Shravana Putrada Ekadashi
श्रावण पुत्रदा एकादशी
Mythological Origin
In the Bhavishya Purana, Lord Krishna narrates the glory of Shravana Putrada Ekadashi to King Yudhishthira. In ancient times, there existed a prosperous kingdom called Mahishmati, ruled by the righteous King Mahijit. Despite his dharmic rule and the prosperity of his subjects, the king was consumed by a profound sorrow — he had no heir to continue his lineage and perform his ancestral rites after death. The absence of a son weighed upon him like an unshakeable curse, for in the Vedic tradition, a putra (son) is believed to rescue the father from the hell called 'Put,' making progeny essential for spiritual salvation. Desperate for a solution, King Mahijit assembled his ministers, Brahmins, and wise counselors to seek their guidance. The royal priests performed elaborate yajnas and consulted sacred texts, but no remedy appeared. Finally, the great sage Lomasha, who wandered into the kingdom during his pilgrimages, took compassion upon the grief-stricken king. The sage, through his divine vision, discerned that in a previous birth the king had committed a subtle adharma that had resulted in this condition of childlessness. Lomasha then revealed the sacred remedy: the observance of Putrada Ekadashi falling in the bright fortnight of Shravana. He instructed the king and queen to observe a strict fast on this day, worship Lord Vishnu in His form as Shridhara with complete devotion, maintain wakefulness through the night with kirtan and scriptural recitation, and offer the accumulated merit for the blessing of a worthy son. King Mahijit and Queen Nagalavali observed the vrata with unwavering faith and meticulous adherence to every prescribed ritual. Pleased by their devotion, Lord Vishnu blessed the royal couple with a valiant and virtuous son who grew to become a celebrated emperor, bringing glory to the dynasty of Mahishmati for generations.
Step-by-Step Rituals
Step 1: Sankalpa (Sacred Vow) — On the Dashami (10th day) evening, take a formal sankalpa to observe the Putrada Ekadashi vrata. Consume only a single sattvic meal before sunset, avoiding grains, beans, onion, garlic, and tamasic foods. Sleep on the floor or a simple mat to begin the austerity.
Step 2: Morning Ablutions and Puja Setup — Rise before sunrise on Ekadashi, bathe with sesame-infused water, and set up a clean altar with a murti or image of Lord Vishnu in His Shridhara form. Place a brass or copper kalasha filled with water, adorned with mango leaves and a coconut, before the deity. Light a ghee lamp and incense.
Step 3: Shodashopachara Puja (Sixteen-Step Worship) — Perform the formal sixteen-step worship of Lord Vishnu offering gandha (sandalwood paste), pushpa (tulsi leaves and seasonal flowers), dhupa (incense), dipa (ghee lamp), naivedya (fruits and milk-based sweets), and tambula. Recite the Vishnu Sahasranama and the specific Putrada Ekadashi Vrata Katha from the Bhavishya Purana. Offer yellow flowers and tulsi garlands to the deity.
Step 4: Nirjala or Phalahar Fast and Jagaran — Maintain a strict fast throughout the day — either nirjala (waterless) for maximum merit or consuming only fruits, milk, and root vegetables. Spend the day in meditation, japa of the Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya mantra, and reading sacred texts. In the evening, perform sandhya aarti and continue the vigil (jagaran) through the night with bhajan, kirtan, and recitation of Bhagavata Purana chapters.
Step 5: Parana (Breaking the Fast) — On Dwadashi (12th day) morning, after sunrise and within the prescribed parana time window, offer food to a Brahmin or a deserving person, give dakshina, and then break the fast with sattvic prasad. Seek blessings from elders and distribute prasad to family and community members, dedicating the merit of the vrata for the blessing of worthy progeny and family well-being.
