On Saphala Ekadashi, one should worship Lord Hari with mantras and offerings like coconut, betel nut, bijora (a citrus fruit), lemon, pomegranate, beautiful amla (Indian gooseberry), cloves, jujube fruits, and especially mangoes, along with incense and lamps. This Ekadashi is particularly associated with offering lamp donations (deep daan). Devotees should stay awake at night with Vaishnava men, as such night vigil (jagaran) bestows more merit than performing penance for thousands of years.
Story of Saphala Ekadashi
Once there was a city named Champavati, which served as the capital of King Mahishmata. He had five sons, among whom the eldest was always engaged in sinful acts. He was immoral and behaved very poorly. He squandered his father’s wealth on wicked deeds. He constantly disrespected Brahmins and mocked Vaishnavas and even the deities.
Seeing his son’s conduct, King Mahishmata named him Lumbhaka, and together with his other sons, banished him from the kingdom. Lumbhaka left the city and went into the forest. From there, he looted the city's wealth.
One night, while sneaking into the city to steal, he was caught by a guard. But when he identified himself as the king’s son, the soldiers released him. He then returned to the forest and began living off meat and fruits. His resting place was under a sacred peepal tree, considered highly divine in the forest.
Years passed, and by the effect of accumulated merit, he unknowingly observed a fast on Ekadashi. It was during the waning phase (Krishna Paksha) of the Magshar (Margashirsha) month. On the tenth day, he ate fruits and, being without clothing, suffered the cold through the night. He couldn't sleep and was restless. He fell unconscious and remained so until after sunrise on Saphala Ekadashi.
Later in the day, he regained consciousness, stood up, and wandered through the forest in hunger and weakness. Eventually, he returned with many fruits. At sunset, he gathered fruits near the tree and offered them to Lord Vishnu, praying, “O Lord of Lakshmi! Please accept these fruits and be pleased.” That night, he again couldn't sleep and thus unknowingly completed the fast.
Suddenly, a voice from the sky declared:
"O Prince! By the merit of observing the Saphala Ekadashi fast, you shall regain your kingdom and be blessed with a son."
Lumbhaka humbly accepted the boon.
From that moment, he became spiritually enlightened and devoted his life to the worship of Lord Vishnu. Adorned with divine ornaments, he regained his kingdom and ruled for fifteen years with wisdom and righteousness. By the grace of Lord Krishna, he was later blessed with a son named Manogya. When Manogya came of age, Lumbhaka handed over the kingdom to him and left for the abode of Lord Krishna, where there is no sorrow.
O King! Whoever observes the holy fast of Saphala Ekadashi enjoys happiness in this life and attains liberation (moksha) after death. Blessed are those who engage in fasting on this sacred day. Their very birth becomes meaningful. Merely reading or hearing about the greatness of this Ekadashi grants the merit of performing a Rajasuya Yagna.