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Traditional story (retold)
Part 1: The Childless King
King Suketuman and Queen Shaivya of the city of Bhadravati had no child. Because of this worry the king's mind did not stay even on the affairs of the kingdom.
Part 2: The Sages' Teaching
Wandering in the forest, the king reached the ashram of the sages near Manasarovara. The sages said that today was Shravana Shukla Putrada Ekadashi and that he should keep its vrat.
Part 3: The Birth of a Child
The king and queen kept the vrat with faith. According to the katha they received a son and happiness came to the kingdom. From that time this vrat is kept with the wish for a child.
Thus ends the complete Putrada Ekadashi Vrat Katha
At a glance
• Deity: Lord Vishnu
• When: Paush Shukla Ekadashi (and Shravana Shukla Ekadashi)
• Fast: Fruit diet or according to capacity
• Parana: On Dwadashi after sunrise
• Main lesson: Faith and patience
Introduction and significance
The Ekadashi vrat is kept on the eleventh tithi of every paksha for the worship of Lord Vishnu. Putrada Ekadashi comes twice a year, in Paush and in Shravana. It is regarded as a vrat connected with the wish for a child and the protection of children.
The vrat is regarded less as strict rules than as a practice of restraint, good conduct and devotion.
When it is observed
• Paush Shukla Ekadashi (and Shravana Shukla Ekadashi).
• See the Panchang for the tithi and the parana time.
Puja samagri
• An idol or picture of Lord Vishnu
• Yellow flowers, tulsi leaves, sandalwood paste, akshat
• Incense, lamp, panchamrit
• Fruit and sweets
Vrat vidhi
1. Take sattvik food on Dashami and make the resolve for Ekadashi in your mind.
2. On the morning of Ekadashi bathe and worship Vishnu Ji, offering tulsi and yellow flowers.
3. Chant 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya'.
4. Listen to the katha and perform the aarti.
5. Keep a fruit diet or fast according to capacity through the day and do bhajan.
6. On Dwadashi do the parana after sunrise and give charity to someone in need.
Do's
• Stay sattvik and do bhajan-kirtan.
• Offer water to tulsi.
• Give charity and do service.
• Follow the parana time.
Don'ts
• Avoid grain and rice (tradition).
• Avoid anger, slander and lies.
• Do not eat tamasic food.
Benefits (as believed)
It is believed that the Ekadashi vrat helps in purifying the mind and in restraint. Do not take it as a guarantee of any result; faith and good conduct are the main thing.
Mantras and aarti
• Mantra: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya"
• Aarti: https://divyavani.app/aarti/om-jai-jagdish-hare
• Vishnu Sahasranama: https://divyavani.app/stotra/vishnu-sahasranama
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does this Ekadashi come?
A: On Paush Shukla Ekadashi (and Shravana Shukla Ekadashi). See the Panchang for the tithi.
Q: What can one eat during the vrat?
A: Fruit, milk, sabudana, kuttu and water chestnut. Avoid grain and rice. Keep the fast only according to your health.
Q: When should the parana be done?
A: On the Dwadashi tithi after sunrise, within the parana time given in the Panchang.
Q: Can everyone keep this vrat?
A: Yes, anyone can keep it with faith. The sick, the elderly and pregnant women should keep it on a doctor's advice.
Q: How many times a year does Putrada Ekadashi come?
A: Twice: on Paush Shukla and Shravana Shukla Ekadashi.
Precautions
Take care of your health while fasting and consult a doctor if needed. This katha is a retelling of a traditional story. The method and the form of the katha differ by region.