Papamochani Ekadashi Vrat Katha

Arjuna said, "O Kamalanayan! As I am listening to the stories of the fasts of Ekadashi, my curiosity to listen to the stories of the fasts of other Ekadashis is increasing. O Madhusudan! Now please, you, during the Chaitra month, Tell me about the Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha. What is the name of this Ekadashi? Which deity is worshiped in it and what is the rule of this fast? O, Shri Krishna! Please tell me all this in detail."

Lord Shri Krishna said, "O Arjuna! Once the same question was asked by Prithvi Pati Mandhata to the sage Lomash whatever the sage Lomash had told to King Mandhata, I am telling you the same. King Mandhata asked Maharishi, the expert of the deepest secrets of religion. Asked Lomash - 'O great sage! How is it possible to destroy a person's sins? Please tell me about some simple solution by which one can easily get rid of the sins."

Maharishi Lomash said, "O Nripati! The name of Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month is known as Papamochani Ekadashi. Because of its fast, many sins of humans are destroyed. I will tell you the story of this fast, listen carefully, "In ancient times there was a forest named Chaitraratha. Apsaras used to roam there with Kinnaras. There was always spring season in that forest, that is, different types of flowers were always in bloom at that place. Sometimes Gandharva Kanyas used to roam around, and sometimes Devendra used to play with other gods.

In the same forest, a sage named Medhavi also used to remain engrossed in penance.He was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. One day, an Apsara named Manjughosha tried to take advantage of his proximity by enchanting him, hence she sat at some distance and started singing in a melodious voice, playing the Veena. At the same time, Kamadeva also started trying to win over Shiva devotee Maharishi Medhavi. Kamadeva made a bow from the eyebrows of that beautiful Apsara. Made eyesight his weapon and made his eyes the commander of Manjughosha Apsara. In this way Kamadeva was ready to conquer his enemy. At that time Maharishi Medhavi was also young and very healthy. He was wearing Yajnopavita and Danda. Maharishi looked like another Kamadeva. Seeing that sage, Manjughosha, who was under the control of Kamadeva, slowly started singing on the Veena with a melodious voice and Maharishi Medhavi also got fascinated by the melodious singing of Manjughosha and her beauty. Apsara knowing that the intelligent sage was suffering from Kama, started embracing him.

Maharishi Medhavi, fascinated by her beauty, forgot the Lord Shiva and, under the influence of lust, started having fun with her.

Due to being under the influence of lust, the sage had no knowledge of day and night at that time and continued to enjoy for a long time. After that Manjughosha said to that sage, "O Rishivara! Now it has been a long time for me, so please allow me to go to heaven."

Hearing the words of the Apsara, the sage said, "O Mohini! You have just come in the evening, please stay till the morning."

Hearing such words of the sage, the Apsara started having fun with him. Similarly, both of them spent a lot of time together.

One day Manjughosha said to the sage, "O Vipra! Now please allow me to go to heaven."

This time also the sage said the same, "O Roopasi! Not much time has passed yet, wait some more time."

Hearing the sage's words, the nymph said, "O Rishivar! Your night is very long. Think for yourself how much time has passed since I came to you. Is it advisable to stay any longer?"

Hearing the words of Apsara, the sage became aware of the time and started thinking seriously. When he came to know about the time that fifty seven (57) years had passed while he was enjoying, then he started considering that Apsara as the form of time or Kaal. He became very angry at having wasted so much time in pleasures. Now, burning with fierce anger, he started looking at the Apsara who destroyed penance with raised eyebrows. His lips began to tremble with anger and his senses began to go out of control. In a voice trembling with anger, the sage said to that Apsara, "You wicked woman who is destroying my penance! You are a great sinner and a very wicked person, shame on you. Now you become a Pishachini (vampire) due to my curse."

Due to the angry curse of the sage, Apsara became a Pishachini. Seeing this she became distressed and said, "O Rishivara! Now leave your anger on me and be happy and please tell me how this curse will be removed? Scholars have said, the company of sages gives good results and I have spent many years with you, so now you should be happy with me, otherwise people will say that Manjughosha had to become a Pishachini due to living with a virtuous soul." Hearing Manjughosha's words, the sage felt extremely guilty for his anger and also feared his disgrace. Therefore, the sage said to Manjughosha, who had become a Pishachini, "You have done me great harm, but still I would have told you the solution to get rid of this curse. am. The Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month is named Papamochani. By fasting on that Ekadashi, you will be freed from your Pishachini body."

Saying this, the sage explained to her all the rules of the fast. Then he went to his father Sage Chyavan to atone for his sins.

Seeing his intelligent son, Rishi Chyavan said, "O son! What have you done that all your penances have been ruined? Due to which all your radiance has become tarnished?"

The brilliant sage bowed his head in shame and said, "Father! I have committed a great sin by having fun with an Apsara. Probably due to this sin, all my glory and my penance have been destroyed. Please tell me the solution to get rid of this sin."

The sage said, "O son! You should fast on Papamochani Ekadashi of the Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month as per the rituals and devotionally, all your sins will be destroyed by this."

Hearing the words of his father sage Chyavan, the wise sage observed the fast of Papamochani Ekadashi as per the rituals. Due to its influence all his sins were destroyed. Manjughosha Apsara also got freed from the body of Pishachini by fasting on Papamochani Ekadashi and again assumed her beautiful form and went to heaven. Lomash Muni said, "O King! With the effect of this Papamochani Ekadashi, all sins are destroyed. Listening and reading the story of this Ekadashi gives the result of donating one thousand cows. By observing this fast, the terrible sins of Brahma Hatya, stealing gold, drinking alcohol, going astray etc. are also destroyed and ultimately one attains heaven."