Putrada Ekadashi: Vrat Katha, Timings, Rituals, and Importance

The ekadashi tithi that falls during the Shukla Paksha (the bright fortnight of moon) of Shravan month in the Hindu calendar is celebrated as Shravan Putrada Ekadashi. Putrada ekadashi, also known as Pavitra Ekadashi and Pavitropana Ekadashi falls somewhere between July to August on the English calendar.

Shravana Putrada Ekadashi 2024 is on August 16, Friday

3 months and 16 days to go for the event

Putrada Ekadashi comes after Kamika Ekadashi (Shravan krishna paksha ekadashi) and before Aja Ekadashi (Bhadra Krishna paksha).

Like all ekadashi, Shravan putrada ekadashi is also dedicated to Lord Vishnu and this ekadashi vrat is observed by husband and wife together, in order to be blessed with a son. This day is particularly propitious for Vaishnavas, who are the followers of Vishnu.

The word ‘Putrada’ means ‘giver of sons’ and hence it is believed that by observing putrada ekadashi fast in the month of Shravan, desires for a male child can be fulfilled. Shravan putrada ekadashi is celebrated with great zeal all over India other than northern regions, where the Pausha Putrada Ekadashi is more popular.

Important Timings On Sravana Putrada Ekadashi 2024

Putrada Ekadashi Vrat Katha

Listen to Shravana Putrada Ekadashi Vrat Katha In Hindi

Listen to Shravana Putrada Ekadashi Vrat Katha In English

According to the Padma Purana, the Putrada Ekadashi Vrat katha goes like this:

In the ancient times of yore, the virtuous King Dharmaraja Yudhishthira spoke thus, "Oh Lord! Now I beseech you to narrate to me the tale of the Ekadashi that falls on the bright fortnight of the month of Shravana. Please elucidate upon its name and the rituals associated with it."

The illustrious Lord Madhusudana replied, "O King! Now, in tranquility, I shall recount to you the story of the Ekadashi that falls on the bright fortnight of the month of Shravana. By merely hearing this tale, the fruits of the Vajapeya Yajna are obtained."

"At the beginning of the Dwapara Yuga, there was a city named Mahishmati, ruled by a righteous king named Mahijit. Although virtuous, he was devoid of offspring. He perpetually dwelled in worry, for he believed that his rulership was fraught with sorrow since one without progeny cannot find happiness in this world or the next. The king endeavored tirelessly to acquire a son, but all his efforts were in vain.

As he grew older, his distress increased. One day, addressing his subjects, he said, 'I have never committed wrong in my life. I have not amassed wealth unjustly from my subjects, nor have I seized the riches of gods and Brahmins, nor have I taken anyone's inheritance. I have raised my subjects like sons and punished the wrongdoers as if they were my own kin. I have never harbored hatred or aversion towards anyone; I have treated all as equals. Despite reigning with righteousness, I am undergoing great sorrow at this time. I cannot fathom the reason behind my suffering.'

Seeking counsel, King Mahijit's ministers and advisors retreated to a forest. There, they encountered great sages and wise men. Among them was the venerable sage Lomasha, well-versed in the ways of virtue and the scriptures.

The assembly greeted him with respect and took their seats before him. They began to express, "O sage, we are fortunate to have your darshan. Please enlighten us on our predicament."

Sage Lomasha responded, "Brahmins, your humility and virtuous conduct please me greatly. Now, reveal to me the cause of your visit, and I shall certainly offer a solution according to my capacity, for our bodies are designed to serve others. There is no doubt in this."

Upon hearing these words from the sage, the men smiled with assurance that a solution would be found. They responded, "We earnestly seek your guidance in understanding our dilemma. We are the subjects of King Mahijit, who is having trouble creating a progeny, which in turn has made him painful to the core, and it is our duty to share in his joys and sorrows. The cause of his childlessness remains a mystery to us. Since encountering you, we are confident that our woes will soon find resolution. Please enlighten us on the remedy to bless our king with a son.'"

After hearing their words, Sage Lomasha closed his eyes briefly, contemplating the king's past lives. Then he revealed, "Brahmins, in a previous birth, this very king was extremely impoverished and engaged in nefarious deeds. He would wander from village to village, causing harm. On a particular Dwadashi day in the bright fortnight of the month of Jyeshtha, he went to drink water from a reservoir. He was hungry as he had nothing to eat the previous day. At that moment, a thirsty and pregnant cow was also there, seeking water. The king pushed the cow away to satisfy his own thirst. His callous act caused the separation of a calf from its mother, and this sin is the reason behind his present suffering. Since he did a fast on the Ekadashi day, although unknowingly, that resulted in him being born into the royal family and becoming a king. The Ekadashi observance on the bright fortnight of the Shravana month shall serve as the remedy for absolving the sins of his previous life. If all of you observe this fast, perform the night vigil, and grant the merits of the fast to the king on the Dwadashi day, then he shall be blessed with a son.'

