Mohini Ekadashi of Vaishakha Shukla

Verse 1 (padma.6.49.1)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच- वैशाख शुक्लपक्षे तु किन्नामैकादशी भवेत् । किं फलं को विधिस्तत्र कथयस्व जनार्दन

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca- vaiśākha śuklapakṣe tu kinnāmaikādaśī bhavet kiṁ phalaṁ ko vidhistatra kathayasva janārdana

Yudhishthira said: Which Ekadashi falls in the bright fortnight of Vaishakha? O Janardana, what is its fruit and its rite - kindly tell me.

Verse 2 (padma.6.49.2)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच- इदमेव पुरा पृष्टं रामचंद्रेण धीमता । वसिष्ठं प्रति राजेंद्र यत्त्वं मामनुपृच्छसि

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca- idameva purā pṛṣṭaṁ rāmacaṁdreṇa dhīmatā vasiṣṭhaṁ prati rājeṁdra yattvaṁ māmanupṛcchasi

Sri Krishna said: O lord of kings, this very question that you ask me was once asked long ago by the wise Ramachandra to Vasishtha.

Verse 3 (padma.6.49.3)

राम उवाच- भगवञ्छ्रोतुमिच्छामि व्रतानामुत्तमं व्रतम् । सर्वपापक्षयकरं सर्वदुःखनिकृंतनम्

rāma uvāca- bhagavañchrotumicchāmi vratānāmuttamaṁ vratam sarvapāpakṣayakaraṁ sarvaduḥkhanikṛṁtanam

Rama said: O Lord, I wish to hear of the most excellent among all vows, one that destroys every sin and cuts away every sorrow.

Verse 4 (padma.6.49.4)

मया दुःखानि भुक्तानि सीताविरहजानि तु । ततोऽहं भयभीतोऽस्मि पृच्छामि त्वां महामुने

mayā duḥkhāni bhuktāni sītāvirahajāni tu tato'haṁ bhayabhīto'smi pṛcchāmi tvāṁ mahāmune

I am filled with dread from the sufferings I have endured through separation from Sita; for this very reason, O great sage, I ask you.

Verse 5 (padma.6.49.5)

वसिष्ठ उवाच- साधु पृष्टं त्वया राम तवैषा नैष्ठिकी मतिः । त्वन्नामग्रहणेनैव पूतो भवति मानवः

vasiṣṭha uvāca- sādhu pṛṣṭaṁ tvayā rāma tavaiṣā naiṣṭhikī matiḥ tvannāmagrahaṇenaiva pūto bhavati mānavaḥ

Vasishtha said: O Rama, you have asked well; this shows your steadfast wisdom. By the mere utterance of your name a man becomes purified.

Verse 6 (padma.6.49.6)

तथापि कथयिष्यामि लोकानां हितकाम्यया । पवित्रं पावनानां च व्रतानामुत्तमं व्रतम्

tathāpi kathayiṣyāmi lokānāṁ hitakāmyayā pavitraṁ pāvanānāṁ ca vratānāmuttamaṁ vratam

Nonetheless, for the welfare of all people, I shall tell it - this is pure among even the purest things, and the most excellent among all vows.

Verse 7 (padma.6.49.7)

वैशाखस्य सिते पक्षे राम चैकादशी भवेत् । मोहिनी नाम सा प्रोक्ता सर्वपापहरापराः

vaiśākhasya site pakṣe rāma caikādaśī bhavet mohinī nāma sā proktā sarvapāpaharāparāḥ

O Rama, the Ekadashi that falls in the bright fortnight of Vaishakha is called Mohini, and it is the supreme Ekadashi that removes every sin.

Verse 8 (padma.6.49.8)

मोहजालात्प्रमुच्यंते पातकानां समूहतः । अस्या व्रत प्रभावेन सत्यं सत्यं वदाम्यहम्

mohajālātpramucyaṁte pātakānāṁ samūhataḥ asyā vrata prabhāvena satyaṁ satyaṁ vadāmyaham

By it men are freed from the net of delusion and from the mass of their sins. I speak the truth, and the truth again - this comes about by the very power of this vow.

