When is Saphala Ekadashi

Ekadashi is a day of fasting in the Hindu calendar. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It falls on the 11th day in the waxing as well as waning lunar phases. These phases are called Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha, respectively. Thus there are 2 Ekadashi days in a month.

On Ekadashi days, Hindus observe a total or partial fast to please Lord Vishnu. Ekadashi fast is believed to bring great merit on the material and spiritual planes. It is believed that Vishnu will bestow many blessings and salvation to those who observe the Ekadashi fast with devotion. Even Jains regard it as holy.

Saphala Ekadashi is the 11th day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu calendar month of Pausha (December-January). Saphala Ekadashi 2022 is on December 19, a Monday. Ekadashi Tithi begins at 03.32 am on the 19th and ends at 02.32 am on Dec 20.

The fast can be broken after sunrise the following day (Dec 20), within Dwadashi Tithi.

Like all Ekadashis, Saphala Ekadashi is also very auspicious. People worship Lord Narayana on this day. Lord Krishna explains the significance of Ekadashi to King Yudhishtira in the Bhavishyottara Purana. According to him, it is one of the most meritorious acts. It is even more meritorious than offering donations, making horse sacrifices (Ashwamedha), and even getting darshan of Vishnu. Those who observe the fast can even go to Vaikunta, Vishnu’s abode in heaven, after they die.

Legend behind Saphala Ekadashi

Lord Vishnu tells the story behind this Ekadashi to Yudhishtira. Lumpaka was the eldest son of a benevolent king called Mahishmata of the city of Champavati. The king had 3 other sons. Lumpaka was very immoral and sinful. He gambled, slept with prostitutes, and had affairs with married women. He was also spending his father’s wealth with gay abandon. On top of it all, he did not revere God, and he also criticized the Brahmins and Vaishnavas.

Finally, King Mahishmata had had enough of his wayward son. Before things reached the point of no return, he decided to exile his son to the forest. Since it was the king’s decision, no one objected or spoke in Lumpaka’s favor.

After reaching the forest, Lumpaka felt very bitter and angry. He felt that his father had been harsh towards him and that his relatives and other people had not supported him. Seething with rage and resentment, he decided to sneak into the city at night and steal people’s valuables and money. During the daytime, he would hunt animals. At night, he would enter the city and steal people’s belongings. The people of Champavati suspected that the prince was behind the spate of thefts that were occurring in the city, but they had no proof, and they were afraid of telling the king, too.

Lumpaka continued his sinful acts unchecked. It so happened that he would rest under a banyan tree often. The tree is revered as the demigod of all trees, and it was also the favorite of Lord Vishnu.

It was the day before Saphala Ekadashi. On the evening of that day, or Dashami, it was very cold, and Lumpaka could not sleep properly, as he had no blankets or bedding. He lay under the Banyan tree, tossing and turning, as he could not sleep. The next morning, he was almost comatose. His body was shivering uncontrollably, and his teeth were chattering. He could not even get up. By mid-day, he was still semi-conscious. He got up and began to walk but kept falling down often. He felt very thirsty and hungry, but he was too weak to hunt, so he collected some fruits that had fallen from the trees to the forest floor.

After gathering the fruits, he returned to his usual spot under the Banyan tree. He kept the fruit under the tree. In a dejected mood, he looked heavenwards and requested Lord Hari (Vishnu) to have pity on him and accept the fruits as an offering.

That night, too, it was very cold, and Lumpaka remained awake. Meanwhile, Vishnu was pleased by his offering. Also, he had kept a fast and stayed awake all night. Thus, inadvertently, he had observed the Ekadashi fast and entitled him to receive its merit.

Suddenly, a majestic horse appeared before Lumpaka. He also heard a divine voice saying that he earned the merit of Ekadashi fast and that Lord Vishnu was very pleased with him. It told him to mount the horse and go to his father. The voice also said that all obstacles would vanish, and he would soon regain his kingdom. It also mentioned the benefits of observing the Ekadashi fast.

Lumpaka immediately mounted the horse and rode to the city. He looked healthy and handsome like before, not like someone who had spent many days in the forest without proper food and shelter. It was all because of the merit of his Saphala Ekadashi fast. The prince apologized to his father for his past misdeeds, and the king welcomed him back happily. He also began to entrust him with princely tasks and responsibilities as he had mended his ways.

Later, Lumpaka got married and had a son. When he grew old, he crowned his son the king and went to the forest, where he spent the rest of his days worshipping Lord Vishnu. When he died, his soul went to Vaikunta, Vishnu’s abode in heaven.

Lord Krishna concluded the story by saying that even those who observed the Saphala Ekadashi fast unknowingly would receive its immense benefits, like Lumpaka.

Customs of Saphala Ekadashi

Offer fresh fruit to Lord Vishnu, depending on the season, place of residence, etc.

One should offer pomegranate, jambura fruit, mangoes, guava, coconut, betel leaves, nuts, cloves, and other aromatic spices.

Light a ghee lamp and burn incense sticks during the worship.

Remain awake at night, as it is equivalent to doing 5000 years of rigorous penance.

Meditate on Lord Narayana.

Eat only sattvik food.

Abstain from sex.

Do not eat rice, grains, and beans.

Saphala Ekadashi Pooja Vidhi

Rise early and perform your morning ablutions.

• Take a vow of fast.

• Wear clean clothes and offer water to Surya, the Sun God.

• Offer yellow flowers and yellow objects to Lord Vishnu.

• Do Pooja by offering ghee lamp, incense, fruits, amla, coconut, betel nut, pomegranate, clove, dhoop bhatti, kumkum, Panchamrit, etc.

• Recite Aarti, Chalisa, Mantra and Vishnu Sahasranamam.

• Chant “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” 108 times.

• Keep vigil all night. Sing kirtans and bhajans praising Shri Hari.

• End the fast on Dwadashi (the next day).

• Offer food and other essentials to Brahmins and poor people. You may take food after this.

Benefits of Fasting on Saphala Ekadashi

‘Saphala’ means to prosper; hence Saphala Ekadashi is a day when devotees can be rewarded with good fortune.

This day can supposedly bring abundance, success, and prosperity.

One can be free of sins and attain Moksha by fasting on this day.

This vrat helps devotees to accomplish their dreams. It can help you recover all that you lost, like Lumpaka did.

It bestows honor, wealth, affection, health, and more.