Yogini Ekadashi 2017: Path That Leads Us to Heaven

Yogini Ekadashi gets burns all the sins committed in the past life

Yogini Ekadashi will be observed on 20th of June in 2017. According to our Hindu Calendar, it is observed on the 11th day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashadha. This Ekadashi helds before the Devshayani Ekadashi and after the Nirjala Ekadashi. Devotees observed vow on this day and worship Lord Vishnu in order to get rid from their past life sins.

Fasting on the sacred day of Yogini Ekadashi can burn all the sins committed in the past birth. Also, observing Yogini Ekadashi can fulfill all our wishes and shower us with all the materialistic pleasures of the world. It is believed that fasting on this day is equivalent to feeding 88 thousand Brahmins and we can directly go the Swarglok (heaven) after we leave our body.

Like other Ekadashis the fast of Yogini Ekadashi begins on the night of Dashmi (a day before Ekadashi) and is concluded on the morning of Dwadashi (a day after Ekadashi). On the sacred day of Yogini Ekadashi a person observing the fast should wake up early and take a bath.

It is advisable to use the paste of mud or Til (sesame) to clean the body while taking the bath. Lord Vishnu is worshipped using the incense and oil lamp. At night, Jagran (overnight vigil) should be performed and hymns of Lord Vishnu should be sung.

Yogini Ekadashi : The Legend

Long time ago, there was a King named Kuber who ruled the Kingdom of Alkapuri. He was a great devotee of Lord Shiva and worshipped him every day. The King had a gardener called Hema Mali who was responsible for getting the King flowers to be used in the worship of Lord Shiva.

Every day the gardener picked beautiful flowers and gave them to the King. Hema Mali had a beautiful wife named Swarupvati. One day, after picking up flowers for the King he went home and did not go to deliver the flowers. While he was enjoying the company of his wife he completely forgot about the flowers. On the other hand, the King kept waiting for his Puja flowers till late.

After waiting for a long time the angry King sent his soldiers to get the gardener, who told them that he was busy spending time with his wife. This really angered the King more and he cursed him to suffer from leprosy in Mrityu Lok (Earth). The King also cursed the gardener to be separated from his wife.

The King's words came true and he was thrown to the Mrityu Lok but due to his devotion for Lord Shiva he remembered his last birth. To get rid from his problems, he started walking toward the Himalayas where he found a Saint. He fell in the Saint's feet and asked a way out after reciting his entire story. The Saint decided to help the poor man to attain salvation.

The Saint advised Hema Mali to observe the fast of the Ekadashi which came on the Krishna Paksha of the Ashadha month, Yogini Ekadashi. As told, Hema started observing the Yogini Ekadashi strictly according to the rituals. As a fruit to his hard work, he got his former life back and got reunited with his wife. The story describes the importance and power of Yogini Ekadashi.

Method to Observe The Yogini Ekadashi

This day is observed by fasting and worshiping Lord Vishnu's idol. A person who observes the fast should bathe the idol of Lord Vishnu and worship it with incense and flowers. As per Puranas, a person who observes Yogini Ekadashi gets rid from all the sins committed in the past life. Also, this helps in depleting the effects of the Karmas we have done in the past. It is also advisable to donate to the priests on this sacred day of Yogini Ekadashi. Peepal tree should also be worshipped on this day.

While walking the troubled lane of life we all end up making a lot of mistakes. While we struggle not to repeat them again, we face the effects of the Karmas we have already committed. This makes our life very difficult and miserable. To end the vicious cycle we should turn toward religion and find a way out. Here, the way out is the auspicious day of Yogini Ekadashi. We hope that the entire human race will be benefitted with Yogini Ekadashi and its power. We wish all of you a very happy and prosperous Yogini Ekadashi.