👶 Paush Putrada Ekadashi Vrat Katha
The story
King Suketuman of the city of Bhadravati and Queen Shaivya were righteous but childless — their worry was who would offer the pind, how the ancestors would be satisfied. One day the sorrowing king wandered into the forest; thirsty, he reached a lake where sages had their ashram. The sages said — 'Today is Pausha Shukla Ekadashi, we are keeping its vrat; it is the Putrada Ekadashi, keep it too.'
The king and queen kept the vrat with vidhi, held the night vigil and did paran on Dwadashi; in time the queen bore a radiant son who became a king who cared for his people. Since then Pausha Shukla Ekadashi is 'Putrada' — the Ekadashi of the blessing of children. The essence of the story: a vrat with faith, charity and patience.
In North India this day (in some years along with Makar Sankranti) carries the feeling of a birth celebration of Bal Gopal — new clothes and a swing for Laddu Gopal; mothers bless their own children as forms of Gopal.
Why this katha — the significance
The Bhavishya Purana calls this Ekadashi the giver of children — in the katha King Suketuman received a son through this very vrat. Homes waiting for a child have both husband and wife keep it; mothers keep it wishing well for their children.
Pausha is the month of the Sun and of Vishnu — on this Ekadashi the worship of Narayana, the 'Santan Gopal' mantra and the service of Bal Gopal (Laddu Gopal) are special; many homes offer a swing and new clothes to Laddu Gopal on this day.
The general rule of Ekadashi — no rice or grain, paran on Dwadashi after the Hari Vasar; the Dwadashi date is shown above.
How the katha is heard
- Hear or read the katha after the puja, before the aarti — the whole family sits together.
- The one keeping the vrat should listen with a calm mind; keep a lamp lit and a little akshat-flowers in hand.
- At the end, offer the flowers at the deity's feet and bow; share the prasad with everyone.
📿 Paush Putrada Ekadashi puja vidhi (step by step) →
Frequently asked questions
When is Paush Putrada Ekadashi in {Y}?
The date at the top is this year's Pausha Shukla Ekadashi — from panchang calculations; the Dwadashi for paran is shown too.
What is the difference between the Pausha and Shravana Putrada Ekadashis?
Both are Ekadashis for the blessing of children — Pausha Shukla Ekadashi is prominent in north and east India (this page), Shravana Shukla Ekadashi in the west and south; the vidhi and spirit of the katha are the same. Both may be kept in one year.
Who should keep this vrat — only the childless?
No — childless couples for the blessing of a child, and mothers who have children for their health, progress and long life; the vidhi is the same for both.
How many times to chant the Santan Gopal mantra?
At least 108 (one rosary) on Ekadashi; if kept regularly, one rosary daily before Bal Gopal; faith matters, not the count.
The paran time?
On Dwadashi after sunrise, once the Hari Vasar (first quarter of Dwadashi) has passed and before the Dwadashi ends — usually 7-9 am; charity first, then a meal with Tulsi water.
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