Papamochani Ekadashi of Chaitra Krishna

Verse 1 (padma.6.46.1)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच- फाल्गुनस्य सिते पक्षे श्रुता चामलकी तथा । चैत्रस्य कृष्णपक्षे तु किं नामैकादशी भवेत्

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca- phālgunasya site pakṣe śrutā cāmalakī tathā caitrasya kṛṣṇapakṣe tu kiṁ nāmaikādaśī bhavet

Yudhishthira said: The Amalaki Ekadashi of the bright fortnight of Phalguna has been heard. Now which Ekadashi falls in the dark fortnight of Chaitra?

Verse 2 (padma.6.46.2)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच- शृणु राजेंद्र वक्ष्यामि आख्यानं पापनाशनम् । यल्लोमशोऽब्रवीत्पृष्टो मांधात्रा चक्रवर्तिना

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca- śṛṇu rājeṁdra vakṣyāmi ākhyānaṁ pāpanāśanam yallomaśo'bravītpṛṣṭo māṁdhātrā cakravartinā

Sri Krishna said: Listen, O lord of kings, I shall tell that sin-destroying tale, which the sage Lomasha told when the emperor Mandhata asked him.

Verse 3 (padma.6.46.3)

मांधातोवाच - भगवन्श्रोतुमिच्छामि लोकानां हितकाम्यया । चैत्रस्य प्रथमे पक्षे का नामैकादशी भवेत् । को विधिः किं फलं तस्याः कथयस्व प्रसादतः

māṁdhātovāca - bhagavanśrotumicchāmi lokānāṁ hitakāmyayā caitrasya prathame pakṣe kā nāmaikādaśī bhavet ko vidhiḥ kiṁ phalaṁ tasyāḥ kathayasva prasādataḥ

Mandhata said: O Lord, for the welfare of all people I wish to hear this. Which Ekadashi falls in the first fortnight of Chaitra? What is its rite, what is its fruit - kindly tell me.

Verse 4 (padma.6.46.4)

लोमश उवाच- चैत्रमास्यसिते पक्षे नाम्ना वै पापमोचनी । एकादशी समाख्याता पिशाचत्वविनाशिनी

lomaśa uvāca- caitramāsyasite pakṣe nāmnā vai pāpamocanī ekādaśī samākhyātā piśācatvavināśinī

Lomasha said: The Ekadashi that falls in the dark fortnight of the month of Chaitra is called Papamochani; it destroys even the state of being a ghoul (pishacha).

Verse 5 (padma.6.46.5)

शृणु तस्याः प्रवक्ष्यामि कामदां सिद्धिदां नृप । कथां विचित्रां शुभदां पापघ्नीं धर्मदायिनीम्

śṛṇu tasyāḥ pravakṣyāmi kāmadāṁ siddhidāṁ nṛpa kathāṁ vicitrāṁ śubhadāṁ pāpaghnīṁ dharmadāyinīm

O king, listen, I shall tell that wondrous, auspicious, sin-destroying, dharma-granting tale, which fulfils desires and bestows accomplishment.

Verse 6 (padma.6.46.6)

पुरा चैत्ररथोद्देशे अप्सरोगणसेविते । वसंतसमये प्राप्ते षट्पदाकुलिते वने

purā caitrarathoddeśe apsarogaṇasevite vasaṁtasamaye prāpte ṣaṭpadākulite vane

Long ago, in the forest called Chaitraratha, attended by throngs of apsaras, when the season of spring had come and that forest was filled with the humming of bees,

Verse 7 (padma.6.46.7)

गंधर्वकन्यावादित्रै रमंति सह किंनरैः । पाकशासनमुख्याश्च क्रीडांते त्रिदिवौकसः

gaṁdharvakanyāvāditrai ramaṁti saha kiṁnaraiḥ pākaśāsanamukhyāśca krīḍāṁte tridivaukasaḥ

the gandharva-maidens took delight with the kinnaras, playing musical instruments; and the chief dwellers of heaven, led by Indra, sported there.

Verse 8 (padma.6.46.8)

नापरं सुखदं किंचिद्विना चैत्ररथाद्वनम् । तस्मिन्वने तु मुनयस्तपंति बहुलं तपः

nāparaṁ sukhadaṁ kiṁcidvinā caitrarathādvanam tasminvane tu munayastapaṁti bahulaṁ tapaḥ

No other place gave such delight as the forest of Chaitraratha. In that forest the sages practiced deep austerities.

