Vaishnava Pausa Putrada Ekadashi
Observed during the ‘Naaraayana’ month of the Vaishnava calendar, the Vaishnava Pausa Putrada Ekadashi is fasting day that falls on Shukla Paksha ekadashi (the 11th day in the bright fortnight of moon). This ritualistic fasting is observed by devotees, especially couples for a good and meritorious son. Besides this ekadashi also destroys all the sins of the past life and takes the observer closer to the spiritual abode. As this ekadashi is observed in the ‘Pausa’ month of the lunar calendar, it is referred as ‘Pausa Putrada Ekadashi’. In the English calendar, this date falls between the months of December to January.
On Vaishnava Pausa Putrada Ekadashi, Sri Narayana is devotedly worshipped by Vaishnavites. The word ‘putrada’ implies ‘giver of son’ and so childless couples observe this ekadashi in the Pausa lunar month to be blessed with a male child. This ekadashi fasting is extremely popular in the northern states of India whereas in the other regions the Putrada Ekadashi observed in the ‘Shravana’ month is given more importance. Pundit and scholars propagate unique significance between these two ekadashis owing to the specific significance given to them.
There is no Vaishnava Pausa Putrada Ekadashi in 2024
Rituals during Vaishnava Pausa Putrada Ekadashi:
- Women who desire a male child observe a vrat on the Vaishnava Pausa Putrada Ekadashi. This vrat is more fruitful when both husband and wife keep the sacred fast. Married couples pray to Lord Vishnu for a son and for well-being of their children.
- Some devotees keep complete fast while few also undertake partial fasting owing to health and other issues. The mode of fasting should be decided beforehand and the fast begins from the sunrise of ekadashi. Those who keep the complete fast even do not eat anything after the sunset of the previous day, ‘dashami’. The fast of Vaishnava Pausa Putrada Ekadashi is broken on ‘dwadashi’ after praying to Lord Vishnu and offering food to a respected Brahmin. Eating of cereals, rice, grains and specific spices and vegetables is prohibited on all ekadashis.
- This day is dedicated to worshipping Sri Hari Vishnu. Special pujas are done to invoke the divine blessings of the lord. Devotees throng Lord Vishnu temples in large numbers all over India to participate in the special programs organized on the day. Reading ‘Vishnu Sahasranaam’ and chanting Vedic mantras is considered to be auspicious on the day of Vaishnava Pausa Putrada Ekadashi.
Significance of Vaishnava Pausa Putrada Ekadashi:
The glories of Vaishnava Pausa Putrada Ekadashi are mentioned in various Hindu religious scriptures like ‘Bhavishya Purana’. It is believed that one, who desires fulfilment of all his/her wishes, must strictly observe the Vaishnava Pausa Putrada Ekadashi. The observer of this vrat will definitely be blessed with a male progeny and attain salvation in the end. In the Hindu society, having a son is very important as he is the one who looks after his parents during old age. Also the ‘Shradh’ rituals that are done to offer peace to ancestors after death, can only be performed by a male child. Thus all parents desire male progeny and must therefore religiously observe the Vaishnava Pausa Putrada Ekadashi. According to the religious beliefs, any person who hears or reads the greatness of Pausa Putrada Ekadashi gains the merit that is earned by performing an auspicious horse sacrifice.