✨ Spiritual Context – The Story of Mohini Ekadashi

The sacred Mohini Ekadashi is described in the Kurma Purana, where Lord Krishna recounts its glory to King Yudhishthira. He explains that this Ekadashi is so spiritually potent that it can absolve the most grievous sins and deliver one to the spiritual world.

The story begins in a town called Bhadravati, ruled by a pious king named Dyutimana from the Chandravamsa (Lunar dynasty). The king had five sons; the youngest, Dhrishtabuddhi, was rebellious, immoral, and reckless. He squandered his wealth on gambling, intoxication, and immoral activities. He disrespected his elders, dishonoured women, and neglected his dharma.

As his karma ripened, he was expelled from the palace and left to wander in the forests, hungry and miserable. Years passed in suffering. Eventually, he reached the ashram of Sage Kaundinya, whose divine aura and peaceful demeanour moved him. Dhrishtabuddhi fell at the sage’s feet and confessed his sins. He begged for redemption and a path back to righteousness.

Sage Kaundinya, moved by his repentance, advised him to observe the Mohini Ekadashi fast, which was approaching soon. He explained that this sacred vrata was once observed by Lord Rama Himself, and its power could cleanse even the vilest sins.

With deep sincerity, Dhrishtabuddhi fasted on the prescribed day, chanted the holy names of the Lord, and avoided all forbidden foods. On Dwadashi, he broke his fast during the auspicious Parana time. Through the potency of the fast, Dhrishtabuddhi’s heart transformed. He left behind his past misdeeds and embraced a life of devotion and simplicity.

Eventually, he achieved liberation and ascended to the spiritual realm, Vaikuntha.

This is the power of Mohini Ekadashi — named after the captivating form Lord Vishnu took during the churning of the ocean to distribute nectar to the demigods. Mohini means “enchantress,” and just as the Lord bewildered the demons to protect dharma, this Ekadashi removes the illusions of material life and bestows spiritual clarity.

📜 Importance Based on Scriptures

Mohini Ekadashi is glorified in the Kurma Purana and the Padma Purana, where Lord Krishna declares it to be one of the most liberating Ekadashis. Fasting on this day with sincerity can purify even the most sinful person and free them from the cycles of karma and rebirth.

The name “Mohini” refers to Lord Vishnu’s enchanting female form, which He assumed during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean of milk) to distribute amrit (nectar) only to the demigods. It represents divine illusion used to uphold righteousness and remove demonic tendencies.

On a deeper level, Mohini Ekadashi helps devotees overcome the maya (illusion) of material attachments and redirect their focus to Krishna. It is said that even hearing or narrating the glories of this Ekadashi brings immense spiritual merit.

For those who’ve lost their way spiritually, like Dhrishtabuddhi in the story, this Ekadashi offers a fresh beginning. ISKCON teachings emphasise that the goal is not just to fast from food but to feast on the holy name, the company of devotees, and the remembrance of Krishna.

This is the Ekadashi that bewilders maya itself — and opens the heart to divine love.

🛕 Rituals and Observance

Mohini Ekadashi is observed with devotion, discipline, and a sincere heart. It begins early in the morning with a ritual bath, followed by prayers to Lord Vishnu or Sri Sri Radha-Krishna. Devotees take a sankalpa (vow) to observe the fast and spend the day in devotional service.

The most basic rule is strictly avoiding grains, pulses, beans, and cereals. Acceptable Ekadashi foods include:

• Fruits (banana, mango, berries)
• Root vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes)
• Milk, yogurt, ghee
• Sabudana, sama rice
• Nuts, honey, and dry fruits

Devotees are encouraged to chant extra rounds of the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra, read scriptures, and avoid idle talk or distractions. Offerings of lamp, Tulasi leaves, and arati to the Lord at home or temple are auspicious.

The mood should be one of repentance, gratitude, and surrender. The real fast is from envy, anger, and sense gratification — replacing these with remembrance of Krishna.

In ISKCON tradition, Mohini Ekadashi is often observed with community kirtans, japa sessions, and kathas. Even if one cannot fast completely, observing the day in mindful Krishna consciousness brings the full benefit.

🌍 Why This Ekadashi Matters in Kali Yuga

In Kali Yuga, the age of confusion, distraction, and moral decline, Mohini Ekadashi acts as a beacon of transformation. Just as the Lord bewildered the demons to protect nectar, He offers us this sacred day to bewilder the illusions that trap our souls.

We are all, at times, like Dhrishtabuddhi — carried away by desires, habits, and forgetfulness of dharma. Mohini Ekadashi shows that no fall is too far and no mistake too great when we sincerely turn back to Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada emphasised Ekadashi as a day not of starvation, but of spiritual focus and upliftment. It’s a divine opportunity to cleanse the heart, discipline the senses, and renew our vows to live a Krishna-centered life.

This Ekadashi is perfect for those seeking a fresh start, clarity of purpose, or freedom from guilt and past errors. Its power lies in redirecting the mind from illusion to truth, from selfishness to selfless service.

Even in a distracted world, one day of devotion can make a world of difference. Let Mohini Ekadashi be that divine reset — where maya steps aside and Krishna takes the center of your heart.

🧠 Scientific Reasoning

While Mohini Ekadashi is a spiritual practice, its rituals — especially fasting — align with many modern scientific insights on wellness.

Intermittent fasting, practiced by many on Ekadashi, helps the body enter a state of autophagy, where damaged cells are broken down and recycled. This aids in cellular repair, boosts immunity, and improves longevity. It also reduces inflammation, supports metabolism, and gives the digestive system a rest.

By avoiding grains and heavy foods, devotees consume sattvic, easy-to-digest meals that align with Ayurvedic principles. This promotes mental clarity, calmness, and lightness — ideal for meditative and devotional practices.

Psychologically, fasting builds discipline, willpower, and reduces dependence on taste and pleasure for satisfaction. When paired with mantra meditation and prayer, the benefits are magnified — not just detox of the body, but detox of the mind.

Even simple acts like waking early, reducing screen time, and engaging in devotional service provide a reset from overstimulation and worldly entanglements.

Thus, Mohini Ekadashi offers a complete wellbeing package: physical purification, mental clarity, and spiritual elevation. It’s the Lord’s way of saying: “Pause. Reset. Remember Me.”

🌅 Breaking the Fast on Dwadashi

Breaking the fast (Parana) is the final and essential step in completing the Mohini Ekadashi vrata. On Friday, 9 May 2025, devotees must break their fast within the prescribed time window, ideally after sunrise and within the Dwadashi tithi.

✅ Steps to Break the Fast:

1. Wake early, chant your rounds, and offer morning puja.
2. Prepare or offer a grain-based meal (like kichdi, rice, or roti).
3. Break your fast during the Parana window with humility and gratitude.

🕰️ Parana Timings – 9 May 2025:

Location	Parana Start	Parana End
New Zealand (NZST)	07:07 AM	10:34 AM
Australia (AEST)	07:08 AM	10:34 AM
India (IST)	06:06 AM	10:25 AM

(Note: In India, most devotees break after sunrise; hence, local sunrise-based Parana is preferred.)

Please try not to delay the Parana beyond the time shown, as missing the Parana invalidates the Ekadashi observance per scripture.