Yudhisthira Maharaja said, “O Supreme Lord, I have heard from You the explanation of Amalaki Ekadasi, which occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Phalguna [February-March], and now I wish to hear about the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Caitra [March- April]. What is its name, O Lord, and what results can one attain by observing it?”
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krsna, replied, “O best of kings, for the benefit of everyone I shall gladly describe to you the glories of this Ekadasi which is known as Papamocani. The history of this Ekadasi was once narrated to the emperor Mandhata by Lomasa Risi. King Mandhata addressed the risi, ‘O great sage, for the benefit of all people, please tell me the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Caitra, and please explain the process for observing it. Also, please describe the benefits one gains by observing this Ekadasi.’
“Lomasa Risi replied, ‘The Ekadasi that occurs during the dark part of the month of Caitra is named Papamocani Ekadasi for the faithful devotee it removes the influences of ghosts and demons. O lion among men, this Ekadasi also awards the eight perfections of life, fulfills all kinds of desires, purifies one's life of all sinful reactions, and makes a person perfectly virtuous.”
“Now please listen to a historical account concerning this Ekadasi and Citraratha, the chief of the Gandharvas [heavenly musicians]. During the spring season, in the company of heavenly dancing girls, Citraratha once came upon a beautiful forest bursting forth with a great variety of flowers. There he and the girls joined other Gandharvas and many Kinnaras, along with Lord Indra himself, the king of heaven, who was enjoying a visit there. Everyone felt that there was no better garden than this forest. Many sages were also present, performing their austerities and penance The demigods particularly enjoyed visiting this celestial garden during the months of Caitra and Vaisakha [April-May].”
“A great sage named Medhavi resided in that forest, and the very attractive dancing girls would always attempt to seduce him. One famous girl in particular, Manjughosa, contrived many ways to allure the exalted muni, but out of great respect for the sage and fear of his power, which he had attained after years and years of asceticism, she would not come very close to him. At a spot two miles from the sage, she pitched a tent and began singing very sweetly as she played a tamboura. Cupid himself became excited when he saw and heard her perform so nicely and smelled the fragrance of her sandal-paste unguent. He remembered his own unfortunate experience with Lord Siva and decided to take revenge by seducing Medhavi.”
“Using the eyebrows of Manjughosa as a bow, her glances as a bowstring, her eyes as arrows, and her breasts as a target, Cupid approached Medhavi in order to tempt him to break his trance and his vows. In other words, Cupid engaged Manjughosa as his assistant, and when she looked at that powerful and attractive young sage, she also became agitated by lust. Seeing that he was highly intelligent and learned, wearing a clean white brahmana's thread draped across his shoulder, holding a sannyasi's staff, and sitting handsomely in the asrama of Cyavana Risi Manjughosa came before him.”
“She began to sing seductively, and the small bells on her belt and around her ankles, together with the bangles on her wrists, produced a delightful musical symphony. The sage Medhavi was enchanted. He understood that this beautiful young woman desired union with him, and at that instant Cupid increased his attraction for Mahjughosa by releasing his powerful weapons of taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound.”
“Slowly Manjughosa approached Medhavi, her bodily movements and sweet glances attracting him. She gracefully put her tamboura down and embraced the sage with her two arms, just as a creeper winds itself around a strong tree. Captivated, Medhavi gave up his meditation and decided to sport with her-and instantly his purity of heart and mind abandoned him. Forgetting even the difference between night and day, he went away with her to sport for a long, long time.”
“Seeing that the young yogi's sanctity had become seriously eroded, Manjughosa decided to abandon him and return home. She said, “O great one, please permit me to return home.”
“Medhavi replied, ‘But you have only just arrived, O beautiful one. Please stay with me at least until tomorrow.’”
“Fearful of the sage's yogic power, Manjughosa stayed with Medhavi for precisely fifty-seven years, nine months, and three days, but to Medhavi all this time seemed like a moment. Again she asked him, ‘Please permit me to leave.’”
