Today, the fast of Yogini Ekadashi is being celebrated on the 11th date of Krishna Paksha of Ashada month. According to religious beliefs, by observing this fast, the sins of many births of a person are eliminated and he attains the ultimate virtue. On this day, it is mandatory to recite worship and fast story, which gives complete results of the fast.
The importance of this fast is mentioned in religious texts. Yudhishthira asked Lord Vasudev about the Ekadashi of Ashada Krishna Paksha, then Shri Krishna said that the name of this date is ‘Yogini’, which destroys great sins. This fast is like a Sanatan boat for creatures immersed in the Sansar Sagar and it is considered extremely important among the three worlds.
According to ancient stories, Kubera, the king of Alkapuri, was absorbed in devotion to Lord Shiva. His servant Yaksha was the task of Hemmali that he used to take flowers from Mansarovar every day and reached the temple to worship Shiva. One day Hemmali got busy with his wife Vishalakshi and could not reach the temple. When Kubera Maharaj came to know about this, he got angry and thrown Hemmali out of the temple by giving them leprosy disease. The sad Hemmali ascetic went to Markandeya, who advised him to fast on Yogini Ekadashi.
According to the instructions of the sage, Hemmali fasted on Yogini Ekadashi, which cured her leprosy. Lord Krishna said that the person who performs this fast, ends his sins and he gets merit equal to eating food to eight thousand Brahmins. By reading, listening and doing the fast of Yogini Ekadashi, a person is freed from all sins and attains happiness and prosperity in life.
On the day of Yogini Ekadashi, devotees fast and worship Lord Shiva and Vishnu. This fast is considered complete only after reciting the fast story. Following this fast not only brings freedom from sins, but it also communicates positive energy in life. On this day, the devotees who fast should recite the story completely and worship with reverence so that their life is filled with happiness, peace and prosperity.