Verse 9 (padma.6.46.9)

मेधावि नामानमृषिं तत्रस्थं ब्रह्मचारिणम् । अप्सरास्तं मुनिवरं मोहनायोपचक्रमे

medhāvi nāmānamṛṣiṁ tatrasthaṁ brahmacāriṇam apsarāstaṁ munivaraṁ mohanāyopacakrame

There lived a celibate sage named Medhavi; an apsara approached that excellent sage in order to enchant him.

Verse 10 (padma.6.46.10)

मंजुघोषेति विख्याता भावं तस्य वितन्वती । क्रोशमात्रं स्थिता तस्य भयादाश्रमसन्निधौ

maṁjughoṣeti vikhyātā bhāvaṁ tasya vitanvatī krośamātraṁ sthitā tasya bhayādāśramasannidhau

She was renowned by the name Manjughosha. Making known her intent, yet out of fear, she stationed herself at a distance of one krosha from his hermitage.

Verse 11 (padma.6.46.11)

गायंती मधुरं साधु पीडयंती विपंचिकाम् । गायंतीं तामथालोक्य पुष्पचंदनसेविताम्

gāyaṁtī madhuraṁ sādhu pīḍayaṁtī vipaṁcikām gāyaṁtīṁ tāmathālokya puṣpacaṁdanasevitām

She was singing sweetly and skillfully, plucking her lute. Beholding her thus, adorned with flowers and sandal, singing there,

Verse 12 (padma.6.46.12)

कामोऽपि विजयाकांक्षी शिवभक्तान्मुनीश्वरान् । तस्याः शरीरे संवासमकरोन्मनसः सुतः

kāmo'pi vijayākāṁkṣī śivabhaktānmunīśvarān tasyāḥ śarīre saṁvāsamakaronmanasaḥ sutaḥ

Kama, desiring victory - he who seeks to conquer even the Shiva-devoted lords of sages - that son of the mind, took up residence in her body.

Verse 13 (padma.6.46.13)

कृत्वा भ्रुवौ धनुष्कोटिं गुणं कृत्वा कटाक्षकम् । मार्गणौ नयने कृत्वा पक्ष्मयुक्ते यथाक्रमम्

kṛtvā bhruvau dhanuṣkoṭiṁ guṇaṁ kṛtvā kaṭākṣakam mārgaṇau nayane kṛtvā pakṣmayukte yathākramam

He fashioned her two eyebrows like the two ends of a bow, and made her sidelong glance its bowstring;

Verse 14 (padma.6.46.14)

कुचौ कृत्वा पटकुटीं विजयायोपचक्रमे । मंजुघोषाभवत्तस्य कामस्यैव वरूथिनी

kucau kṛtvā paṭakuṭīṁ vijayāyopacakrame maṁjughoṣābhavattasya kāmasyaiva varūthinī

he made her two lashed eyes into his arrows in due order, and her two breasts into a canopy of cloth, and thus advanced toward victory. Manjughosha became the very army of Kama himself.

Verse 15 (padma.6.46.15)

मेधाविनं मुनिं दृष्ट्वा सापि कामेन पीडिता । यौवनोद्भिन्नदेहोऽसौ मेधाव्यपि विराजते

medhāvinaṁ muniṁ dṛṣṭvā sāpi kāmena pīḍitā yauvanodbhinnadeho'sau medhāvyapi virājate

Beholding the sage Medhavi, she too was seized by desire - that sage's body too, radiant with youth, shone forth.

Verse 16 (padma.6.46.16)

सितोपवीतसहितो दृष्टः स्मर इवापरः । मेधावी वसते चासौ च्यवनस्याश्रमे शुभे

sitopavītasahito dṛṣṭaḥ smara ivāparaḥ medhāvī vasate cāsau cyavanasyāśrame śubhe

Wearing a white sacred thread, he seemed like a second Kama himself. That Medhavi dwelt in the auspicious hermitage of Chyavana.

Verse 17 (padma.6.46.17)

मंजुघोषा स्थितं तत्र दृष्ट्वा सा मुनिपुंगवम् । मदनस्य वशं प्राप्ता मंदं मंदमगायत

maṁjughoṣā sthitaṁ tatra dṛṣṭvā sā munipuṁgavam madanasya vaśaṁ prāptā maṁdaṁ maṁdamagāyata

Beholding that excellent sage seated there, Manjughosha fell under the sway of Kama and began to sing softly, ever so gently.