“Medhavi replied, ‘O dear one, listen to me. Stay with me for one more night, and then you may leave tomorrow morning. Just stay with me until after I have performed my morning duties and chanted the sacred Gayatri mantra. Please wait until then.’”
“Manjughosa was still fearful of the sage's great yogic power, but she forced a smile and said, ‘How long will it take you to finish your morning hymns and rituals? Please be merciful and think of all the time you have already spent with me.’”
“The sage reflected on the years he had been with Manjughosa and then said with great astonishment, ‘Why, I have spent more than fiftyseven years with you!’ His eyes turned red and began to emanate sparks. He now regarded Manjughosa as death personified and the destroyer of his spiritual life. ‘You rascal woman! You have turned all the hard-earned results of my austerities to ashes!’ Trembling with anger, he cursed Manjughosa ‘O sinful one, O hard-hearted, degraded one! You know only sin! May all terrible fortune be yours! O rascal woman, I curse you to become an evil hobgoblin pisaca!’
“Cursed by the sage Medhavi, the beautiful Manjughosa humbly beseeched him, ‘O best of the brdhmanas, please be merciful to me and revoke your curse! O great one, it is said that association with pure devotees gives immediate results but their curses take effect only after seven days. I have been with you for fifty-seven years, O master, so please be kind to me!’”
“Medhavi Muni replied, ‘O gentle lady, what can I possibly do? You have destroyed all my austerities. But even though you have done this sinful deed, I shall tell you a way you can be released from my wrath. In the dark fortnight of the month of Caitra there is an allauspicious Ekadasi that removes all one's sins. Its name is Papamocani, O beautiful one, and whoever fasts on this sacred day becomes completely freed from having to take birth in any kind of devilish form.’”
“With these words, the sage left at once for his father's asrama. Seeing him enter the hermitage, Cyavana Muni said, ‘O son, by acting unlawfully you have squandered the wealth of your penances and austerities.’”
“Medhavi replied, ‘O Father, kindly reveal what atonement I must perform to remove the obnoxious sin I have incurred by privately associating with the dancing girl Manjughosa?’”
“Cyavana Muni answered, ‘Dear son, you must fast on Papamocani Ekadasi. which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Caitra. It eradicates all sins, no matter how grievous they may be.’
“Medhavi followed his father's advice and fasted on Papamocani Ekadasi. Thus all his sins were destroyed and he again became filled with excellent merit. Similarly, Manjughosa observed the same fast and became free of the hobgoblin curse. Ascending once again to the heavenly spheres, she too returned to her former position.”
“Lomasa Risi continued, ‘Thus, O king, the great benefit of fasting on Papamocani Ekadasi is that whoever does so with faith and devotion will have all his sins completely destroyed.’”
Sri Krsna concluded, “O King Yudhisthira, whoever reads or hears about Papamocani ekadasi obtains the very same merit he would get if he donated a thousand cows in charity, and he also nullifies the sinful reactions he may have incurred by killing a brahmana, killing an embryo through abortion, drinking liquor, or having sex with his guru's wife. Such is the incalculable benefit of properly observing this holy day of Papamocani Ekadasi, which is so dear to Me and so meritorious.”
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krsna, replied, “O best of kings, for the benefit of everyone I shall gladly describe to you the glories of this Ekadasi which is known as Papamocani. The history of this Ekadasi was once narrated to the emperor Mandhata by Lomasa Risi. King Mandhata addressed the risi, ‘O great sage, for the benefit of all people, please tell me the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Caitra, and please explain the process for observing it. Also, please describe the benefits one gains by observing this Ekadasi.’
“Lomasa Risi replied, ‘The Ekadasi that occurs during the dark part of the month of Caitra is named Papamocani Ekadasi for the faithful devotee it removes the influences of ghosts and demons. O lion among men, this Ekadasi also awards the eight perfections of life, fulfills all kinds of desires, purifies one's life of all sinful reactions, and makes a person perfectly virtuous.”
