Yogini Ekadasi 2034

King Yudhishthira asked Sri Krishna about the Ekadashi of the dark half of Ashadha (Purnimanta; Jyeshtha in Amanta). Sri Krishna said that it is called Yogini. It is an ancient boat for those sinking in the ocean of worldly life. Then He told an old and holy story.

In the city of Alaka lived Kubera, king of the yakshas, who was wholly devoted to Lord Shiva. He had a gardener named Hemamali, whose task was to bring flowers for Kubera's worship. Hemamali had a beautiful wife named Vishalakshi, and his heart was bound to her.

One day Hemamali brought a heap of flowers from Lake Manasa, but instead of going to Kubera's house he stayed at home with his wife. At noon Kubera sat in his temple, worshipping Shiva and waiting for the flowers. They did not come. Angry, he asked his yakshas, "Why has wicked Hemamali not come? Find out where he is."

The yakshas told him that Hemamali was at home, delighting in his wife. Kubera was filled with anger and sent for him at once. Hemamali understood how late he was, and full of fear he came running, without even bathing, and stood before his master.

"Sinner, you have dishonoured the god," he said. "Lowest of servants, be parted from your wife, be struck by the eighteen kinds of leprosy, and go away from here."

At once Hemamali fell from that place. His body was covered with leprosy and he was overcome by grief. He found no comfort by day and no sleep by night. Yet because of his past service in Shiva's worship, his memory did not leave him. Though weighed down by sin, he remembered what he had done.

Wandering, he came to the Himalaya, the best of mountains. There he saw the great sage Markandeya, whose age is equal to that of Brahma. Hemamali bowed to his feet from a distance. Seeing him trembling, the kind sage called him near and asked, "Why are you struck with leprosy? Why are you in such a state?"

Hemamali said, "I am Kubera's servant Hemamali. Every day I brought lotuses for my master's worship of Shiva. One day my mind was so taken with my wife that I forgot the time, and in his anger Kubera cursed me. I am stricken with leprosy and parted from my wife. Great sage, guide me, a sinner."

Markandeya said, "Because you have told the truth and not a lie, I will teach you a holy vow. Keep the Yogini vow in the dark half of Ashadha. By its merit your leprosy will surely leave you."

Hemamali fell full length on the ground before him, and the sage raised him up. Full of joy, he kept the vow as Markandeya had taught. All eighteen kinds of leprosy left him completely, and he was happy again.

Sri Krishna said that one who keeps Yogini gains the merit of feeding eighty eight thousand brahmanas, and whoever tells or hears this story is freed from all sins.