Adhyaya 43

This chapter proclaims the greatness of Jayā Ekādaśī, the vow observed in Māgha’s bright fortnight, as a supreme purifier—able to erase even brahmahatyā and to rescue one from the fallen state of piśāca-existence. Śrī Kṛṣṇa, answering Yudhiṣṭhira, teaches the Jayā-vrata as grounded in fasting, ahiṃsā (non-violence), and a night-long vigil. Within an embedded celestial tale, the gandharva Mālyavān and the apsaras Puṣpadantī disregard Indra’s command during a performance and are cursed into piśāca-hood, suffering upon Himavat. By providence they inadvertently observe Jayā Ekādaśī—abstaining from food, refraining from harm, and keeping vigil—and by Viṣṇu’s power their original forms are restored. Returning to heaven, they testify that Vāsudeva and the Jayā observance granted liberation; Indra acknowledges their purity and extols devotion to Hari. The teaching concludes with Kṛṣṇa urging Ekādaśī observance and promising long residence in Vaikuṇṭha to those who hear or recite this account.