Significance and legend
In the Bhavishyottara Purana, Krishna tells Yudhishthira of King Mahijit of Mahishmati, who ruled with justice and cared for his subjects as his own children, yet had no son of his own. Grieved, the king consulted his ministers and the wise men of his kingdom. They went to the forest and found the great sage Lomasha, who was able to see the past lives of others. Through meditation the sage revealed that in a previous birth the king had been a poor merchant. One day, on Dwadashi, after travelling and fasting, he had arrived at a pond, thirsty, and driven away a cow and her calf who were drinking there so that he could drink first. That act had deprived him of offspring in this life.
Lomasha advised that the king and all his subjects observe the Ekadashi of the bright half of Shravana and offer its merit to the king. The people did so with devotion, and the queen in due time gave birth to a radiant son. Since then the Ekadashi has been known as Putrada, the giver of sons, and is observed for the blessing and protection of children.
How Shravana Putrada Ekadashi is observed
Couples who wish for children, and parents praying for their children's welfare, fast on Ekadashi and worship Vishnu, often as Bala Gopala. The day begins with a bath and sankalpa, followed by worship with tulsi, flowers, fruits and lamps and recitation of the Santana Gopala mantra or Vishnu Sahasranama. In some regions it is called Pavitra Ekadashi, when sacred threads are offered to the deity. The fast is broken on Dwadashi after sunrise within the parana period, after feeding Brahmins or the poor.