“Now please listen to a historical account concerning this Ekadasi and Citraratha, the chief of the Gandharvas [heavenly musicians]. During the spring season, in the company of heavenly dancing girls, Citraratha once came upon a beautiful forest bursting forth with a great variety of flowers. There he and the girls joined other Gandharvas and many Kinnaras, along with Lord Indra himself, the king of heaven, who was enjoying a visit there. Everyone felt that there was no better garden than this forest. Many sages were also present, performing their austerities and penance The demigods particularly enjoyed visiting this celestial garden during the months of Caitra and Vaisakha [April-May].”
“A great sage named Medhavi resided in that forest, and the very attractive dancing girls would always attempt to seduce him. One famous girl in particular, Manjughosa, contrived many ways to allure the exalted muni, but out of great respect for the sage and fear of his power, which he had attained after years and years of asceticism, she would not come very close to him. At a spot two miles from the sage, she pitched a tent and began singing very sweetly as she played a tamboura. Cupid himself became excited when he saw and heard her perform so nicely and smelled the fragrance of her sandal-paste unguent. He remembered his own unfortunate experience with Lord Siva and decided to take revenge by seducing Medhavi.”
“Using the eyebrows of Manjughosa as a bow, her glances as a bowstring, her eyes as arrows, and her breasts as a target, Cupid approached Medhavi in order to tempt him to break his trance and his vows. In other words, Cupid engaged Manjughosa as his assistant, and when she looked at that powerful and attractive young sage, she also became agitated by lust. Seeing that he was highly intelligent and learned, wearing a clean white brahmana's thread draped across his shoulder, holding a sannyasi's staff, and sitting handsomely in the asrama of Cyavana Risi Manjughosa came before him.”
“She began to sing seductively, and the small bells on her belt and around her ankles, together with the bangles on her wrists, produced a delightful musical symphony. The sage Medhavi was enchanted. He understood that this beautiful young woman desired union with him, and at that instant Cupid increased his attraction for Mahjughosa by releasing his powerful weapons of taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound.”
“Slowly Manjughosa approached Medhavi, her bodily movements and sweet glances attracting him. She gracefully put her tamboura down and embraced the sage with her two arms, just as a creeper winds itself around a strong tree. Captivated, Medhavi gave up his meditation and decided to sport with her-and instantly his purity of heart and mind abandoned him. Forgetting even the difference between night and day, he went away with her to sport for a long, long time.”
“Seeing that the young yogi's sanctity had become seriously eroded, Manjughosa decided to abandon him and return home. She said, “O great one, please permit me to return home.”
“Medhavi replied, ‘But you have only just arrived, O beautiful one. Please stay with me at least until tomorrow.’”
“Fearful of the sage's yogic power, Manjughosa stayed with Medhavi for precisely fifty-seven years, nine months, and three days, but to Medhavi all this time seemed like a moment. Again she asked him, ‘Please permit me to leave.’”
“Medhavi replied, ‘O dear one, listen to me. Stay with me for one more night, and then you may leave tomorrow morning. Just stay with me until after I have performed my morning duties and chanted the sacred Gayatri mantra. Please wait until then.’”
“Manjughosa was still fearful of the sage's great yogic power, but she forced a smile and said, ‘How long will it take you to finish your morning hymns and rituals? Please be merciful and think of all the time you have already spent with me.’”
“The sage reflected on the years he had been with Manjughosa and then said with great astonishment, ‘Why, I have spent more than fiftyseven years with you!’ His eyes turned red and began to emanate sparks. He now regarded Manjughosa as death personified and the destroyer of his spiritual life. ‘You rascal woman! You have turned all the hard-earned results of my austerities to ashes!’ Trembling with anger, he cursed Manjughosa ‘O sinful one, O hard-hearted, degraded one! You know only sin! May all terrible fortune be yours! O rascal woman, I curse you to become an evil hobgoblin pisaca!’