Verse 18 (padma.6.46.18)

रणद्वलयसंयुक्तां शिंजन्नूपुरमेखलाम् । गायंतीं तां तथाभूतां विलोक्य मुनिपुंगवः

raṇadvalayasaṁyuktāṁ śiṁjannūpuramekhalām gāyaṁtīṁ tāṁ tathābhūtāṁ vilokya munipuṁgavaḥ

Beholding her thus, singing, adorned with jingling bracelets and tinkling anklets and girdle-bells, that excellent sage,

Verse 19 (padma.6.46.19)

मदनेन ससैन्येन नीतो मोहवशं बलात् । मंजुघोषा समागम्य मुनिं दृष्ट्वा तथाविधम्

madanena sasainyena nīto mohavaśaṁ balāt maṁjughoṣā samāgamya muniṁ dṛṣṭvā tathāvidham

was forcibly overcome by delusion, brought about by Kama and his whole army. Manjughosha, drawing near, beheld the sage in that condition,

Verse 20 (padma.6.46.20)

हावभावकटाक्षैस्तं मोहयामास चांगना । अधः संस्थाप्य वीणां सा सस्वजे तं मुनीश्वरम्

hāvabhāvakaṭākṣaistaṁ mohayāmāsa cāṁganā adhaḥ saṁsthāpya vīṇāṁ sā sasvaje taṁ munīśvaram

and with her coquetry and sidelong glances she enchanted him further. Setting down her lute, she embraced that lord of sages,

Verse 21 (padma.6.46.21)

वलितेव लता वृक्षं वातवेगेन कंपितम् । सोऽपि रेमे तया सार्द्धं मेधावी मुनिपुंगवः

valiteva latā vṛkṣaṁ vātavegena kaṁpitam so'pi reme tayā sārddhaṁ medhāvī munipuṁgavaḥ

as a creeper twines about a tree shaken by the force of the wind. That excellent sage Medhavi too then took his pleasure with her.

Verse 22 (padma.6.46.22)

तस्मिन्नेव ततो दृष्ट्वा तस्यास्तं देहमुत्तमम् । शिवतत्वं गतं तस्य कामतत्त्ववशं गतः

tasminneva tato dṛṣṭvā tasyāstaṁ dehamuttamam śivatatvaṁ gataṁ tasya kāmatattvavaśaṁ gataḥ

In that very state, beholding her exquisite form, his Shiva-nature [pure consciousness] departed from him, and he fell under the sway of the nature of desire.

Verse 23 (padma.6.46.23)

न निशां न दिनं सोऽपि रमन्जानाति कामुकः । बहुवर्षं गतः कालो मुनेराचारलोपतः

na niśāṁ na dinaṁ so'pi ramanjānāti kāmukaḥ bahuvarṣaṁ gataḥ kālo munerācāralopataḥ

Given over to desire, he knew neither night nor day, absorbed as he was in pleasure. Because of the sage's fall from discipline, many years passed by.

Verse 24 (padma.6.46.24)

मंजुघोषा देवलोकगमनायोपचक्रमे । गच्छंती तं प्रत्युवाच रमंतं मुनिसत्तमम् । आदेशो दीयतां ब्रह्मन्स्वदेशगमनाय मे

maṁjughoṣā devalokagamanāyopacakrame gacchaṁtī taṁ pratyuvāca ramaṁtaṁ munisattamam ādeśo dīyatāṁ brahmansvadeśagamanāya me

Then Manjughosha prepared to go to the world of the gods. As she was leaving, she said to that excellent sage, still absorbed in pleasure: 'O Brahmin, grant me leave to return to my own realm.'

Verse 25 (padma.6.46.25)

मेधाव्युवाच- अद्यैव त्वं समायाता प्रदोषादौ वरानने । यावत्प्रभातसंध्या स्यात्तावत्तिष्ठ ममांतिके । इति श्रुत्वा मुनेर्वाक्यं भयभीता बभूव सा

medhāvyuvāca- adyaiva tvaṁ samāyātā pradoṣādau varānane yāvatprabhātasaṁdhyā syāttāvattiṣṭha mamāṁtike iti śrutvā munervākyaṁ bhayabhītā babhūva sā

Medhavi said: O beautiful one, you came just this very evening; stay with me until the morning twilight arrives. Hearing the sage's words, she became filled with fear.