Verse 9 (padma.6.49.9)

अतः कारणतो राम कर्तव्यैषा भवादृशैः । पातकानां क्षयकरी महादुःखविनाशिनी

ataḥ kāraṇato rāma kartavyaiṣā bhavādṛśaiḥ pātakānāṁ kṣayakarī mahāduḥkhavināśinī

For this very reason, O Rama, those such as you must surely observe it. It destroys sins and removes even the greatest sorrows.

Verse 10 (padma.6.49.10)

शृणुष्वैकमना राम कथां पापहरां पराम् । यस्याः श्रवणमात्रेण महापापं प्रणश्यति

śṛṇuṣvaikamanā rāma kathāṁ pāpaharāṁ parām yasyāḥ śravaṇamātreṇa mahāpāpaṁ praṇaśyati

O Rama, listen with a single-pointed mind to that supreme, sin-removing tale, by merely hearing which even the gravest sin is destroyed.

Verse 11 (padma.6.49.11)

सरस्वत्यास्तटे रम्ये पुरी भद्रावती शुभा । द्युतिमान्नाम नृपतिस्तत्र राज्यं करोति वै

sarasvatyāstaṭe ramye purī bhadrāvatī śubhā dyutimānnāma nṛpatistatra rājyaṁ karoti vai

On the delightful bank of the river Sarasvati there was an auspicious city named Bhadravati; there the king Dyutiman ruled.

Verse 12 (padma.6.49.12)

चंद्रवंशोद्भवो नाम धृतिमान्सत्यसंगरः । तत्र वैश्यो निवसति धनधान्यसमृद्धिमान्

caṁdravaṁśodbhavo nāma dhṛtimānsatyasaṁgaraḥ tatra vaiśyo nivasati dhanadhānyasamṛddhimān

There dwelt a merchant, born in the lunar dynasty, steadfast and true to his word, rich in wealth and grain.

Verse 13 (padma.6.49.13)

धनपाल इति ख्यातः पुण्यकर्मप्रवर्त्तकः । प्रपा कूप मठाराम तडाग गृहकारकः

dhanapāla iti khyātaḥ puṇyakarmapravarttakaḥ prapā kūpa maṭhārāma taḍāga gṛhakārakaḥ

He was renowned by the name Dhanapala and was ever engaged in meritorious deeds - building water-sheds, wells, monasteries, gardens, and ponds.

Verse 14 (padma.6.49.14)

विष्णुभक्तिरतः शांतस्तस्यासन्पंचपुत्रकाः । सुमना द्युतिमांश्चैव मेधावी सुकृतस्तथा

viṣṇubhaktirataḥ śāṁtastasyāsanpaṁcaputrakāḥ sumanā dyutimāṁścaiva medhāvī sukṛtastathā

He was devoted to Vishnu-bhakti and of a tranquil nature. He had five sons - Sumana, Dyutiman, Medhavi, and Sukrita,

Verse 15 (padma.6.49.15)

पंचमो धृष्टबुद्धिश्च महापापरतः सदा । परस्त्रीसंगनिरतो विटगोष्ठी विशारदः

paṁcamo dhṛṣṭabuddhiśca mahāpāparataḥ sadā parastrīsaṁganirato viṭagoṣṭhī viśāradaḥ

and the fifth was Dhrishtabuddhi, who was always given to great sin, addicted to the company of other men's wives, and skilled in the company of scoundrels.

Verse 16 (padma.6.49.16)

द्यूतादि व्यसनासक्तः परस्त्री रतिलालसः । न च देवार्चने बुद्धिर्नपितॄन्न द्विजान्प्रति

dyūtādi vyasanāsaktaḥ parastrī ratilālasaḥ na ca devārcane buddhirnapitṝnna dvijānprati

He was engrossed in vices such as gambling and lusted after the pleasure of other men's wives; his mind turned neither to the worship of the gods, nor to his ancestors, nor to the brahmins.