“Cursed by the sage Medhavi, the beautiful Manjughosa humbly beseeched him, ‘O best of the brdhmanas, please be merciful to me and revoke your curse! O great one, it is said that association with pure devotees gives immediate results but their curses take effect only after seven days. I have been with you for fifty-seven years, O master, so please be kind to me!’”
“Medhavi Muni replied, ‘O gentle lady, what can I possibly do? You have destroyed all my austerities. But even though you have done this sinful deed, I shall tell you a way you can be released from my wrath. In the dark fortnight of the month of Caitra there is an allauspicious Ekadasi that removes all one's sins. Its name is Papamocani, O beautiful one, and whoever fasts on this sacred day becomes completely freed from having to take birth in any kind of devilish form.’”
“With these words, the sage left at once for his father's asrama. Seeing him enter the hermitage, Cyavana Muni said, ‘O son, by acting unlawfully you have squandered the wealth of your penances and austerities.’”
“Medhavi replied, ‘O Father, kindly reveal what atonement I must perform to remove the obnoxious sin I have incurred by privately associating with the dancing girl Manjughosa?’”
“Cyavana Muni answered, ‘Dear son, you must fast on Papamocani Ekadasi. which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Caitra. It eradicates all sins, no matter how grievous they may be.’
“Medhavi followed his father's advice and fasted on Papamocani Ekadasi. Thus all his sins were destroyed and he again became filled with excellent merit. Similarly, Manjughosa observed the same fast and became free of the hobgoblin curse. Ascending once again to the heavenly spheres, she too returned to her former position.”
“Lomasa Risi continued, ‘Thus, O king, the great benefit of fasting on Papamocani Ekadasi is that whoever does so with faith and devotion will have all his sins completely destroyed.’”
Sri Krsna concluded, “O King Yudhisthira, whoever reads or hears about Papamocani ekadasi obtains the very same merit he would get if he donated a thousand cows in charity, and he also nullifies the sinful reactions he may have incurred by killing a brahmana, killing an embryo through abortion, drinking liquor, or having sex with his guru's wife. Such is the incalculable benefit of properly observing this holy day of Papamocani Ekadasi, which is so dear to Me and so meritorious.”
Ayuno de granos y cereales por Papamocani Ekadasi.
Maharaja Yudhisthira dijo, “Oh Señor Supremo, he oído de Ti la explicación de Amalaki Ekadasi, que ocurre durante la quincena clara del mes de Phalguna (Febrero-Marzo) y ahora deseo oír sobre el Ekadasi que ocurre durante la quincena oscura del mes de Caitra (Marzo-Abril). Cuál es su nombre, Oh Señor, y qué resultados se obtienen por observarlo?”.
La Suprema Personalidad de Dios, el Señor Sri Krsna replicó, “Oh el mejor de los reyes, describiré con agrado para beneficio de todos las glorias de este Ekadasi conocido como Papamocani. La historia de este Ekadasi fue una vez narrada al emperador Mandhata por Lomasa Rsi. El Rey Mandhata se dirigió al rsi de la siguiente manera: ‘Oh gran sabio, para beneficio de todas las personas, por favor dime el nombre de Caitra, y por favor explica el proceso de observarlo. Además, por favor describe los beneficios que uno obtiene observando este Ekadasi.’
Lomasa Rsi replicó, “El Ekadasi que ocurre durante la parte oscura del mes de Caitra se denomina Papamocani Ekadasi. Para el devoto fiel, remueve las influencias de fantasmas y demonios. Oh, león entre los hombres, este Ekadasi también concede las ocho perfecciones de la vida, cumple toda clase de deseos, purifica la vida de todas las reacciones pecaminosas y hace totalmente virtuosa a la persona.
