Uttar Bhaag of Naarad Puraan (p 577-750, about 175 pages) contains many stories - Rukmaangad, Indradyumn, Raam, Parashuraam, Krishn, glory of Gayaa and Gangaa, importance of Teerth

Mohinee Stops Rukmaangad to Observe Kaarttik Vrat

Mohinee said - "Dear, Whatever you said about Kaartik Maas fasting, they are very good, but for a king, there are only three principal Karm - first is to give donations, second is to take care of his people, and the third is to fight with his opponents. You should not do this Vrat. I cannot live without you even for two Ghadee, then how can I live without you for 30 days? If you think that you have to do fasting, you may donate food to Braahman and your elder wife can do these Vrat." The king called Sandhyaavalee and she came there immediately. The king said to her - "I know your family and nature, I have lived with Mohinee with your permission only. My several Kaartik Maas went waste living like this, but my Kaartik fast has not been broken yet. Kaartik Maas has arrived again, and I wish to do this Vrat, but this Brahmaa's daughter stops me to do this Vrat, that is why I wish that you do Krichchhra Vrat on my behalf."

Sandhyaavalee said - "I will surely do this Vrat for you. I can even burn this body for you, I will surely obey you." She started doing that Vrat and the king became very happy to see that his wife was doing this Vrat on behalf of him. He said to Mohinee - "I am yours now, you may fulfill all your desires now." The then the king heard the drum beat saying, "Tomorrow is Vishnu's day, Ekaadashee, therefore eat only once today, do not eat salt today, eat only Havishya, sleep on the floor, keep abstinence, remember Vishnu, keep complete fast tomorrow. By doing this you will go to Vshnu Lok, whether your Shraaddh is done or not, you have got Pind or not. By keeping fast on this Prabodhinee Ekaadashee, your all sins committed willingly will be washed away. This day gives knowledge to people, and Vishnu wakes up on this day that is why it is called Prabodhinee Ekaadashee. Whoever keeps fast on this day, he never takes birth in this world. Whoever will not obey me, he will be severely punished."

Hearing this the king got up from Mohinee's bed and said to her - "Tomorrow is this important Ekaadashee, that is why I will keep abstinence today. Because of you I asked Sandhyaavalee to do Krichchhra Vrat, but this Ekaadashee has to be done by me only. Today I will eat only Havishya. It is better if you also observe this fast with me." Mohinee said - "Whatever you have said is right, but you have promised me by giving your right hand on Mandaraachal, now the time has come to fulfill it. Therefore you keep your promise otherwise whatever Punya you have collected so far since birth, all will be destroyed."

Rukmaangad said - "I will fulfill all your desires, I have nothing to save for myself, all is yours." Mohinee said - "If I am dear to you then you don't keep fast on Ekaadashee, take food on that day, I ask you only this Var. If you will not give me Var, you will be living in Narak for one Kalp." The king said - "Such talks do not look nice to you. It is strange that being the daughter of Brahmaa Jee you are opposing Dharm. I have never taken food on Ekaadashee since birth, then when I have become old, how can I take food on this day? Please do not break my Vrat. All kinds of Paap live in the food taken on Ekaadashee, when I am aware of them, how can I take food on this day? I will fulfill your any other desire but please do not break my Vrat."

Mohinee said - "One may do Ek Bhukt Vrat, Nakt Vrat, or A-Yaachit Vrat, or fasting on Ekaadashee, whatever you say, it may be true; but when I was on Mandaraachal Parvat, Rishi Gautam told me that a pregnant woman, a Grihasth man, a weak patient, a child, a very old person, who is going to do a Yagya, warriors in battlefield and a Pativrataa woman should not keep complete abstinence from food. Thus that regulation that one should keep complete fast on Ekaadashee doesn't apply to these people. That is why when you will eat food on Ekaadashee, only then I will feel happy; otherwise if you give me even your head, I will not be happy. I will not even touch a liar like you.

Satya (Truth) is worshipped in all Aashram and Varn. Soorya burns with the power of Satya, Chandramaa gives light because of Satya, this Prithvi exists on Satya, air flows because of Satya, fire burns because of Satya, sea doesn't cross its limits because of Satya, Vindhya Parvat doesn't rise high because of being bound with Satya, and a woman doesn't become pregnant after her time has passed because of Satya, even Satya is higher than thousands of Ashwamedh Yagya."

The King said - "Whatever Gautam Rishi has told you that is not according to Puraan. Puraan say that one should not eat food on Ekaadashee, then how can I eat food on Ekaadashee? Eating fruits, roots, milk and water have been prescribed for weak people. No wise person has said that one should eat food on Ekaadashee, rather fasting is preferred for those who have fever. Please do not force me to eat food on this day. Besides that whatever you will say, I will do it for you."

