Glories of Mokṣadā Ekādaśī

Date and Time of Moksada Ekadasi in Mumbai

This year Moksada ekadasi tithi begins on  30 Nov 2025 at 09:31 PM and ends on 1 Dec 2025 at 07:02 PM.

The Moksada Ekadasi fast will be observed from 1 Dec 2025, 06:55 AM to 2 Dec 2025, 06:56 AM and Ekadasi fast needs to be broken on 1 Dec 2025 from 06:56 AM to 10:37 AM.

Introduction: The Divine Day of the Bhagavad-gītā

Mokshada Ekadasi is very special in two regards:

• It is the all-auspicious day on which Lord Sri Krishna spoke the Srimad Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, at the place now known as Jyotisha Tirtha.
• Anyone who gifts a Bhagavad Gita to a deserving person on this day is bestowed profuse blessings by Sri Krishna Bhagavan.

The Ancient History of Mokṣadā Ekādaśī

Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja’s Inquiry

Yudhishthira Maharaj said, "O Vishnu, master of all, O delight of the three worlds, O Lord of the entire Universe, O creator of the world, O oldest personality, O best of all beings, I offer my most respectful obeisances unto You.

'O Lord of lords, for the benefit of all living entities, kindly answer some questions that I have. What is the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Margashirsha (November-December) and removes all sins? How does one observe it properly, and which Deity is worshipped on that holiest of days? O my Lord please explain this to me in full.'"

Lord Sri Krishna Explains the Greatness of Mokṣadā Ekādaśī

Lord Sri Krishna replied: "O dear Yudhishthira, your enquiry is very auspicious and will bring you fame. Just as I previously explained about Utpanna Maha-Dwadasi— so I shall now describe this Ekadasi occurring in the light fortnight of Margashirsha. This Ekadasi is known as Mokshada, because it purifies the faithful devotee of sinful reactions and bestows liberation. The worshipable Deity of this all-auspicious day is Lord Damodara. He should be worshipped with incense, a ghee lamp, fragrant flowers, and Tulsi manjaris."

Hearing the History Grants the Merit of an Ashvamedha Yajña

"O best of kings, listen attentively to the ancient history of this Ekadasi. Simply by hearing it, one gains the merit equal to performing a horse sacrifice. This merit can uplift one’s forefathers and relatives from hell to heaven."

The Pious City of Champaka-nagara

There once was a beautiful city named Champaka-nagar, decorated with devoted Vaishnavas. Its saintly ruler, Maharaj Vaikhaanasa, governed his subjects as lovingly as his own children. The brahmanas there were expert in all four Vedas. One night the king dreamt of his father suffering tortures on a hellish planet under Yamaraja. Overwhelmed with sorrow, he narrated the dream to his learned brahmanas the next morning.

The King’s Distress Over His Father’s Suffering

The king told the brahmanas: "My father cried, ‘O son, deliver me from this torment!’ Since seeing this, I have lost all peace. My kingdom, wealth, family—everything brings me sorrow. Please tell me what charity, fasting, austerity or worship can deliver my father."

The Brahmanas Advise Visiting Parvata Muni

The twice-born brahmanas replied: "O king, nearby in the forest resides the great saint Parvata Muni, who is tri-kala-jnani. Go to him—he will surely guide you." The king immediately departed to the ashram.

Arrival at the Ashrama of Parvata Muni

The ashram was vast, filled with sages chanting Vedic hymns. The king approached Parvata Muni, who sat adorned with tilakas from all sampradayas. The sage inquired about the welfare of the kingdom. The king replied that all was well except for his father’s suffering.

Parvata Muni Reveals the Sin of the King’s Father

Parvata Muni meditated on the past, present, and future.

He revealed: The king’s father, in his previous life, had forced intimacy with his wife during her menstrual cycle despite her pleas. Due to this grievous sin, he had fallen into a hellish condition.

The Remedy: Observance of Mokṣadā Ekādaśī

The king asked how to free his father from suffering.

Parvata Muni replied: "During the light fortnight of Margashirsha is Mokshada Ekadasi. If you observe this Ekadasi strictly, with full fasting, and gift the merit to your father, he will be instantly liberated."

The King Performs the Ekādaśī Vrata

The king returned to his palace and awaited Ekadasi. He fasted strictly with full faith along with his family. He dedicated the accumulated merit to his father.

At that moment:

• flower petals showered from the heavens,
• devas praised the king,
• and their messengers escorted the father to the celestial regions.

As he ascended, the father blessed his son: "My dear son, all auspiciousness unto you!" He then reached heaven, where he could resume devotional service and eventually return to Godhead.

The Supreme Benefit of Observing Mokṣadā Ekādaśī

Lord Krishna concluded: "O son of Pandu, anyone who strictly observes Mokshada Ekadasi, following all rules and regulations, attains full liberation after death. There is no better fasting day in the light fortnight of Margashirsha. This Ekadasi is crystal-clear, sinless, and like chintamani, fulfilling all spiritual desires. It can uplift one from hell to heaven, and for one observing it for spiritual progress, it grants return back home, back to Godhead."

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Margashirsha-Shukla Ekadasi, known as Mokṣadā Ekādaśī, from the Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa.