The Importance of the Moksada Ekadashi

Yudhisthira said:

1-3. I salute Vishnu who is actually the lord, who gives happiness to the three worlds, who is the lord of the universe, the author of everything, the ancient Purushottama. О lord of gods, I ask (because) I have a great doubt (and also) for the well-being of the world and for the destruction of sins. О master, tell me in detail and properly, about the manner in which that Ekadashi1 which would fall in the bright half of Margasirsa, is observed and which deity is worshipped (on that day).

1. From this chapter onwards the Ekadashis falling in each of the two fortnights of a month are described. The months are said to end with the fullmoon day.

To the north of the Narmada, a month is generally considered to end with the full-moon day, while in other parts of the country, the month is supposed to end with the new-moon day. The bright half is the same. That half of the month which is the dark half of Caitra according to the practice followed to the north of Narmadfl, is the dark half of the Vaiakha month in other parts of the country.

ShriKrishna said:

4-17. О king, you have asked well. Your spotless fame is excellent. О lord of kings, I shall tell you about the excellent day of (i.e. sacred to) Vishnu. The Dvadasi that has come up in the dark half of Margasirsa is dear to me. (This one) called Margasirsa-utpatti has sprung up from my body. О best among the Bharatas, it has sprung up for killing the gods (? ) and demons. О best king, I have told about it to you. The day previous (to this) in the dark half of the (month of) Margasirsha is called Utpatti Ekadesi in the three worlds with the mobile and the immobile. Hereafter I shall describe the one that falls in the bright half of Margasirsha, by hearing about which a man would obtain the fruit of the Vajapeya (sacrifice). It is great, is called by the name Mokshada and removes all sins. A man should carefully worship Damodara (i.e. Krishna or Vishnu, on this day), О king. (He should worship Vishnu) carefully with the Tulasisprouts, according to the manner (told) before. This Ekadashi (having on that day a portion of) Dasami also, is called Moksa (i.e. Mokshada) Ekadashi. It destroys great sins. At night he should keep awake with dances, songs and my eulogies. О king, listen. I shall tell you a divine, ancient story, by merely hearing which all sins would perish. There is no doubt that due to the religious merit that it gives, the (dead) forefathers (of a man) that have, due to (their) sins, gone to (i.e. born in) a mean stock, go to (i.e. obtain) salvation. In the city (called) Campaka which was adorned with Vishnu’s devotees, there (lived) a king Vaikhanasa by name. He would (i.e. he did) look after his subjects like his own sons. (In the city) lived many brahmanas who had mastered the Vedas and the Upanishads. The subjects of that king Vaikhanasa were prosperous. О king, he was ruling over his kingdom like this. He (once) saw at night in a dream his own forefathers gone to a mean stock. He, seeing all of them like this, with his mind full of amazement, told the account that took place in the dream to brahmanas.

The king said:

18-23. О brahmanas, I saw my forefathers gone to hell, and saying to me: “O you born of our bodies, emancipate us from this ocean of hell.” I saw them speaking like this and weeping repeatedly, О best brahmanas. Due to this I am un­happy. This great kingdom does not give me pleasure. О brahmanas, I am not pleased with all the horses and the elephants. О best brahmanas, my wife and sons do not please me. What do (i.e. should) I do? О best brahmanas, tell me about that vow, that practice of penance, by means of which my ancestors will go to (i.e. obtain) salvation. What is the fruit (i.e. use) of that son who is living richly, who is mighty and mag­nanimous, when his father lives in a fearful hell? ’

Thebrahmanas said:

24-29. The great hermitage of the sage Parvata who knows the past and the future, is nearby. О best king, go to that hermitage.

Then hearing (these) words of them, the great king Vaikhanasa quickly went to the hermitage of Parvata. The king was surrounded by brahmaiias and accompanied by (other) kings. The best king reached his (i.e. Parvata’s) extensive hermitage. Having seen the best sage like another Brahma, surrounded by sages well-versed in the study of Rgveda, Yajurveda and Samaveda, king Vaikhanasa saluted the sage (by prostrating before him) in the manner of a staff and touched his feet. The sage asked him about the welfare of the seven constituent1 parts of the kingdom, so also about the absence of trouble in the kingdom and the king’s happiness.

The king said:

30-38. О master, by your favour there is well-being in the seven constituent parts of my kingdom. How can those who are devoted to Visflu and brahmanas, have (any) difficulty? I saw in a dream my ancestors living in hell. О master, I have come to you to clear the doubt, О best brahmana, as to which religious merit will give them salvation. О best sage, some remedy should be adopted in this case.