Ahora escucha por favor un relato histórico concerniente a este Ekadasi y Citraratha, el principal de los Gandharvas (músicos celestiales). Durante la Primavera, en compañía de las danzarinas celestiales, Citraratha una vez llegó hasta un hermoso bosque repleto de variedad de flores. Allí, se unió con las jóvenes a otros Gandharvas y muchos Kinnaras, además del propio Señor Indra, el rey del cielo, quien disfrutaba de una visita al lugar. Todos opinaban que no había un jardín mejor que este bosque. Estaban presentes asimismo muchos sabios, realizando sus austeridades y penitencias. Los semidioses disfrutaban particularmante de la visita al jardín celestial durante los meses de Caitra y Vaisakha (Abril-Mayo).
En ese bosque vivía un gran sabio llamado Medhavi y las sumamente atractivas danzarinas siempre intentaban seducirlo. Una joven famosa en particular, Mañjughosa, ideó muchas formas para fascinar al exaltado muni, pero en mérito al gran respeto que tenía por el sabio y el temor a su poder, el cual había obtenido tras años y años de ascetismo, ella no se le acercaba demasiado. En un sitio a dos millas de distancia del sabio, ella armaba una tienda y comenzaba a cantar muy dulcemente mientras tocaba un tambor. El propio Cupido se excitó al verla y oírla cantar tan bellamente y olió la fragancia de su ungüento de pasta de madera de sándalo. El recordó su propia infortunada experiencia con el Señor Siva y decidió vengarse seduciendo a Medhavi (1).
Usando las cejas de Mañjughosa como un arco, sus miradas como una cuerda de arco, sus ojos como flechas y sus pechos como un blanco, Cupido se aproximó a Medhavi de modo de tentarlo a romper su trance y sus votos. En otras palabras, Cupido empleó a Mañjughosa como su asistente, y ella también se sintió agitada por la lujuria. Observando que el era altamente inteligente y erudito, que llevaba un cordón blanco de brahmana adosado a su hombro, que sostenía un báculo de sannyasi y que estaba muy apuesto sentado en el asrama de Cyavana Rsi, Mañjughosa se presentó ante él.
Ella inició su canto seductor y las campanillas de su cintura y alrededor de sus tobillos junto con el tintineo de sus muñecas producían una encantadora sinfonía musical. El sabio Medhavi estaba encantado; comprendió que esa hermosa y joven mujer deseaba unirse a él y en ese instante Cupido aumentó su atracción por Mañjughosa, concediendo sus poderosas armas del gusto, el tacto, la vista, el aroma y el sonido.
Lentamente Mañjughosa se aproximó a Medhavi, con movimientos del cuerpo y miradas dulces para atraerlo. Ella posó graciosamente en el suelo su tambor y abrazó al sabio con sus brazos tal como enredaderas que se enrollan alrededor de un árbol fuerte. Cautivado, Medhavi abandonó su meditación y decidió recrearse con ella, y de inmediato su pureza de mente y corazón lo abandonaron. Olvidando incluso la diferencia entre la noche y el día, el se alejó con ella para recrearse por mucho, mucho tiempo. (2)
Al ver que la santidad de este joven yogi se había afectado tan seriamente, Mañjughosa decidió abandonarlo y regresar al hogar. Ella dijo, ‘Oh grande, por favor permite que regrese a mi hogar’.
Medhavi replicó, ‘Pero si acabas de llegar, oh hermosa. Por favor, quédate conmigo al menos hasta mañana’.
Temerosa del poder yóguico del sabio, Mañjughosa permaneció con Medhavi exactamente cincuenta y siete años, nueve meses y tres días, pero para Medhavi solo le parecía un momento. Nuevamente ella le solicitó, “Por favor, permite que me vaya”.
Medhavi replicó, “Oh querida, escúchame. Quédate conmigo por una noche más y luego podrás irte mañana a la mañana. Tan solo quédate conmigo hasta que haya realizado mis deberes matutinos y cantado el sagrado mantra Gayatri. Por favor, espera hasta entonces”.
