Ekadashi decimates death
Once rover Narad reached Yamlok, to take stock
of happening there. To his surprise he found that there was complete silence
and lack of action in Yamlok. Narad was taken aback. He could not understand as
to how this major shuffle had taken place. Yamlok is a place where all the time
sounds and voices of cruel yamdoot torturing evil spirits echo endlessly. Finding no activity and no commotion he fond
himself lost to himself. As he reached to meet the ruler Yam of Yamlok he found
him sitting with his head hung in sheer anxiety. Narad appeared before Yam and
said,-“Lord Yam! How is that your sphere is devoid of all activity? Have you
promoted or let go all evil souls at your discrimination? I have never witnessed
such eerie silence in your loka?It seems that account of good and evil actions
of souls are not being maintained properly nowadays. Has lord Chitrgupt entered
in to Samadhi ?Why arrogant and evil souls are not reaching here?”
Yam who looked pale with anxiety rose from his
seat to welcome the sage and said,_” Lord You are omniscient yet as you ask so
I say. There is a king on earth named Rukmangad who is staunch devotee of lord
Srikrishna. He has made observing fast on ekadashi compulsory for all excluding
minor children and senile. Exhorted by such regular penance all evil souls purge
themselves of their sins on earth itself and get liberation and have reached Vaikunthalok.
You know there is no dearth of space in Vaikunthalok and all occupants attain
form and powers of lord Vishnu and become free from cycles of death and
rebirth. The path from earth to Vaikunthalok is crowded all the time. I actually
ponder over resigning from this position having left with no assignments.”
Narad
was happy to learn such amazing results of rules being executed by king
Rukmangad. Yet the pensive and anxious look at the face of Yam hurt him a bit.
Meanwhile lord Chitragupt also reached there. He is the chief secretary of Lord
Yam and maintains account of good and evil actions of all beings. Lord
Chitragupt also looked equally lost within and pale with anxiety. He saluted
sage Narad and said,-“Naradji! you have learnt about our plight. We are rendered
jobless because of the policy of king Rukmangad. You know this creation runs on
principles propounded by father Brahma. One who reaps benefit of a position without
rendering service is reborn as a worm inhabiting dead wood. As all of us have
nothing to do now we fear for our own next birth. All our staff has been
sitting idle as there is not a single soul coming here. All those who were under
us have also been promoted and sent to Vaikunthalok as their children and
relatives all observe fast on ekadashi.”
Hearing
the woes of lord Yam and lord Chitragupt sage Narad began to ponder. How
dangerous are laws of lord Hari. If one is evil, one suffers invariably. But if
one does not allow evil to take place then also one becomes an eyesore to certain
powerful persons. Such is the dilemma created by lord Hari that no being can
get out of it strait. He therefore,
advised the two stalwarts to accompany him to Brahmalok.
The three masters reached Brahmalok where Lord
Brahma was surrounded by enlightened spiritual beings. All persons sitting with
Lord Brahma were taken aback to witness the three major position holders
present there together. “is there no work left for them on earth?’ said one. ‘It
seems something major has happened that is why they look so anxious.’ Commented
the other. Lord Brahma also looked anxious to find the trio in front of him.
The
baffled Yam could not utter a single word to describe his deadly dilemma and
straightaway fell in the feet of father Brahma. Lord Chitragupt stood
desperately with a pale face. The plight of his boss lord Yam was enough to
tell the sordid tale of lord Chitragupt who found himself devoid of speech out
of fear and awe.
Lord
Brahma affectionately lifted lord Yam and made him sit in a throne properly and
asked lord Chitragupt and sage Narad to take their seats comfortably.
You all are welcome here. But lord Yam what has
happened to you?” asked Lord Brahma.” Father! I have been debased too much
.Whatever duties you assigned to me have since been taken away from me. Even
though patronized by you I feel totally redundant and deprived.” Saying so he
became just inert not able to speak further. Lord Pawan rose and lifted lord Yam
up in his arms.
Yama got some strength and wailed,-“Father!
Listen to me please. Decimating someone is the most humiliating and most
tormenting. One who does not perform one’s duty and enjoys the perks is bound
to be a worm in the wood in the next birth. I have been performing my duties
prescribed by you most diligently and earnestly. But king Rukmangad has left me
jobless and made me feel superfluous all the way. All persons dying on earth
are going to Vaikunthalok as they all fast on ekadashi. Even their ancestors
who were under me have been sent to Vaikunthalok owing to auspicious deeds of
their descendents .Not only ancestors but even in-laws have reached Vaikunthalok
owing to such penance. This leaves me perplexed. You see the path to Vaikunthalok
is congested all the time. As Vaikunthalok is expandable to limitless extend it
is never fully occupied. Immeasurable souls have attained the form of lord
Vishnu and mounting innumerable garudas they fly freely everywhere. Rukmangad
has made me to resign from this position and I feel that so long as he rules
over earth I am of no significance and of no purpose.”
