King Yudhishthir asked:
"Please tell me the significance of the Ekadashi that falls in the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the month of Paush. What is its name? What is the method of observing its fast? Which deity is worshipped on this day?"
Lord Shri Krishna replied:
"O King! The Ekadashi that falls in the bright fortnight of the month of Paush is known as Putrada Ekadashi.
This same Ekadashi also falls on the Shukla Paksha of the month of Shravan and is also known as 'Putrada Ekadashi'. That means the Shukla Ekadashi of both the months — Paush and Shravan — is called Putrada Ekadashi.
On this day, Lord Shri Hari should be worshipped with devotion by chanting His holy names and offering Him fruits such as coconut, betel nut, citron, lemon, pomegranate, fresh Indian gooseberry (amla), cloves, berries, and especially mangoes. Lord Hari should be worshipped using incense and lamps."
There is a special provision for offering lamps (Deepdaan) on Putrada Ekadashi. One should also stay awake all night (jagran) with Vaishnav devotees. The merit obtained by staying awake on this night is so immense that even thousands of years of penance cannot equal it. This Ekadashi destroys all sins and is considered the greatest among all auspicious days in the entire universe, including all three worlds.
Lord Narayan Himself, the granter of all desires and goals, is the presiding deity of this most sacred tithi (lunar day).
Story of Putrada Ekadashi:
In ancient times, in the city of Bhadravati, a righteous king named Suketuman ruled. His queen was named Champa. Despite many years of marriage, they were unable to have a son. This deeply troubled the king and queen, leaving them in constant sorrow and anxiety.
The ancestors (Pitru) of the king, displeased due to the absence of a son to perform their offerings (Shraddha), would metaphorically say, “We see no one who will perform our rites after the king; our offerings are unfulfilled.” Thus, they remained in grief.
One day, the king, disheartened and without informing his priest or ministers, rode his horse deep into a dense forest. As he wandered amidst wild animals and birds, he heard the howling of jackals and the hooting of owls. Bears and deer crossed his path as he roamed through the forest.
Eventually, weary and thirsty, he searched for water and came across a beautiful lake surrounded by the ashrams of sages. As he approached the area, he experienced good omens—his right eye and arm twitched, and parrots began to chirp auspiciously.
He dismounted his horse and saw a group of sages reciting the Vedas at the lake’s edge. Overjoyed, the king bowed down and humbly greeted the sages. These sages were great ascetics following strict vows. Seeing the king’s devotion, the sages said, “O king, we are pleased with you.”
The king replied, “Kindly tell me who you are, what your names are, and why you have gathered here.”
The sages replied, “O King, we are the Vishvadevas. We have come here to bathe, as the month of Magha is approaching. In five days, the holy bathing period of Magha will begin. Today is the sacred Putrada Ekadashi, which blesses childless couples with sons.”
The king then folded his hands and said, “O great sages, if you are truly pleased with me, please bless me with a son.”
The sages responded, “Today is the auspicious Putrada Ekadashi, and observing this vrat (fast) grants one the blessing of a son. You should observe this sacred vrat today with full devotion. By the grace of Lord Keshava (Vishnu), you will surely be blessed with a son.”
Lord Krishna narrates:
Following the guidance of the sages, King Suketuman faithfully observed the Putrada Ekadashi vrat with full ritual and devotion. On the next day (Dwadashi), he completed the fast with proper offerings and bowed repeatedly to the sages before returning to his palace.
In time, Queen Champa conceived, and eventually gave birth to a brilliant and radiant son. The prince grew up to become a noble ruler who brought great satisfaction to his father and was beloved by the people.
Therefore, Putrada Ekadashi is a highly sacred vrat that must be observed. For the benefit of all, I have narrated this story. Whoever performs this vrat with a focused mind is blessed with a son in this life and attains heaven after death. Simply reading or hearing this story grants the merit equivalent to performing a fire sacrifice (Agnihotra).