Verse 17 (padma.6.49.17)

अन्यायवर्ती दुष्टात्मा पितुर्द्रव्यक्षयंकरः । अभक्ष्यभक्षकः पापी सुरापाने रतः सदा

anyāyavartī duṣṭātmā piturdravyakṣayaṁkaraḥ abhakṣyabhakṣakaḥ pāpī surāpāne rataḥ sadā

He was unjust and wicked of soul, a squanderer of his father's wealth; he was a sinner who ate what should never be eaten, ever given over to drinking wine.

Verse 18 (padma.6.49.18)

वेश्याकंठे क्षिप्तबाहुर्भ्रमन्दुष्टश्चतुष्पथे । पित्रा निष्कासितो गेहात्परित्यक्तश्च बांधवैः

veśyākaṁṭhe kṣiptabāhurbhramanduṣṭaścatuṣpathe pitrā niṣkāsito gehātparityaktaśca bāṁdhavaiḥ

He wandered the crossroads with his arms flung about the necks of courtesans; at last his father cast him out of the house, and his kinsmen too abandoned him.

Verse 19 (padma.6.49.19)

स्वदेहभूषणान्येव क्षयं नीतानि तेन वै । गणिकाभिः परित्यक्तो निंदितश्च धनक्षयात्

svadehabhūṣaṇānyeva kṣayaṁ nītāni tena vai gaṇikābhiḥ parityakto niṁditaśca dhanakṣayāt

He had squandered even the very ornaments upon his own body; the courtesans too abandoned him, and through the loss of his wealth he became an object of scorn.

Verse 20 (padma.6.49.20)

ततश्चिंतापरो जातो वस्त्रहीनः क्षुधार्दितः । किं करोमि क्वगच्छामि केनोपायेन जीव्यते

tataściṁtāparo jāto vastrahīnaḥ kṣudhārditaḥ kiṁ karomi kvagacchāmi kenopāyena jīvyate

Then, without clothing and tormented by hunger, he fell into deep anxiety - what shall I do, where shall I go, by what means shall I live?

Verse 21 (padma.6.49.21)

तस्करत्वं समारब्धं तत्रैव नगरे पितुः । गृहीतो राजपुरुषैर्मुक्तश्च पितृगौरवात्

taskaratvaṁ samārabdhaṁ tatraiva nagare pituḥ gṛhīto rājapuruṣairmuktaśca pitṛgauravāt

He took up thievery in that very city, his own father's city; the king's men seized him, but he was released out of respect for his father.

Verse 22 (padma.6.49.22)

पुनर्बद्धः पुनस्त्यक्तः पुनर्बद्धः ससंभ्रमैः । धृष्टबुद्धिर्दुराचारो निबध्य निगडै र्दृढैः

punarbaddhaḥ punastyaktaḥ punarbaddhaḥ sasaṁbhramaiḥ dhṛṣṭabuddhirdurācāro nibadhya nigaḍai rdṛḍhaiḥ

Again he was bound, again released, and again bound by frightened men; that Dhrishtabuddhi, of evil conduct, was fettered in strong shackles.

Verse 23 (padma.6.49.23)

कशाघातैस्ताडितश्च पीडितश्च पुनः पुनः । न स्थातव्यं हि मंदात्मंस्त्वया मद्देशगोचरे

kaśāghātaistāḍitaśca pīḍitaśca punaḥ punaḥ na sthātavyaṁ hi maṁdātmaṁstvayā maddeśagocare

He was struck with lashes and tormented again and again. The king said: 'O fool, you must not remain within the bounds of my kingdom any longer.'

Verse 24 (padma.6.49.24)

एवमुक्त्वा ततो राज्ञा मोचितो दृढबंधनात् । निर्जगाम भयात्तस्य गतोऽसौ गहनं वनम्

evamuktvā tato rājñā mocito dṛḍhabaṁdhanāt nirjagāma bhayāttasya gato'sau gahanaṁ vanam

Having said this, the king freed him from that firm bondage. Out of fear he departed from there and went into the dense forest.