Brahma
thought for a while and then said,-“Dharmraj! One who burns one’s heart on
seeing others progress and virtues invites one’s own death. One who even once
salutes lord Krishna with devotion gets
liberation. One who chants his name need not go to any pilgrimage. I am totally
helpless before his devotees and can dare not even dream of harming them.”
Yama
was disheartened and lost hope. Yet he spoke,-“I understand that everyone
should take shelter in the lotus feet of lord Hari who is the supreme master of
this cosmos. However as long as King Rukmangad rules over earth I can not breathe
freely and can’t attain peace of mind.”
Hearing
nothing from patron lord Brahma he further said,-“Father1 I shall serve you
forever if you could by any means swerve the king from the path of austerity on
ekadashi.” Brahma saw a helpless son clasping his feet and relying on his mercy
alone. One who does not help a weakling who takes refuge unconditionally goes
to hell he knew this principle of GOD. He could not afford to endanger his own
future by turning down the request of lord Yam who had sought refuge in his
feet after giving up hope from others. He therefore was left with no choice but
to contrive a plot to tempt the king to do something that could allow souls to
reach Yamlok to provide livelihood and honour to Lord Yam and lord Chitragupt.
He made up his mind to swerve the king and
immediately created a most enchanting girl putting all his skill at stake. He
was sure that she could certainly attract the king and lead him to go astray.
As soon as she stood in the court of Lord Brahma all men however enlightened
they were felt absorbed in her charm. Their lower garment turned wet. Seeing
the power of the Girl Brahma was convinced that she could certainly do the task
assigned to her.
He
had to however ensure the peace and austerity in the minds of people present around.
He therefore addressed the men around him,-“One who looks at mother, daughter,
daughter-in-law, and sister-in-law, wife of guru and wife of boss with lust
inevitably goes to hell. The beautiful face of a woman is nothing but a
skeleton covered with flesh, fat and skin. Her bossom, lips and thighs are also
only bones, fles, blood and skin. Men should apply their mind and realize
this.” Thus enlightened by father all men regained wisdom and sat with ease and
comfort. The girl seemed to be an abode of beauty, charm, grace and
intelligence. She bowed before all august men and then turned to father Brahma
to salute him reverentially.
“Lord!
There is no man including strongest of yogis who can escape away from my charm.
You have created me definitely to swerve someone. Tell me please whom should I
target to carry out your command? The intoxication a young and charming woman
renders to a man is the most intense of all the wines created by you.” saying
so she began to smile.
“You
are right. There is a king on earth named Rukmangad who is the single ruler of
seven continents. His wife is Sandhyavli who is as pretty as you are. His son
Dharmangad is most pious and dedicated to his parents. He has not yet touched
any woman. Thousands of princesses longed to marry him yet he turned down them
all. Disciplined by his father he is most respectful and obedient to his three
hundred mothers. Daughter I name you Mohini for you are capable of attracting
all men however chaste and pure they may be. You have been created to wed king
Rukmangad and make him go astray from the path of austerity, especially on the
day of ekadashi when he fasts and makes other also fast to please lord Vishnu.
Now go and attain your goal.” Commanded lord Brahma.
Mohini found herself standing on mount Mandarachal
King
Rukmangad who had been leading a blissful and prosperous life so far began to
think,-‘I have led a long and happy life and should now think of retiring to
forest. My son is capable of handling kingdom and palatial affairs and I shall
have no worries if I leave everything to him and retire to forest to lead the
life of a recluse there. He discussed the issue with his wife and son and after
discussing things they agreed to the proposal gladly. The queen made king
assure her that even in the forest he would not hurt and harm any innocent
creature and remain pure and disciplined. King was a religious and pious man
and assured his wife to remain pure all the way. Thus king retreated to the
forest for sometime and met a yogi named Vamdev who welcomed him all the way.
“O, Pious yogi please tell me about my past life as to what did I do in that
life that lord Vishnu made me single ruler of seven continents and gave me
everything best possible on earth.” Vamdev thought for a while with his closed
eyes and could soon see the past life of king with his third eye.
“King, You were an ordinary servant and were pauper.
Your wife was wicked .Once accompanying a pious Brahman you reached the abode
of lord Krishna, named Mathura mount Mandarachal
Drawn by the lore of music king followed it
and found that the enchanting music was coming from a mountain top. The king
tied his horse to a tree and began to climb up the hill. As he reached the top
he found Mohini sitting in her enticing style and playing on the Veena. Her
beauty mesmerized the king and unable to express his feelings he swooned and
fell down. Mohini sensed his presence and got up to hold him. She sprinkled
water over him and soon king regained his senses. He was thrilled to be in her
arms.
