योगिनी एकादशी व्रत कथा

The beginning
Dharmaraj Yudhishthira asked Shri Krishna, “O Lord of the three worlds, I have heard the story of Nirjala Ekadashi of Jyeshtha Shukla paksha. Now tell me about the Ekadashi in the Krishna paksha of Ashadh. What is its name, and what is its glory?”
Shri Krishna said, “O King, this Ekadashi is called Yogini Ekadashi. It is famous in all three worlds. On this day people keep a fast and worship Vishnu ji. Now I will tell you its story, as the Puranas tell it.”

The story
In the city of Alakapuri ruled Kuber, the god of wealth. He was a great devotee of Bhagwan Shiv and worshipped Shiv ji lovingly every day. He had a servant, a yaksha named Hemmali, whose work was to bring fresh flowers from Lake Mansarovar every day and give them to Kuber for the puja. Hemmali’s wife was named Vishalakshi, and she was very beautiful.

One day Hemmali brought the flowers from Mansarovar, but instead of taking them for the puja, he stayed at home. He was so lost in his wife’s company that he forgot all about the time. Before he knew it, it was noon.

Meanwhile Kuber was waiting for the flowers for his puja. When they had not come even by noon, he angrily sent his servants: “Go and find out why Hemmali has not brought the flowers yet.” The servants came back and said, “Maharaj, Hemmali is at home with his wife and has forgotten the time of the puja.”

Kuber sent for Hemmali. Trembling with fear, Hemmali stood before him. Seeing him, Kuber grew even angrier. He said, “You have disturbed the worship of Bhagwan Shiv, whom I revere above all. I curse you: may you be parted from your wife, may you fall to the earth, and may a painful skin disease come upon your body.”

Because of the curse, Hemmali fell at once from Alakapuri to the earth. A painful skin disease came upon his body, and he was parted from his wife. On earth he suffered a great deal. But by Shiv ji’s grace his mind stayed clear, and he remembered his mistake. Full of regret, he set out towards the Himalayas.

Walking on and on, he reached the ashram of Sage Markandeya. The sage was very old and a great tapasvi, and his ashram looked as beautiful as Brahma ji’s own court. Hemmali bowed to him and fell at his feet.

The sage asked, “Who are you, and why must you bear this suffering?” Hemmali hid nothing. He told the truth: “Munivar, I am Hemmali, Kuber’s servant. Every day I brought flowers from Mansarovar for his Shiv puja. One day, while with my wife, I forgot the time and could not bring the flowers. For that mistake Kuber cursed me. Please show me a way.”

Sage Markandeya said, “You have spoken the truth before me, so I will tell you of a fast. Yogini Ekadashi comes in the Krishna paksha of Ashadh. Keep the fast on that day in the proper way and worship Vishnu ji.”

Hemmali was overjoyed to hear this. He bowed to the sage again and again, and when Yogini Ekadashi came he kept the fast with full faith. By the power of the fast, the curse was lifted. He got back his old divine form and lived happily once more with his wife Vishalakshi.

This story teaches us not to be careless in the work that is our duty. And when we make a mistake, owning it with a true heart is the first step to setting it right.

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