Symbolism
Putrada Ekadashi carries profound symbolism that transcends the literal desire for a child. The word 'putra' is etymologically derived from 'put' (a specific hell) and 'tra' (to rescue), signifying that a worthy successor — whether biological or spiritual — liberates the ancestors from suffering. On a deeper level, this vrata symbolizes the soul's yearning to produce lasting merit and spiritual legacy. The fast itself represents the restraint of the senses, redirecting the creative life-force (prana) inward toward higher spiritual purposes. Lord Vishnu as Shridhara — the bearer of Sri (divine prosperity) — represents the cosmic principle of sustenance and continuity, ensuring that dharma is carried forward through generations. The night vigil symbolizes spiritual wakefulness, the refusal to remain in the slumber of ignorance. The offering of tulsi, sacred to Vishnu, represents surrendering the purest essence of one's devotion. The Ekadashi tithi itself, the eleventh lunar day, is associated with the Ekadasha Rudras and the purification of the eleven indriyas (five sense organs, five action organs, and the mind), making it an ideal moment for transformative spiritual practice. Ultimately, Putrada Ekadashi teaches that true fulfillment comes not merely from biological continuation but from nurturing dharmic consciousness that endures across lifetimes.
Regional Variations
North India
In Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, Shravana Putrada Ekadashi is observed with particular fervor by married couples seeking children. Temples dedicated to Vishnu and Krishna see large gatherings, and special abhishekam of Shaligrama stones is performed in homes. In Mathura-Vrindavan, the vrata is linked to Krishna's childhood leelas, and devotees offer butter and mishri to Laddu Gopal. Many families organize community readings of the Putrada Ekadashi Mahatmya from the Bhavishya Purana. In Punjab and Haryana, women observe the fast collectively and visit Vishnu temples in groups.
South India
In Tamil Nadu, this Ekadashi falls during the Aadi month and is observed in major Vishnu temples such as Srirangam, Tirupati, and Kanchipuram with elaborate utsavas. The day is called Putrada Ekadasi or Pavitrotsava Ekadasi. Special pavitra (sacred thread) ceremonies are conducted in Vaishnavite temples where silk threads are offered to the deity. In Kerala, Vaishnavite families observe a strict fast and perform Vishnu Sahasranama archana. In Karnataka, ISKCON centers and traditional mathas organize day-long programs with discourses on the significance of Ekadashi from the Padma Purana and Bhagavata Purana.
East/West India
In Maharashtra, this Ekadashi is observed during the Shravana month, which is already considered highly auspicious, and is often combined with Shravana Somvar practices. Varkari devotees associate it with Vitthala worship at Pandharpur. In Bengal and Odisha, Vaishnavite families observe the fast strictly and prepare elaborate bhog of fruits, chipped rice, and milk preparations for the deity. In Gujarat, the vrata is popular in Haveli traditions of Pushtimargi Vaishnavism, where special shringara darshan of Shrinathji is arranged and devotees offer the deity seasonal fruits and sweets associated with the monsoon month.
Diaspora Home Guide
Observing Shravana Putrada Ekadashi in the diaspora is entirely feasible with sincere intention. Begin by checking a Hindu panchang app or website for the exact Ekadashi tithi in your timezone, as dates may differ from India by a day. On the evening before, have a light sattvic dinner and set your intention for the fast. On Ekadashi morning, wake early, bathe, and set up a small altar with an image of Lord Vishnu or Krishna, a tulsi plant or leaves, a ghee lamp, and incense. If you have a Shaligrama shila, place it centrally. Perform a simple puja with whatever flowers, fruits, and tulsi you can procure — Indian grocery stores typically stock tulsi, and fresh basil can serve as a substitute if necessary. Observe the fast according to your capacity: a fruit-and-milk fast is the most common approach. Spend time during the day reciting the Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya mantra, reading the Ekadashi vrata katha online or from a Bhavishya Purana translation, and listening to Vishnu bhajans. If a local temple or ISKCON center holds an Ekadashi program, attending the evening aarti and kirtan is highly meritorious. For the night vigil, even staying up until midnight with devotional music and reading qualifies as a partial jagaran. Break the fast the next morning during the parana window and share prasad with family or neighbors.
Foods Offered
- Panchamrit (mixture of milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, and sugar)
- Sabudana Khichdi (tapioca pearl preparation for fasting)
- Fresh seasonal fruits such as bananas, pomegranates, and grapes
- Makhana Kheer (foxnut pudding made with milk and cardamom)
- Dry fruit and coconut ladoo (made without grains)
Colors
Mantras
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Om, I bow to Lord Vasudeva (Krishna/Vishnu), the Supreme Being who dwells in all creatures
ॐ श्रीधराय नमः
Om, salutations to Shridhara, the bearer of Sri (Lakshmi), the Lord who upholds divine prosperity and grace