Yogini Ekaadashi: All good deeds, no matter how small, have a way of coming back

Fast on the 11th day of Aashaadh Krishna Paksha (the wanning phase of the moon heading towards new moon) is Yogini Ekaadashi.

Story in Short

A man’s failure to control is lust makes him fail his duty. Thus, he is cursed and left wondering the worlds in abject suffering. His past good deeds allow him a chance for redemption as he chances upon a meeting with Sage Markandeya. The Sage reveals the powers of the Yogini Ekaadashi fast and opened the vista, redemption through undertaking of the fast. 

Yogini Ekadashi (Story in some details)

This story is being narrated to Yudhishthira by Krishna. 

King Kuber is a known devotee of Lord Shiva. To assist his daily prayers and meditation the King has intrusted Hemamali to procure flowers on a daily basis. The King’s daily worship requires flowers as an essential item. 

One day Hemamali is so enchanted by his wife that on his way back from plucking the flowers from Mansarovar he ignores his duty to deliver the flowers and directly goes home to be in arms of his woman. Not finding the items needed for the pooja, Kuber’s daily worship to Shiva cannot undertaken. Kuber is furious and sends men to enquire why Hemamali did not deliver the flowers. His men report back to him that Hemamali is at his home in his wife’s embrace.

Furious Kuber orders Hemamali to be summoned before him. Hemamali has no defence for having caused problem in Kuber’s prayers. Hemmali’s lack of control over his lust for his wife is recognised as a reason for him failing to perform his important duty. Kuber curses him with leprosy and condemns him to exile away from his wife. 

Hemamali journey in exile is beyond horrible. It is baffling that he is somehow surviving. Obviously, it is the good deeds he has done in the past, even if very small, that are aiding him in these hell like conditions. One day he wonders in the Ashram of Sage Markandeya. Seeing his pitiable situation, the Sage confers on Hemamali the wisdom of Yogini Ekaadashi. 

By observing a sincere fast his disease is cured and he is reunited with his beloved wife. It is noted that the benefits of observing Yogini Ekadashi can be equated to the benefits of feeding 88 thousand Brahmins. 

Themes in the Story 

All stories in the collection of Ekadashi Mahoutsav Varat Katha are simple yet layered. Some themes and lessons that I could reflect on are:

When You Let Your Bodily Desires Control You, You Fail Your Duties

Hemmali’s failure to control his bodily desire laid the foundation to his condemnation. He could have delivered the flowers and gone home. But he got so wrapped up in lust that he probably thought he could deliver the flowers later. This sounds like a single instance but in our day-to-day life we do often fall prey to our habits causing us to constantly procrastinate and neglect important task.  

Your Good Deeds Will Help You

It is multiple times highlighted in the story that the good deeds Hemmalis had done earlier help him survive through the darkest of his situation. They eventually cause him to chance upon a meeting with a great Sage which allows him an opportunity to redeem himself. Even in our worst situation when we think nothing is going well, our good deeds do assist us. 

Redemption is Always Possible 

This story illustrates the power of devotion and the significance of observing Yogini Ekadashi. It emphasizes the idea that sincere dedication, fasting, and meditation will lead to spiritual growth, contentment, and divine blessings. 

Importance of Carrot and Stick

Simply because to exist in this world, factor of fear and greed are the basic instincts. These instincts are the cause of our downfall. But if used in an inverted way they can help in our redemption too. 

Fasting and Autoimmune Disease

Leprosy is an autoimmune disease. While fasting is not a single cure, it is shown to be a great help in managing autoimmune conditions. Here is a starting point but it is recommended that one does their own research and consult a doctor. 

https://mdsoar.org/bitstream/handle/11603/16552/Laridae-Printed-Journal.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y#page=52

[Chapter 18 p. 124 of Ekadashi Mahoutsav Varat Katha

 (published by Babu Madav Prasad Sharma, Varanasi)]

NOTE:

Ekaadashi Mahoutsav Varat Katha (published by Babu Madav Prasad Sharma, Varanasi) is a Nepali translation/commentary of the Sanskrit Ekaadashi Stories. Author is avoiding posting a straight translation of the Nepali commentary.