Papankusha Ekadashi !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Brahma Vaivarta Puranam describes the grandeur of Papankusha Ekadashi/ Ashwin Shukla Paksha Ekadashi.   Lord Krishna explains the devoutness of observing Papankusha Ekadashi to King Yudhishtira.   Fasting on the day of Ekadashi and feeding righteous Brahmin on the day of Dwadashi is a part of serving Lord Maha Vishnu.   Worship of Lord Vishnu following the austerities of Papankusha Ekadashi would eradicate sins committed in this life. 

There was a hunter named Krodhana lived in the city of Vindhyachal, he engaged in all the wicked deeds like theft, killing animals, torturing others etc.. He continued this malicious act till the end of his death.   At the final moments, Lord Yama sent his representatives down to the Earth with the command of bringing him to hell.    Krodhana was miserable with the fear of death; he approached Sage Angira – one of the Saptharishis.  The Sage advised Krodhana to observe fast on the day of Papankusha Ekadashi which would fall on the very next day and worship Lord Vishnu.   Krodhana faithfully observed Papankusha Ekadashi and the austerities advised by Sage Angira.  Finally, he attained Salvation at the Feet of Lord Sriman Narayana.

Lord Krishna narrates; the merits obtained by fasting on this day would provide the devoutness of more than hundred horse sacrifices and Rajasuya Yagnam respectively. The sacrifices and Yagnas could provide only 1/16 of one Papankusha Ekadashi Vrata, mere chanting of Lord Vishnu's name itself would provide the merit of Holy dip in the rivers  Ganga, Gaya, Pushkara theertham and the pieties’ of visiting the holy land Kurushetra.   Thus, the devout act would provide salvation to the departed souls of ten generations from the paternal and maternal sides.

Lord Krishna concluded that whoever perform sacrifices and whoever determined to build temple pond and Garden, shelter places etc..  Would be generously blessed and whoever observe Papankusha Ekadashi would undeniably reach the Lotus Feet of Lord Sriman Narayana.

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!