Papamochani Ekadashi !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

In Bavishyothara Purana Lord Krishna describes to King Yudhishtira about the glories of Papamochani Ekadashi.   Papamochani Ekadashi falls on the wanning period of moon, on the day of Chaitra Krishna Paksha Ekadashi. King Yudhishtira earnestly prayed to Lord Krishna to explain the splendor of Papamochani Ekadashi, which was earlier described by Sage Lomaharshana to King Mandata.

During the regime of Lord Kubera - Lord of Wealth, there was a afforest Chaitraratha which used to bear all array of flowers of alluring beauty and aroma in all the seasons. This was one of most favorite enthralling place of Lord Indra and His celestial dancers and singers, a perfect place for amusement. There lived Sage Medhavi who was the son of Chyavana Rishi an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva.  Sage Medhavi followed severe austerities to please Lord Shiva.   As per the instruction of Lord Indra, the celestial dancers and singers tried hard to put an obstacle to his austerity. Manju Ghosa, one of the celestial dancers built a cottage near the sage's hermitage and started to live there.  She distracted Medhavi’s meditation by all means; she started to sing in a heavenly voice to capture the attention of the Sage. She continued her pastimes and came out of the cottage smearing sandal paste all over her gorgeous body and wearing alluring flower garlands around her neck and continued to play all tricks to capture the attention of the Sage.  Sage Medhavi, who was in the hermitage of Chvyana Rishi happened to come out and was overwhelmed at the stunning features of Manju Ghosa. He forgot the austerities and worship of Lord instantly and engaged in the lustful company of Manju Ghosa for several years.

Manju Ghosa realized that the Sage has lost his austerities and devotion to Lord completely and she had won over Sage Medhavi’ and his devotion to Lord.  She started to abandon him. One day she asked the permission of him to return heaven. Since then, Sage and Manju Ghosa lived together for fifty seven years, nine months and three days. The attraction towards Manju Ghosa made him unaware of the time he had spent and the urge to be with her made him to beg her to stay with him. She spent few more years with him and engaged him in all depraved acts. Once again, Manju Ghosa pleaded Sage’s permission to leave Earth. He asked her to wait at least for his daily rituals to finish. In return she advised sage Medhavi to reconsider the time he had already spent with her without following any austerities and devotion to Lord. After listening to Manju Ghosa, Sage Medhavi was terribly shocked and ashamed, tears of guilt started to run down his cheeks. In a sudden rage, he cursed Manju Ghosa to become a witch.

Manju Ghosa turned into an ugly looking witch. She begged to pardon her and relieve her from the curse. She pleaded him that she had spent long and beautiful years with him; she deserved to be forgiven. The merciful Sage Medhavi, instructed Manju Ghosa to observe Papamochani Ekadashi with utmost devotion that would help her to regain her real form as celestial dancer. He left to his father Chyavana's hermitage.  Rishi Chyavana was jubilat at his son's return after several years. Sage Medhavi regretted for his sinful deeds and begged for forgiveness. Chyavana Rishi instructed his son to follow Papamochani Ekadashi with utmost faith and devotion to get rid of all the sins he had committed. Sage Medhavi observed Papamochani Ekadashi and got relieved out of all his sins committed and once again he turned out dutiful.  Manju Ghosa also observed Papamochani Ekadashi faithfully and got back her form as a celestial dancer and returned to heaven.

Sage Lomaharshana concluded whoever reads or listens to the glories of Papamochani Ekadashi would attain the merit of one thousand 'Go Dhanam' and relieved from all sins including sin of  Brahmahathya, sin out of killing an embryo, illicit relationship with women and consumption of intoxicated drinks etc...

Jai Sriman Narayana !!