This Khand covers the pages 610-1001 (390 pages) of the book. Importance of Badaree Naath; Gangaa; Tulasee, Shaaligraam, Prayaag Teerth, various kinds of Daan (charities); about Shani Dev; various Vrat; Ekaadashee of all months; worship of Yam Raaj and Dwaadashee Vrat; Vishnu Sahastranaam; story of devotee Pundareek; importance of Vishnu and various flowers to use in His worship; Shankhaasur, Kaartik and Maagh Snaan and Vrat; Nrasinh Chaturdashee; Geetaa; Bhaagvat Kathaa; Avataar stories - Matsya, Koorm, Nrasinh, Vaaman, Parashuraam, Raam, and Krishn.

Phaalgun, Chaitra, Vaishaakh Ekaadashee Vrat

Phaalgun Krishn Ekaadashe Vijayaa and Shukla Ekaadashee Aamalakee - "Krishn further said - Once Naarad Jee asked Brahmaa Jee about Phaalgun Krishn Ekaadashee Vijayaa. Brahmaa Jee said - "I tell you about it, it brings victory to kings. In earlier times when Raam went in exile and was living in Panchvatee, Raavan abducted Seetaa. He met Hanumaan and Sugreev and searched for Seetaa. Hanumaan found out that Seetaa was living in Lankaa. So Raam went to Lankaa, but how to cross sea to reach Lankaa? He asked Lakshman - "By which Punya we can cross this sea?" Lakshman said - "You are the greatest, there is nothing hidden from you. Here lives Bakadaalbhya named Muni. His Aashram is 1/2 Yojan far from here. Ask the way from him only."

So Raam went there and asked him the way to cross the sea. He said - "You observe Phaalgun Krishn Ekaadashee Vrat, you will certainly get victory. Establish a golden, silver, copper or clay pitcher on Dashamee. Fill with water and put some leaves in it. Establish a golden idol of Naaraayan. On Ekaadashee, take bath, establish the pitcher again, put seven grains and barley on the pitcher, and worship it. Pass the whole day in front of it telling stories, wake up in the night also. Light the Ghee lamp. On Dwaadashee, after sunrise, establish the pitcher near some water body, worship it there and donate all the things along with others to a Braahman." Brahmaa Jee said - "Naarad, Raam did that and got victory over Raavan." Krishn said - "Yudhishthir, that is why one should do this Vrat."

Phaalgun Shukla Ekaadashee Aamalakee - "Krishn said - "Yudhishthir, Now listen to the dialog about it between king Maandhaataa and Vashishth Jee. Vashishth Jee said - "Aamalakee is a great tree which destroys all kinds of sins. When Vishnu spat, it appeared as a shining drop, it fell on the ground and that grew as Aamalaa tree. This is the first tree among all. When Brahmaa Jee produced Devtaa, Daanav etc, then Devtaa and Rishi went to this tree. They thought that, "Other trees are like previous Kalp, but we don't know this tree, which one is this?" That time a Divine voice said - "This is Aamalaa tree which is very dear to Vishnu, that is why one should always eat it."

Rishi asked, "Who are you?" The voice said - "I am Vishnu." Rishi prayed Him, at this Vishnu asked them to ask for any Var. Rishi asked - "Tell me some Vrat which can give us Swarg and Moksh." Vishnu said - "If Phaalgun Shukla Dwaadashee is with Pushya Nakshatra, it gives lots of Punya. On Aamalakee Ekaadashee, keep complete fast, go to Aamalaa tree, establish golden idol of Parashuraam, worship it, offer Arghya with Aamalaa fruit, and do Jaagaran overnight.  Next day circumambulate the tree 28 or 108 times. Then worship Braahman and give all those things to him. Then feed Braahman and eat food himself along with friends and relations. This destroys all sins." After saying this Vishnu disappeared. So Hey Maandhaataa, You should also do this Vrat."

Chaitra Krishn Paapmochanee Ekaadashee and Shukla Kaamadaa Ekaadashee - "Krishn said - "In earlier times, a Manjughoshaa named Apsaraa went to Chaitrarath forest to attract Muni Medhaavee. Manjughoshaa stayed one Kos far from Muni because of his anger and started singing in a sweet voice. Medhaavee happened to pass from that way and got attracted towards her. They enjoyed for long time. After that one day Manjughoshaa asked Muni's permission to go to Dev Lok. Medhaavee said - "Stay back with me till I finish morning Sandhyaa." Apsaraa said - "Do you know how many Sandhyaa have gone by till now? Please, think about the time."

