Yogini Ekadashi

When is Yogini Ekadashi ?
Yogini Ekadashi falls in the Krishna paksha of Asaramas or the month of Asar.

What is done in Yogini Ekadashi ?
Today, an idol of Lord Narayan is installed by fasting, and is revered. Offering vog means offering food, fruits, Naivedh, etc. It is the broad spectrum of living; Sanatan people consider the idol as a living god and treats it with grain, devotion, and other offerings. People donate to needy people under the grace of that idol, they lighten the incense sticks and also perform Aaratis.

Worshiping Peepal tree on this Ekadashi destroys all sins and attains paradise after death. Peepal is the fairest plant, with its root reaching far, people won't prefer to plant it nearby houses, everyone worships the giant Peepal tree; however, no one fights for its fruit as Peepal fruit is not edible for human. Peepal's wood is not for household purpose, so Peepal brings lesser community greed and quarrel and more communal worship and gatherings underneath.

From the day of Dashmi, any tamasic food, including barley, wheat, or mung bean, is avoided. Apart from that, salt consumption refrained from fasting and one day in advance. Salt consumption accelerates the wandering characteristics of our mind, avoiding salt consumption means stabilizing the mind and bringing peace within.

Vrat Katha of Yogini Ekadashi
In the kingdom of Alkapuri, Shivaji's supreme devotee Kuber Raja's kingdom, he used flowers in worship. Thus, a gardener named Hemmali used to bring flowers for the worship of the king. One day, Hemamali forgets to bring the daily worship flowers as he was having fun with his wife in Mansarovar.

Angered by the delay in worshiping his beloved Lord Shiva for not bringing flowers on time, King Kuber angrily curses Hemmali for the deprivation of a woman and for being sick. Due to his devotion to Shiva, Hemmali did not lose his conscience. His pursuit is to liberate from the curse and gets advice from a Rishi/ sage.

The same sage tells Hemmali about the vow of Yogini Ekadashi, and Hemmali returns to her old life under the influence of this Ekadashi vow. This Ekadashi gives healthy life to Hemmali; we all need a normal life after this lockdown, don't we?
Let's do well, think well, speak well, and reserve good feelings in our hearts. Best wishes.

Suyog Dhakal