Papamocani Ekadasi
From the Bhavishya-uttara PurAna.
Sri Yudhisthira MAharAja said, "Oh Supreme Lord, I have heard from You the
explanation of Amalakii EkAdasiii which occurs during the light fortnight of the
month of PhAlguna (February-March), and now I wish to hear about the EkAdasii
that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Chaitra (March-April).
What is its name, Oh Lord, and what results can one attain by observing it?"
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, replied, "O best of kings,
for the benefit of everyone I shall gladly describe to you the glories of this
EkAdasii, which is known as PApamochanii. The history of this EkAdasii 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 EkAdasii 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 EkAdasii.'
"Lomasa Rishi replied, "The EkAdasii that occurs during the dark part of the
month of Chaitra is named PApamochanii EkAdasii. For the faithful devotee it
removes the influences of ghosts and demons. Oh lion among men, this EkAdasii
also awards the eight perfections of life, fulfils all kinds of desires,
purifies one's life of all sinful reactions, and makes a person perfectly
virtuous.
"'Now please listen to a historical account concerning this EkAdasii and
Chitraratha, the chief of the Gandharvas (heavenly musicians). During the
spring season, in the company of heavenly dancing girls, Chitraratha once came
upon a beautiful forest bursting forth with a great variety of flowers. There
he and the girls joined the Gandharvas 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 the months of 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 feat 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 tamboura. Cupid himself became excited when he saw and heard her
perform so nicely and smelled the fragrance of her sandal-paste unguent. He
remembered his own unfortunate experience with Lord Shiva and decided to take
revenge by seducing MedhAvi. (foonote)
"'Using the eyebrows of MaNjughoshA as a bow, her glances as a bowstring, her
eyes as arrows, and her breasts as a target, Cupid approached MedhAvi in order
to tempt him to break his trance and his vows. In other words, 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, and the small bells of her belt and around her
ankles, together with the bangles on her wrists, produced a delightful musical
symphony. The sage MedhAvi was enchanted. he 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, her bodily movements and sweet glances
attracting him. She gracefully put her tamboura down and embraced the sage with
her two arms, just as a creeper winds itself around a strong tree. 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. (foonote)
"'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 toe 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
hard-hearted, degraded one! You know only sin! May all terrible fortune by
yours! Oh rascal woman, I curse you to become an evil hobgoblin - pishAcha!"
"'Cursed by the age 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 EkAdasii that removes all
one's sins. Its name is PApamochanii, 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 Ashrama. 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 PApamochanii EkAdasii,
which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Chaitra. It eradicates
all sins, no matter how grievous they may be."
"'MedhAvi followed his father's advice and fasted on PApamochanii EkAdasii.
Thus all his sins were destroyed and he again became filled with excellent
merit. Similarly. MaNjughoshA observed the same fast and became free of the
hobgoblin curse. Ascending once again to the heavenly spheres, she too returned
to her former position.'
"Lomasha Rishi continued, 'Thus, Oh king, the great benefit of fasting on
PApamochanii EkAdasii is that whoever does so with faith and devotion will have
all his sins completely destroyed.'
Sri Krishna concluded, "Oh King Yudhishthira, whoever reads or hears about
PApamochanii EkAdasii obtains the very same merit he would get if he donated a
thousand cows in charity, and he also nullifies the sinful reactions he may have
incurred by killing a brAhmana, killing an embryo through abortion, drinking
liquor, or having sex with his guru's wife. Such is the incalculable benefit of
properly observing this holy day of PApamochanii EkAdasii, which is so dear to
Me and so meritorious."
Footnotes:
1/. After Lord Shiva lost his dear wife Sati at the sacrificial arena of
PrajApati Daksha, Shiva destroyed the entire arena. Then he brought his
father-in-law Daksha back to life by giving him the head of a goat, and finally
he sat down to meditate for sixty thousand years. Lord BrahmA, however,
arranged for KAmadeva (Cupid) to come and break Shiva's meditation. Using his
arrows of sound, taste, touch, sight, and smell, Cupid attacked Shiva, who at
least awoke from his trance. He was so angry at being disturbed that he
instantly burned Cupid to ashes with a glance from his third eye.
2/. Female association is so powerful that a man forgets his time, energy,
possessions, and even his own identity. As it is said in the Niti-shAstra,
striya charitram purushasya bhAbyaM daivo vijAnAti kuto manushyAh: "Even the
demigods cannot predict the behaviour of a woman. Nor can they understand the
fortune of a man or how it will determine his destiny."
According to Yajnavalkya Muni, "A (celibate person) who desires spiritual life
should give up all association with women, including thinking of them, seeing
them, talking with them in a secluded place, taking service from them, or having
sexual intercourse with them."