Verse 26 (padma.6.46.26)

पुनर्वै रमयामास तमृषिं नृपसत्तम । मुनेः शापभयाद्भीता बहुलान्परिवत्सरान्

punarvai ramayāmāsa tamṛṣiṁ nṛpasattama muneḥ śāpabhayādbhītā bahulānparivatsarān

O best of kings, out of fear she again took her pleasure with that sage, for many years, dreading the sage's curse.

Verse 27 (padma.6.46.27)

वर्षाणां पंचपंचाशन्नवमासदिनत्रयम् । सा रेमे मुनिना तस्य निशार्द्धमिव चाभवत्

varṣāṇāṁ paṁcapaṁcāśannavamāsadinatrayam sā reme muninā tasya niśārddhamiva cābhavat

For fifty-seven years, nine months and three days she remained taking her pleasure with that sage; to her that whole span felt like but half a night.

Verse 28 (padma.6.46.28)

सा तं पुनरुवाचाथ तस्मिन्काले गते मुनिम् । आदेशो दीयतां ब्रह्मन्गंतव्यं स्वगृहे मया

sā taṁ punaruvācātha tasminkāle gate munim ādeśo dīyatāṁ brahmangaṁtavyaṁ svagṛhe mayā

When that time had passed, she again said to the sage: 'O Brahmin, grant me leave; I must go to my own home.'

Verse 29 (padma.6.46.29)

मेधाव्युवाच- प्रभातमधुना चास्ते श्रूयतां वचनं मम । संध्या यावच्च कुर्वेऽहं तावत्त्वं वै स्थिरा भव

medhāvyuvāca- prabhātamadhunā cāste śrūyatāṁ vacanaṁ mama saṁdhyā yāvacca kurve'haṁ tāvattvaṁ vai sthirā bhava

Medhavi said: It is still but the early morning; listen to my words. Remain here steadfastly until I have completed my morning devotions.

Verse 30 (padma.6.46.30)

इति वाक्यं मुनेः श्रुत्वा जातानंदसमाकुला । स्मितं कृत्वा तु सा किंचित्प्रत्युवाच शुचिस्मिता

iti vākyaṁ muneḥ śrutvā jātānaṁdasamākulā smitaṁ kṛtvā tu sā kiṁcitpratyuvāca śucismitā

Hearing the sage's words, she was filled with joy; that woman of pure smile, smiling a little, replied thus -

Verse 31 (padma.6.46.31)

अप्सरा उवाच-। कियत्प्रमाणा विप्रेंद्र तव संध्या गतानघ । मयि प्रसादं कृत्वा तु गतकालो विचार्यताम्

apsarā uvāca- kiyatpramāṇā vipreṁdra tava saṁdhyā gatānagha mayi prasādaṁ kṛtvā tu gatakālo vicāryatām

The apsara said: O foremost of brahmins, O sinless one, how much of your twilight-rite has already passed? By your grace, please consider how much time has gone by.

Verse 32 (padma.6.46.32)

इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनः । गतकालस्य विप्रेंद्र प्रमाणमकरोत्तदा

iti tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā vismayotphullalocanaḥ gatakālasya vipreṁdra pramāṇamakarottadā

Hearing her words, O foremost of brahmins, his eyes widened with astonishment, and then he calculated the measure of the time that had passed.

Verse 33 (padma.6.46.33)

समाश्च सप्तपंचाशद्गतास्तस्य तया सह । चुक्रोध सततस्तस्यै ज्वालामाली बभूव ह

samāśca saptapaṁcāśadgatāstasya tayā saha cukrodha satatastasyai jvālāmālī babhūva ha

Fifty-seven years had passed together with her. Then his unceasing anger toward her blazed up like a garland of flame.

