The Significance of Ekādaśī Vrata

Glories Of Mohini Ekadashi

This Harikatha was delivered on Mohini Ekadashi in 2004 at Kolkata Math. Guru Maharaj is singing the glories of Ekadashi-vrata in Bangla language and explains in detail the real objective of performing the vrata. He narrates an incident in which a person was taken to Yamalaya (the kingdom of Yamaraja) and afterwards who was brought back to his body again. The importance of human birth is narrated and also the path to attain the highest auspiciousness is vividly explained.

Do Not Observe Ekadashi-vrata For Material Benefits

The material benefits of observing Ekadashi are mentioned in Karma-kandiya scriptures, but we should not observe vows for such material gains. If someone advises Ekadashi-vrata to any ordinary person, he would say, “I cannot follow the vrata like this, I might die without food.” But if a rich person comes and declares that he would give five lakh rupees to a person who will observe a complete fast and perform Kirtan for the full day and night without sleeping then, everyone of us will get ready for it immediately. Everyone will get ready to perform fasting for five lakh rupees, but not for the Supreme Lord! So the Supreme Lord is less valuable than five lakh rupees! If you think like that, then you do not know Him.

Glories of Mohini Ekadashi

Giving up all sins, and with all good qualities, one who remains near Kṛṣṇa, totally relinquishing all enjoyments, has actually observed the vow of Ekādaśī. Upāvṛttasya pāpebhyaḥ: We are to give up all sinful activity. We are to refrain, to desist from committing all sins. On Ekādaśī-tithi this is the very least we should do and, while exhibiting all good qualities, we should remain near the Supreme Lord Who is All-Good, All-Existence, All-Knowledge and All-Bliss.