Sri Yudhisthira MAharAja said, "Oh Supreme Lord, I have heard from You the
explanation of Amalakii EkAdasiii which occurs during the light fortnight of the
month of PhAlguna (February-March), and now I wish to hear about the EkAdasii
that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Chaitra (March-April).
What is its name, Oh Lord, and what results can one attain by observing it?"
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, replied, "O best of kings,
for the benefit of everyone I shall gladly describe to you the glories of this
EkAdasii, which is known as PApamochanii. The history of this EkAdasii 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 EkAdasii 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 EkAdasii.'
"Lomasa Rishi replied, "The EkAdasii that occurs during the dark part of the
month of Chaitra is named PApamochanii EkAdasii. For the faithful devotee it
removes the influences of ghosts and demons. Oh lion among men, this EkAdasii
also awards the eight perfections of life, fulfils all kinds of desires,
purifies one's life of all sinful reactions, and makes a person perfectly
virtuous.
"'Now please listen to a historical account concerning this EkAdasii and
Chitraratha, the chief of the Gandharvas (heavenly musicians). During the
spring season, in the company of heavenly dancing girls, Chitraratha once came
upon a beautiful forest bursting forth with a great variety of flowers. There
he and the girls joined the Gandharvas 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 the months of 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 feat 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 tamboura. Cupid himself became excited when he saw and heard her
perform so nicely and smelled the fragrance of her sandal-paste unguent. He
remembered his own unfortunate experience with Lord Shiva and decided to take
revenge by seducing MedhAvi. (foonote)
"'Using the eyebrows of MaNjughoshA as a bow, her glances as a bowstring, her
eyes as arrows, and her breasts as a target, Cupid approached MedhAvi in order
to tempt him to break his trance and his vows. In other words, 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, and the small bells of her belt and around her
ankles, together with the bangles on her wrists, produced a delightful musical
symphony. The sage MedhAvi was enchanted. he 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, her bodily movements and sweet glances
attracting him. She gracefully put her tamboura down and embraced the sage with
her two arms, just as a creeper winds itself around a strong tree. 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. (foonote)
"'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 toe 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
hard-hearted, degraded one! You know only sin! May all terrible fortune by
yours! Oh rascal woman, I curse you to become an evil hobgoblin - pishAcha!"
"'Cursed by the age 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 EkAdasii that removes all
one's sins. Its name is PApamochanii, 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 Ashrama. 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 PApamochanii EkAdasii,
which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Chaitra. It eradicates
all sins, no matter how grievous they may be."
"'MedhAvi followed his father's advice and fasted on PApamochanii EkAdasii.
Thus all his sins were destroyed and he again became filled with excellent
merit. Similarly. MaNjughoshA observed the same fast and became free of the
hobgoblin curse. Ascending once again to the heavenly spheres, she too returned
to her former position.'
"Lomasha Rishi continued, 'Thus, Oh king, the great benefit of fasting on
PApamochanii EkAdasii is that whoever does so with faith and devotion will have
all his sins completely destroyed.'
Sri Krishna concluded, "Oh King Yudhishthira, whoever reads or hears about
PApamochanii EkAdasii obtains the very same merit he would get if he donated a
thousand cows in charity, and he also nullifies the sinful reactions he may have
incurred by killing a brAhmana, killing an embryo through abortion, drinking
liquor, or having sex with his guru's wife. Such is the incalculable benefit of
properly observing this holy day of PApamochanii EkAdasii, which is so dear to
Me and so meritorious."
Footnotes:
1/. After Lord Shiva lost his dear wife Sati at the sacrificial arena of
PrajApati Daksha, Shiva destroyed the entire arena. Then he brought his
father-in-law Daksha back to life by giving him the head of a goat, and finally
he sat down to meditate for sixty thousand years. Lord BrahmA, however,
arranged for KAmadeva (Cupid) to come and break Shiva's meditation. Using his
arrows of sound, taste, touch, sight, and smell, Cupid attacked Shiva, who at
least awoke from his trance. He was so angry at being disturbed that he
instantly burned Cupid to ashes with a glance from his third eye.
2/. Female association is so powerful that a man forgets his time, energy,
possessions, and even his own identity. As it is said in the Niti-shAstra,
striya charitram purushasya bhAbyaM daivo vijAnAti kuto manushyAh: "Even the
demigods cannot predict the behaviour of a woman. Nor can they understand the
fortune of a man or how it will determine his destiny."
According to Yajnavalkya Muni, "A (celibate person) who desires spiritual life
should give up all association with women, including thinking of them, seeing
them, talking with them in a secluded place, taking service from them, or having
sexual intercourse with them."
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