Having heard these words from him, Parvata, the best sage, the ascetic, resembling Brahma, fixed his eyes in meditation. Remaining in meditation for a short time, he replied to the king: “O lord of kings, I have understood the former acts of your ancestors. In his previous existence, your father, a kshatriya, was proud of his kingdom. Prompted by his royal duty and seeking to gain his object, he, leaving his wife behind in* the time favourable for conception, went to a village. Your father did not give her (what should be given to his wife) during the period favourable for conception (i.e. did not copulate with her). As a result of that sin, О best king, your father, along with your ancestors, fell into a very terrible hell.” After that king Vaikhanasa again said to the sage: “O sage, by to the power of which vow would they have salvation? ”

1. Saptftngani: The seven constituents of a kingdom are: the king, the minister, the allies, the treasury, the territory, the fortress, and the army.

The sage said:

39-47. In the bright half of Margasirsa there is the Moksa (or Moksada Ekadashi). All should observe this vow, and (its) religious merit should be given to a (dead) father (i.e. ancestor). By the efficacy of that religious merit they will have salvation. О glorious one, this is true since it is the statement of Brahma.

Having heard the words of the sage he again came back to his house. And then the month of Margasirsa also came. King Vaikhanasa, having observed the vow with effort, gave, along with all, its religious merit to his father. When the religious merit was given, just in a moment, shower of flowers occurred from the sky; and Vaikhanasa’sfather, along with his ancestors, entered (i.e. obtained) salvation. And from the sky he (i.e. the father) spoke (these) auspicious words: “O son, may it be well with you, may it be well with you.” Speaking thus he went to heaven. О king, the sins of him who observes the auspicious (vow of) the Moksa (i.e. Mokshada) Ekadashi, perish, and after death he would obtain salvation. There cannot be any Ekadashi superior to this one, that would give (one) salvation. О king, I do not know the measure of religious merit (it gives). О king, this is the vow of him who does good to me. This (vow) is like the desire-yielding gem. It gives ^ilvation to men. A man would get the fruit (of the performance) of a Vajapeya sacrifice by reading about and listening to it.

 

CHAPTER FORTY

Saphala Ekadashi

Yudhitfhira said:

1. Which Ekadashi would take place (i.e. fall) in the dark half of Pausha? What is the name and the manner of observing it? Tell this to me in detail, О master; tell me which deity is worshipped on that day.

ShriKrishna said:

2-14. О lord of kings, due to the bond of affection (between us) I shall tell (it to you). О king, I am not so much pleased with sacrifice in which profuse gifts are given, as I am pleased with the Ekadasl-vow. Therefore, with all efforts, the day of Vishnu should be observed (as the day of vow). О you famous among the most religious, this is true, not false. On the Ekadashi day falling in the dark half of Pausa and called Saphala, a man should duly worship god Vishnu. This auspicious Ekadashi should be observed in the same manner as told before. О king, as

6esha is (the best) of the serpents, as (Garutfa) the eater of ser­pents is (the best) of the birds, as Vishnu is (the best) of the deities, as brahmana is (the best) of the bipeds, so the day of Ekadashi is the best of the vows. О king, those men who are devoted to the day of (i.e. sacred to) Vishnu, and observe the vow of Ekadashi, are always venerable to me. They are united with wealth here (i.e. in this world) only, and after death they obtain salva­tion. О king, on (the day of) the Saphala (Ekadashi) a man should worship Vishnu by uttering his (various) names, with coconuts, betel-nuts, citron-fruits, jamblra-fruits, pomegranates, and aus­picious dhatri-fruits, so also with cloves, badari-fruits and especially with mangoes. So also he should worship the lord of gods with incense and lights. Especially on the Saphala (day) he should cause to be given (i.e. should give) the present of lights. He should keep awake along with Vishnu’s devotees during (that) night. О king, listen to the religious merit of him, of a concentra­ted mind, who keeps awake during that night (just) for (the time of) the twinkling of an eye. No sacrifice is equal to that. There is no sacred place like that. All (other) vows do not deserve (i.e. are not equal to even) the sixteenth part (of the Saphala-vow), О lord of kings.

15-23. He who thus keeps awake, gets the fruit which can­not be obtained by (practising) penance for thousands of years. О best king, listen to the auspicious account of theSaphala. There was a city of (i.e. belonging to) Mahismata well-known as Campavati. That royal sage had five young sons. Of them the eldest was always engaged in (committing) sins. He was an adulterer, fond of prostitutes and a drunkard. The sinner spent his father’s money in that only. He was always engaged in bad be­haviour and censured brahmanas. He always censured Vishnu’s devotees and deities. Noticing his son to be like this, king Mahi­smata called him, among the sons, by the name Lumpaka (i.e. a robber). His father and brothers expelled him from the kingdom. He was thus abandoned like an obstructor by the attendants also. Lumpaka also, who was abandoned like that, then thought: T have indeed been expelled from the kingdom by my kinsmen and my father.’ Thinking like this he set his heart on (committing) sins. ‘I must go to a fearful, dense forest; and from it I shall plunder the entire city of my father.’

