December 01, 2025
Ekadashi
5 min read
Mokshada Ekadashi
Mokshada Ekadashi is a fast festival. It is observed in Marghasirsa month of hindu calendar, in Shukla Paksha or waning moon phase. As the name suggests it is related to Moksha, the cycle of rebirth, of freedom from the earthly binds. People keep this fast for Moksha of their ancestors, for Shree Hari Vishnu’s blessing and to guide their soul towards Moksha.
The story of this Fast is very interesting and an example of how even a small mistake can alter the outcome.
Once King Yudhistira was conversing with Shree Krishna. He asked Shree Krishna to tell him about the Ekadashi of Shukla Paksh in Marghasirsa or Agahan month. Then Shree Krishna said “ O, Yudhistira let me tell you of the interesting story related to this Ekadashi.” Then Shree Krishna told him the story of King Vaikhanasa of Champak Kingdom.
Once in the kingdom of Champak there ruled a king, majestic and virtuous. His name was Vaikhanasa. The king ruled the kingdom with love, treating his subjects like his own children. The whole kingdom was Vaishnava or Shree Hari Vishnu’s devotees. His courtiers were all learned men, excelled in Vedas and Puran.
One night, the king had a dream of his late father being punished in Patal Lok by Yamraj. His father said to him, “ My son, please free me of this pain.” The king woke up with a start. He was frantic and panicked. He went to court in the morning with a heavy heart.
“ I am very worried, even my dear subjects, elephants and horses can’t calm my mind. My wife and children also can’t take my mind off my troubled heart.” The king narrated his worries to his courtiers, asking for their advice.
Then one of the ministers told him to seek Sage Paravata who lived on the neighbouring mountains. He is very knowledgeable and also has many siddhi’s. He is Trikala Darshi and can see the past, present and future. He is the one who can have the solution to your dilemma.”
The king then went to the Sage’s ashram. There he saw many sages and brahmans conducting holy rituals and all. Parvat Rishi was sitting under a tree meditating. The king went to him and paid his respects to him. “ Hey maharaj please accept my bow to you” he said as he did a Sastang Dandvat Pranam to show his respect to the Sage.
Parvat Rishi accepted his bow and asked “ O Rajan, how is your kingdom?”
“ It is flourishing and cheerful by your grace but it is my heart and mind which are troubled” Vaikhanasa replied.
“ I had a dream of my father enduring unbearable pain in Patal, and I can't find any peace since then. Please provide me with a solution so I can free my father of such pain.” He pleaded.
The Sage closed his and meditated for a while after hearing King Vaikhanasa words. After a while he opened his eyes.
Now there are many versions for this part and some are written below.
Part01
“Your father the former king had committed a minor sin while organising a Yajna and it was not properly atoned or Paschyatap done. Now he is bearing such punishment for his mistake.”
Part02
“Your father in his former life had committed a sin by troubling his queen on her Mashik Dharma (menstrual cycle). And this is why he is in Patal lok.”
Part03
“ Under the influence of his sexual desire he had intercourse with his first wife but because of ill-advised from her he refused to engage with his second wife. He refused even when she asked for Ritu daan ( Seasonal intercoure according to season or after a woman has recovered menstrual cycle ). And this is why he was punished to such unbearable pain in Paatal”
Part04
He stated that his father had committed the sin of not fulfilling his sexual duty to his wife while she was ovulating, choosing to visit a village instead. And because he didn’t fulfill his duty to his wife he was punished as such.
“If you wish to free your father of his former life’s sins then you should keep a fast on the 11th day of Shukla Paksh in Marghashirsa maah also known as Mokshada Ekadashi without having any water or food. You should evoke Shree Hari Vishnu and give the fruits of your fast to your father so he can be free of his sins.”
Vaikhanasa complied and kept the fast and then donated the fruit of his fasting to his father. Then in Paatal Lok his father was surrounded by a yellow divine light and many Apsaras and Dev Gan. He was then liberated from his sins and taken to Vaikunth.
At night he again appeared in King Vaikhanasa’s dreams and was glowing and blessed him “My son it’s because of you that I’ve been liberated of my sins and am now residing in Vaikuntha. May Shree Hari Vishnu blessing be with you always”
The King was filled with gratitude and finally relieved of his worries.
Thus whoever keeps fast on the 11th day Margashirsa (Agrahayana), in Shukla Paksha will be blessed, cleansed of their sins, and even help their ancestors be liberated of their sins and find a place of Vaikuntha.
