dṛṣṭvā ca tānsarvānvismayāviṣṭamānasaḥ kathayāmāsa vṛttāṁtaṁ svapnajātaṁ dvijānprati

Having seen them all thus, his mind filled with astonishment, he related the account of his dream before the brahmins.

Verse 18 (padma.6.39.18)

राजोवाच ।मया स्वपितरो दृष्ट्वा नरकोपगता द्विजाः । तारयेति तनूजत्वमस्मान्निरयसागरात्

rājovāca mayā svapitaro dṛṣṭvā narakopagatā dvijāḥ tārayeti tanūjatvamasmānnirayasāgarāt

The king said: O brahmins, I have seen my own ancestors fallen into hell, saying, 'O son, deliver us from this ocean of hell.'

Verse 19 (padma.6.39.19)

एवं ब्रुवाणास्ते नूनं रोदमाना मुहुर्मुहुः । मया दृष्टा द्विजश्रेष्ठा एतस्माच्च न मे सुखम्

evaṁ bruvāṇāste nūnaṁ rodamānā muhurmuhuḥ mayā dṛṣṭā dvijaśreṣṭhā etasmācca na me sukham

Weeping again and again, they spoke thus; I have seen them, O best of brahmins, and because of this I have no peace.

Verse 20 (padma.6.39.20)

एतद्राज्यं मम महत्सुखदायि न विद्यते । अश्वा गजास्तथा सर्वे रोचंते मे न भो द्विजाः

etadrājyaṁ mama mahatsukhadāyi na vidyate aśvā gajāstathā sarve rocaṁte me na bho dvijāḥ

This great kingdom of mine does not seem to bring me happiness. Horses and elephants — everything, O brahmins, no longer pleases me.

Verse 21 (padma.6.39.21)

न दारा न सुता मह्यं रोचंते द्विजसत्तमाः । किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि हृदयं मेऽवरुध्यते

na dārā na sutā mahyaṁ rocaṁte dvijasattamāḥ kiṁ karomi kva gacchāmi hṛdayaṁ me'varudhyate

Neither wife nor sons please me, O best of brahmins. What shall I do, where shall I go — my heart feels choked.

Verse 22 (padma.6.39.22)

तद्व्रतं तं तपोयोगं येनैव मम पूर्वजाः । मोक्षं प्रयांति सद्यो वै कथ्यतां च द्विजोत्तमाः

tadvrataṁ taṁ tapoyogaṁ yenaiva mama pūrvajāḥ mokṣaṁ prayāṁti sadyo vai kathyatāṁ ca dvijottamāḥ

That vow, that tapasya-yoga, by which my forefathers might at once attain liberation — tell me that, O best of brahmins.

Verse 23 (padma.6.39.23)

पुत्रे तु जीवितप्राये बलीयसि महात्मनि । पितास्ति नरके घोरे तस्य पुत्रस्य किं फलम्

putre tu jīvitaprāye balīyasi mahātmani pitāsti narake ghore tasya putrasya kiṁ phalam

If, while a son yet lives, mighty and noble-souled, his father still lies in dreadful hell — what is the use of that son?

Verse 24 (padma.6.39.24)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः ।पर्वतस्य मुने राजन्निकटे चाश्रमो महान् । गम्यतां राजशार्दूल भूतं भव्यं विजानतः

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ parvatasya mune rājannikaṭe cāśramo mahān gamyatāṁ rājaśārdūla bhūtaṁ bhavyaṁ vijānataḥ

The brahmins said: O king, near here is the great hermitage of the sage named Parvata. O tiger among kings, go there, to one who knows the past and the future.

Verse 25 (padma.6.39.25)

तेषां श्रुत्वा ततो वाक्यं राजा वैखानसो महान् । जगाम चाशु तत्रैव चाश्रमं पर्वतस्य च

teṣāṁ śrutvā tato vākyaṁ rājā vaikhānaso mahān jagāma cāśu tatraiva cāśramaṁ parvatasya ca

Having heard their words, the great King Vaikhanasa quickly went to that hermitage of the sage Parvata.

Verse 26 (padma.6.39.26)

ब्राह्मणैर्वेष्टितो राजा राजभिश्च समन्वितः । आश्रमं विपुलं तस्य संप्राप्तो राजसत्तमः

brāhmaṇairveṣṭito rājā rājabhiśca samanvitaḥ āśramaṁ vipulaṁ tasya saṁprāpto rājasattamaḥ

Surrounded by brahmins, accompanied by other kings, the king, best among kings, arrived at that vast hermitage.

Verse 27 (padma.6.39.27)

तत्रर्ग्वेद यजुर्वेद सामाध्ययनकोविदैः । वेष्टितं मुनिभिश्चैव द्वितीयं ब्रह्मणो यथा

tatrargveda yajurveda sāmādhyayanakovidaiḥ veṣṭitaṁ munibhiścaiva dvitīyaṁ brahmaṇo yathā

There, surrounded by sages skilled in the study of the Rigveda, Yajurveda, and Samaveda, he was as if a second Brahma.

