Papamochini Ekadashi Vrat will be observed on Friday, April 5, 2024
Ekadashi Tithi Begins: 04:14 PM on 04th April 2024
Ekadashi Tithi Ends: at 01:28 PM on 05th April 2024
| Parana Time: April 06, 6:17 AM – 8:46 AM |
Note: “Parana” is the breaking of the fast. Ekadashi Parana is observed on the next day of Ekadashi fast after sunrise within Dwadashi Tithi.
Significance of Papamochini Ekadashi
There is a total of twenty-four Ekadashi’s which take place in a year and Papamochani is one among them celebrated in the honor of Lord Vishnu. In the literal sense, Papamochani comprises two words i.e. ‘Pap’ means ‘Sin’ and ‘Mochani’ signifying ‘Removal’ and together it signifies that the one who observes Papamochani Ekadashi is absolved from all the past and present sins. On this auspicious and fortunate day of Papamochani Ekadashi, devotees’ worship and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu.
Katha of Papamochini Ekadashi:
Sri Yudhisthira said, “Oh Supreme Lord, I wish to hear about the Ekadashi that occurs during the dark fortnight of Chaitra (March-April). What is its name, Oh Lord, and what results can one attain by observing it?”
The Lord Sri Krishna replied, “O king, gladly I shall describe the glories of this Ekadashi, known as Papamochani. The history of this Ekadashi was once narrated to the Emperor Mandhata by Lomasa Rishi.
King Mandhata addressed the Rishi, ‘Oh great sage, for the benefit of all people, please tell me the name of the Ekadashi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Chaitra, and please explain the process for observing it. Also, please describe the benefits one gains by observing this Ekadashi.’
“Lomasa Rishi replied, “The Ekadashi that occurs during the dark part of the month of Chaitra is named Papamochanii Ekadashi. For a faithful devotee, it removes the evil effects of ghosts and demons. Oh, lion among men, this Ekadashi also awards the eight perfections of life, fulfills all kinds of desires, purifies one’s life of all sinful reactions, and makes a person perfectly virtuous.
Please listen to a historical account concerning Ekadashi and Chitraratha, the chief of the Gandharva (heavenly musicians). During the spring season, in the company of heavenly dancing girls, Chitraratha once came upon a beautiful forest with a great variety of flowers. There he and the girls joined the Gandharva and many Kinnaras, along with Lord Indra himself, the king of heaven, who was enjoying a visit there.
Everyone felt that there was no better garden than this forest. Many sages were also present, performing their austerities and penances. The demigods particularly enjoyed visiting this celestial garden during Chaitra and Vaisakha (April-May).
‘A great sage named Medhavi resided in that forest, and the very attractive dancing girls would always attempt to seduce him. One famous girl in particular, Manjughosha, contrived many ways to allure the exalted Muni, but out of great respect for the sage and fear of his power, which he had attained after years and years of ascetics, she would not come very close to him.
At a spot two miles from the sage, she pitched a tent and began singing very sweetly as she played a tambura. Cupid himself became excited when he saw and heard her perform so nicely, that he remembered his own unfortunate experience with Lord Shiva and decided to take revenge by seducing Medhavi.
Cupid engaged Manjughosha as his assistant, and when she looked at that powerful and attractive young sage, she also became agitated by lust. Seeing that he was highly intelligent and learned, wearing a clean white brahmana’s thread draped across his shoulder, holding a sannyasi’s staff, and sitting handsomely in the asrama of Chyavana Rishi, Manjughosha came before him.
She began to sing seductively, producing a delightful musical symphony. The sage Medhavi was enchanted and understood that this beautiful young woman desired union with him, and at that instant Cupid increased his attraction for Manjughosha by releasing his powerful weapons of taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound.
Slowly Manjughosha approached Medhavi and embraced the sage with her two arms. Captivated, Medhavi gave up his meditation and decided to sport with her, and instantly his purity of heart and mind abandoned him. Forgetting even the difference between night and day, he went away with her to sport for a long, long time.
Seeing that the young yogi’s sanctity had become seriously eroded, Manjughosha decided to abandon him and return home. She said, “O great one, please permit me to return home.” ‘Medhavi replied, “But you have only just arrived, O beautiful one. Please stay with me at least until tomorrow.” ‘Fearful of the sage’s yogic power, Manjughosha stayed with Medhavi for precisely fifty-seven years, nine months, and three days, but to Medhavi, all this time seemed like a moment.
Again, she asked him, “Please permit me to leave.” ‘Medhavi replied, “O dear one, listen to me. Stay with me for one more night, and then you may leave tomorrow morning. Just stay with me until I have performed my morning duties and chanted the sacred Gayatri mantra. Please wait until then.” Manjughosha was still fearful of the sage’s great yogic power, but she forced a smile and said, “How long will it take you to finish your morning hymns and rituals? Please be merciful and think of all the time you have already spent with me.
The sage reflected on the years he had been with Manjughosha and then said with great astonishment. Why, I have spent more than fifty-seven years with you! His eyes turned red and began to emanate sparks. He now regarded Manjughosha as death personified and the destroyer of his spiritual life. You rascal woman! You have turned all the hard-earned results of my austerities to ashes! Trembling with anger, he cursed Manjughosha, “Oh sinful one, oh hardhearted, degraded one! You know only sin! May all terrible fortune by yours! Oh, rascal woman, I curse you to become an evil hobgoblin – pishachi.
Cursed by the sage Medhavi, the beautiful Manjughosha humbly beseeched him, “Oh best of the Brahmanas, please be merciful to me and revoke your curse! Oh, great one, it is said that association with pure devotees gives immediate results, but their curses take effect only after seven days. I have been with you for fifty-seven years, Oh master, so please be kind to me! Medhavi Muni replied, “Oh gentle lady what can I possibly do? You have destroyed all my austerities. But even though you have done this sinful deed, I shall tell you a way you can be released from my wrath.
In the dark fortnight of the month of Chaitra, there is an all-auspicious Ekadashi that removes all one’s sins. Its name is Papamochani, oh beautiful one, and whoever fasts on this sacred day becomes completely freed from having to take birth in any kind of devilish form.
With these words, the sage left at once for his father’s Ashram. Seeing him enter the hermitage, Chyavana Muni said, “Oh son, by acting unlawfully you have squandered the wealth of your penances and austerities.” Medhavi replied, “Oh Father, kindly reveal what atonement I must perform to remove the obnoxious sin I have incurred by privately associating with the dancing girl Manjughosha. Chyavana Muni answered, “Dear son, you must fast on Papamochani Ekadashi.
The various rituals and celebrations of Papamochani Ekadashi start from the day of Dashami only which is a day before Ekadashi.