Mañjughosa aún temía el gran poder yóguico del sabio, pero forzó una sonrisa y dijo, “Cuánto tiempo te tomará el terminar tus himnos y rituales matutinos? Por favor sé misericordioso y agradecido por todo el tiempo que has pasado conmigo”.
El sabio reflexionó en los años que había compartido con Mañjughosa y luego dijo con gran desconcierto, “Qué, he pasado más de cincuenta y siete años contigo!” Sus ojos se pusieron rojos y emitían chispas. Entonces contempló a Mañjughosa como la muerte personificada y la destrucción de su vida espiritual. “Tú, pícara mujer! Tú has reducido todos los resultados de mis arduamente ganadas austeridades a cenizas!” Temblando de ira, maldijo a Mañjughosa, “Oh, pecadora, Oh dura de corazón, degradada! Tú solo conoces el pecado! Que toda la mala fortuna sea tuya! Oh pícara mujer, te maldigo para que te conviertas en un maligno duende pisaca!”
Así conjurada por el sabio Medhavi, la hermosa Mañjughosa le suplicó humildemente, “Oh el mejor de los brahmanas, por favor sé misericordioso conmigo y revoca tu maldición! Oh grande, se dice que la asociación con los devotos puros brinda resultados inmediatos, pero sus maldiciones tienen efecto solo después de siete días. Yo he estado contigo por cincuenta y siete años, Oh amo, entonces por favor sé gentil conmigo!”.
Medhavi Muni replicó, “Oh gentil dama, qué puedo hacer? Tú has destruído todas mis austeridades. Pero incluso aunque tu has cometido este acto pecaminoso, te revelaré un modo por que puedes liberarte de mi ira. En la quincena oscura del mes de Caitra, hay un Ekadasi todo auspicioso que remueve todos los pecados de la persona. Su nombre es Papamocani, oh hermosa, y quienquiera ayune en este día sagrado, se libera completamente de tener que nacer en cualquier clase de forma diabólica”.
Con estas palabras, el sabio partió de inmediato hacia el asrama de su padre. Al verlo entrar a la ermita, Cyavana Muni dijo, “Oh hijo, por actuar ilegítimamente has dilapidado la riqueza de tus penitencias y austeridades”.
Medhavi replicó, “Oh padre, ten la amabilidad de revelarme que expiación debo realizar para remover el vergonzoso pecado en que he incurrido por asociarme en privado con la bailarina Mañjughosa”.
Cyavana Muni respondió, “Querido hijo, debes ayunar en Papamocani Ekadasi, que ocurre durante la quincena oscura del mes de Caitra. Eso erradica todos los pecados, al margen de cuan graves puedan ser”.
Medhavi siguió el consejo de su padre y ayunó en Papamocani Ekadasi. De tal modo, todos sus pecados fueron destruídos y nuevamente se colmó de excelente mérito. Similarmente, Mañjughosa observó el mismo ayuno y se liberó de la maldición del duende. Ascendiendo nuevamente a las esferas celestiales, ella también retornó a su anterior posición.
Lomasa Rsi continuó, Así pues, Oh rey, el gran beneficio de ayunar en Papamocani Ekadasi es que quienquiera lo haga con fe y devoción tendrá todos sus pecados completamente destruídos.
Sri Krsna concluyó, “Oh rey Yudhisthira, quienquiera lea u oiga sobre Papamocani Ekadasi obtiene el mismo mérito que si hubiera donado mil vacas en caridad, y también anula las reacciones pecaminosas en las que pudiera haber incurrido por matar a un brahmana, matar a un embrión a través del aborto, beber licor o tener sexo con la esposa del guru. Tal es el incalculable beneficio de observar con propiedad este sagrado día de Papamocana Ekadasi, el cual es tan querido y meritorio para Mí”.
Así termina la narración de las glorias de Caitr-krsna Ekadasi o Papamocani Ekadasi, del Bhavisya-uttara Purana.
Fuente: Libro "Ekadasi. El día del Señor Hari", por Krishna Balarama Swami.
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