Verse 28 (padma.6.39.28)

दृष्ट्वा तं मुनिशार्दूलं राजा वैखानसस्तथा । दंडवत्प्रणतिं कृत्वा पस्पर्श चरणौ मुनेः

dṛṣṭvā taṁ muniśārdūlaṁ rājā vaikhānasastathā daṁḍavatpraṇatiṁ kṛtvā pasparśa caraṇau muneḥ

Seeing that best of sages, King Vaikhanasa, prostrating full-length, touched the sage's feet.

Verse 29 (padma.6.39.29)

पप्रच्छ कुशलं तस्य सप्तस्वंगेष्वसौ मुनिः । राज्ये निष्कंटकत्वं च राज्ञः सौख्यसमन्वितम्

papraccha kuśalaṁ tasya saptasvaṁgeṣvasau muniḥ rājye niṣkaṁṭakatvaṁ ca rājñaḥ saukhyasamanvitam

That sage asked after his welfare in all seven parts of his body, and also asked whether the kingdom was free of thorns and endowed with happiness.

Verse 30 (padma.6.39.30)

राजोवाच ।तव प्रसादाद्भो स्वामिन्कुशलं मेऽङ्गसप्तसु । भक्ता ये विष्णुविप्रेषु कथं तेषां च विघ्नता

rājovāca tava prasādādbho svāminkuśalaṁ me'ṅgasaptasu bhaktā ye viṣṇuvipreṣu kathaṁ teṣāṁ ca vighnatā

The king said: O Lord, by your grace, my seven bodily parts are well. How do obstacles come to those who are devotees of Vishnu and the brahmins?

Verse 31 (padma.6.39.31)

मया स्वपितरो दृष्टाः स्वप्ने च नरके स्थिताः । कस्य पुण्यस्य सामर्थ्यान्मोक्षं यांति द्विजोत्तम

mayā svapitaro dṛṣṭāḥ svapne ca narake sthitāḥ kasya puṇyasya sāmarthyānmokṣaṁ yāṁti dvijottama

I have seen my own ancestors in a dream, situated in hell. O best of brahmins, by the power of what merit might they attain liberation?

Verse 32 (padma.6.39.32)

अयं मे संशयः स्वामिन्प्रष्टुं तं त्वामुपागतः । उपायः कश्चिदेवात्र कर्तव्यो मुनिसत्तम

ayaṁ me saṁśayaḥ svāminpraṣṭuṁ taṁ tvāmupāgataḥ upāyaḥ kaścidevātra kartavyo munisattama

O Lord, this is my doubt, for which I have come to ask you. O best of sages, some remedy must indeed be undertaken for this.

Verse 33 (padma.6.39.33)

एतद्वाक्यं ततः श्रुत्वा पर्वतो मुनिसत्तमः । ध्यानस्तिमितनेत्रोऽभूत्तपस्वी ब्रह्मसंनिभः

etadvākyaṁ tataḥ śrutvā parvato munisattamaḥ dhyānastimitanetro'bhūttapasvī brahmasaṁnibhaḥ

Having heard these words, the best of sages, Parvata, became still-eyed in meditation, an ascetic, radiant like Brahma.

Verse 34 (padma.6.39.34)

मुहूर्तमेकं ध्यानस्थो भूपतिं प्रत्युवाच ह । ज्ञातं हि तव राजेंद्र पितॄणां पूर्वचेष्टितम्

muhūrtamekaṁ dhyānastho bhūpatiṁ pratyuvāca ha jñātaṁ hi tava rājeṁdra pitṝṇāṁ pūrvaceṣṭitam

Having remained in meditation for one muhurta, he said to the king: 'O king of kings, I have come to know the past conduct of your ancestors.

Verse 35 (padma.6.39.35)

पूर्वजन्मनि तातस्ते क्षत्रियो राज्यगर्वितः । सपत्न्या ऋतुकाले तु राजधर्मप्रवर्तितः

pūrvajanmani tātaste kṣatriyo rājyagarvitaḥ sapatnyā ṛtukāle tu rājadharmapravartitaḥ

'In a former birth, your father was a kshatriya, proud of his kingdom; when his wife was in her fertile season, being engaged in royal duty,

Verse 36 (padma.6.39.36)

गतो ग्रामे तु तां त्यक्त्वा कार्यार्थी निजयोषितम् । तव पित्रा तु तस्याश्च न दत्तमृतुदानकम्

gato grāme tu tāṁ tyaktvā kāryārthī nijayoṣitam tava pitrā tu tasyāśca na dattamṛtudānakam

'he went to a village on business, leaving his own wife; your father did not give her the ritu-dana (the due of the fertile season).

Verse 37 (padma.6.39.37)

तेन पापप्रभावेन नरके पितृभिः सह । पतितो राजशार्दूल तव तातः सुदारुणे

tena pāpaprabhāvena narake pitṛbhiḥ saha patito rājaśārdūla tava tātaḥ sudāruṇe

'O tiger among kings, through the effect of that very sin, your father, together with his own ancestors, has fallen into that most terrible hell.'

