Putrada Ekadashi, or Pausha-shukla Ekadashi, is of significant spiritual importance in Hindu tradition.
Pausha Putrada Ekadashi is a revered Hindu fasting day in the auspicious month of Pausha. The term “Putrada” in Hindi signifies “giver of sons,” indicating its significance for couples seeking the blessing of parenthood, especially for their first child. This Ekadashi holds profound spiritual importance as a day dedicated to seeking blessings from Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Adherents observe it with great reverence and devotion, seeking to fulfill their desires, particularly the wish for progeny.
Paush Putrada Ekadashi involves a day-long fast, with the breaking of the fast, occurring after dawn on a subsequent day. Falling on the eleventh day of the lunar bright fortnight, or Shukla Paksha, it is believed that devotees who observe this fast receive special blessings from both Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu, offering solace amidst life’s challenges. Paush Putrada Ekadashi’s profound significance brings complete satisfaction to those who observe it, as it is considered one of the most significant fasts according to Hindu scriptures.
The day of Putrada Ekadashi is believed to have the power to absolve sins and grant spiritual elevation, as it is dedicated to Lord Shri Narayana, the worshipped deity of Ekadashi. Devotees observe fasting and adhere to the rules and regulations of Ekadashi vrata, aiming to please the Supreme Lord and receive His blessings.
Significance of Paush Putrada Vrat
Krishna advises Yudhisthira that one who wishes to fulfill their desires should strictly observe Putrada Ekadashi. It is said that those who faithfully adhere to this Ekadashi will assuredly obtain a son during their lifetime and attain liberation after death.
Furthermore, Krishna explains to Yudhisthira that even those who hear or read about the glories of Putrada Ekadashi will receive the same merit as performing a horse sacrifice, ultimately benefiting all of humanity.
Story about Paush Putrada Ekadashi
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Bhadraavati, ruled by King Suketumaan and his illustrious queen, Shaibyaa, a deep sorrow gripped the royal couple’s hearts. Despite their opulent palace and thriving kingdom, their joy remained incomplete as they yearned for a son to carry on their dynasty.
Day and night, the king pondered over this unfulfilled desire, consumed by thoughts of his legacy and the welfare of his ancestors. Even the rituals of offering oblations to their forefathers brought no solace, as their mutual misery overshadowed every aspect of their lives.
Their anguish knew no bounds, and not even the comfort of their ministers or the beauty of their palace gardens could lift their spirits. The king, once a mighty ruler, now found himself powerless in the face of his longing for a son. Desperate for a solution, he contemplated ending his life, but the fear of hellish repercussions stayed his hand. With each passing day, his anxiety grew until he could bear it no longer.
Driven by despair, King Suketumaan embarked on a solitary journey into the dense forest, seeking solace amidst nature’s embrace. Lost in his thoughts, he wandered, his mind weighed down by his unfulfilled desires. As hunger and thirst gnawed at him, he stumbled upon a tranquil pond, its waters teeming with life and its shores dotted with sage’s hermitages.
Approaching the sages who resided there, the king sought their counsel, pouring out his heart’s deepest desires. Moved by his sincerity, the Vishvadevas, ten celestial sages, revealed the significance of the auspicious Putrada Ekadashi and its power to bestow a pious son upon those who observed it devoutly. Encouraged by their words, King Suketumaan undertook the fast with unwavering faith and determination.
The king’s prayers were answered as the days passed, and Queen Shaibyaa conceived a child. True to the sages’ prophecy, a radiant prince was born to them, bringing them boundless joy and fulfillment. With gratitude, King Suketumaan embraced his newfound fatherhood, cherishing his son as the embodiment of his prayers.
The kingdom of Bhadraavati rejoiced in the arrival of the royal heir, a testament to the divine grace bestowed upon those who observed the sacred Ekadashi with utmost devotion. This story emphasizes the transformative power of Putradaa Ekadashi and the ability to fulfill the heart’s deepest desires.
With this story, we are ending the narration of the virtues of Pausha-shukla Ekadashi, also known as Putrada Ekadashi, as documented in the Bhavishya Purana by Veda Vyaasadeva.