Putrada Ekadashi/Pavitra Ekadashi !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Bavishothara Puranam describes the glory of Putrada Ekadashi which falls on the waxing period of the moon.  Lord Krishna explains the glory of the Putrada Ekadashi to King Yudhishtira.

There was a king named Sukethamana ruled the city Badravati.  The King Sukethamana and his wife Saivya had no offspring for a long time, this very reason made their life totally distressed.  The King Sukethamana was righteous and he was involved in all religious activities.  The offerings made by the King to his forefathers were found unsatisfactory because of lack of offspring.  King Sukethamana realized that the practice of performance of homage to forefathers without any offspring would be difficult in future, it brought great anguish among the ancestors and the King as well.  The king found no happiness and peace in the association of friends and the ministers of his assembly.  The King realized the truth that life without offspring is miserable.  Children are the blessings in the family; virtuous children born to parents only with the Blessing of Lord Vishnu with several pious deeds.  Strong faith and devotion to Lord only could bring virtuous offspring followed by wealth and knowledge.  The depressed king Sukethamana left on his horse back to the forest.

King Sukethamana arrived in a dense forest of wild animals.    The forest was full of herbs  and huge trees, like  Peepal, Neem, Banyan, Date, Tamarind, Palm, Shala, Maulasiri, Saptaparna, Thilaka, Thamala, Sarala, Hingota, Arjuna, Lavera, Baheda, Salki, Patala, Kateechu, Palasa, etc.. He was stranded through the wild forest for many hours and became tired of thirst and hunger.  He was tormented by the thoughts of the sufferings he was going through his life.  Finally, he arrived at a place where he found a beautiful lake similar to Manasarovar.  He could see the lake full of Lotus, Swans, Chakora and Chakravaha Birds gracefully floating on the crystal water.  On the bank of the lake, there were a few Sages chanting Vedic hymns.  King Sukethamana got down from his horse and prostrated before the Sages assembled over there.  The most pleased Sages revealed that they are Vishwadevas who came to have ablations.

The King explained about the distressing story of his life.  The sages began to narrate the importance of Putrada Ekadashi to the King.  They advised the King to observe the Ekadashi with severe austerity and pray to Lord Vishnu for progeny.  As adviced by the Vishwadevas, King Sukethamana underwent severe austerity with utmost faith and devotion to the Lord on the day of Putrada Ekadashi.  On the next day of Dwadashi, the king completed fast/Parana by paying obeisance to the Vishwadevas.  The Sages blessed the King Sukethamana and returned to his palace. 

In due course of time, King Sukethamana's wife Saivya got pregnant with a child.  They had a beautiful son.  King Sukethamana ruled his kingdom for several years with the blessings of his forefathers.

Lord Krishna explained, fasting on the Putrada Ekadashi brings abundance of merits to the observers such as liberation from all the sins.    Moreover, whoever observes this Ekadashi would attain the epitome of Knowledge and fame.

Lord Krishna concluded whoever listens to the glories of Putrada Ekadashi would attain the merits of Ashwamedha Yagam and whoever observes fast and undergo austerities on this auspicious day would be blessed with virtuous offspring. 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!