Putrada Ekadasi 2013

Sri Krishna told Yudhishthira of King Suketuman of Bhadravati, who was blessed with wealth and virtue but had no son. He and his queen grieved that no one would continue the line or make offerings to the ancestors.

In despair the king rode alone into a deep forest. Tired and thirsty, he came to a beautiful lake where a group of sages, the Vishvedevas, were bathing and chanting. He bowed to them and asked for their blessing. They told him that this day was the Putrada Ekadashi of Pausha Shukla, the giver of sons, and advised him to keep its fast.

Suketuman fasted that very day and broke the fast on Dvadashi. Soon after he returned home the queen conceived, and in time a radiant son was born, who grew up to be a worthy king. Hearing this story is said to bring the merit of an ashvamedha.