“King
Rukmangad1 Please get up. Drawn by your gracious presence and glory I am just a
slave of yours. Please oblige me by accepting me..” Mohini implored. King was
as if totally intoxicated and said,-“Fair lady! I have seen thousands of
beautiful ladies but none can match your celestial charm. Just by looking at
you I turned inert out of desire. Please grace me. I shall roll all my wealth
and empire at your disposal and shall remain your servant if you be mine..” The
longing flowed in the form of speech. Mohini was exalted and said,-“Emperor! I
do not wish for any empire. I expect just one thing that is that whatever I say
to you, you will do that. If you accept this condition than I am fully yours..”
The king readily promised to be at her command always and the two hearts became
one till one day king asked her to accompany him to his kingdom to which Mohini
agreed spontaneously.
As the couple came down the mountain they
found a lizard being crumpled by the hooves of the horse, seeing which the king
lost no time and rushed to lift the poor lizard up in his palm and asked his wife
to bring water to revive the dying creature. Although reluctant to take such
pain for a poor lizard initially the wife obeyed her husband and brought water
which somehow revived the lizard. To astonish all the lizard spoke in a subtle
voice,-“Gracious king! Listen to me. In the past life I was a beautiful wife of
an ill-tempered Brahman who never cared for me. To tame him I used tantrik
medicine which made him my slave but after death I became a lizard and have
been lying in the dark pit since centuries. You are a pious soul and if you
transfer little bit of your holy actions to me I shall be liberated from this
nasty life..” King thought for a while and pledged to transfer reward of
fasting on one ekadashi to her. As soon as he mentally pledged so the lizard
turned into a celestial lady coming out of the dead body of lizard and glowing
brightly she flew to heavens. The king was overjoyed to witness the glory of
lord Krishna ’s worship.
Thus the coupled moved to their kingdom
happily praising the glory of god.
AS they reached near their kingdom the son of
king came fast to receive them. Seeing the glorious lady besides his father he
saluted her and said,-“Father who is this celestial lady? She seems to me
worthy of becoming my mother only..” The king blessed his son and
replied,-“Son! She is the daughter of Lord Brahma and obtained a boon from Lord
Shiv to be your mother. We are already married and have come home now.” The son
fell in the feet of new mother and offered her his own back to mount a
horse.Mohini was overwhelmed to see the austerity of son of king. The prince
took her to his own palace and in many ways persuaded his own mother to attend
on Mohini.He made his father rest in his palace and honoured and endowed all
his three hundred mothers with best of gifts to make them to bless the new
couple. Thus blessed and served by three hundred pious queens of king Rukmangad
Mohini lived with her husband blissfully. She found not a single reason to
complain or create some tension for the blessed king. One day she made up her
mind and insisted the king to obey her by eating food on ekadashi. The king was
aghast. He could not understand as to what made her behave so. A heated
argument followed between them and finally Mohini rose up to desert the king.
When prince Dharmangad learnt that she was leaving the king he rushed to
persuade her. “Mother! Please tell me what makes you desert my great father?”
He
asked her. “Prince! You say your father is great and pious .But listen to me,
he has turned out to be a cheat and liar.” yelled she.
“How
can be so, mother?” asked the son. “Better ask him. He had married me with the
promise that he would always obey me but when I ask him to eat food with me
today he flatly refused to do so..” The son thought for a while. He knew that
his father did not allow anyone living in his kingdom to eat food on ekadashi
let alone the infants, sick and aged ones. He was in a quandary and knew well
that his father would never break his principle at any cost. He therefore
suggested,-“Mother please do not disgrace my father for he is a pious man.
Please ask for anything under the son. I promise to fulfill your any wish in
lieu of this demand..” Officiously said the prince. Mohini was in a fix. Such
devotion to a father was unimaginable.
She thought for a while then to test his
devotion asked him,-“Fine Rukmangad1 If you are so devoted to your father and
hold him in such high esteem then ask him to behead you with his own sword and
gift me your head right now..” The demand of a swaying woman thundered like a
killer vajra of lord Indra.
The prince promised her that yes he would make
his father do so to save his honour. He persuaded his parents to do so. Being a
devotee of lordKirshna they knew that for them death only meant meeting lord Krishna which was the best of achievements and reward of
their existence. They conferred and agreed to it. Lord Vishnu stood invisibly
to watch the trial of pious souls. As the king lifted his sword lord Vishnu
appeared and held the hand of king,” My Son! Enough. I have tested your faith
and you three have surpassed the limit of devotion. Now come with me I shall
take you to my abode with me..” Saying so lord Vishnu took them to Vaikunthalok
and seeing such miracle Mohini swooned and fell down on earth. Not only she
even Lord yam and lord Chitragupt were floored to see such end of their ploy.
“Father! I do not wish to hold this position anymore. Please take this away. I
am rendered powerless.Pleasse give me some other job..” saying so Lord Yam
clasped feet of lord Brahma. Narad rose up and began to sing glory of devotion
to lord Vishnu all around.
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