On this day, Tulsi plant is specifically worshipped and the leaves and Manjari are used in worshipping Shree Hari Vishnu.
This tale is mentioned in Padma Puran and Brahma Puran.
And when someone in a family dies the brahman advises the family members to keep this fast to liberate the person of whatever sins they’ve committed and make their journey to Moksha easier.
Book experienced pandits online for all Hindu puja rituals with Bhaktinama – simple, reliable, and authentic.
Once in the kingdom of Champak there ruled a king, majestic and virtuous. His name was Vaikhanasa. The king ruled the kingdom with love, treating his subjects like his own children. The whole kingdom was Vaishnava or Shree Hari Vishnu’s devotees. His courtiers were all learned men, excelled in Vedas and Puran.
One night, the king had a dream of his late father being punished in Patal Lok by Yamraj. His father said to him, “ My son, please free me of this pain.” The king woke up with a start. He was frantic and panicked. He went to court in the morning with a heavy heart.
“ I am very worried, even my dear subjects, elephants and horses can’t calm my mind. My wife and children also can’t take my mind off my troubled heart.” The king narrated his worries to his courtiers, asking for their advice.
Then one of the ministers told him to seek Sage Paravata who lived on the neighbouring mountains. He is very knowledgeable and also has many siddhi’s. He is Trikala Darshi and can see the past, present and future. He is the one who can have the solution to your dilemma.”
The king then went to the Sage’s ashram. There he saw many sages and brahmans conducting holy rituals and all. Parvat Rishi was sitting under a tree meditating. The king went to him and paid his respects to him. “ Hey maharaj please accept my bow to you” he said as he did a Sastang Dandvat Pranam to show his respect to the Sage.
Parvat Rishi accepted his bow and asked “ O Rajan, how is your kingdom?”
“ It is flourishing and cheerful by your grace but it is my heart and mind which are troubled” Vaikhanasa replied.
“ I had a dream of my father enduring unbearable pain in Patal, and I can't find any peace since then. Please provide me with a solution so I can free my father of such pain.” He pleaded.
The Sage closed his and meditated for a while after hearing King Vaikhanasa words. After a while he opened his eyes.
Now there are many versions for this part and some are written below.
Part01
“Your father the former king had committed a minor sin while organising a Yajna and it was not properly atoned or Paschyatap done. Now he is bearing such punishment for his mistake.”
Part02
“Your father in his former life had committed a sin by troubling his queen on her Mashik Dharma (menstrual cycle). And this is why he is in Patal lok.”
Part03
“ Under the influence of his sexual desire he had intercourse with his first wife but because of ill-advised from her he refused to engage with his second wife. He refused even when she asked for Ritu daan ( Seasonal intercoure according to season or after a woman has recovered menstrual cycle ). And this is why he was punished to such unbearable pain in Paatal”
Part04
He stated that his father had committed the sin of not fulfilling his sexual duty to his wife while she was ovulating, choosing to visit a village instead. And because he didn’t fulfill his duty to his wife he was punished as such.
“If you wish to free your father of his former life’s sins then you should keep a fast on the 11th day of Shukla Paksh in Marghashirsa maah also known as Mokshada Ekadashi without having any water or food. You should evoke Shree Hari Vishnu and give the fruits of your fast to your father so he can be free of his sins.”
Vaikhanasa complied and kept the fast and then donated the fruit of his fasting to his father. Then in Paatal Lok his father was surrounded by a yellow divine light and many Apsaras and Dev Gan. He was then liberated from his sins and taken to Vaikunth.
At night he again appeared in King Vaikhanasa’s dreams and was glowing and blessed him “My son it’s because of you that I’ve been liberated of my sins and am now residing in Vaikuntha. May Shree Hari Vishnu blessing be with you always”
The King was filled with gratitude and finally relieved of his worries.
Thus whoever keeps fast on the 11th day Margashirsa (Agrahayana), in Shukla Paksha will be blessed, cleansed of their sins, and even help their ancestors be liberated of their sins and find a place of Vaikuntha.
On this day, Tulsi plant is specifically worshipped and the leaves and Manjari are used in worshipping Shree Hari Vishnu.
This tale is mentioned in Padma Puran and Brahma Puran.
And when someone in a family dies the brahman advises the family members to keep this fast to liberate the person of whatever sins they’ve committed and make their journey to Moksha easier.
Book experienced pandits online for all Hindu puja rituals with Bhaktinama – simple, reliable, and authentic.
