Significance and legend
In the Brahmavaivarta Purana dialogue retold by Krishna to Yudhishthira, the story is set in Alakapuri, the city of Kubera, the treasurer of the gods and a great devotee of Shiva. Kubera's gardener Hemamali was charged with bringing fresh flowers each morning from the Manasa lake for Kubera's worship of Shiva. One day, infatuated with his beautiful wife Svarupavati, Hemamali stayed at home and failed to bring the flowers. Kubera waited in vain, and on learning the reason, cursed Hemamali to suffer from a skin disease and to live separated from his wife on earth.
Hemamali wandered in pain until he reached the hermitage of the sage Markandeya in the Himalayas. Confessing his fault, he asked for help. The sage told him to observe Yogini Ekadashi of the dark fortnight. Hemamali kept the fast with full devotion, was healed of his disease and regained his divine form, returning to Alakapuri. The Purana states that the merit of this Ekadashi equals that of feeding eighty-eight thousand Brahmins.
How Yogini Ekadashi is observed
Devotees eat a single sattvic meal on Dashami and fast on Ekadashi, worshipping Vishnu with tulsi, flowers, incense and lamps. Many also worship the peepal tree. The katha of Hemamali is read and the night is spent in kirtan. Charity to the sick and needy is considered especially appropriate. The fast is broken on Dwadashi after sunrise during the parana time, avoiding Hari Vasara, after offering food to Vishnu and to a Brahmin.