Saphala Ekadashi Vrat Katha | Legends of Saphala Ekadashi

Saphala Ekadashi Vrat Katha

After listening to the story of Mokshada Ekadashi, Arjuna, delighted, said - "O Kamalanayana! Hearing the story of Mokshada Ekadashi, I feel blessed. O Madhusudana! Now, please graciously tell me about the significance of the Ekadashi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Pausha. What is the name of that Ekadashi, which deity is worshipped on that day and what is the procedure for observing this fast? Kindly bless me by explaining all this in detail."

Listening to Arjuna's curiosity, Lord Shri Krishna said - "O Son of Kunti! Out of my love for you, I shall answer your questions in detail. Now, listen to the significance of this Ekadashi fast - O Partha! By observing this Ekadashi, one can quickly please Lord Vishnu. The name of the Ekadashi that falls in the Krishna Paksha of the month of Pausha is Saphala Ekadashi. The presiding deity of this Ekadashi is Lord Narayana. On this day, Lord Narayana should be worshipped with devotion, following the proper rituals. O Pandunandana! Know this to be true: just as Sheshanaga among Snakes, Garuda among Birds, the Surya and Chandra among Celestial bodies, Ashwamedha among Yajnas and Lord Vishnu among Gods are considered supreme, similarly, among all fasts, the Ekadashi fast is the most superior. O Arjuna! Those who observe the Ekadashi fast are very dear to Lord Shri Hari. On this Ekadashi, offerings such as lemons, coconuts and sacred food (Naivedya) should be made for Lord Narayana. The merit obtained by observing this fast with devotion, along with staying awake during the night, equals the fruit of five thousand years of penance.

O Son of Kunti! Now listen carefully to the story of Saphala Ekadashi -

In ancient times, there was a city named Champavati where a king named Mahishmana ruled. He had four sons, and his eldest son, Lumpaka, was extremely wicked and sinful.

He was constantly indulged in immoral activities and squandered his father's wealth on mistresses and courtesans and found joy in insulting deities, Brahmins, Vaishnavas and other virtuous individuals. The entire population was deeply troubled by his wicked deeds. However, as he was the crown prince, everyone endured his tyranny in silence, unable to summon the courage to report him to the king. Yet, sins cannot remain hidden for long. One day, King Mahishmana learned about Lumpaka's misdeeds. Enraged, the king exiled Lumpaka from his kingdom. Once disowned by his father, everyone else also abandoned him. Lumpaka then pondered, 'What should I do? Where should I go?' Eventually, he decided to stealthily enter his father's kingdom at night to commit theft.

He began living outside the kingdom during the day and sneaking into his father's city at night to steal and commit other sinful acts. During the night, he would harm and torment the city residents. In the forest, he would kill innocent animals and birds and consume them. On some nights, when he was caught stealing in the city, even the king's guards would release him. It is said that sometimes, unintentionally, a being becomes a recipient of God's grace. Such was the case with Lumpaka. The forest where he lived was very dear to the Lord. There was an ancient Peepal tree in that forest and the area was considered a divine playground by the people. Lumpaka, the great sinner, lived under that Peepal tree. A few days later, on the Dashami of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Pausha, Lumpaka had not worn any clothes. He fainted due to the severe cold. Because of the cold weather, he could not sleep at night and his limbs became stiff. That night was exceedingly difficult for him to endure. Even after sunrise, his unconscious state did not change, and he remained as he was.

By the afternoon of Saphala Ekadashi, the sinful Lumpaka remained unconscious. As the sun's warmth gave him some relief, he regained consciousness and somehow managed to get up and search for food in the forest. That day, he was unable to hunt, so he collected fallen fruits from the ground and returned to the Peepal tree. By then, the sun had already set. Though he was hungry, he could not bring himself to eat the fruits, as he was accustomed to killing creatures and eating their meat and now, he was forced to consume fruits, which he found unappealing. Unwilling to eat the fruits, he placed them at the base of the Peepal tree and in his sorrow, said - 'O Lord! I offer these fruits to you. May you be satisfied with them.' Saying this, he began to cry and could not sleep throughout the night. He wept incessantly. Thus, unknowingly, the sinner observed the fast of Ekadashi and stayed awake throughout the night. Due to this inadvertent fasting and night vigil, Lord Shri Hari was extremely pleased with him and all his sins were eradicated. The next morning, a Divya Ratha (celestial chariot) adorned with beautiful objects, arrived and stood before Lumpaka. At the same time, a divine voice proclaimed - 'O Crown Prince! By the grace of Lord Narayana, all your sins have been destroyed. Now, you can return to your father and reclaim your kingdom.'

On hearing the divine proclamation, Lumpaka, filled with immense joy, said - 'O Lord! Glory be to you!' With these words, he adorned himself in fine garments and then went to his father. Reaching his father, he narrated the entire story. After hearing the entire account from his son, the king immediately handed over the entire kingdom to Lumpaka and himself retreated to the forest. Thereafter, Lumpaka began to rule the kingdom in accordance with the scriptures. His wife, children and others also became ardent devotees of Lord Vishnu. In his old age, Lumpaka passed the kingdom to his son and went to the forest to devote himself to the worship of the Lord, ultimately attaining the supreme abode. O Partha! Those who observe the Saphala Ekadashi fast with faith and devotion have all their sins destroyed and ultimately attain liberation. O Arjuna! Those who do not understand the significance of Saphala Ekadashi should be regarded as animals without tails and horns. Simply reading or listening to the greatness of Saphala Ekadashi grants the same merit as performing a Rajasuya Yajna."

Synopsis (Katha Saar)

This story of Saphala Ekadashi reveals the immense compassion of the Lord. Even if a person unknowingly remembers God, they achieve complete fulfillment. If someone sincerely seeks forgiveness for their sins, the Lord forgives even their gravest misdeeds. A great sinner like Lumpaka was also granted the divine abode of Vaikuntha by the grace of Lord Shri Hari.