Yogini Ekadashi

Arjuna said, "O Lord of the Three Worlds! I have heard the story of Nirjala Ekadashi, which falls on the Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month. Now, please be kind enough to narrate the story of the Ekadashi that occurs in the Krishna Paksha of Ashadha month. What is the name of this Ekadashi and what is its significance?"

Lord Krishna said, "O son of Pandu! The Ekadashi in the Krishna Paksha of Ashadha month is known as Yogini Ekadashi. Observing this fast destroys all sins. This fast bestows enjoyment in this world and liberation in the afterlife. O Arjuna! This Ekadashi is famous in all three Lokas."

There was a king named Kubera who ruled over the city of Alakapuri and was a devotee of Lord Shiva. He had a servant named Hemamali, a yaksha, whose duty was to bring flowers for the worship. Hemamali had a very beautiful wife named Vishalakshi. One day he brought flowers from Lake Manasarovar, but, overcome by desire, he set the flowers aside and stayed with his wife, and so it became midday.

King Kubera waited, and when noon came he angrily ordered his servants to find out why the flowers had not arrived. The servants found Hemamali and returned to say, "O King! Hemamali is spending time with his wife."

Kubera commanded that he be brought. Trembling with fear, Hemamali came before him, and seeing him the king grew so angry that his lips began to quiver.

The king said, "You wretch! You have insulted Lord Shiva, the most revered deity of mine. I curse you to suffer the pain of separation from your wife and live a life as a leper in the mortal world."

At once Hemamali was cast down from heaven to earth and became a leper, and was separated from his wife. In the mortal world he endured many terrible hardships. Yet by Lord Shiva's grace his intellect did not fail him, and he kept the memory of his former life. Suffering, and remembering his misdeeds, he made his way towards the Himalayas.

Wandering there he reached the ashrama of Sage Markandeya, a very old ascetic who appeared like another Brahma, whose ashrama shone with the splendour of Brahma's assembly. Hemamali approached, bowed, and fell at his feet.

Seeing him, Sage Markandeya said, "What vile deeds have you committed that you have become a leper and are enduring such terrible hardships?"

Hemamali replied, "O great sage! I was a servant of King Kubera. My name is Hemamali. Every day, I used to bring flowers from Lake Manasarovar for Kubera to offer during Lord Shiva's worship. One day, I was caught up in the pleasure of spending time with my wife, I lost track of time and failed to deliver the flowers by midday. As a result, Kubera cursed me, saying that I would suffer the pain of separation from my wife and live as a leper in the mortal world, enduring great suffering. Hence, I have become a leper and am enduring terrible hardships on Earth. Therefore, please suggest a way for my liberation."

Sage Markandeya said, "O Hemamali! You have spoken the truth before me; therefore, I will tell you about a fast for your salvation. If you observe the Yogini Ekadashi fast, which falls in the Krishna Paksha of Ashadha month, with proper rituals, all your sins will be destroyed."

Overjoyed, Hemamali observed the Yogini Ekadashi fast with the proper rites as the sage instructed. By the power of that fast he returned to his own form and was reunited with his wife in happiness.

The merit of hearing the story of Yogini Ekadashi is equal to feeding eighty-eight thousand Brahmins. By observing this fast all sins are destroyed, and the devotee attains the supreme abode at the last.