Verse 38 (padma.6.39.38)

ततः पुनरुवाचेदं राजा वैखानसो मुनिम् । केन व्रतप्रभावेन मोक्षस्तेषां भवेन्मुने

tataḥ punaruvācedaṁ rājā vaikhānaso munim kena vrataprabhāvena mokṣasteṣāṁ bhavenmune

Then King Vaikhanasa again said to the sage: 'O sage, by the power of what vow can their liberation occur?'

Verse 39 (padma.6.39.39)

मुनिरुवाच ।मार्गशीर्षे सिते पक्षे मोक्षा नामेति नामतः । सर्वैश्चेतद्व्रतं कार्यं पित्रे पुण्यं प्रदीयताम्

muniruvāca mārgaśīrṣe site pakṣe mokṣā nāmeti nāmataḥ sarvaiścetadvrataṁ kāryaṁ pitre puṇyaṁ pradīyatām

The sage said: 'In the bright fortnight of Margashirsha, there is an Ekadashi named Moksha; this vow should be performed by all, and its merit given over to the father.'

Verse 40 (padma.6.39.40)

तेन पुण्यप्रभावेन मोक्षस्तेषां भविष्यति । सत्यमेतन्महाभाग ब्रह्मणो वचनं यथा

tena puṇyaprabhāvena mokṣasteṣāṁ bhaviṣyati satyametanmahābhāga brahmaṇo vacanaṁ yathā

'By the power of that merit, their liberation shall occur. This, O most fortunate one, is Brahma's own word, true exactly as it stands.'

Verse 41 (padma.6.39.41)

मुनेर्वाक्यं ततः श्रुत्वा स्वगृहं पुनरागतः । मार्गशीर्षस्तथा मासः प्राप्तः कष्टेन तेन वै

munervākyaṁ tataḥ śrutvā svagṛhaṁ punarāgataḥ mārgaśīrṣastathā māsaḥ prāptaḥ kaṣṭena tena vai

Having heard the sage's words, he returned once more to his own home; with that difficult waiting, the month of Margashirsha at last arrived.

Verse 42 (padma.6.39.42)

मुनेर्वाक्येन तत्कृत्वा व्रतं वैखानसो नृपः । अददत्पुण्यमखिलैः सार्द्धं पित्रे स भूमिपः

munervākyena tatkṛtvā vrataṁ vaikhānaso nṛpaḥ adadatpuṇyamakhilaiḥ sārddhaṁ pitre sa bhūmipaḥ

Following the sage's words, King Vaikhanasa performed that vow; that lord of the earth, together with everyone, gave over the merit to his father.

Verse 43 (padma.6.39.43)

दत्ते पुण्यक्षणेनैव पुष्पवृष्टिरभूद्दिवि । वैखानसस्य तातो वै पितृभिर्मोक्षमाविशत्

datte puṇyakṣaṇenaiva puṣpavṛṣṭirabhūddivi vaikhānasasya tāto vai pitṛbhirmokṣamāviśat

At the very moment the merit was given, a rain of flowers fell from the sky; Vaikhanasa's father, together with his ancestors, entered liberation.

Verse 44 (padma.6.39.44)

राजानं चांतरिक्षे स गिरं पुण्यामुवाच ह । स्वस्तिस्वस्तीति ते पुत्र प्रोच्य चैवं दिवं गतः

rājānaṁ cāṁtarikṣe sa giraṁ puṇyāmuvāca ha svastisvastīti te putra procya caivaṁ divaṁ gataḥ

Standing in the sky, he spoke to the king in blessed words — 'O son, blessings, blessings upon you' — saying this, he departed to heaven.

Verse 45 (padma.6.39.45)

एवं यः कुरुते राजन्मोक्षामेकादशीं शुभाम् । तस्य पापानि नश्यंति मृतो मोक्षमवाप्नुयात्

evaṁ yaḥ kurute rājanmokṣāmekādaśīṁ śubhām tasya pāpāni naśyaṁti mṛto mokṣamavāpnuyāt

O king, thus whoever performs the auspicious Moksha Ekadashi, his sins are destroyed, and upon death he attains liberation.

Verse 46 (padma.6.39.46)

नातः परतरा काचित्मोक्षदैकादशी भवेत् । पुण्यसंख्यां न जानामि राजन्मे प्रियकृद्व्रतम्

nātaḥ paratarā kācitmokṣadaikādaśī bhavet puṇyasaṁkhyāṁ na jānāmi rājanme priyakṛdvratam

There is no other Ekadashi that grants liberation beyond this one. O king, I do not know the count of its merit — this vow is one that endears its performer to me.

Verse 47 (padma.6.39.47)

चिंतामणिसमा ह्येषा नृणां मोक्षप्रदायिनी । पठनाच्छ्रवणादस्या वाजपेयफलं लभेत्

ciṁtāmaṇisamā hyeṣā nṛṇāṁ mokṣapradāyinī paṭhanācchravaṇādasyā vājapeyaphalaṁ labhet

This is like the wish-fulfilling gem, bestowing liberation upon men. By reading and hearing it, one obtains the fruit of the Vajapeya sacrifice.