Verse 34 (padma.6.46.34)

नेत्राभ्यां विस्फुलिंगान्स मुंचमानोऽतिकोपनः । कालरूपां तु तां दृष्ट्वा तपसः क्षयकारिणीम्

netrābhyāṁ visphuliṁgānsa muṁcamāno'tikopanaḥ kālarūpāṁ tu tāṁ dṛṣṭvā tapasaḥ kṣayakāriṇīm

Filled with extreme anger, he began to shower sparks from his eyes. Beholding her as the very form of Time, the destroyer of his austerity,

Verse 35 (padma.6.46.35)

दुःखार्जितं क्षयं नीतं तपोदृष्ट्वातयासह । सकंपोष्ठो मुनिस्तत्रप्रत्युवाचाकुलेंद्रियः

duḥkhārjitaṁ kṣayaṁ nītaṁ tapodṛṣṭvātayāsaha sakaṁpoṣṭho munistatrapratyuvācākuleṁdriyaḥ

and beholding the destruction of the austerity he had painfully acquired, undone by his time with her, that sage, his lips trembling and his senses disturbed, spoke thus -

Verse 36 (padma.6.46.36)

तां शशापाथमेधावी त्वं पिशाची भवेति च । धिक्त्वां पापे दुराचारे कुलटे पातकप्रिये

tāṁ śaśāpāthamedhāvī tvaṁ piśācī bhaveti ca dhiktvāṁ pāpe durācāre kulaṭe pātakapriye

That Medhavi cursed her: 'Become a pishachi [ghoul]! Shame upon you, O wicked one, ill-behaved, unchaste, lover of sin!'

Verse 37 (padma.6.46.37)

तस्य शापेन सा दग्धा विनयावनता स्थिता । उवाच वचनं सुभ्रूः प्रसादं वांछती मुनिम् । प्रसादं कुरु विप्रेंद्र शापस्यानुग्रहं कुरु

tasya śāpena sā dagdhā vinayāvanatā sthitā uvāca vacanaṁ subhrūḥ prasādaṁ vāṁchatī munim prasādaṁ kuru vipreṁdra śāpasyānugrahaṁ kuru

Scorched by that curse, she stood there, bowed in humility. That fair-browed woman, seeking mercy, spoke thus to the sage: 'O foremost of brahmins, be gracious, show mercy regarding this curse.'

Verse 38 (padma.6.46.38)

सतां संगो हि भवति वचोभिः सप्तभिः पदैः । त्वया सह मम ब्रह्मन्नीता वै बहुवत्सराः । एतस्मात्कारणात्स्वामिन्प्रसादं कुरु सुव्रत

satāṁ saṁgo hi bhavati vacobhiḥ saptabhiḥ padaiḥ tvayā saha mama brahmannītā vai bahuvatsarāḥ etasmātkāraṇātsvāminprasādaṁ kuru suvrata

'Companionship with the virtuous forms even through the exchange of seven words; and I, O Brahmin, have spent so many years with you. For this very reason, O lord, O one of good vows, show me your grace.'

Verse 39 (padma.6.46.39)

मुनिरुवाच- शृणु मे वचनं भद्रे शापानुग्रहकारकम् । किं करोमि त्वया पापे क्षयं नीतं महत्तपः

muniruvāca- śṛṇu me vacanaṁ bhadre śāpānugrahakārakam kiṁ karomi tvayā pāpe kṣayaṁ nītaṁ mahattapaḥ

The sage said: O gentle one, listen to my words that shall lift this curse. O sinful one, you have brought my great austerity to ruin - what then shall I do?

Verse 40 (padma.6.46.40)

चैत्रस्य कृष्णपक्षे तु भवेदेकादशी शुभा । पापमोचनिका नाम सर्वपापक्षयंकरी

caitrasya kṛṣṇapakṣe tu bhavedekādaśī śubhā pāpamocanikā nāma sarvapāpakṣayaṁkarī

In the dark fortnight of Chaitra there falls an auspicious Ekadashi, known by the name Papamochani, which destroys every sin.

Verse 41 (padma.6.46.41)

तस्या व्रते कृते शुभ्रे पिशाचत्वं प्रयास्यति । इत्युक्त्वा सोऽपि मेधावी जगाम पितुराश्रमम्

tasyā vrate kṛte śubhre piśācatvaṁ prayāsyati ityuktvā so'pi medhāvī jagāma piturāśramam

'By observing that pure vow your pishacha-state shall depart.' Having said this, that Medhavi went away to his father's hermitage.

