पुत्रदा एकादशी व्रत कथा (पौष शुक्ल एकादशी) · Putrada Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Paush Shukla Ekadashi)

The Ekadashi that falls in the Shukla Paksha of the month of Paush is called Putrada Ekadashi, whose presiding deity is Bhagwan Narayan himself, the giver of all desires and spiritual attainments. On this day, while chanting his names, Shri Hari is offered coconut, betel nut, citron, jamira lemon, pomegranate, fine amla, cloves, jujube, and especially mango, along with incense and lamp. Offering lamps (deep-daan) is specially prescribed on this Ekadashi, and a night vigil is kept together with Vaishnav men, whose merit cannot be gained even through thousands of years of penance. This tithi is held to be the most sin-destroying of all three worlds.

In the city of Bhadravati ruled a king named Suketuman, whose queen was named Champa. Though a long time passed, they remained without a child, and because of this the king and queen were always anxious and sorrowful. Even their ancestors were troubled, wondering who would carry forward the tradition of offering them tarpan after this king's line. One day, without telling anyone, the king rode out alone on horseback into a dense forest. Wandering through the forest, he heard the calls of jackals and owls, and saw bears and deer here and there. By midday he grew faint with hunger and thirst and began wandering about in search of water.

By the influence of some previously accumulated merit, the king came upon a beautiful lake, on whose bank stood the ashrams of many sages. As he looked toward the ashrams, his right eye and right hand began to throb — a sign of good fortune. On the bank, many rishis were reciting the Vedas. Seeing them, the king was overjoyed; he dismounted from his horse, stood before them, and bowed to each one in turn. These sages were engaged in observing an excellent vow, and, pleased by the king's repeated prostrations, they received him warmly. The king asked who they were and for what purpose they had gathered there. The sages explained that they were the Vishvedevas, come there to bathe, and that in five days the Magh-month bathing festival would begin; this very day, they said, was the Ekadashi named Putrada, which grants a son to those without children. Hearing this, the king pleaded, "If you are pleased with me, grant me a son." The sages told him that this Ekadashi vow was very famous, and instructed him to observe it properly that very day, assuring him that by the grace of Bhagwan Keshav he would certainly obtain a son. Following the sages' instruction, the king faithfully and properly observed the Putrada Ekadashi vow, broke the fast on Dwadashi, bowed repeatedly at the sages' feet, and returned to his kingdom.

In time, Queen Champa conceived, and when the term was complete, the meritorious king was blessed with a radiant son, who satisfied his father through his virtuous qualities and, in time, became a protector of his people. Bhagwan Shri Krishna says: O Yudhishthira, this Putrada vow should certainly be observed; I have told this katha for the welfare of the world. Whoever observes the Putrada Ekadashi vow with single-minded devotion obtains a son in this world and goes to heaven after death. Merely hearing or reading this glory grants the fruit of an Agnishtoma yajna.