Mohinee said - "Take food on Ekaadashee, I do not like any other thing except this. Ved do not prescribe this." Hearing this the King became a little angry but he said smilingly - "Ved have several forms. Yagya etc Karm Kaand are Ved, Smriti are Ved, and both of them are in Puraan, that is why I regard Puraan over Ved. Who doesn't know Shaastra, Ved is scared of him 'lest he blames me'. All things have been decided by Itihaas (history) and Puraan. Whatever is not seen in Ved, it is found in Smriti. All types of Praayashchit and medicines are found in Puraan. Puraan continuously repeat not to eat food on Ekaadashee." At this Mohinee called learned Braahman.

Gautam etc Braahman came there and both king and Mohinee greeted them. Mohinee said - "Although it is a little foolish thing, but still tell us something about this. This king says - "I will not food on Ekaadashee, but fasting is good only for widows and Yati. A king's duty is to take care of his people; for a woman it is serving her husband, for sons it is serving their parents, for Shoodra it is serving Dwij, and for kings it is to protect the whole world. Who doesn't do his duty he is surely a fallen person. I am trying to convince him but he doesn't understand it."

Braahman Support Mohinee, and King Still Opposes

Vashishth Jee said - "Braahman said - "Mohinee is right. Whatever vow you have taken, that one should not take food on both Ekaadashee, this is not certainly Shaastra prescribed. Agnihotree should take food in both Sandhyaa time. Braahman etc three Varn eat remaining food from Hom. Who always has weapons in his hand, how can fasting be proper for him? Your vow is all right, but you eat food with Braahman, this will not break your vow." Hearing this king became very angry, but he said to them politely - "You are guide to everybody, you should not talk like this. Who say that Ekaadashee Vrat is only for widows and Yati, they are not correct. Vaishnav never say that. You told that fasting is not for king, I tell you the characteristics of Vaishnav in this reference.

Never drink liquor, never beat a Braahman, never gamble, and never eat food on Ekaadashee. Who does any prohibited Karm, tell me how he can live for 100 years? Followers of Vaishnav Dharm should not give grains even to their animals on Ekaadashee. My body is not thin, nor I am a patient, therefore I cannot leave this Vrat just only on Braahman's saying. My son is protecting this whole earth, it means that I am not without the knowledge of Dharm. You should not say anything to break my vow. Even if Brahmaa, Vishnu, Shiv, Devtaa, Daanav or anybody comes and says me this, I will not leave this Vrat. I cannot leave Ekaadashee Vrat whatever happens. In our kingdom this is announced with drumbeat that whoever will eat food on this day he will be punished, if still I eat food then I will be a promoter of sins. Who does not follow Ved, Puraan and Shaastra, he goes to Yam Puree."

Hearing this Mohinee said angrily - "If you will not agree with me, you will fall from your Dharm. If you will not keep your promise made to me, I will go away. Neither I am your dear wife, nor you are my husband." She got up and walked away crying from there with Braahman. At the same time Dharmaangad came there. He had heard Mohinee. He immediately got down from his horse, greeted his father, then greeted Braahman then went to Mohinee and said - "Who has insulted you, Maa? You are very dear to my father, how you become so angry with him? Where are you going with these Braahman?" Mohinee said - "Son, Your father is a liar. He is not keeping his promise. I am not keen to live with your father now." Dharmaangad said - "You are very dear to my father, whatever you will say I will do it, but please, come back to my father."

Mohinee again said - "You father made me his wife by promising something. Shiv is witness to it. I am not asking his wealth. I have asked him only to abandon that by which he is troubling his body, and that also I am asking for his comfort only, but that also he is not agreeing upon, that is why I cannot live with him." Dharmaangad said - "Till I am alive my father cannot be a liar. I will fulfill your wish. My father has never lied before, then how can he lie now when I am alive? On whose Satya all Lok are standing, who has emptied Yam Lok, how can he tell lie? I have not heard him what he said, that is why I cannot trust you, that is why please, come back."

Hearing this Mohinee came back. Rukmaangad was lying on a bed, Dharmaangad made Mohinee sit on the same bed. He said to his father - "Father, Mother Mohinee is telling that you are a liar. Why should you be a liar? You are not short of anything, give her whatever she wants. When I am standing carrying my bow and arrow then who can oppose you? If you want to give her Indra's status, then consider Indra as defeated. If she wants Brahmaa's status, I can give that to her by my Tapasyaa. If you want you can give even my life to her."