Verse 25 (padma.6.49.25)

क्षुत्तृषापीडितश्चायमितश्चेतश्च धावति । सिंहवन्निजघानासौ मृग शूकर चित्रलान्

kṣuttṛṣāpīḍitaścāyamitaścetaśca dhāvati siṁhavannijaghānāsau mṛga śūkara citralān

Tormented by hunger and thirst, he ran here and there; like a lion, he began to slaughter deer, boars, and dappled beasts.

Verse 26 (padma.6.49.26)

आमिषाहार निरतो वने तिष्ठति सर्वदा । करे शरासनं कृत्वा निषंगं पृष्ठ संगतम्

āmiṣāhāra nirato vane tiṣṭhati sarvadā kare śarāsanaṁ kṛtvā niṣaṁgaṁ pṛṣṭha saṁgatam

Given over to eating flesh, he remained forever in the forest; with a bow in hand and a quiver fastened upon his back,

Verse 27 (padma.6.49.27)

अरण्यचारिणो हंति पक्षिणश्च पदाचरन् । चकोरांश्च मयूरांश्च कंक तित्तिर मूषिकान्

araṇyacāriṇo haṁti pakṣiṇaśca padācaran cakorāṁśca mayūrāṁśca kaṁka tittira mūṣikān

he went about on foot, slaying the birds that roamed the forest - chakoras, peacocks, hawks, partridges, and even mice.

Verse 28 (padma.6.49.28)

एतानन्यान्हिनस्त्यंधो धृष्टबुद्धिस्तु निर्घृणः । पूर्वजन्मकृतैः पापैर्निमग्नः पापकर्दमे

etānanyānhinastyaṁdho dhṛṣṭabuddhistu nirghṛṇaḥ pūrvajanmakṛtaiḥ pāpairnimagnaḥ pāpakardame

Blind [with his own evil] and merciless, that Dhrishtabuddhi slaughtered these and other creatures, sunk in the mire of sin through the misdeeds of his former births.

Verse 29 (padma.6.49.29)

दुःखशोकसमाविष्टः पीड्यमानो दिवानिशम् । कौंडिन्यस्याश्रमपदं प्राप्तः पुण्यागमात्क्वचित्

duḥkhaśokasamāviṣṭaḥ pīḍyamāno divāniśam kauṁḍinyasyāśramapadaṁ prāptaḥ puṇyāgamātkvacit

Filled with sorrow and grief, tormented day and night, he arrived, through the arising of some past merit, at the hermitage of the sage Kaundinya.

Verse 30 (padma.6.49.30)

माधवे मासि जाह्नव्याः कृतस्नानं तपोधनम् । आससाद धृष्टबुद्धिः शोकभारेण पीडितः

mādhave māsi jāhnavyāḥ kṛtasnānaṁ tapodhanam āsasāda dhṛṣṭabuddhiḥ śokabhāreṇa pīḍitaḥ

In the month of Madhava [Vaishakha], while that ascetic Kaundinya was returning after bathing in the Ganga, Dhrishtabuddhi, weighed down by grief, came upon him.

Verse 31 (padma.6.49.31)

तद्वस्त्रबिंदुस्पर्शेन गतपापो हताशुभः । कौंडिन्यस्याग्रतः स्थित्वा प्रत्युवाच कृतांजलि

tadvastrabiṁdusparśena gatapāpo hatāśubhaḥ kauṁḍinyasyāgrataḥ sthitvā pratyuvāca kṛtāṁjali

By the mere touch of a single drop of water from his garment, his sin and misfortune departed. Then, standing before Kaundinya with joined palms, he spoke -

Verse 32 (padma.6.49.32)

धृष्टबुद्धिरुवाच- भो भो ब्रह्मन्द्विजश्रेष्ठ दयां कृत्वा ममोपरि । येन पुण्यप्रभावेन मुक्तिर्भवति तद्वद

dhṛṣṭabuddhiruvāca- bho bho brahmandvijaśreṣṭha dayāṁ kṛtvā mamopari yena puṇyaprabhāvena muktirbhavati tadvada

Dhrishtabuddhi said: O Brahmin, O best of the twice-born, showing me compassion, tell me that by whose power of merit I might obtain release.

