Yogini Ekadashi Vrat Story

 Importance of Yogini Ekadashi: - 

In Hindu religious texts, each Ekadashi has its own significance. Due to these different characteristics, their names have also been kept different. There are twenty four Ekadashis in every year, adding the Ekadashis of Mal month, their number becomes 26.

One of these Ekadashis is the Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of the month of Ashadh, which is called Yogini Ekadashi. By observing the fast of Yogini Ekadashi, all sins are destroyed, and enjoyment in this world and liberation in the hereafter is also attained.

Yogini Ekadashi Vrat Story:-

It is a matter of Mahabharata period that once Dharmaraja Yudhishthira said Lord Shri Krishna: O Trilokinath! I heard the story of Nirjala Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month. Now please narrate the story of Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Ashadh month. What is the name and significance of this Ekadashi? So now tell me in detail.

Shri Krishna said: O son of Pandu! The name of Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Ashadha month is Yogini Ekadashi. By observing this fast all sins are destroyed. This fast is going to give enjoyment in this world and liberation in the hereafter.

O Arjuna! This Ekadashi is famous in all the three worlds. By observing this fast all sins are destroyed. I tell you a story told in the Puranas, listen carefully - a king named Kubera used to reign in a city named Alkapuri. He was a devotee of Shiva. He had a Yaksha servant named Hemmali, who used to bring flowers for worship. Hemmali had a very beautiful woman named Vishalakshi.

One day he brought flowers from Mansarovar, but because of being enamored, keeping the flowers started enjoying with his wife. It was noon in this indulgence.

Seeing the way of Hemmali, when it was noon to King Kubera, he angrily ordered his servants to go and find out why Hemmali had not brought flowers yet. When the servants found out about it, they went to the king and said - O king! Hemali is enjoying with his wife.

Hearing this, King Kubera ordered Hemamali to be called. Shaking with fear, Hemmali appeared before the king. Seeing him, Kubera got very angry and his lips started twitching.

The king said: Oh dear! You have insulted Lord Shiva, the god of even my most revered gods. I curse you that you should suffer in the separation of the woman and go to the world of death and lead the life of a leper.

Due to the curse of Kubera, he immediately fell from heaven to earth and became a leper. His wife also got separated from him. Coming to the world of death, he suffered many terrible sufferings, but by the grace of Shiva, his intellect was not tainted and he also took care of his previous birth. After suffering many hardships and remembering the misdeeds of his previous birth, he started towards the Himalaya Mountains.

While walking he reached the ashram of Rishi Markandeya. That sage was a very old ascetic. He looked like another Brahma and his ashram was beautifying like the assembly of Brahma. Seeing the sage, Hemmali went there and bowing down to him fell at his feet.

Seeing Hemmali, the Markandeya sage said: What evil deeds have you done, due to which you are leprosy and suffering terrible pain.

Hearing the words of the Maharishi, Hemmali said: O sage! I was a follower of King Kubera. My name is Hemmali. I used to bring flowers from Mansarovar everyday and give them to Kubera during Shiva worship. One day, I was not aware of the time and could not deliver flowers till noon because of my wife getting caught in the pleasure of cohabitation. Then he cursed me that you will lose your wife and go to the world of death and suffer as a leper. Because of this I have become leper and after coming to earth I am suffering a lot, so please suggest some way to get rid of me.

The Markandeya sage said: O Hemmali! You have spoken true words before me, so I give a vow for your salvation. If you observe a fast on Ekadashi called Yogini of Krishna Paksha of Ashadha month, then all your sins will be destroyed.

Hemmali was very pleased to hear the words of Maharishi and according to his words, Yogini started fasting on Ekadashi. Due to the effect of this fast, he returned to his old form and started living happily with his wife.

Lord Shri Krishna said: O king! The result of the story of this Yogini Ekadashi is equivalent to feeding 88000 Brahmins. All the sins are destroyed by its fast and in the end, after attaining salvation, the creature becomes the possessor of heaven.