Mohini Ekadashi

The traditional Mohini Ekadashi katha tells of a wealthy merchant named Dhanapala and his son, commonly called Dhrishtabuddhi or a similar name in regional retellings. Although born into a respected household, the son turned toward destructive habits, squandered wealth and eventually lost the support of his family. Wandering in hardship, he reached the hermitage of Sage Kaundinya and asked how he might free himself from the consequences of his conduct. The sage advised him to observe Mohini Ekadashi with sincerity and devotion to Vishnu. According to the katha, the discipline of the vrata became the turning point through which he left his former life and attained spiritual purification. The story therefore presents Mohini Ekadashi not simply as a wish-granting fast but as a narrative of moral recovery: acknowledging wrong conduct, accepting discipline and redirecting one's life toward devotion. Fasting, Vishnu worship, katha listening and Dwadashi parana are central observances.

Named for the form Vishnu took to take the amrit back from the asuras. Kept for release from attachment and confusion, which is what the story is about on the inside.

Vaishakh's bright fortnight, in the week after Akshaya Tritiya. The ordinary fast.