24-3la. Thinking like this, Lumpaka, by a lucky coincidence, went out of that city, and went into that dense forest. He was always engaged in killing living beings. He was the treasure of the arts of stealing and gambling. That sinner plundered the entire city. He, moving in the city for stealing, was arrested by night-stalkers. To them he said: “I am the son of king Mahis­mata.” He who committed sinful deeds was released by them, and again came (back) to the forest. He was fond of to (eating) flesh and fruits. Near that wicked man there was the abode of Vishnu. There was an old Asvattha tree (standing there) for many years. The tree had great divineness in the forest. That Lumpaka, of a sinful mind, living just there, ate, after many days had passed, fruits of trees due to some collection of (his) religious merit on the tenth day of the dark half of Pausha.

3lb-38. Lumpaka who was the most sinful, was oppressed by heat. He was without clothes and lost his sight. Being oppres­sed by severe cold, he did not enjoy the pleasure of sleep near that tree of (i.e. sacred to) Vishriu. He was as^it were dead.

Covering his mouth (i.e. his lips) with his teeth, he passed the entire night. Even at sunrise, the most sinful one did not (re-) gain consciousness. (Thus) Lumpaka remained unconscious on that day of Saphala. When the Sun was in the middle (of the sky) that Lumpaka got (back) consciousness. He looked here and there; was pained; and tumbling from his seat, he again and again walked like a lame man with his feet. He went into the middle part (i.e. the interior) of the forest, was emaciated by hunger and was oppressed. That Lumpaka, of a wicked mind, did not have strength to kill a living being. О king, at that time that Lumpaka did not obtain fruits. When he came there, the Sun had set. ‘O pity, what will happen (to me)? ’ Like this he wailed. There, at the root of the tree he placed many fruits and said:

39-44a. “May Vishnu be pleased with these fruits.” Having spoken like this Lumpaka did not get sleep on (that) night. Vishnu regarded his (sleeplessness as) keeping awake at night (in his honour), and took the placing of fruits as being worshipped with fruits (on the day) of Saphala. That Lumpaka observed this vow accidentally only. By the power of that religious merit he obtained the kingdom free from troubles. Till it was sunrise, Vishnu went to heaven. At that time a divine voice was heard: “By the favour of Saphala, О son, you will obtain the kingdom.” When he said “All right”, he became one of a divine form. О king, he had a great inclination towards Vishnu.

44b-49. He, rich with divine ornaments, obtained the king­dom which was free from trouble. He ruled over the kingdom for fifteen years. By the favour of Krishna he had charming sons and a (charming) wife. Having quickly abandoned his kingdom and having given it to his son, he went to Kjshpa’s pro­ximity, going where a man does not meet with grief. О king, he who observes the excellent vow of Saphala in this way, gets happiness in this world, and after death would obtain salvation. Those men who are engrossed in (the vow of) Saphala, are blessed. Their existence is fruitful. No doubt should be raised about this.

A man, by reciting, listening to and observing the (vow of Saphala) obtains the fruit of a Rajasuya-sacrifice, О king.

 

CHAPTER FORTYONE

Putrada Ekadashi

Padma Parana

Yudhishthira said:

1-2. О Krishna, you have told (me about) the auspicious (vow of) the Saphala Ekadashi. Favour me and tell me about the one that would fall in the bright fortnight (of the month of Pausha). What is its name? What is the manner of it (i.e. in which way is it) to be observed? Which is the deity that is propitiated on that (day)? With whom are you, Purushottama himself, pleased?

Shri Krishna said:

3-12. О king, listen, I shall tell (you about) the one that would fall in the bright half (of Pausa). О great king, with a desire for the good of the people, I shall tell about it. О king, it is to be carefully observed in the manner (as told) before. Its name is Putrada. It is great, and removes all sins. Its superint­ending deity is Vishshu. He gives (all) desired objects and all prosperity. No greater (vow) than this (exists) in the three worlds with the mobile and the immobile. Visflu makes a man possessed with knowledge and makes him successful. О king, listen. I shall tell you an auspicious tale that removes sins. Formerly there lived king Suketumat in the city of Bhadravati. His queen was Campaka by name. The sonless king passed his time in (enter­taining) desires. The king did not obtain a son who would continue his line. Then the king thought of righteous deeds for a long time. ‘What should I do? Where should I go? How can I have a son? ’ King Suketumat did not derive pleasure from his kingdom or his city. Every day, along with his chaste wife, he became unhappy. The couple was always full of anxiety and grief. His (dead) ancestors drank lukewarm water offered by him. ‘We do not see anybody who will gratify us after the king’. Thinking like this his manes were unhappy.

