Saphala Ekadashi fasting story

॥ Shri Saphala Ekadashi fast story (complete story) ॥ 🐚👉🏯

Dharmaraj Yudhishthir asked - "O Janardan! You cleared my doubt by describing the Ekadashis of Margashirsha month. Now please tell me what is the name of Paush Krishna Ekadashi? What is its method and which deity is worshiped in it?"

Lord Shri Krishna said - "O Dharmaraja! Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Paush month is called'Saphala Ekadashi'. On this day, Lord'Achyut'(Vishnu) is worshipped. Just as Sheshnaag is the best among snakes, Garuda among birds and Ashwamedha Yagya is the best among yagyas, in the same way Ekadashi fast is the best among all the fasts. Now you can concentrate on its ancient story. Listen.”

1. Champavati city and Prince Lumbhak

In ancient times, there was a very beautiful city named 'Champavati'. ThereKing Mahishmanruled. He had five sons, out of which the eldest son'Lumbak'was extremely evil and sinful by nature. He always blasphemed the gods, consumed meat and liquor and wasted the kingdom's wealth in evil deeds.

2. Lumbhak's expulsion and jungle life

When King Mahishman came to know of Lumbhak's misdeeds, he expelled him from the kingdom. Abandoned by his father, Lumbhak started living in a dense forest. He used to go to the city at night and steal and hunt wild animals during the day. He made his home under a very oldPeepal treewhich was considered as 'Dev-tree'. Lumbhak had unknowingly started residing at that holy place.

3. Paush Krishna Dashami and severe cold

Time passed and the tenth day of Krishna Paksha of Paush month came. That night there was such severe cold in the forest that Lumbhak started shivering due to cold and could not sleep the whole night. He almost fainted. He remained unconscious till the morning of the next day i.e.Saphala Ekadashi.

4. Unknowingly fasting on Saphala Ekadashi

When he regained consciousness in the afternoon, his body did not have the strength to hunt. Distraught with hunger, he picked up some fruits that had fallen from the trees and brought them near the roots of the Peepal tree. He kept those fruits there and said while crying - "O God! These fruits are offered to you, you only offer them."

Lumbhak neither ate anything, nor did he sleep nor did he commit any sin. Unknowingly he completed the Ekadashifast, fruit offering and night vigil.

5. Attainment of Lord Achyuta's grace and glory

Lord Achyuta was extremely pleased with this unknowingly observed fast of Lumbhak. Next day (on Dwadashi), as soon as the morning dawned, a divine voice came from the sky - "O Prince Lumbhak! All your sins have been destroyed by the influence of Saphala Ekadashi. Now you go to your father and rule happily."

After listening to the Akashvani, Lumbhak's body became divine and beautiful. His heart changed and he became virtuous. He returned to his father. When King Mahishman saw that Lumbhak had completely reformed, he handed over the kingdom to him and himself went to do penance.

॥ Importance and results of fasting. 📋💎

Lord Shri Krishna says - "O Yudhishthir! The fast of Saphala Ekadashi gives the desired results to a person. One who observes this fast, after enjoying happiness in this world, finally reaches heaven. This fast provides more virtue than the penance of thousands of years."