Putrada Ekadashi 2025: A day of prayer, fasting, and blessings for parenthood

Putrada Ekadashi, a holy fasting day in the Hindu lunisolar calendar, holds great importance for those who wish for children, particularly sons. Occurring on the 11th day (Ekadashi) of the waxing phase of Shravana (July-August), it is believed that sincere devotion through prayer and fasting on this day gives blessed children and domestic peace to the faithful. Putrada Ekadashi in 2025 will occur on Tuesday, August 5.
It is quite interesting to note that there are two Putrada Ekadashis in a year: one in Pausha (January) and the other in Shravana (August). Both of them are celebrated with reverence for Lord Vishnu and are highly worshiped by married couples, especially those who are childless or wish for their children's well-being.

Putrada translates to "son-giver." In Vedic culture, a son is a karmic liberator, someone who does the last rites (shraddha) and provides spiritual continuity to the lineage. Although modern connotations put stress on spiritual children or longer attachment to future generations, the core of this Ekadashi continues to be blessings for creation, continuity, and care.
The observance demonstrates patience, surrender, and faith in the Lord's timing. In addition to praying for children, the couples also ask for the blessing of raising them morally and sensibly.

In the Bhavishya Purana, King Mahijit of Mahishmati possessed all three things, wealth, power, and fame, but did not have an heir. Mourning the fact, he went to Sage Lomesh. After a prolonged meditative practice, the sage told the king that he had sinned in his previous existence, where he had starved a cow and its young one. To forgive him, the queen and king were instructed to keep the fast of Putrada Ekadashi with pure dedication.
They performed the ritual in good faith, and soon their desire for a son was granted. This tale highlights the strength of repentance and devotion through vrat (fast) and dharma.

Putrada Ekadashi is a day of extreme spiritual discipline. Citizens, especially couples desirous of children or desiring children's prosperity, keep the fast with extreme sincerity.
This is how the vrat is usually kept:
Dashami (Preparation): A day before Ekadashi, followers have a light satvik breakfast and avoid grains and tamasic food so that the mind and body are purified.
Ekadashi Day:
Early in the morning, before sunrise, rise and have a sacred bath.
Mark the morning prayers to Lord Vishnu, especially in his Padmanabha or Narayana form.
Avoid eating grains, rice, lentils, onions, garlic, and tamasic food.
Some observe a strict fast with neither food nor water (nirjala), whereas others consume fruits and milk (phalahar).
Chant Vishnu mantras such as "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" and recite the Vishnu Sahasranama.
Giving alms to Brahmins, cows, or the poor, and charity is highly meritorious.
Dwadashi (Next Day): The Parana time—the specific time following dawn—is the time when the fast is broken, normally with satvik food. Failure to break the fast at the right time makes it ineffective.

In modern times, Putrada Ekadashi is also a day of introspection about the task of parenthood and the karma between parents and children. It's not a matter of wanting a child but of asking for the divine grace to be able to bring up conscious, discerning, and dharmic future children.