13-19a. The king did not find pleasure in his kinsmen, allies, ministers, friends, so also elephants, horses and foot-soldiers. Despondency always prevailed in the king’s mind. ‘A man who is without a son does not get the fruit of his «existence. The house of a sonless person is always desolate. His heart is always unhappy. Without a son freedom from the debt of (one’s) ancestors, deities and men is not possible. Therefore, with all efforts a man should produce a son. Those with religious merit, in whose house a son would be born, get success in this world, and an auspicious position in the next world. In the house of those men who practise righteous deeds long life, (good) health, and wealth prevail. О king, (these) cannot be had without religious merit and devotion to Vishiju. I think that sons are certainly the wealth (of a person).’

19b-31. Thinking like this the king did not get happiness. King Suketumat thought (like this) in the early morning and at night. He thought of destroying himself. Then the king, seeing misfortune in (i.e. due to) suicide, saw his body fallen and his sonlessness. Then according to his intellect, he saw (i.e. thought about) his welfare. Then the king mounted upon a horse, went to a dense forest. The family-priest and others did not know (that) the king had gone. In the dense forest resorted to by beasts and birds, the king roamed, observing the forest-trees like vata, asvattha, bilva, kharjura, and panasa, so also bakula, saptaрагца, tinduka, and tila. The king also saw (trees like)sala, tamala and sarala. (He also saw) trees likeingudi, kakubha, sleshmataka, sallaka, karamarda, patala and badara also. He also saw asoka (trees), palasa (trees), wolves, hares, wild cats, buffaloes, por­cupines and camara (deer). The king saw serpents that had half come out from the ant-hills, and wild intoxicated elephants with their young ones. (He saw) lords of herds having four tusks and accompanied by the female elephants and herds. Seeing the elephants of him, the king thought: ‘The lord moving among them obtained great beauty.’ The king observed the forest full of great wonders. Hearing on his way the cries of jackals and of owls, and seeing various bears and deer, he roamed in the forest.

32-36a. In this way the king saw the forest. When the Sun had gone to the middle (of the sky), he being oppressed with hunger and thirst, ran here and there. The king with his throat and neck dry thought: ‘What deed have I done (by which) I have met with such grief? With sacrifices and worships I have pleased the deities. I have pleased brahmaijas with gifts and desired meals. I have always greatly looked after my subjects like my (own) son. Due to what have I met with this great, terrible distress? ’ The king who was thinking like this, went ahead in the forest.

36b-42. By the efficacy of his good deeds, he saw an excellent lake. It was being touched by (i.e. had the contact of) fish. It looked very beautiful due to lotuses. It also looked beautiful with ducks, ruddy geese and royal swans. It was full of many alligators, fishes and other aquatic animals. The fortu­nate king saw many hermitages of sages near the lake, along with many omens suggesting auspiciousness. His right eye throbbed. So also his right hand, indicating auspicious fruit, throbbed. Seeing on its lake sages muttering Vedic prayers in an undertone, the king stood in front of the sages. The king saluted separately (i.e. individually) the sages of praise-worthy vows by joining the palms of his hands and repeatedly prostrat­ing before them in the manner of a staff. The sages also said (to him): “O king, we are pleased with you.”

The king said:

43. Who are you here? Tell me what your names are. Why have you assembled here? Tell the truth to me.

The sages said:

44-45. О king, we are Visvedevah.1 We have come here for a bath. Magha has come near (i.e. will commence) on the fifth day from today. О king, today is Ekadashi called Putrada. Vishriu gives a son to those who observe this (Ekadashi), О king.

The king said:

46. I have a great uncertainty about producing a son. If you are pleased, then give me a son.

The sages said:

47-53. О king, today only it is the Ekadashi called Putrada. Do this well-known vow, which is the best (vow). О lord of kings, after ablution and by the favour of us and of Vishnu, you will certainly have a son.

By these words of them, and the advice of the sages, the king observed the excellent vow which is (that of) Putrada, according to the (proper) rules. Having broken his fast on Dvadasi the king came home. Then the queen conceived. At the time of her delivery a bright son was bom. By means of his righteous deeds he pleased his father. He became a king (later). Therefore, О king, the excellent vow of Putrada should be observed. I told it to you for the good of the people. Those who, with a concentrated mind, observe this Putrada vow, obtain sons in this world and after death go to heaven. О king, by reciting and listening to it, a man would obtain the fruit of (having performed) the Agnishtoma sacrifice.

1. Viavedevab- Name of a particular group of deities, ten in number, and supposed to be sons of Vishvfl. Their names are: Vasu, Satya, *Xratu, Daksha Kala, Kftma, Dhrti, Kura, PurQravas, and Madravas.

 

CHAPTER FORTYTWO

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