Once, in the sacred assembly of sages, the merits of a supreme vow were extolled. It was declared that whoever performed this vow would be freed from all sins and would earn the merit equivalent to gifting a thousand cows. This vow, among all vows, was the highest. Worshipping Acyuta—Lord Viṣṇu—in this manner, one would never be deprived of entry into Viṣṇu’s celestial realm. Eager to learn, the sages respectfully asked, “Please describe the complete procedure for this vow. What mantras should be chanted? What salutations are offered? Which deity is invoked? How is charity given, how is the bathing done, and what is the prescribed method of worship? Kindly explain the mantras for offering and worship, exactly as they are.” Viṣṇu himself responded, “Listen, O best of the twice-born, to the proper procedure. On Ekādaśī, one must fast, and on the following day, resolve: ‘Tomorrow I shall eat, O lotus-eyed one; be my refuge, O Acyuta.’ After making this vow and brushing the teeth, one must avoid conversation with fallen people, thieves, heretics, those of evil conduct, violators of boundaries, or those who have transgressed their teacher’s wife. “In the afternoon, with self-control, the wise should bathe according to the prescribed method—in a river, pond, well, or at home. First, take up clay and recite: ‘O earth, trodden by horses, chariots, and Viṣṇu—O clay, remove my sin, whatever misdeed I have committed.’ The clay mantra is: ‘You are water, the life of all beings, protector of bodies. Salutations to you, lord of the juices of those born from sweat and from eggs.’ Then, recite: ‘I am bathed in all sacred waters, in lakes and springs, in rivers and divine ponds; let this bath be mine.’ “After bathing, make a golden image of the sage Jāmadagnya, using a measure of gold or half that. Return home and perform worship and homa for the pūjā. With all necessary items, proceed to the Āmalakī tree. Cleanse the surroundings thoroughly and place a flawless pot, preceded by mantra recitation. Adorn the pot with five gems, infuse it with divine fragrance, equip it with an umbrella and a pair of sandals, and smear it with white sandal paste. Hang a garland from its neck, surround it with incense and rows of lamps, making it exceedingly beautiful. “Upon the pot, place a vessel filled with divine roasted grains; upon that vessel, place the illustrious deity Jāmadagnya. Then, offer salutations: to Viśoka at the feet, Viśvarūpin at the knees, Ugra at the thighs, Dāmodara at the hips, Padmanābha at the belly, the bearer of Śrīvatsa at the chest, the wielder of the discus at the left arm, and the wielder of the mace at the right arm. To Vaikuṇṭha, offer at the neck; to Yajñamukha at the mouth; to the treasure of freedom from sorrow at the nose; to Vāsudeva at the eyes; to Vāmana at the forehead; to Rāma at the brows; and to the all-pervading soul at the head, worship with the word ‘obeisance.’ “Thus is the worship mantra. Then, offer arghya to the god of gods, with a pure fruit and a mind full of devotion. Keep vigil through the night with dances, songs, musical instruments, recitations of dharma, and hymns. With Vaiṣṇava stories, pass the entire night. Then, circumambulate the vessel, reciting the names of Viṣṇu—either one hundred and eight times or twenty-eight times. At dawn, perform the waving of lights for Hari. “After worshipping a brāhmaṇa, offer everything to him: in the Jāmadagnya vessel, a pair of garments and sandals. Pray, ‘May Keśava be pleased with me in the form of Jāmadagnya.’ Then, touch the āmalakī fruit and perform circumambulation. After bathing according to the rule, feed the brāhmaṇas; afterwards, eat with your family. “The merit gained by performing this vow equals the merit of bathing in all sacred waters and the fruit of all gifts. One certainly attains that which surpasses all sacrifices. Thus, the supreme vow among vows has been declared to you.” Having given these instructions, the lord of the gods vanished, and the sages performed everything as prescribed. The story continued, as the teaching was passed to others. “O best of kings,” it was said, “you too are worthy to perform this vow, which is difficult to accomplish and frees from all sins.” Later, Yudhiṣṭhira, the righteous king, asked Śrī Kṛṣṇa, “In the bright fortnight of Vaiśākha, what is the name of the Ekādaśī? What is its fruit, and what is the procedure? Tell me, O Janārdana.” Śrī Kṛṣṇa replied, “This very question was once asked by the wise Rāmacandra to Vasiṣṭha, just as you ask me now. Rama said, ‘O venerable one, I wish to hear about the supreme vow among all vows, the one that destroys all sins and cuts off all suffering. I have endured sorrows caused by separation from Sita; therefore, I am fearful and ask you, great sage.’ Vasiṣṭha answered, ‘Well asked, O Rama; your steadfast resolve is admirable. By merely uttering your name, a person becomes purified. Still, for the welfare of the world, I will tell you about the purest and most sanctifying vow, the highest among vows. In the bright fortnight of Vaisakha, there is an Ekadashi called Mohini, renowned as the supreme remover of all sins. By the power of this vow, people are freed from the net of delusion and from all heaps of sin. Truly, truly, I speak this.’ Thus, through these sacred instructions, the supreme vow was revealed, offering liberation from sin and entrance into the realm of Viṣṇu for all who faithfully observe it.