Verse 42 (padma.6.46.42)

तमागतं समालोक्य च्यवनः प्रत्युवाचतम् । किमेतद्विहितं पुत्र त्वया पुण्यं क्षयं कृतम्

tamāgataṁ samālokya cyavanaḥ pratyuvācatam kimetadvihitaṁ putra tvayā puṇyaṁ kṣayaṁ kṛtam

Beholding him arrive in that state, Chyavana said to him: 'O son, what has happened here - why have you destroyed your own merit?'

Verse 43 (padma.6.46.43)

मेधाव्युवाच- पातकं वै कृतं तात रमिता चाप्सरा मया । प्रायश्चित्तं ब्रूहि तात येन पापक्षयो भवेत्

medhāvyuvāca- pātakaṁ vai kṛtaṁ tāta ramitā cāpsarā mayā prāyaścittaṁ brūhi tāta yena pāpakṣayo bhavet

Medhavi said: O father, I have indeed committed a sin - I remained taking my pleasure with an apsara. O father, tell me the penance by which my sin may be destroyed.

Verse 44 (padma.6.46.44)

च्यवन उवाच- चैत्रस्य चासिते पक्षे नाम्ना वै पापमोचनी । अस्या व्रते कृते पुत्र पापराशिः क्षयं व्रजेत्

cyavana uvāca- caitrasya cāsite pakṣe nāmnā vai pāpamocanī asyā vrate kṛte putra pāparāśiḥ kṣayaṁ vrajet

Chyavana said: The Ekadashi that falls in the dark fortnight of Chaitra is known by the name Papamochani. O son, by observing its vow, the whole mass of sin is destroyed.

Verse 45 (padma.6.46.45)

इति श्रुत्वा पितुर्वाक्यं कृतं तेन व्रतोत्तमम् । गतं पापं क्षयं तस्य तपोयुक्तो बभूव सः

iti śrutvā piturvākyaṁ kṛtaṁ tena vratottamam gataṁ pāpaṁ kṣayaṁ tasya tapoyukto babhūva saḥ

Hearing his father's words, he performed that excellent vow; his sin was destroyed, and he became once more endowed with austerity.

Verse 46 (padma.6.46.46)

साप्येवं मंजुघोषा च कृत्वैतद्व्रतमुत्तमम् । पिशाचत्वाद्विनिर्मुक्ता पापमोचनिकाव्रतात् । दिव्यरूपधरा सा वै गता नाके वराप्सराः

sāpyevaṁ maṁjughoṣā ca kṛtvaitadvratamuttamam piśācatvādvinirmuktā pāpamocanikāvratāt divyarūpadharā sā vai gatā nāke varāpsarāḥ

Likewise, Manjughosha too, having performed this excellent vow, was freed from her pishacha-state by the power of the Papamochani vow; taking on her divine form once more, that excellent apsara went to the heavenly realm.

Verse 47 (padma.6.46.47)

लोमश उवाच- पापमोचनिकां राजन्ये कुर्वंति नरोत्तमाः । तेषां पापं च यत्किंचित्तत्सर्वं च क्षयं व्रजेत्

lomaśa uvāca- pāpamocanikāṁ rājanye kurvaṁti narottamāḥ teṣāṁ pāpaṁ ca yatkiṁcittatsarvaṁ ca kṣayaṁ vrajet

Lomasha said: O king, whatever sin belongs to those excellent men who observe the Papamochani vow, all of it is utterly destroyed.

Verse 48 (padma.6.46.48)

पठनाच्छ्रवणाद्राजन्गोसहस्रफलं लभेत् । ब्रह्महा हेमहारी च सुरापो गुरुतल्पगः

paṭhanācchravaṇādrājangosahasraphalaṁ labhet brahmahā hemahārī ca surāpo gurutalpagaḥ

O king, by merely reading or hearing it, one obtains the fruit of donating a thousand cows. One who has killed a brahmin, stolen gold, drunk liquor, or violated his teacher's bed -

Verse 49 (padma.6.46.49)

व्रतस्य चास्य करणात्पापमुक्ता भवंति ते । बहुपुण्यप्रदं ह्येतत्करणाद्व्रतमुत्तमम्

vratasya cāsya karaṇātpāpamuktā bhavaṁti te bahupuṇyapradaṁ hyetatkaraṇādvratamuttamam

by performing this vow, even such persons become freed from their sin. By observing it, this proves the most excellent among all vows, bestowing abundant merit.