Astha SangrahASTHA SANGRAHhttps://asthasangrah.comPapmochani Ekadashi
Papmochani Ekadashi is observed on Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi. According to the Padma Purana, it is the Ekadashi that wipes out every sin and frees one from the state of a pishacha.
This Ekadashi falls after Holi and before Chaitra Navratri. In the amanta calendar it is called Phalguna Krishna Ekadashi, but the day is the same.
Significance of Papmochani Ekadashi
In the Padma Purana, the sage Lomasha tells King Mandhata that the Ekadashi of Chaitra's dark fortnight is renowned as Papmochani, the destroyer of the pishacha state. Reading and hearing of it brings the fruit of giving a thousand cows, and even those guilty of grave sins such as killing a brahmin are freed by this vow.
According to the katha, in spring, in the Chaitraratha forest, the apsara Manjughosha broke the austerity of the celibate Medhavi, son of the sage Chyavana. She stayed with him fifty-seven years, yet to the sage the time seemed like half a night. When he realised how much time had passed and that his austerity was lost, Medhavi cursed her to become a pishachi.
When Manjughosha begged forgiveness, Medhavi told her of the Papmochani Ekadashi vow. His father Chyavana gave Medhavi the same vow as atonement for his own sin. Both kept it: Medhavi regained his austerity, and Manjughosha, freed from the pishacha state, returned to heaven in a divine form.
How Papmochani Ekadashi Is Celebrated
Devotees bathe in the morning, take the vow, worship Lord Vishnu and hear the Papmochani Ekadashi katha. The fast is kept without water, with water only or with fruit, as one is able.
In the katha the sage Chyavana gives this vow as an atonement, so on this Ekadashi asking forgiveness for faults committed knowingly or unknowingly, and remembering the Lord's name, have special importance. The next day, on Dwadashi, alms are given and the fast is broken within the prescribed parana muhurat.
Papmochani Ekadashi Puja Vidhi
Eat a simple sattvic meal on Dashami, and on Ekadashi bathe in the morning and take the vow of fasting. Worship Lord Vishnu, hear the Papmochani Ekadashi katha, sing bhajans at night, and the next day, on Dwadashi, give alms and break the fast within the parana muhurat.
About Papmochani Ekadashi
Papmochani Ekadashi is the vow kept on Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi for release from every sin and from the pishacha state. This page gives its date, the vidhi of the fast and a summary of the Padma Purana's story of sage Medhavi and the apsara Manjughosha.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Papmochani Ekadashi in 2027?
Papmochani Ekadashi falls on Friday, 2 April 2027. The parana time will be added here as the date approaches.
Why is Papmochani Ekadashi observed?
According to the Padma Purana, this vow wipes out every sin and frees one from the pishacha state. It was by this vow that sage Medhavi's sin was destroyed and the apsara Manjughosha, made a pishachi by his curse, was set free.
Who told the Papmochani Ekadashi katha, and to whom?
In the Padma Purana, Lord Krishna tells Yudhishthira the story that the sage Lomasha told when the emperor Mandhata asked him.