Mohini Ekadashi falls during the Shukla Paksha of Vaishakha month. It is named after 'Mohini', the divine female incarnation of Lord Vishnu who bewildered the demons to protect the nectar of immortality (amrita). This story was narrated by Sage Vasishtha to Lord Ramachandra.
On the banks of the sacred river Sarasvati, there was a beautiful city named Bhadravati, ruled by a pious King named Dyutiman. In this city lived a wealthy merchant named Dhanapala, who was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. He had five sons, but the youngest, named Dhrishtabuddhi, was highly wicked. He spent his father's wealth on bad habits, associated with gamblers, and mocked the scriptures.
Eventually, after losing all his wealth, Dhrishtabuddhi was abandoned by his family and left starving in the forest. Wandering in deep depression and hunger, he arrived at the ashram of the great Sage Kaundinya. Filled with regret, he fell at the sage's feet, weeping and begging for a way to purify his mind from his past wicked life.
The compassionate Sage Kaundinya advised him to observe the upcoming Mohini Ekadashi. Dhrishtabuddhi fasted with absolute sincerity and devotion. By the merit of this single fast, all his mental impurities, illusions, and sinful desires were completely destroyed. He regained his spiritual clarity, became a pure devotee, and returned to the spiritual world on the carrier Garuda. This story shows how Mohini Ekadashi can redeem even the most fallen souls.
