मोक्षदा एकादशी व्रत कथा

The beginning
Dharmaraj Yudhishthira said, “O Lord, I have heard the story of Utpanna Ekadashi in the Krishna paksha of Margashirsha. Now please tell me: what is the name of the Ekadashi in the Shukla paksha of Margashirsha, and how is its fast kept?”
Shri Krishna said, “O King, this Ekadashi is called Mokshada, which means ‘the giver of moksha’. On this day Lord Damodar is worshipped with devotion, with incense, a lamp and food offerings. Listen carefully to its story.”

The story
Long ago, King Vaikhanas ruled in a city called Gokul. Scholars who knew all four Vedas lived in his kingdom. The king cared for his people as if they were his own children.

One night the king dreamt that his father was suffering greatly in hell and was saying to him, “Son, free me from this pain.” The king woke up and spent the rest of the night restless, waiting for morning.

As soon as it was morning, the king called the learned Brahmins and told them his dream. He said, “Ever since I heard my father’s words, my mind has had no peace. I find no joy in my kingdom, wealth, family, elephants or horses. Please tell me of some penance, charity or fast by which my father can be freed. What use is a child who cannot help his parents in their pain?”

The Brahmins talked among themselves and said, “O King, the ashram of Parvat Muni is close by. He knows the past, the present and the future. He will surely show you a way.”

The king went to Parvat Muni’s ashram. Many calm-minded sages were doing tapasya there. The king bowed down fully before Parvat Muni. The muni asked about his welfare. The king said, “By your grace all is well in my kingdom, but my heart is very troubled.” Then he told the whole dream.

Parvat Muni closed his eyes and sat in meditation. After a while he said, “O King, through the power of yoga I have learned what your father did. In his past life he was unfair among his wives. Listening to one queen, he took away the rights and respect of another queen and did not even hear her plea. Because of that injustice he is suffering now.”

The king pleaded, “O great sage, please tell me how my father can be saved.”
The muni said, “Mokshada Ekadashi comes in the Shukla paksha of Margashirsha. Keep its fast with your family, and with a sankalp offer the merit of the fast to your father. By its power he will be freed.”

The king returned to his palace. When Mokshada Ekadashi came, he kept the fast in the proper way with his whole family, worshipped Lord Vishnu and offered the merit of the fast to his father. By the power of the fast the king’s father was freed from his suffering. As he went towards heaven he blessed his son: “Son, may all be well with you.”

This story of Mokshada Ekadashi is a story of love and duty towards parents and ancestors. It is believed that on this day, at Kurukshetra, Shri Krishna gave the teaching of the Gita to Arjun, so many families also read the Gita today.

May Vishnu ji keep faith and peace in every heart.
Bolo Shri Hari Vishnu Bhagwan ki Jai!