Rama, for these reasons, such a vow should be observed by those like yourself—it has the power to destroy sins and remove even the greatest suffering. Now listen closely, Rama, for I shall tell you a supreme story, one that annihilates sin; simply by hearing it, even the gravest misdeeds can be washed away. On the beautiful banks of the Sarasvati River stood the auspicious city of Bhadravati. There, a radiant king ruled, and among his subjects was a merchant of the lunar dynasty, steadfast in his word and abundant in wealth and grain. This merchant was named Dhanapala. He was devoted to virtuous deeds—building rest-houses, wells, monasteries, gardens, ponds, and homes for others. A peaceful soul, ever devoted to Vishnu, Dhanapala had five sons: Sumanas, Dyutiman, Medhavi, Sukrita, and the youngest, Dhrishtabuddhi. But Dhrishtabuddhi was of a different nature. He was ever intent on great sin, addicted to the company of other men's wives, and skilled in the ways of gambling dens and riotous gatherings. Drawn to vice, he cared nothing for worshipping the gods, honoring his ancestors, or respecting brahmins. His mind was unrighteous and wicked; he squandered his father's wealth, ate forbidden foods, and was ever addicted to drinking. He would wander the crossroads with his arms around the necks of prostitutes, living in wickedness. Eventually, his father cast him out, and his relatives abandoned him. Reduced to poverty, Dhrishtabuddhi spent even his last ornaments on himself. The courtesans turned him away, and he became reviled for his loss of wealth. Overcome by anxiety, naked and tormented by hunger, he wondered desperately, "What shall I do? Where shall I go? How shall I live?" In his desperation, he turned to theft in his own father’s city. The king’s men caught him, but, out of respect for his father, released him. Yet he was arrested again and again, and each time released, until finally, bold in his wickedness, he was bound with strong fetters. He was whipped and tormented repeatedly, and told, "You, foolish soul, must not remain in my domain." With these words, the king released him from his bonds. Out of fear, Dhrishtabuddhi fled into the dense forest. There, afflicted by hunger and thirst, his mind restless, he roamed like a wild beast. He killed deer, boar, and many other animals for food, always intent on eating flesh. With a bow in hand and a quiver on his back, he hunted birds—chakoras, peacocks, herons, partridges, and even mice. Blinded by sin, he slew countless creatures, sinking deeper into the mire of evil from the sins of his previous births. Tormented day and night by suffering and sorrow, Dhrishtabuddhi wandered until, by the force of some remaining merit, he reached the hermitage of the sage Kaundinya. It was the month of Mādhava. Weighed down by grief, Dhrishtabuddhi approached the sage, who had just bathed in the sacred Ganges. A single drop from the sage’s garment touched him, and in that instant, his sins and misfortunes were dispelled. Standing before Kaundinya with folded hands, Dhrishtabuddhi pleaded, "O best of Brahmins, show me compassion. Tell me, by what power of merit may liberation be attained?" The sage Kaundinya replied, "Listen with focused mind to that which destroys all sin. In the bright fortnight of Vaiśākha, there is the renowned Ekādaśī called Mohinī. Observe the vow of Ekādaśī on that day as I instruct you, and sins as great as Mount Meru will be destroyed. Mohinī, when properly observed, destroys sins accumulated over many births." Hearing the sage’s words, Dhrishtabuddhi’s mind became serene. He performed the vow exactly as Kaundinya instructed him. When the vow was completed, he became free from all sin. Then, having attained a divine body, he mounted Garuḍa and ascended to the world of Vishnu, forever freed from affliction. Thus, O Rama, is the supreme Mohinī vow. In all the three worlds, there is nothing greater than this, among both moving and unmoving beings. Sacrifices, pilgrimages, and gifts do not equal even a sixteenth part of its merit; by simply reciting or hearing of it, one attains the fruit of giving a thousand cows. Thus ends the forty-ninth chapter, named "Mohinī Ekādaśī of the bright fortnight of Vaiśākha," in the dialogue between Umāpati and Nārada, in the Uttarakhaṇḍa of the glorious Padma Mahāpurāṇa. Later, Nārada approached Mahādeva and said, "O best of gods, tell me for my benefit about the worship of Yama. How can a man avoid going to another hell, O Lord? It is said that in Yama’s world flows the dreadful river Vaitaraṇī—impossible to approach, boundless, difficult to cross, and filled with blood. For all beings, it is nearly impossible to cross; how can it be done easily? This is my great fear, O Mahādeva, regarding the world of Yama. Please, out of compassion, tell me fully what should be done for liberation from this fate." Mahādeva replied, "Once, O brāhmaṇa, I bathed in the salt ocean at Dvāravatī. There I saw the sage Mudgala approaching, shining like the blazing sun, his body radiant with the power of austerity. After bowing to me, the sage Mudgala, filled with wonder, spoke: 'O Lord, I suddenly lost consciousness and fell to the ground. My limbs were burning, and I was seized by Yama’s attendants. Dragged by force, I became the size of a man’s thumb, tightly bound by Yama’s guards, and was led near the Lord of Death…'" Thus, the teachings and stories were revealed, guiding the earnest seeker on the path to liberation.