Shravana Putrada Ekadashi

11th lunar day (ekadashi) of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Shravana (July-August). Shravana Ekadashi, also known as Putrada Ekadashi / Pavitropana Ekadashi or Pavitra Ekadashi, is a Hindu holy day. Shravana Putrada Ekadashi is one of the two Putrada Ekadashi celebrated through the year, the other one being Pausha Putrada Ekadashi.

Shravana Putrada Ekadashi Tithi 2015 begins at 13:04 on 25th August, 2015.

Shravana Putrada Ekadashi Tithi 2015 ends at 11:40 on 26th August, 2015.

On 27th, Parana Time = 05:59 to 08:33

On Parana Day Dwadashi End Moment = 09:32

Shravana Putrada Ekadashi is of much significance to any childless couple. Putrada means "giver of sons" ( "bestower of a son") as son is most important in Hindu society so the birth of a son is considered auspicious in Hindu culture. The Sanskrit word for 'son' is putra. Pu is the name of a particular hell, and tra means 'to deliver.' Thus the word putra means 'a person who delivers one from the hell named Pu.' Therefore every married man should produce at least one son and train him properly; then the father will be delivered from a hellish condition of life.

A legend associated with Shravana Putrada Ekadashi is mentioned in Bhavishya Puarana narated by lord Krishna to King Yudhishtra

 At the dawn of Dvarpara-yuga there lived a king by the name of Mahijita who ruled the kingdom of Mahishmati. Mahijit was a very powerful king but despite all his riches, he was depressed, all the while. He was childless. For a long time this king tried very hard to obtain an heir, but to no avail King Mahijita became increasingly anxious. hence sought the advice of priests and other noblemen in the region. However, no results emerged and the King continued to remain worried.

Seeing his worries, the noblemen in his kingdom sought advice from a saint by the name of Lomesh who was considered to be a learned man. Sage Lomesh through his meditation found that the reason for the King's present scenario laid in his previous birth.

Sage Lomesh pointed out that in his previous birth the King was a shrewd merchant who worried only about his riches. Once during a journey the merchant felt thirsty and came across a pond.

A cow was drinking water from the pond along with her calf. The merchant driven by the intensity of his thirst drove away the cow and drank the water instead. This resulted in the King being childless in his present birth.

Lomasa Rishi said, There is an Ekadasi called Putrada, which comes during the light fortnight of the month of Shravana. On this day all of you, including your king, should fast and stay awake all night, strictly following the rules and regulations. Then you should give the king whatever merit you gain by this fast. If you follow these instructions of mine, he will surely be blessed with a fine son.

In the month of Shravana the king's advisers, all the citizens of Mahismati, as well as the king, fasted on Ekadasi. And on the next day, Dvadasi, the citizens dutifully offered their accrued merit to him. By the strength of all this merit, the queen became pregnant and eventually gave birth to a most beautiful son.

O Yudhisthira, Lord Krishna concluded, the Ekadasi that comes during the light fortnight of the month of Shravana has thus rightfully become famous as Putrada ["bestower of a son"]. Whoever desires happiness in this world and the next should certainly fast on this holy day. Indeed, whoever simply hears the glories of Putrada Ekadasi becomes completely free of all sins, is blessed with a good son, and surely ascends to heaven after death

Significance of Shravan Putrada Ekadashi

• Pavitra Ekadashi is a day that purifies the soul and provides moksha.
• A person who observes this vrat gets rid of all the sins and curses.
• The popular belief associated with this day is that by observing Putrada Ekadasi Vrat gets blessed by son.
• It leads to a happy and healthy family life.
• The story of Pavitra Ekadashi also holds a spiritual significance.
• It says that ones, who don’t lose their faith and keep on moving, survive the bad timing of their life successfully.
• Shri Krishna explains the glories of observing the Ekadashi Vrat in Narada Purana by saying:

अश्वमेधसहस्राणि राजसूयशतानि च ।

एकादश्युपवासस्य कलां नार्हन्ति शोडशीम् ।।

Meaning: Not even thousand Ashvamedha Yagas or hundred Rajasuya Yagas would match the fast on an Ekadashi Day