Putrada Ekadashi | Time | Observance & | Significance

What is Putrada Ekadashi and when is it celebrated?

By Intimate Viewpoint

Putrada Ekadashi is also known as Pausha Putada Ekadashi because it falls in the month of Pausha in the lunar calendar and in December -January in the Gregorian Calendar. Putrada Ekadashi is observed on the 11th day of Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the Moon).

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Putrada means, the giver of a son. The Other Putrada Ekadashi is celebrated in the month of Shravana (July-August) which is also called Shravana Putrada Ekadashi.

Observance

The Putrada Ekadashi fast is observed by devotees without taking water and food (Nirjala). If this fast is observed by couples then it is more fruitful. Many people keep a partial fast also instead of the Nirjala fast. They take only fruits, vegetables, milk, and nuts. Eating Garlic, onion, cereals, pulses, and salt is strictly prohibited on this day. 

Lord Vishnu is worshipped on Putrada Ekadashi. He becomes pleased with those who observe the fast with complete devotion and blesses them with a good son. 

The two types of Putrada Ekadashis are observed in different states in different ways. Pausha Putrada Ekadashi is more popular in North India while Shravana Putrada Ekadashi is more significant in the other states of India. 

The Legend

The Legend of Putrada Ekadashi can be found in the 'Bhavishya Purana'. The Legend was told first-time by Lord Krishna to Samrat Yudhishthir in 'Treta Yuga'. 

The tale is about a king named Suketuman and his queen Shaibya. He was the king of Bhadravati. They were very sad by the absence of a child. Not only the couple but also their ancestors were worried about that. The king became very frustrated, he left his Kingdom and went to the forest without informing anyone. After wandering for days in the forest, the king reached an Ashram of some sages. They introduced themselves that they are the ten divine Vishwadevas. After hearing the sad story of the king the sages advised him to observe a fast on Putrada Ekadashi day to attain a son. The king complied and returned to his Kingdom. According to the advice of the sages, he observed the fast with great devotion and did all the rituals properly. Lord Vishnu pleased him and blessed him with a good son, who grew up and became a heroic king in the future.