According to the Hindu calendar, Ekadashi comes twice in every month, once in Krishna Paksha and once in Shukla Paksha. The Ekadashi that comes in the Shukla Paksha of the month of Falgun is called Papmochani Ekadashi. It is said that fasting on this Ekadashi destroys all sins. Apart from fasting on Ekadashi, the significance of listening to the story of Ekadashi has also been told, so let’s know Papmochani Ekadashi Vrat Story.
Arjuna asked Lord Shri Krishna, O Madhusudan! What is the name of Ekadashi that comes in the Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month? And what is its method? Kindly tell me about it and satisfy my growing curiosity.
Lord Krishna said: O Arjuna! Ekadashi that comes in the Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month is known as Papmochani Ekadashi. Once upon a time, Prithvipati King Mandhata had asked the same question to Lomash Rishi, which you have asked me. So whatever Rishi Lomash told King Mandhata, I am telling you the same.
If you want to know the correct date and fasting time of Papamochani Ekadashi, then you can read our article.
Papmochani Ekadashi Vrat Story
In ancient times, there was a forest named Chaitrarath. Many Apsaras used to roam around in it with the eunuchs. There was always spring season in that forest, that is, some kind of flowers were always blooming there.
In the same forest, a sage named Medhavi also used to remain engrossed in penance. He was a devotee of Shiva. One day an Apsara named Manjughosha tried to take advantage of his proximity by luring him, so she sat at a distance and started singing in a sweet voice while playing the Veena.
At that time Maharishi Medhavi was also in his youth and was quite healthy. He was wearing Yagyopaveet and Danda. He looked like another Kamadeva. Seeing that sage, Manjughosha, who was under the influence of Kaamdev, started singing on the Veena in a sweet voice. Maharishi Medhavi also got fascinated by Manjughosha’s sweet singing and her beauty. Knowing that sage Medhavi was suffering from Kaamdev, she started embracing him.
Maharshi Medhavi, fascinated by her beauty, forgot the secret of Shiva and started making love with her under the influence of Kaam.
Due to being under the influence of Kaam, the sage did not know anything about day and night at that time and they kept making love for a long time. Thereafter, Manjughosha said to the sage: O sage! It has been a long time now, so please give me permission to go to heaven.
On hearing the words of the apsara, the sage said: O Mohini! You have come in the evening, go in the morning.
Hearing such words of the sage, the Apsara started having sex with him. In this way, both of them spent a lot of time together.
One day Manjughosha said to the sage: O Brahmin! Now you give me permission to go to heaven.
This time also the sage said the same thing: O beautiful one! Not much time has passed yet, stay for some more time.
Hearing the sage’s words, the Apsara said: O Rishivar! Your night is very long. You yourself think how long it has been since I came to you. Is it right to stay for more time now?
Hearing the Apsara’s words, the sage became aware of the time and he started thinking seriously. When he became aware of the time that he had spent fifty-seven (57) years in having sex, he started considering that Apsara as the form of time.
He became very angry when so much time was wasted in pleasure and luxury. Now burning with fierce anger, he started looking at that Apsara who was destroying his penance, with a frown. His lips started trembling with anger and his senses started becoming uncontrollable.
In a voice trembling with anger, the sage said to that Apsara: You wicked woman who destroyed my penance! You are a great sinner and a very wicked woman, shame on you. Now you become a witch by my curse.
That Apsara became a witch by the sage’s angry curse. Seeing this, she became distressed and said: O great sage! Now give up your anger on me and be happy and kindly tell me how this curse can be removed? Scholars have said that the company of saints gives good results and I have spent many years with you, so now you be happy with me, otherwise people will say that Manjughosha had to become a witch after living with a virtuous soul.
On hearing Manjughosha’s words, the Muni felt very ashamed of his anger and also feared his disgrace. So, the Muni said to Manjughosha who had become a witch: You have done me a great wrong, but still I will tell you the way to get rid of this curse. The Ekadashi of the dark fortnight of Chaitra month is called Paapmochani. By fasting on that Ekadashi, you will be freed from the witch’s body.
Saying this, the Muni explained to her all the rules of the fast. Then, to atone for his sins, he went to his father Chyavan Rishi.
Chyavan Rishi, looking at his son Medhavi, said: O son! What have you done that all your penance has been destroyed? Due to which all your glory has been tarnished?
Medhavi Muni bowed his head in shame and said: Father! I have committed a great sin by having sex with an Apsara. Due to this sin, probably all my glory and penance have been destroyed. Kindly tell me the way to get rid of this sin.
The sage said: O son! You should observe the fast of Papamochani Ekadashi of the dark fortnight of Chaitra month with proper rituals and devotion, this will destroy all your sins.
Listening to the words of his father Chyavan Rishi, Medhavi Muni observed the fast of Papamochani Ekadashi with proper rituals. Due to its effect, all his sins were destroyed.
Manjughosha Apsara also got freed from the witch’s body by fasting on Paapmochani Ekadashi and assumed her beautiful form again and went to heaven.
Lomash Muni said: O King! All sins are destroyed by the effect of this Paapmochani Ekadashi. By listening and reading the story of this Ekadashi, one gets the reward of donating one thousand cows. By observing this fast, even the terrible sins of killing a brahmin, stealing gold, drinking alcohol, having sexual relations with an adulterous woman etc. are destroyed and finally one attains heaven.