At this Muni came to senses and came to know that he had passed 57 years with her. Muni got very angry so he gave Shaap to her - "Go and become Pishaach." Apsaraa said bending her head - "Please, be kind to me. Friendship develops by walking even seven steps with good people, then I have spent so many years with you, please, be kind to me." Muni said - "What should I do, you have destroyed my lots of Tapasya. There falls a "Paapmochanee" Ekaadashee on Chaitra Krishn Paksh. You observe Vrat on that, your Shaap will be cleared." And Muni went to his father Maharshi Chyavan's Aashram and told about the destruction of his Tapasyaa. He also suggested him to keep Chaitra Krishn Ekaadashee. Thus both observed this Ekaadashee.

Chaitra Shukla Ekaadashee is called Kaamadaa Ekaadashee. Listen to the dialog between King Dileep and Vashishth Jee. Vashishth Jee said - "In ancient times there was a beautiful city named Naagpur where there were golden palaces and Pundareek etc terrible Naag lived there. Gandharv, Kinnar, Apsaraa also lived there. There lived an Apsaraa named Lalitaa, and Lalit named Gandharv lived with her. Both loved each other very much. One day Lalit was singing in Pundareek's court but Lalitaa was not there. As he was singing, he remembered Lalitaa and his tongue stammered, and feet trembled. Karkotak knew Lalit's condition, so he told this to Pundareek. Pudareek gave him Shaap - "You are remembering you wife even in front of me, so be Raakshas."

Immediately Lalit became Raakshas. Lalitaa got very sad seeing this, she wandered in forests behind her husband. Once she saw an Aashram there, and there was a Muni in that Aashram. She greeted him and just stood there. Muni asked her as who she was and why she was there? Lalitaa said - "I am the daughter of Veerdhanvaa and my name is Lalitaa. My husband has become Raakshas because of some Paap, please, help me." Muni said - "You keep fast on Chaitra Shukla Ekaadashee, Kaamadaa, and give its Punya to your husband. He will be free from his Shaap." Lalitaa kept fast on Ekaadashee, and she gave its Punya to her husband in front of Vaasudev idol and Muni." Vashishth Jee said - "As soon as she said this, her husband's Paap cleared and he became Gandharv again."

Vaishaakh Krishn Varoothinee Ekaadashee and Shukla Mohinee Ekaadashee - "Krishn said - "Yudhishthir, Vaishaakh Krishn Ekaadashee is called "Varoothinee" and it gives all kinds of good fortune. Its fruit is equal to 10,000 years of Tapasyaa. Donation of elephant is greater than a horse donation; land donation is greater than the horse donation; sesame seed donation is greater than the land donation; gold donation is greater than the sesame seed donation; Ann (food) Daan is greater than the gold donation, because Anna satisfy Pitar, Devtaa and human beings. Learned people have regarded Kanyaa (Girl) donation like Anna Daan, and cow donation. But the greatest of all donations is Vidyaa Daan.

The Vratee should leave these 10 things on Dashamee - Kaansaa pot, Urad, black lentils (whole Masoor), Chanaa, Kodo (buckwheat), vegetables, honey, other's food, two times food, and sexual relationship; and leave these 11 things on Ekaadashee - gambling, sleeping, chewing betel leaf, using toothbrush, telling bad about others, talking about others behind their back, stealing, Hinsaa, sexual relationship, anger and telling lie; and these 12 things on Dwaadashee - Kaansaa pot, Urad, liquor, honey, oil, talking to fallen people, exercise, going outside the city, two times food, sexual relationship, riding on bull's back, and black lentils. This is the method of observing this Ekaadashee. Who is afraid of Yam Raaj, he must do this Vrat."

Krishn further said - "Hey Raajan, In earlier times Raam asked Vashishth the same, so I tell you what Vashishth Jee said to Him. Vaishaakh Shukla Ekaadashee is called Mohinee Ekaadashee. It destroys all sins. There is a Bhadraavatee city on the banks of Saraswatee River. Its king was Dhritimaan who was born in Chandra Vansh. There lived a Vaishya also, his name was Dhanpaal. He used to dig well, ponds etc for others and was a great devotee of Vishnu. He had five sons - Sumanaa, Dyutimaan, Medhaavee, Sukrit, and Dhrishtbuddhi. Dhrishtbuddhi used to commit many sins. He never used to worship Devtaa or felicitate Braahman. One day his father expelled him from his house. Wandering around, he arrived at Kaundinya Rishi's Aashram. It was Vaishaakh month. Kaundinya just arrived at his Aashram after taking bath in Gangaa River.

Dhrishtbuddhi greeted him and said - "Tell me some Vrat by doing which I should attain Mukti." Muni said -"Observe this month's Shukla Paksh Ekaadashee, Mohinee; you will be free from your sins." Vashishth Jee said - "Dhrishtbuddhi did that and attained Mukti."

Ekaadashee Contd...