From this one day all the sorrows of husband and wife were removed and rejuvenation was obtained ... The result of Yogini Ekadashi vow is equal to giving food to 88000 Brahmins
Importance of Yogini Ekadashi:
Each Ekadashi has its own significance in Hindu religious texts. Their names have also been kept different because of these different characteristics. There are twenty four Ekadashis every year, if we add the Ekadashis of this month, their number becomes 26.
One of these Ekadashis is the Krishna Paksha Ekadashi of eighty-six months, called Yogini Ekadashi. Fasting on Yogini Ekadashi destroys all sins and brings joy in the light and liberation in the hereafter.
The story of Yogi's Ekadashi fasting!
It is a matter of Mahabharata period that once Dharmaraja Yudhisthira said to Lord Krishna: O Trilokinath! I heard the story of Nirjala Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of the eldest month. Now please tell the story of Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Ashadh month. What is the name and significance of this Ekadashi? So now let me know in detail.
Shri Krishna spoke: O son of Pandu! The name of Krishna Paksha Ekadashi of Ashadh month is Yogini Ekadashi. This vow destroys all sins. This fast is a joy in this world and a savior in the hereafter.
O Dharmaraja! This Ekadashi is famous in all three worlds. This vow destroys all sins. Let me tell you a story told in the Puranas, listen carefully - a king named Kuber ruled in a town called Alkapuri. He was a devotee of Shiva. He had a Yaksha Sevak named Hemamali, who brought flowers for worship. Hemamali had a very beautiful woman named Vishalakshi.
One day he brought flowers from Mansarovar, but fascinated, he kept the flowers and started having fun with his wife. It was noon in this luxury.
Seeing Hemamali's way, when King Kubera had lunch time, he angrily ordered his servants to go and find out why Hemamali had not come with flowers yet. When the servants found out about it, they went to the king and said - O king! Hemamali is having fun with his wife.
Hearing this, King Kubera ordered to call Hemamali. Hemamali, trembling with fear, appeared before the king. Seeing him, Kuber became very angry and his lips parted.
The king said: Hey dear! You have insulted Lord Shiva, who is also the god of my most revered deities. I curse you to suffer the loss of a woman and go to the world of death and live a life of leprosy.
Due to Kubera's curse he immediately fell from heaven to earth and became leprous. His wife was also separated from him. Coming to the world of death, he endured many terrible hardships, but by the grace of Shiva, his intellect was not tarnished and he was also worried about his own ancestry. After enduring many hardships and remembering the misdeeds of his previous birth, he started walking towards the Himalayas.
On foot he reached the ashram of Markandeya sage. The sage was a very old ascetic. He looked like another Brahma and his ashram was as beautiful as the assembly of Brahma. Seeing the sage, Hemamali went there and bowed to him and fell at his feet.
Seeing Hemamali, the sage Markandeya said: What misdeed have you done, which has caused you to have leprosy and is in terrible pain?
Listening to Maharshi, Hemamali said: O sage! I was a follower of King Kubera. My name is Hemamali. I used to bring flowers from Mansarovar every day and give them to Kuber during Shiva Puja. One day my wife could not deliver the flowers till noon due to lack of time. Then he cursed me that you will lose your wife and go to death and suffer like leprosy. Because of this I have got leprosy and I am having a lot of trouble after coming to earth, please tell me any way to get rid of me.
Markandeya sage said: O Hemamali! You have spoken the truth to me, so I promise to deliver you. If you fast Ekadashi in the name of Yogini of Krishna Paksha for eighty months, all your sins will be destroyed.
Hemamali was very happy to hear Maharshi's words and started fasting on Yogini Ekadashi as per his instructions. As a result of this vow, he returned to his old form and lived happily with his wife.
Lord Krishna said: O King! The result of this yogi’s Ekadashi vow is similar to giving food to 88000 Brahmins. By his vows all sins are destroyed and in the end by attaining salvation the soul becomes the master of heaven.
22-Jan-2025