Yudhisthira Maharaj said, “O Janardana, protector of all beings, kindly bestow upon me knowledge of the Ekadasi that falls in the dark fortnight (krishna paksha) of the month of Kartika (October – November).”
“Shobhana replied, ‘When I fasted on Rama Ekadasi I did so without faith, hence, this kingdom is infirm. If a pure brahmin like you tells about my city to Chandrabhaga, I know it will become stable.’
“The humble brahmin Somasharma then led Chandrabhaga to Shobhana’s radiant kingdom. They, however, stopped at the foot of Mount Mandaracala, at the sacred ashrama of Vamadeva. Upon hearing their story, Vamadeva chanted Vedic hymns and sprinkled holy water upon Chandrabhaga. By the influence of the great Rishi’s rites, her merit of fasting on Ekadasis made her body transcendental. Ecstatic, Chandrabhaga then continued on her journey.
King Muchakunda
“There was once a renowned king of the name Muchakunda. He was friendly with exalted personalities like Lord Indra, the king of the heavens, Yamaraj, the god of Death, Varuna the god of oceans, and Vibhishana, the pious brother of the demon Ravana. Muchakunda was truthful and constantly offered Me devotional service. His kingdom was peaceful because he meticulously observed religious principles.
A Problem
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“When Shobhana saw his wife approach Mount Mandarachala, he called out to her in great elation. When she arrived, he seated her on his left and she spoke, ‘O dearest husband, please listen as I tell you something of immense value. I have fasted with complete faith one every Ekadasi since I was eight years old. If I transfer to you all the merit I have accumulated, your kingdom will prosper and endure till the coming of the great inundation!’”
Prince Shobhana Succumbs
“Prince Shobhana then decided to fast on the sacred Ekadasi day and put himself in the hands of fate. The fast on Ekadasi proved unbearable to Shobhana and hunger and thirst took their toll on him. When the sun set in the west, the auspicious night made all the Vaishnavas happy. O Yudhisthira, the devotees joyfully worshiped Me (Sri Hari) and stayed awake all night. For Prince Shobhana, however, that night became excruciating. By sunrise on Dwadasi, Prince Shobhana had died.
“On Dasami when Shobhana heard the sound of the kettledrum, he said to his wife, ‘O beautiful one, what am I to do now? How can I obey your father’s edict and also save my life?’ Chandrabhaga replied, ‘My dear husband, in my father’s house not even the elephants or horses – what to speak of human beings – eat on Ekadasi. The animals are not fed grains, leaves, straw or even water! So you cannot avoid fasting if you are here. If you must eat something dear husband, then you must leave at once. Please decide what you wish to do.’
The Next Life of Shobhana
“This kingdom resembled an abode of the demigods; lustrous with limitless jewels set in the walls of its buildings and pillars of rubies with inlaid gold and diamonds. Servants fanned King Shobhana with yak-tail whisks as he sat upon an ornate throne beneath a pure white canopy. A jewelled crown rested upon his head, his ears were decorated with exquisite earrings, an ornate golden necklace graced his neck, and the finest armlets and bracelets adorned his arms. When Gandharvas (the best of heavenly singers) and Apsaras (celestial dancers) performed for his pleasure, he seemed like Indra, the king of heaven.
“Muchakunda gave his daughter Chandrabhaga, named after a sacred river, to Prince Shobhana, the son of King Chandrasena in marriage. Once Shobhana visited his father-in-law a few days before Ekadasi. Muchakunda had the practice of having all the citizens fast completely on Ekadasi. Chandrabhaga was anxious about her husband for he was physically weak and incapable of undergoing a day-long fast. She told him, ‘My father is very strict about observing Ekadasi. On the Dasami, the day prior to Ekadasi, he orders the striking of a large kettledrum with the announcement, “Everyone is hereby ordered to fast on Ekadasi, the sacred day of Sri Hari!”’
Shobhana Connects With His Past Life
Lord Krishna, the Supreme Lord replied, “O lion among kings, the Ekadasi that occurs in the dark fortnight of the month of Kartika is called Rama Ekadasi. It has the power to eliminate the greatest of sins and award passage to the spiritual realm. Now hear a story that demonstrates the glory of this sacred Ekadasi.
Lord Sri Krishna then turned to Yudhishthira and said, “O Yudhisthira, Chandrabhaga with an exquisite transcendental body beautifully decorated with the finest ornaments enjoyed peace and happiness with her husband. By the potency of Rama Ekadasi, Shobhana obtained a magnificent kingdom on the Mount Mandarachala and was able to fulfill his desires and find everlasting happiness, like that achieved from the transcendental Kamadhenu cow.
“King Muchakunda performed the funeral of his son-in-law over a large stack of wood but instructed his daughter Chandrabhaga not to observe the custom of climbing her husband’s funeral pyre. Chandrabhaga performed the purificatory rituals for her husband and continued to stay with her father.
“O best of the kings, Yudhishthira, By observing Rama Ekadasi, Shobhana was able to acquire great merit and in his next life became the ruler of an opulent kingdom high on Mandarachala Mountain.
Chandrabhaga Overjoyed to Help Her Husband
This year Rama Ekadasi falls on 11 Nov 2020.
“The brahmin asked, ‘Why is this kingdom fragile and how can it be made stable? Please explain this to me, and I shall try to help you.’
Sage Vamadeva Purifies Chandrabhaga
“Chandrabhaga replied, ‘O sage among the brahmins, I am eager to see my husband, please take me to him at once. With the merit of having fasted on every Ekadasi my entire life, I can bring stability to his kingdom. Please reunite us and you will gain great merit.’
Chandrabhaga Saves Shobhana
“O greatest of kings, these are the glories of Rama Ekadasi that falls in the dark fortnight of the month of Kartika. Anyone who observes Ekadasis during both the light and the dark fortnight of each month is undoubtedly freed from the sinful reactions of even killing a brahmin. Anyone who even hears this narration of the glories of Rama Ekadasi is freed from all kinds of sin and attains the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu.”
Potency of Rama Ekadasi
“One day, a brahmin from Muchakunda’s kingdom named Somasharma while on a pilgrimage came to visit Shobhana’s kingdom. The brahmin saw Shobhana in his resplendence and instantly recognized him as the son-in-law of his own king Muchakunda. Seeing the Brahmin approach, Shobhana recognized him too. He rose from his seat and welcomed him. After Shobhana had paid his respectful obeisances, he enquired from the brahmin about his well-being and about the health and welfare of his (Shobhana’s) father-in-law, his wife and all the residents of the city. Somasharma said, ‘O king, all the subjects in your father-in-law’s kingdom are well, and your wife Chandrabhaga and other family members are also well. The kingdom is peaceful and prosperous. But, I am astonished to find you here! Please tell me how you obtained such a beautiful city!’
The glories of Kartika-Krishna Ekadasi or Rama Ekadasi have been narrated in the Brahma-Vaivarta Purana of Veda Vyasa in a conversation between Lord Krishna and King Yudhishthira.
“King Shobhana then said, ‘Since I observed Rama Ekadasi, I was offered this splendid city to rule over. Yet, for all of its grandeur, it is unstable and could die out any time.’
“Somasharma returned to his city and related the entire episode to Chandrabhaga. She was overjoyed to hear news of her husband. She exclaimed, ‘O brahmana, is this a dream or did you see actually see my husband?’ Somasharma replied, ‘O Princess, I saw your late husband face to face in a kingdom so magnificent that it resembles the planets of heaven. Your husband, however, says his kingdom is unstable and could vanish any moment. He thinks that you could make it endure.’