This is from Padma Purana

A pious man lived in Ujjain. He was a good singer and a devotee of Lord Vishnu. He was a very good person. He always fasted on Ekadashi. He never ate or drank anything on that day. He used to stay awake at night and sang praises of Lord Vishnu. He never missed doing this.

One Ekadashi, he went to the forest to get flowers for puja. There, a Brahmarakshasa caught him. Brahmins who commit grave sins become Brahmarakshasas after they die.

The Brahmarakshasa wanted to eat him. The man asked, 'Let me go today. I have to sing for Bhagavan. Tomorrow, I will come back to you.'

The Brahmarakshasa trusted him and let him go. The man went to the temple. He offered the flowers and sang bhajans all night. The next morning, he went back to the Brahmarakshasa. The Brahmarakshasa was surprised. The man said, 'I promised to come, so I am here. Now, you can eat me.'

The Brahmarakshasa did not want to eat him now. He asked, 'Give me the punya you got from singing.' The man said, 'No, I will not give even a little bit.'

The Brahmarakshasa begged for at least one song’s punya. The man agreed but only if the Brahmarakshasa stopped eating people. The Brahmarakshasa agreed. The man gave him the punya of the last song.

The Brahmarakshasa became calm. He attained mukti. The man also attained Vaikuntha after he died.

Lessons: 

1. This story shows the power of devotion. The man sang bhajans of Lord Vishnu with devotion. He stayed awake and fasted on Ekadashi. His devotion was so strong that it even gave mukti to a Brahmarakshasa. The man’s devotion helped both of them. This shows that true devotion can save and free others too.
2. It shows that simple devotion is enough. The man did not do big or elaborate rituals. He only sang and fasted for Lord Vishnu. We do not need big rituals to please God. Simple acts of love and faith are very powerful.
3. The man’s honesty came from his devotion. His strong faith made him truthful. He returned to the Brahmarakshasa because he promised. His devotion gave him the strength to keep his word.
4. Kindness can change even the toughest people.

Knowledge Bank

How did Mahabharata get its name?

महत्वाद्भारवत्वाच्च महाभारतमुच्यते। Once, under the instruction of Sage Vyasa and in the presence of Devas and Rishis, Mahabharata was placed on one side of a weighing balance and all the other scriptures on the other side. Mahabharata stood heavier. Due its heaviness and greatness, it was called Mahabharata.

Where Hanumanji rested for the first time after reaching Lanka

On top of the house of a Rakshasa called Bhima.