The ancient Vedas report that Papamochani Ekadashi prevents the influence of spirits and demons on a sincere person full of faith. The purpose of celebrating Papamochani Ekadashi — is to establish a person in a virtue that equally brings benefit to man and society, and also pleases God.
The history of this holiday is connected with the concept of karma («activity»). The law of karma is simple and inexorable: the present — is a consequence of the past and a reason for the future. If a person is not satisfied with his present, he must understand what position — is the result of his activities in the past, which, however, can be overcome by virtuous actions.
Satisfaction with one's position — is a dangerous state if, under its influence, a person ceases to improve. That is why Vedic tradition teaches, for improvement and harmonization, to perform asceticism as repentance or asceticism as a desire to satisfy. In both cases, the goal is to satisfy God, however, in the first case – for the sake of receiving forgiveness, and in the second — for the sake of receiving His mercy. Until now, in India, large numbers of people are using the opportunity of a favorable Ekadashi day to restore their original purity.
Once the beautiful maiden Manjughosha decided to attract the young but already great sage Medhavi. Using Manjughoshi's eyebrows as a bow, looking like a bowstring, eyes like arrows and breasts as a target, the lust god Kama approached Medhavi, tempting him to break his trance and vows. Enchanted, Medhavi interrupted his meditation and decided to have fun with her, which immediately caused him to leave the purity of his heart and mind.
Stopping even distinguishing between day and night, he was ready to have fun with the maiden for a long, long time. Fearing the sage's yogic power, Manjughosha remained with Medhavi for fifty-seven years, nine months and three days, but to Medhavi all this time seemed like a moment.
Having come to his senses, he began to look at Manjughosha as the destroyer of his spiritual life and cursed her. Manjughosha humbly pleaded for forgiveness, to which the sage advised her to fast on the sacred day of Papamochani Ekadashi. Medhava himself returned to his father, who pointed out that the son had squandered the wealth of his vows and austerity. In order to atone for the disgusting sin, my father also advised me to fast at Papamochani Ekadashi.
Medhavi followed his father's advice and fasted at Papamochani Ekadashi. Thus all his sins were destroyed, and he regained his merits. Manjughosha also observed this fast, as a result of which she freed herself from the curse, rose again into the heavenly spheres and found her previous position.
In Papamochani Ekadashi, scriptures, sages and spiritual teachers recommend devoting more time to self-awareness, harmonizing relationships, serving people and God. On this holiday, it is strictly forbidden to eat legumes, shave, cut your hair and shed blood. To anyone who naturally listens to the recommendations of the Ancient Vedas, these restrictions will not seem difficult.