Saphala Ekadasi

Saphala Ekadashi is one of the most pious and favorable fasting days. It takes place in the Pausha month during the Krishna Paksha on the 11th day (waning phase of the Moon). Saphala Ekadashi is also well known as Pausha Krishna Ekadashi, which usually falls in the months of December or January as per the Gregorian calendar.

It is an auspicious start for the rest of the year, and we encourage devotees reading this to kindly consider donating on this day.

The Glories of Saphala Ekadasi

From the Bhavishya-uttara Purana

Yudhisthira Maharaj said, "O my Dear Lord Sri Krishna, what is the name of that Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Pausha (December-January)? How is it observed, and which Deity is to be worshipped on that sacred day? Please narrate these details to me fully, so that I may understand, Oh Janardana."

The Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna then replied, "O best of kings, because you desire to hear, I shall fully describe to you the glories of the Pausha-krishna Ekadasi. I do not become as pleased by sacrifice or charity as I do by My devotees' observance of a full fast on Ekadasi. To the best of one's ability, therefore, one should fast on Ekadasi, the day of Lord Hari."

"Pausha-krishna Ekadasi is also known as Saphala Ekadasi. On this sacred day, one should worship Lord Narayana, for He is its ruling Deity. Just as among snakes Shesha-naga is the best, among birds Garuda is the best, among sacrifices the Ashvamedha-yajna is the best, among rivers Mother Ganges is the best, among gods Lord Vishnu is best, so among all fasting days Ekadasi is by far the best."

"On Saphala Ekadasi, My devotee should worship Me by offering Me fresh fruits according to time, place, and circumstance, and by meditating on Me as the all-auspicious Supreme Personality. He should offer Me jambira fruit, pomegranate, betel nuts and leaves, coconut, guava, nuts, cloves, mangoes, and different kinds of aromatic spices. He should also offer Me incense and bright ghee lamps, for such an offering of lamps on Saphala Ekadasi is especially glorious. The devotee should try to stay awake all the Ekadasi night."

The Story of the Sinful Prince Lumpaka

"Once there was a city called Champavati, which was ruled by the saintly King Mahishmata. He had four sons, the eldest of whom, Lumpaka, always engaged in all manner of very sinful activities – illicit sexual encounters, gambling, and continual association with prostitutes. His evil deeds gradually reduced the wealth of his father. Lumpaka also became very critical of the numerous devas, the empowered universal attendants of the Lord, as well as toward the brahmins, and every day he would go out of his way to blaspheme the Vaishnavas. At last, King Mahishmata, seeing the unrepentant brazen fallen condition of his son, exiled him to the forest."

"Bewildered in his exile, Lumpaka entered the darkness of the forest. He killed many animals by day, and by night he sneaked back to steal from the city. The city-dwelling folk apprehended him several times, but out of fear of the king, they left him alone. Though a meat-eater, Lumpaka would also eat fruits. He resided under an old banyan tree that, unknown to him, happened to be very dear to Lord Vasudeva. Indeed, it was worshipped as the representative head of all the trees in the forest."

"On the eve of the Saphala Ekadasi (Dashami), Lumpaka had to pass the entire night without sleep because of severe cold. The cold not only robbed him of all peace but almost of his very life. By the time the sun rose, he was near dead, his teeth chattering, and near comatose. He remained in that stupor all morning. When midday of the Saphala Ekadasi arrived, Lumpaka finally came to and rose up, but stumbled. Weak from hunger, he couldn't hunt and was reduced to collecting fruits that had fallen to the ground. By the time he returned to his banyan tree, the sun had set."

"Placing the fruits on the ground at the base of the banyan tree, Lumpaka began to cry out: 'O, woe is me! What should I do? O Sri Hari, please be merciful to me and accept these fruits as an offering!' He was forced to lie awake the whole night without sleep. But in the meantime, the all-merciful Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Madhusudana, had become pleased with Lumpaka's humble offering of forest fruits, and He accepted them. Lumpaka had unknowingly observed a full Ekadasi fast."

Redemption and Return

"As the sun rose on the day following Ekadasi (Dvadashi), a handsome horse stood next to Lumpaka. At the same time, a voice suddenly boomed out from the clear blue sky saying: 'This horse is for you, Lumpaka! Mount it and ride swiftly to greet your family! O son of King Mahishmata, by the mercy of Lord Vasudeva and the strength of the merit you acquired by Saphala Ekadasi, your kingdom will be returned without hindrances. Go now to your father.'"

"Lumpaka mounted the horse and rode back to Champavati. He offered his father his humble obeisances, and King Mahishmata, seeing his son decorated with tilak, gave him the kingdom. Lumpaka ruled unopposed for many years, worshipping the Supreme Lord Narayana with great devotion on every Ekadasi. In old age, he handed the kingdom to his son and retired to the forest, purified of all material desires. He left his old body and returned back to home, back to Godhead, near the lotus feet of Sri Krishna."

Lord Sri Krishna concluded, "O Yudhisthira, anyone who properly observes Saphala Ekadasi – even unknowingly, like Lumpaka – will become famous, liberated at death, and return to Vaikuntha. One who simply hears the glories of Saphala Ekadasi obtains the same merit derived from performing a Rajasuya-yajna."