Verse 33 (padma.6.49.33)

कौंडिन्य उवाच- शृणुष्वैकमनाभूत्वा येन पापक्षयस्तव । वैशाखस्य सिते पक्षे मोहिनी नाम विश्रुता

kauṁḍinya uvāca- śṛṇuṣvaikamanābhūtvā yena pāpakṣayastava vaiśākhasya site pakṣe mohinī nāma viśrutā

Kaundinya said: Listen with a single-pointed mind, by which your sin shall be destroyed. In the bright fortnight of Vaishakha there is an Ekadashi renowned by the name Mohini.

Verse 34 (padma.6.49.34)

एकादशीव्रतं तस्याः कुरु मद्वाक्यनोदितः । मेरुतुल्यानि पापानि क्षयं गच्छंति देहिनाम्

ekādaśīvrataṁ tasyāḥ kuru madvākyanoditaḥ merutulyāni pāpāni kṣayaṁ gacchaṁti dehinām

Moved by my words, observe the vow of that Ekadashi. Even sins as great as Mount Meru are destroyed for embodied beings,

Verse 35 (padma.6.49.35)

बहुजन्मार्जितान्येषा मोहिनी समुपोषिता । इति वाक्यं मुनेः श्रुत्वा धृष्टबुद्धिः प्रसन्नधीः

bahujanmārjitānyeṣā mohinī samupoṣitā iti vākyaṁ muneḥ śrutvā dhṛṣṭabuddhiḥ prasannadhīḥ

even sins accumulated over many births, when this fast of Mohini Ekadashi is observed. Hearing the sage's words, Dhrishtabuddhi's mind grew glad.

Verse 36 (padma.6.49.36)

व्रतं चकार विधिवत्कौंडिन्यस्योपदेशतः । कृते व्रते नृपश्रेष्ठ गतपापो बभूव सः

vrataṁ cakāra vidhivatkauṁḍinyasyopadeśataḥ kṛte vrate nṛpaśreṣṭha gatapāpo babhūva saḥ

By Kaundinya's instruction he performed that vow according to the rite. O best of kings, when the vow was complete, he became free of sin.

Verse 37 (padma.6.49.37)

दिव्यदेहस्ततो भूत्वा गरुडोपरिसंस्थितः । जगाम वैष्णवं लोकं सर्वोपद्रव वर्जितम्

divyadehastato bhūtvā garuḍoparisaṁsthitaḥ jagāma vaiṣṇavaṁ lokaṁ sarvopadrava varjitam

After that, taking on a divine body, he mounted Garuda, and went to the Vaishnava realm, free from every affliction.

Verse 38 (padma.6.49.38)

इतीदृशं रामचंद्र उत्तमं मोहिनी व्रतम् । नातः परतरं किंचित्त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे

itīdṛśaṁ rāmacaṁdra uttamaṁ mohinī vratam nātaḥ parataraṁ kiṁcittrailokye sacarācare

O Ramachandra, such is this excellent Mohini vow. In the three worlds of moving and unmoving beings, there is nothing that surpasses it.

Verse 39 (padma.6.49.39)

यज्ञादितीर्थदानानि कलां नार्हंति षोडशीम् । पठनाच्छ्रवणाद्राजन्गोसहस्र फलं लभेत्

yajñāditīrthadānāni kalāṁ nārhaṁti ṣoḍaśīm paṭhanācchravaṇādrājangosahasra phalaṁ labhet

Sacrifices, sacred crossings, and gifts do not equal even a sixteenth part of it. O king, by merely reading or hearing it, one obtains the fruit of donating a thousand cows.