Thoughts on Story of Mohini Ekaadashi
Fast on the 11th day of Vaishak Shukla Pacha (moving towards full moon) is Mohini Ekaadashi. Often associated with the only female avatar of Vishnu, Mohini (goddess of enchantment), Mohini Ekaadashi is also about day of fast directed towards shedding Moha, the illusions of emotions that cause us to be attached to this world and temporal relations. The story is simple and like all good short tales, it is direct so there is not much confusion on the final message of shedding addictions, attachment and illusions through fasting.
Story in Short
Dhrishtabuddhi is born into great privilege in a prosperous and influential family indulges in a hedonistic lifestyle filled with drinking and engaging prostitutes. Eventually, his own actions lead him to a life of crimes and he eventually ends up being a lonely feral, barely surviving in the forest. A sage, he meets in the forest, tells him of the Mohini Fast to help him get rid of fast to be tama (extremely indulgences & high tendency of addiction) and moha (attachment to illusion). The fast helps him break from this cycle of self-abuse.
Mohini Ekaadashi (Story in some details)
This story is being narrated to Yudhishthira by Suthaji. The story being narrated to Yudhishthira is based on the story told to Shree Ram by Sage Vasishtha about the powers of the Mohini Ekadashi fast in cleansing.
Dhanpal does many goods in life. He is blessed with great wealth and many children. While all his other children are lovely, his youngest, Dhrishtabuddhi, is a source of constant pain to him. This is the story of how Dhrishtabuddhi’s bad choices turn into bad habits then to vices and finally to lead to him becoming feral. Despite, attempts of his father and family to reform him, he continues to choose his sinful ways. He eventually falls so deep into the pit of moral decay and debauchery that his family is left with no choice but to disown him. He takes starts living with prostitutes he frequented. Once he runs out of money the prostitutes throw him out. But this is still is not his rock bottom.
He sets himself for further decline by turning to theft. Because of his father’s good name; he is let off with warnings multiple times for his crimes till the authorities cannot further ignore him and set to prosecute him. Left with no choice he fleas the city. He ends up living alone in the forest barely surviving by hunting defenceless animals. At his rock bottom he encounters Sage Kaundinya. Dhrishtabuddhi enquires with the Sage what is a possible way for him to turn his life around. He stresses on the fact that he has no wealth and cannot afford any monetary expense towards improving his life. It is then that Sage Kaundinya reveals to him the power of Mohani Ekaadashi.
Themes in the story
Though simple the story has multiple themes and lessons. Some that I could reflect on are:
Downward spiral caused by bad choices that become bad habits leading vices
Despite being born in great privilege Dhrishtabuddhi’s own actions brought his destruction. He is a character whose indulgent habits are born from bad choices. We do see this even today. How even when born in to great situation people destroy everything (Health, Wealth and Character) owing to their choices. Thus, one should not look at any decision as a single isolated choice. Each decision should be looked at building on habit and in turn character. Dhrishtabuddhi is given multiple warnings yet does not heed to them. This failure to take warnings seriously is there with many of us.
You are Responsible for Yourself
The story has an element of taking responsibility for one’s own action and not blaming anyone for one’s situation. Dhrishtabuddhi does not blame his father or any other third party for his situation. This is the most important step to turn around and improve self.
Fasting and De addiction
When one has an addiction there is strong withdrawal reaction by the body when trying to stop. Fasting helps reset gut bacteria which in turn influences cravings. The body often needs the jolt of fasting to reset many things in its functioning. Please do research it. A good starting point is this Time’s article (https://time.com/6216011/does-fasting-improve-gut-health/). Similarly, the spiritual aspect of fasting helps one maintains greater will when body is going through withdrawal.
Cleansing and spiritual pursuit without any expense
There are snake oil sellers everywhere these days. Everyone is selling you something for your bodily or spiritual cleanse. Salt lamps, some juices, some regular donation. But not the fasts of Ekaadashi. It is important to note that this cleanse came to Dhrishtabuddhi ’s aid when he did not have a paisa to his name. He is aware that a lot of times self-improvement requires money to be spent/invested. That’s why he specifically highlights he has no money to spend. He is given access to the information of Mohini Ekaadashi as an expense less way to invest in self.
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