Papankusha Ekadashi

A Day To Devote To Lord Vishnu

Papankusha Ekadashi fast is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Maha Vishnu) and observed mainly in North India. It is said that simply by observing Papankusha Ekadashi fast, a person can be free from the debt cycle.

In this Kaliyuga, just by keeping Papankusha Ekadashi Vrat and listening to stories associated with the Vrat, a person can destroy his bad karma in Kaliyug and attain liberation in the next birth.

Papankusha Ekadashi is considered a day sacred to Lord Vishnu and all the followers of Vishnu observe fast on this day. Devotees are advised to wake up early in the morning, bathe and clean themselves. Devotees must show respect to their parents and elders of their family before starting the fast.

The devotees should spend their time in activities that please Lord Vishnu, such as engaging themselves in bhajans, kirtans and other devotional activities. At night, devotees may offer prayers to the Lord Almighty with all his heart and soul. A feast is held once the fasting has been completed. All friends, relatives and neighbours are invited for the feast at home.

What is Papankusha Ekadashi?

Papankusha Ekadashi is known to be dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is also known as 'Bhagwan Bijender'. Papankusha means destroyer of sins and people who worship Lord Vishnu on this day are regarded as destroying all their sins with their devotion.

It is believed that Papankusha Ekadashi is even more holy than Vaikunth Ekadashi, which falls in the month of Sarvan and is only second to Devshayani Ekadashi, falling in the month of Ashadh.

In some parts of India, Papankusha Ekadashi is also called Pavitropana or Pavitra Ekadashi which means to turn impure things pure. Papankusha Ekadashi is also considered auspicious at Sabarimala Temple and Tirupati Venkatesh Temple.

Importance of Papankusha Ekadashi

• Fasting on the day of Papankusha Ekadashi destroys all kinds of sorrows and miseries undergone by individuals at any stage of life.
• If a person eats just once on that day of Ekadashi, he/she will become free from all kinds of sins and attain Moksha.
• It is also told that worshipping Lord Vishnu in the form of Shri Nathji helps to overcome all the troubles and let live a healthy life.
• Prapatti in "Bhakti marga" is the true meaning of Papankusha Ekadashi and is considered to be the only Ekadashi where people can attain Moksha (Salvation), if used properly.
• The food prepared on this day and offered to Lord Vishnu removes all the sins of our past births.
• Reciting or hearing the name or glories of Harikrishna on this day increases the amount of Bhakti.

Know About Papankusha Ekadashi

The main vrat (fasting) of this Papankusha Ekadashi is to donate food, shelter, clothing and money etc. to the poor, needy and destitute. Some of the major vidhis are:

• The first one is fasting from sunrise to the rising of the moon on Ekadashi.
• The second one is wearing fresh and clean clothes on Ekadashi.
• The third one is abstaining from all sorts of entertainment, enjoyment and festivities on Ekadashi.
• The fourth one is performing a simple puja of Lord Vishnu in the morning and evening time on Ekadashi.
• In the last and fifth vidhi, one must only eat fruits and milk products three times during the whole day.
• Performing puja to Lord Vishnu on this day and taking Ekadashi fasting is equivalent to chanting Vishnu Sahasranam for 1008 times.
• Just like the Ganga River washes away all our sins, the Papankusha Ekadashi also washes away all our sins. Besides this, it also helps to attain virtues and rewards in life and fulfils all our desires.