Putrada Ekadashi Puja for Blessed Progeny and Family Wellbeing

Vrat Katha (Story)

The story of this Ekadashi comes from the Bhavishya Purana, narrated by Bhagwan Krishna to King Yudhishthira.

There once lived a king named Mahijit who ruled his kingdom with fairness and devotion, yet he and his wife Rani Chandrabhaga remained without a child despite years of prayer. Deeply troubled, the king sought the counsel of forest sages during a hunting expedition. He met Sage Lomesh and shared his sorrow. The sage, moved by the king's sincerity, explained that in his past life the king had denied water to a thirsty cow, and this karma had delayed the blessing of a child in this life.

Sage Lomesh then guided the king and queen to observe the vrat of Shravana Putrada Ekadashi with complete devotion, fasting and worshipping Bhagwan Vishnu with full faith. The royal couple followed the sage's instructions exactly, keeping the fast and performing the puja on the correct tithi. Pleased with their devotion, Bhagwan Vishnu blessed them with a son who grew up to become the noble king Harishchandra, remembered for his truthfulness and dharma.

This katha is read or recalled during the vrat, as it forms the basis of why this Ekadashi is associated with the blessing of progeny and the clearing of past karma that stands in its way.

Other Names of This Ekadashi

Shravana Putrada Ekadashi is known by several names across India, each pointing to a different aspect of its significance.

• Shravana Putrada Ekadashi: The most common name, marking that this Ekadashi falls in the month of Shravan and is observed for the blessing of children. Putrada means giver of a child.
• Pavitropana Ekadashi: On this day, devotees offer a pavitra, a sacred thread, to Bhagwan Vishnu. Pavitropana refers to this act of offering purity through the thread.
• Pavitra Ekadashi: A shorter form of the same name, referring to the same pavitra offering ritual performed to seek forgiveness for unknown sins and karmic purification.

All three names refer to the same Ekadashi, and you will find it called by any of these across different regions and panchangs.

Significance and Benefits of Observing Putrada Ekadashi

Shravana Putrada Ekadashi holds a special place among the twenty four Ekadashis observed through the year. The Bhavishya Purana describes it as a vrat that grants results equal to performing several other sacred observances together, making it one of the most fruitful fasting days in the Hindu calendar.

For couples who wish for a child, this Ekadashi is observed with the belief that sincere fasting and worship of Bhagwan Vishnu can clear the karmic obstacles standing in the way of parenthood, as shown in the story of King Mahijit. The pavitra offered on this day is also seen as a way to seek forgiveness for sins committed knowingly or unknowingly, offering a sense of karmic cleansing that extends beyond the wish for children.

Beyond progeny, the vrat is observed for the general wellbeing, protection and moral upbringing of children already in the family, making it relevant for parents as well as those still hoping to become parents. Since it falls within the holy month of Shravan, a month already dedicated to devotion and self discipline, the merit of fasting and puja on this day is considered further amplified. Devotees who cannot fast personally often choose to have the puja performed on their behalf, receiving the same sankalp based benefits through seva.

Our Puja Sevas (Detailed)

We offer four levels of seva for Putrada Ekadashi, performed by experienced Vedic purohits with sankalp taken in your name and gotra.

1. Shriman Narayana Panchamrut Abhisheka Seva: This seva includes Panchamrut Abhisheka, a bath of five sacred substances, along with Dhravya Abhisheka to the deity of Bhagwan Vishnu. It is a simple yet powerful seva suited for those seeking purification and removal of obstacles.

Best suited for: First time devotees or those seeking a focused, simple seva for karmic cleansing.

2. Shriman Narayana Sarva Seva: This seva includes Panchamrut and Dhravya Abhisheka, Sarvalankara with Lotus and Tulasi, Tulasi Pushpa Archana, Naivedya and Mangalaarti. It offers a more complete worship experience with adornment and floral offerings.

Best suited for: Devotees seeking blessings for family prosperity along with karmic purification.

3. Maha Puja Seva: Our most elaborate seva, including Panchamrut and Dhravya Abhisheka, Sarvalankara with Lotus and Tulasi, Tulasi Pushpa Archana, Mangalaarti, Vishesha Naivedya of pancha phala and coconut, and Grand Tulasi Haar Samarpan.

Best suited for: Couples specifically seeking the blessing of a child, and families wanting the fullest form of this seva.

4. Shri Vishnu Sahasranama Parayana Seva: This seva includes the chanting of Shri Vishnu Sahasranama, followed by Archana, Naivedya and Mangalaarti.

Best suited for: Devotees seeking peace of mind, protection from doshas, and the merit of reciting the thousand names of Bhagwan Vishnu.

Puja Vidhi (Ritual Process We Follow)

Our purohits follow the traditional order of worship for Putrada Ekadashi, performed on your behalf with your sankalp.

1. Sankalp is taken in your name and gotra, stating the purpose of the puja.
2. The deity of Bhagwan Vishnu is prepared with Kalasha sthapana and invocation.
3. Panchamrut Abhisheka is performed using milk, curd, honey, ghee and sugar, followed by Dhravya Abhisheka.
4. Sarvalankara is offered with Lotus and Tulasi, dressing the deity in a complete form of adornment (in Sarva Seva and Maha Puja).
5. Tulasi Pushpa Archana is performed, chanting the names of Bhagwan Vishnu with each flower offering.
6. Vishesha Naivedya of pancha phala and coconut is offered, along with the Grand Tulasi Haar for the Maha Puja seva.
7. For the Parayana seva, Vishnu Sahasranama is chanted in full, followed by Archana.
8. The puja concludes with Mangalaarti, and prasad is prepared for delivery to devotees.

Who Should Observe This Ekadashi

• Couples seeking a child: As per the story of King Mahijit and Rani Chandrabhaga, this Ekadashi is especially observed by couples wishing for the blessing of progeny.
• Parents of existing children: The vrat is also kept for the health, protection and moral growth of children already born into the family.
• Devotees seeking general punya: Since this is one of the more fruitful Ekadashis as per the Bhavishya Purana, many devotees observe it purely for spiritual merit and Vishnu bhakti.
• NRI families: Devotees living in the USA, UK, Canada, UAE and Australia who cannot travel to India or fast without guidance can have this puja performed on their behalf, with live streaming access and prasad delivery where available.

Fasting Guidelines (Vrat Niyam)

For those who wish to observe the fast personally alongside booking the seva:

• Begin the vrat with sankalp on the morning of Ekadashi.
• Avoid rice and grains on the day of fasting, and rely on fruits or phalahar if a full nirjala fast is not possible.
• Avoid tamasic food, alcohol and negative speech through the day.
• Spend the day in worship of Bhagwan Vishnu, chanting his names and reading the Vrat Katha.
• Break the fast, or parana, only after sunrise on Dwadashi, and avoid breaking it during Hari Vasara, the first quarter of Dwadashi.
• Those with health conditions, pregnant women, and elderly devotees may observe a simpler phalahar fast rather than a strict nirjala fast, as per family or sampradaya custom.

Scriptural References

The story and significance of Shravana Putrada Ekadashi are described in the Bhavishya Purana, where Bhagwan Krishna narrates the katha of King Mahijit to King Yudhishthira. The observance of Ekadashi vrats and their connection to Vishnu bhakti is also supported by references across classical Jyotish and Puranic tradition, which describe fasting on this tithi as one of the most meritorious observances of the Hindu calendar.