Vaikuntha Ekadashi/ Pausha Putrada Ekadashi

Vaikuntha Ekadashi or Pausha Putrada Ekadashi, falls in the 'Pausha' month & is observed by Vaishnavas, especially the parents with child-bearing desires. In 2023, it's celebrated on '2nd Jan.' Fasting on this day is considered as the holiest and the most fruitful among all the 24 Ekadashis of an year. While fasting one must ensure not to consume rice as it is prohibited on this day. It also blesses one with the ultimate salvation.

There is a great story behind this very auspicious day which elevates the importance of this ekadashi.

Once, there was a king named Suketumaan ruling over the Bhadravati region. Despite having all kinds of luxuries & comforts, he & his wife used to stay so worried as they had no one as their successor. Falling more into despair, one day, the king went to forest telling nobody & saw ashrams of many Vishnu devotee sages. He went to them & explained his problem. They told him to fast on Pausha Putrada Ekadashi, so that the almighty would bless him with a child.

Ultimately, he did the same with full dedication following all the rituals. And, Lord Vishnu blessed him with a talented son who became his kingdom's successor in future.

On this day, Lord Vishnu is worshiped and his devotees stay vigil the whole night of Vaikuntha Ekadashi & visit temples in the wee hours of morning.

Apart from blessing with a progeny & providing salvation, this auspicious occasion also fills the lives of the people with good health, material contentment, peace, good luck, happiness, abundance, and protection.

Vaishnavas believe that this day opens the path to the ultimate Vaikuntha by chanting the mantras such as “OM Namo Narayana” or reciting the Vishnu Gayatri, So, like all the Ekadashis, let's fill this 'Vaikuntha Ekadashi/ Pausha Putrada Ekadashi' also with the holy name of Shri Krishna,

"Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare! Hare Ram, Hare Ram, Ram Ram Hare Hare!"

STORY

1. Once, there was a king named Suketumaan ruling over Bhadravati.
2. Besides all luxuries, he & his wife used to stay tense about their successor.
3. One day, he went to wander in a forest telling nobody & became more sorrowful.
4. On being witnessed by Vishnu devotee sages, he explained his concern.
5. They told him to observe a dedicated fast on Pausha Putrada (son-bearing) Ekadashi.
6. Then, he prayed to Lord Vishnu with full dedication sincerely following the fasting procedure and all the rituals.
7. Ultimately, Lord Vishnu blessed him with a bright-faced, talented and Dharma knowledgeable boy.
8. In the future, the boy took all the responsibilities of the Kingdom in his hands.
9. May Lord Vishnu fulfill all your desires.