Pausha Putrada Ekadashi Vrat Katha

Yudhishthira asked Shri Krishna about the Ekadashi of the bright fortnight of Pausha. Krishna said that it is called Putrada, the giver of sons, and told this story.

In the city of Bhadravati ruled King Suketuman with his queen Shaibya. They had wealth, a strong kingdom and loyal people, but no son, and this grief never left them. The king often wondered who would carry on his line and who would offer the pinda to him and his ancestors after his death. Thinking of this, he felt that his kingdom, his wealth and even his life were empty.

One day, overcome by sorrow, the king rode alone into the dense forest. He saw the creatures of the forest living with their young, and his heart grew heavier still. By midday he was tired and thirsty, and he came upon a beautiful lake full of lotuses. On its bank were the ashrams of sages, who were chanting the Vedas.

The king got down from his horse, bowed to the sages and sat before them. Pleased with his humility, they asked him what he wished for. He told them of his sorrow at having no son. The sages said that they were the Vishvedevas, who had come to bathe in the lake, and that the day was Putrada Ekadashi, the Ekadashi that gives sons. "Keep its fast today, O king, and you will be blessed with a son."

The king kept the Putrada Ekadashi fast that very day, as the sages taught him, and broke it on Dwadashi after bowing to them again. He returned to his city, and soon Queen Shaibya conceived. In time a radiant son was born to them, who grew up to be a worthy prince and pleased his father and his people.

Shri Krishna said that whoever keeps this fast is blessed with a child, and that whoever reads or hears this story gains the merit of a horse sacrifice.