The 26th of April 2018 marks the holy Hindu event of Mohini Ekadashi. Mohini means attractive magical enchanting beauty. Mohini also refers to the deity Goddess Mohini. She is one of the female avatars of Lord Vishnu. Ekadashi is a Sanskrit word. Ekadash means eleven. Ekadashi refers to the 11th day of waxing-rising phase of the moon. The phenomenon is called Shukla Paksha. Mohini Ekadashi falls on this day in the month of Vaisakha in north India. This is according to the Hindu lunar calendar. It is believed that Lord Vishnu appeared in this form on Mohini Ekadashi.
Many devotees observe Vrat. Vrat means fasting. Goddess Mohini and Lord Vishnu are worshiped across India. The Vrat is observed in dedication to Lord Vishnu. There are limited specific Goddess Mohini temples also. But devotees also visit Lord Vishnu temples on this event. Lord Shiva was once attracted to Goddess Mohini. A prominent God in south India, Lord Ayyappan was the consort son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Mohini.
Mohini Ekadashi was once narrated between Maharaja Yudhishthir and Lord Krishna. Maharaja Yudhishthir then wished to know about Mohini Ekadashi.
There is one connection between astrological aspects of Rahu-Ketu and Goddess Mohini. It was when Goddess Mohini was distributing the Amrit to the Devtaas. Amrit is the power syrup to drink. It is like nectar. Devtaas mean deities. It is said that one monster was also seated. Then the Sun God and Moon God informed Lord Vishnu in the form of Goddess Mohini about this. He cut off the head of the monster with the Sudarshan Chakra. The head was separated from the main body. Since then, the Head is known as Rahu and the body as Ketu. Rahu-Ketu is widely used in the ancient Indian Astrology. These are two points that denote the intersection of the points between the sun and the moon. One is north node, the other south node. Their nature is basically malefic. It is also sometimes referred as rouge ‘planet’. They are not physical actual planets, they are aspects.
Mohini Ekadashi Vrat is observed to get rid of sins. Some say it includes the sins of any of the past births. It is also to seek blessings. It is to plead for happiness and prosperity. It is to bring Moksha. Moksha means freedom or release from life. The Vrat is broken the next day at dawn. Consumption of fruit juice, fruits, water etc is allowed. Typically, a specific meal is taken only once a day. Devotees bathe early in the morning. Then they perform prayers. The exact time of Vrat observation, Puja and breaking of the fast should be consulted. Puja means prayer performance.
A Mantra for this occasion is—
Om Namo Arihantanam Aare Aarini,
Mohinim Mohaya Mohaya Swaha.
The Mantra is said to balance the attraction equation, especially between male and female.
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