Nārada Mahā Purana
26 - The story of Mohini
The king said:
1. O son, may my fame perish. May I be called a liar. May I even fall into a terrible hell. But how should I take food on the day of Hari?
2-3. O son, let this gentle lady, Mohini go to the abode of Brahma. This lady says to me foolishly and childishly for many times. “Excepting your taking food on the day of Hari that is destructive of sins, I do not wish for anything else such as kingdom, Earth, wealth, etc.”
4. Even If I am to be born in the despicable species of a germ, I will not take food on the day of Hari.
5. This Dundubhi (drum) has loudly proclaimed (my views) and has instructed the people. How can it be made false?
6. Is it desirable to live for a hundred years after taking the forbidden food, after approaching a forbidden woman and after drinking the prohibited beverage?
7. Even if I were charged with falsehood and have strayed away from the royal policy and am insulted and rebuked by the people, I will not take food on the day of Hari.
8. Even if I were to die due to the separation from the lady of tremulous side-glances, that is preferable, but I will never take food on the day of Hari.
9. How can I give excessive delight to Yama by making the miserable men proceed alongwith the path leading to hell?
10. O dear son, the rows of hell which had been made empty by me, will be filled with people if I take food.
11. Let not any lady bear in her womb such a son as would cause delight to the enemies though he is efficient enough to destroy them.
12. She requests only for this viz: taking food on the day of Vishnu. I shall not grant the request of Mohini even if I am requested for it by the Devas and Asuras.
13-14. He may even drink poison, he may enter fire, he may jump down from a lofty mountain; he may cut off his head with an excellent sword that brightens the sky; but king Rukmangada will never take food on the day of Hari, on this Earth. My name Rukmangada is famous in the three worlds.
15. How can I, by taking food on the Ekadashi day, destroy the reputation earned by me-accumulated by me through the observance of fast on the Ekadashi day.
16. Even if it dies, goes off, falls down, perishes, breaks into pieces, my heart shall not desist from this for the sake of Mohini.
17. I may even forsake 1ny life alongwith the worlds, my wives and servants. But I will never resort to the taking of food on the auspicious day of Vishnu.
Summary of chapter 151 of the Nārada Mahā Purana is as follows:
Maharshi Vashishṭha detailed the specific expiatory penances required to cleanse offenses committed within the holy realm of Kāśī, known as Avimukta-aparādha. The narrative explains that those who indulge in wickedness while residing in Kāśī must undergo a period of subtle purificatory suffering as a Rudra-piśāca before being completely liberated by the grace of Mahādeva. Vashishṭha revealed that sincere repentance, performance of severe penance, and total surrender unto Bhagavān Śiva neutralizes these offenses and ensures ultimate spiritual redemption.