Inspired by Lomasha Rishi's words, the ministers and the entire populace followed his instructions meticulously. After the observance, they bestowed the merits of their fast upon King Mahijit.

Consequently, the queen conceived and, after nine months, gave birth to a radiant and virtuous son.

Sri Krishna concluded, "O King, thus, this Ekadashi came to be known as Putrada Ekadashi. Those who desire a precious gem-like son should diligently observe this Ekadashi with all prescribed rituals. Its observance bestows happiness in this world and paradise in the hereafter."

Rituals in Shravan Putrada Ekadashi:

• Fasting is the main ritual on Shravan Putrada Ekadashi. The fast must be observed by both the partners if they yearn for a male child. On this day, some couples observe strict fast while some even keep a partial fasting. Eating of grains, pulses, rice, onion and non-vegetarian food is strictly prohibited for all on Shravan Putrada Ekadashi.
• The vrat begins on ‘dashami’ and the observer must eat only ‘saatvik’ food before noon. Complete celibacy is observed on dashami night. No food is eaten from sunrise of ekadashi till the dawn of ‘dwadashi’ (12th day). The fast is broken after finishing the puja rituals and offering food to a respected Brahmin.
• Lord Vishnu is worshipped with full devotion and enthusiasm on this day. The idol of Vishnu is kept on the place of worship and the ‘Panchamrit’ abhishek is performed. The devotees also offer bright flowers, fruits and other puja essentials to the lord. The observer of the Shravan Putrada Ekadashi keeps a vigil whole night by singing bhajans and bhakti songs in praise of Lord Vishnu. The devotees also visit nearby temples of Lord Vishnu during the evening.
• The popular 5-day long ‘Jhulan festival’ also starts on the Shravan Putrada Ekadashi. A jhula is beautifully decorated with creepers and flowers and the idol of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha is placed in the swing. The festivities end on the day of Shravan Poornima (full moon day).

Importance of Shravan Putrada Ekadashi:

In our Hindu society having a son is considered important as he looks after his father and mother during old age. Even the ‘Shraddha ’ (ancestor rites) can only be performed by the male child to offer peace to his dead forefathers. Each of the 26 ekadashis observed in the Hinduism has its own specific goal. The ekadashi that falls during the Shravana Shukla Paksha has powers to bestow a childless couple with a male progeny. There are only two ekadashis that are ‘giver of sons’ with the other one being the ‘Pausha Putrada Ekadashi’.

The importance of Shravan Putrada Ekadashi is mentioned in the ‘Bhavishya Purana’ as a discussion between King Yudhisthira and Sri Krishna. Here Lord Krishna himself explained the rituals and benefits of observing this sacred fast. Besides being blessed with a male offspring, Vishnu followers observe the Shravan Putrada Ekadashi to wash away their sins and attain salvation.

FAQs

1: Which Ekadashi fast blesses the observer with son?

The Ekadashi occurring within the waxing phase (Shukla Paksha) of the Shravana month is renowned as Putrada Ekadashi. As per the legends narrated in age-old Vedic texts such as the Padma Purana, Narada Purana, Bhavishyottara Purana, and more, adhering to the fasting rituals of this Ekadashi bestows upon the devotee a jewel-like son.

2: What does Putrada Ekadashi mean?

Upon King Yudhishtira's inquiry about the Ekadashi that occurs within the Shukla Paksha of the Shravana Month, Lord Krishna elucidates how adhering to the fasting rituals of this Ekadashi blesses devotees with a son. This virtuous outcome has earned the Ekadashi its appellation as Putrada Ekadashi. The term "Putrada" or "Putrad" in Sanskrit signifies "bestowing sons or offspring."

3: What are the rituals of Putrada Ekadashi?

The observances for Putrada Ekadashi mirror those of other Ekadashis. Devotees commence fasting on the Dashami Tithi, consuming a solitary meal, observing a full fast on the Ekadashi Tithi, and concluding the fast during the Parana Time on the Dwadashi Tithi.
To delve into the fasting traditions of Putrada Ekadashi, you can find more information here.
For insights into what is Ekadashi Vrat and additional details, click here.

4: How many Putrada Ekadashi are there?

The Putrada Ekadashi occurs twice a year. The first is Pausha Putrada Ekadashi, which takes place in the Hindu lunar month of Pausha, and the second is Shravana Putrada Ekadashi, which falls in the month of Shravan. Both Putrada Ekadashis are believed to bestow precious offspring, particularly sons, to devotees who faithfully observe these Ekadashi fasts.

5: When is the Parana Time for Putrada Ekadashi 2024?

Parana signifies the meal that concludes a period of fasting. The Parana time designates the specific interval to break the fast and is observed on the Dwadashi Tithi, commencing after the conclusion of the Hari Vasara period. The Parana Time for Putrada Ekadashi 2024 spans from August 17, 6:08 am to 8:06 am.
(The mentioned timing is in IST, for Ujjain. Click here to change the location.)

Sravana Putrada Ekadashi festival dates between 2020 & 2030

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