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Traditional story (retold)
Part 1: Sage Medhavi's Austerity
Medhavi, the son of Sage Chyavana, was performing austerity to Shiva in the Chaitraratha forest. Indra sent the apsara Manjughosha to break his austerity.
Part 2: The Curse
The sage remained absorbed in Manjughosha's beauty for years. When he came to his senses, he cursed her in anger to become a pishachini.
Part 3: The Remedy
The apsara asked forgiveness. Medhavi went to his father Chyavana, who told him to keep the vrat of Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi. Both kept the vrat and, according to the katha, were freed from the curse and the fault.
Thus ends the complete Papmochani Ekadashi Vrat Katha
At a glance
• Deity: Lord Vishnu
• When: Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi
• Fast: Fruit diet or according to capacity
• Parana: On Dwadashi after sunrise
• Main lesson: Forgiveness and repentance
Introduction and significance
The Ekadashi vrat is kept on the eleventh tithi of every paksha for the worship of Lord Vishnu. Papmochani means the one who removes sins. It comes after Holi and before Chaitra Navratri.
The vrat is regarded less as strict rules than as a practice of restraint, good conduct and devotion.
When it is observed
• Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi.
• See the Panchang for the tithi and the parana time.
Puja samagri
• An idol or picture of Lord Vishnu
• Yellow flowers, tulsi leaves, sandalwood paste, akshat
• Incense, lamp, panchamrit
• Fruit and sweets
Vrat vidhi
1. Take sattvik food on Dashami and make the resolve for Ekadashi in your mind.
2. On the morning of Ekadashi bathe and worship Vishnu Ji, offering tulsi and yellow flowers.
3. Chant 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya'.
4. Listen to the katha and perform the aarti.
5. Keep a fruit diet or fast according to capacity through the day and do bhajan.
6. On Dwadashi do the parana after sunrise and give charity to someone in need.
Do's
• Stay sattvik and do bhajan-kirtan.
• Offer water to tulsi.
• Give charity and do service.
• Follow the parana time.
Don'ts
• Avoid grain and rice (tradition).
• Avoid anger, slander and lies.
• Do not eat tamasic food.
Benefits (as believed)
It is believed that the Ekadashi vrat helps in purifying the mind and in restraint. Do not take it as a guarantee of any result; faith and good conduct are the main thing.
Mantras and aarti
• Mantra: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya"
• Aarti: https://divyavani.app/aarti/om-jai-jagdish-hare
• Vishnu Sahasranama: https://divyavani.app/stotra/vishnu-sahasranama
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does this Ekadashi come?
A: Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi. See the Panchang for the tithi.
Q: What can one eat during the vrat?
A: Fruit, milk, sabudana, kuttu and water chestnut. Avoid grain and rice. Keep the fast only according to your health.
Q: When should the parana be done?
A: On the Dwadashi tithi after sunrise, within the parana time given in the Panchang.
Q: Can everyone keep this vrat?
A: Yes, anyone can keep it with faith. The sick, the elderly and pregnant women should keep it on a doctor's advice.
Q: When is Papmochani Ekadashi?
A: On Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi, after Holi.
Precautions
Take care of your health while fasting and consult a doctor if needed. This katha is a retelling of a traditional story. The method and the form of the katha differ by region.