Putrada Ekadasi

The glories of Putrada Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the month of December/January is described in Bhavisya Uttara Purana in the conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaj Yudhister.

Lord Krishna said to Udhister, My dear king the Ekadashi which occures during the waxing moon in the month of December/January is called Putrada.  By observing this Ekadashi all ones sinful reactions are counteracted.  People become learned and famous by follwing this Ekadashi.  Now please hear the glories of this auspicious Ekadashi.

There was a city named Bhadravati.  A king named Suketumana rulled this city.  The name of his queen was Saivya.  Since they had no son both the king and queen lived their lives with distress.  They spend most of their times in religious activities.  Because the king and the queen were afflicted with lementation.  The water that they offered during the time of their offering oblation to their forefathers appeared hot to the forefathers.  The forefathers  were also worried thinking that after the King Suketumana no one will offer them oblations.  Knowing this distress of the forefathers the king became even more morose.  He didnot feel any pleasure in the association of his friends, wellwishers and ministers.  Being merged in the lementation and hopelessness the king considered that without the son a human life is useless.  It is impossible to become free from the debts to the demigods, to the forefather and to the human beings without possessing son.  Without heaps of pious activities and devotion to Vishnu one cannot possess sons, wealth and knowledge.  After concluding in this way the morose King secrately left for the forest for his own benefit riding on a horse.

The King Suketumana entered in the forest which is inhabited by birds and beasts and began to search for a place to take rest.  Within the dence forest the King saw various trees such as Banyan, Peppla, Date, Tamarind, Palm, Shal, Maulasiri,Saptaparna, Tilaka, Tamala, Sarala, Hingota, Arjuna, Lavhera, Baheda, Sallaki,Patala, Catechu and Palasa as well as various animals such as tigers, lions, wild elephant, Deer, Wild Pigs, Monkeys, Snake , Leopardes and Hares.  Then the King instead of resting began to wonder through the forest.  The King became scared and surprised by hearing the howling of the Jackles, sounds of the owls.  Wondering in this way in all directions the king became very tired.  It was midday and the King was very thirsty.  He thought that though I have pleased the demigods through worship and sacrifices, maintained my subjects like my own children and satisfied the brahamanas by offering them foodstuffs and dakshina.  Yet why am I suffering like this today.  Being absorbed in this thought King Suketumana wondered hither and thither.  Suddenly He saw a lake which was as beautiful as the Manasa sarovar filled with lotuses.  Many Swans Chakravak and Cakora birds were sporting in the waters of that lake.  On seeing some sages chanting vedic mantras on the bank of this lake the King got down from his horse and offered obeisances to each of them seperately.  The sages became pleased by the Kings behaviour and asked him O king, We are pleased with you please ask us for some benediction.

The King Said who are all of you, ‘ Why have you come to his lake?  The sages replied, We are Visva devas,  We have come here to take bath.  Today is the auspicious Putrada Ekadashi.  If a person desirous of a son observes this vow, he is  certainly benedicted with a son.  The king said, I have tried so many things to get a son; but till today I have not been succesful.  Since all of you are pleased with me kindly bless me with a beautiful son.  Then the sages instructed today is Putrada Ekadashi o King, observe this Ekadashi with great care; then by the mercy of the lord and by our blessing you will certainly receive a son.

Thereafter according to the instruction of the  sages the king observed the auspicious Putrada Ekadashi. On the next day he broke his fast and after repeatedly offereing obeisances to the sages returned to his Palace.

In due course of time Queen Saivya became pregnent.  By the blessing of the sages and the influence of the piety accumulated by observing Putrada Ekadashi the King begot a pious and brilient son.  Thereafter the King happily ruled his Kingdom and his forefathers also became satisfied.

Lord Krishna continued - O King Udhister by following this Putrada Ekadashi one can get a son and attain heavenly planets.  Any one who hears or sings the glories of this Ekadashi certainly achives the results of Asvamedha Sacrifice.