Papankusha Ekadashi fasting story

॥ Sri Papankusha Ekadashi fasting story. 🏹🕉️

Story begins:

Dharmaraja Yudhishthir asked Lord Shri Krishna - Oh Lord! What is the name of Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month? What is its method and what result is obtained by doing it? Please explain in detail.

Lord Shri Krishna said – O son of Kunti! The name of Ekadashi of Ashwin Shukla Paksha is 'Papankusha'. This Ekadashi is the destroyer of all sins and the granter of salvation. On this day 'Padmanabha' form of Lord Vishnu is worshipped. Now let me tell you its mythological story.

In ancient times, a very cruel fowler (hunter) named 'Krodhan' lived on Vindhya Mountain. He was extremely vicious and his entire life was spent in violence, plunder and lawlessness. He had never done any virtuous work. When his end time approached, Yamraj ordered his messengers to bring him.

The messengers of Yam told Krodhan that tomorrow is the last day of your life and you will have to go to Yamalok. Frightened by the fear of death, the fowler reached Angira Rishi's ashram and fell at his feet and started praying - "O Rishivar! I have spent my entire life in sinful activities. Tomorrow Yamdoot will take me away. Please tell me some solution by which I can be freed from Yamraj's punishment and my sins can be destroyed."

Maharishi Angira felt pity on him. He said - "O Bhadra! Do not be afraid. Tomorrow is Ekadashi called 'Papankusha' of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month. You fast on this Ekadashi with devotion. By the grace of Lord Vishnu, all your sins will be destroyed."

Following the words of the sage, the fowler observed the fast of Papankusha Ekadashi as per the rituals. Due to devotion to God and the effect of fasting, all his accumulated sins were burnt away. When the Yamdoots came to take him the next day, they saw that he had become free from sin and had assumed a divine form. The messengers of Lord Vishnu took him in a plane and took him to Vaikuntha Dham. Thus, even a great sinner got saved from the tortures of Yamalok due to the influence of this Ekadashi.

॥ Rules of fasting and method of worship. 📋👉

1. Bathing in Brahma Muhurta:On the day of Ekadashi, wake up before sunrise and take bath with holy water and wear clean clothes.

2. Worship resolution:Take a resolution of fasting with water in your hand in front of the idol of Lord Vishnu.

3. Worship of Lord Padmanabha:Worship the 'Padmanabha' form of Lord Vishnu in Shodashopachar. Offer them yellow flowers, Akshat, incense, lamp and naivedya.

4. Water and food:This fast is observed fasting or fruitless. One should not consume food (especially rice) even by mistake on the day of Ekadashi.

5. Importance of donation:On this day, donating gold, sesame seeds, land, cow or food as per one's capacity is considered very auspicious.

6. Night vigil:Sankirtan and recitation of God's name should be done at night.

7. Dwadashi Parana:Next day, on Dwadashi Tithi, break the fast only after serving food and giving Dakshina to the Brahmins.

॥ Religious significance of Papankusha Ekadashi. 🔱🌟

• Control the elephant in the form of sin:Just as the elephant is controlled with the help of control, in the same way this Ekadashi controls the vices and sins of man.

• Similar to Ashwamedha Yagya:According to the scriptures, the same result which is obtained by doing hard penance and performing Ashwamedha Yagya, is also achieved by merely observing the fast on this Ekadashi.

• Control over senses:This fast teaches restraint to man and saves him from the misery of hell.

॥ Benefits and results of fasting. 💎🌈

• Liberation from Yamalok:By listening to this story and observing the fast, a person does not have to endure the tortures of Yamraj.

• Salvation of the family:It is believed that the person who observes fast on this Ekadashi, his ten generations from his maternal side, ten from his paternal side and ten from his female side are saved.

• Heaven and salvation:A person who fasts with devotion and enjoys all the pleasures in this world, finally attains the world of Vishnu.

• Accumulation of virtue:By meditating silently on this day, one gets many times more virtue and mental peace.