Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry
Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja said, “O Lord Kṛṣṇa, O Supreme Lord, You are the master of all the three worlds. O remover of all miseries, please tell me about that Ekadasi which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Pauṣa (December–January). Kindly explain its name, the procedure for observing it, and its glories.”
Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Reply
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa replied, “O Yudhiṣṭhira, listen carefully to Me. The Ekadasi which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Pauṣa is called Saphalā Ekadasi. The worshipable Deity of this Ekadasi is Lord Narayana, the all-pervading Supreme Personality of Godhead. By observing this sacred day, one’s sinful reactions are destroyed, and one attains all success in life.
Now hear from Me an ancient history that describes the glory of this sacred day.”
The Story of Mahishmata and His Sons
“There once was a city named Champāvatī, where a righteous king named Mahishmata ruled. The king had four sons, the eldest of whom was named Lumpaka. From his early youth, Lumpaka became wicked and sinful. He engaged in illicit acts, associated with prostitutes, and disrespected the brāhmaṇas and elders.
When his father saw his son’s sinful behavior, he became deeply pained. At last, the king, unable to tolerate his conduct any longer, expelled Lumpaka from the kingdom. Rejected by his father, Lumpaka went to the forest. He lived there stealing and killing, surviving on meat and plunder.
He became the terror of that forest and was hated by everyone. He spent his nights under the trees and his days wandering without peace or shelter.”
The Miserable Life of Lumpaka
“One day, by the arrangement of Providence, the cold season became severe. Lumpaka was afflicted with hunger, cold, and fear. On the day of Ekadasi, the night became freezing, and the cold wind pierced his body. He could find no shelter and was almost dying of exhaustion.
He thought to himself, ‘What will become of me now? I have sinned against my father and the demigods. I am without home, family, or friends. Surely this is the result of my sinful deeds.’
In great distress, he lay under a banyan tree and remained awake the whole night, trembling in the cold. Without knowing it, he was observing the vow of Ekadasi by fasting and keeping vigil throughout the night.”
The Lord’s Mercy
“When morning came, Lumpaka, weak and starving, saw the sun rising. As he looked around, he noticed a beautiful banyan tree with clusters of ripened fruits.
Remembering the name of Lord Narayana, he picked a few fruits and offered them to the Lord with folded hands, saying, ‘O Lord Nārāyaṇa, please accept these fruits, though I am the most sinful person and unworthy of Your mercy.’
Then he ate one fruit as prasāda and spent the rest of the day quietly meditating on the Lord. Without realizing it, he had observed a full fast and offered worship to Lord Viṣṇu on that day of Saphalā Ekadasi.”
Lumpaka’s Transformation
“During the night, he saw in a dream Lord Viṣṇu seated upon Garuḍa, shining brilliantly like millions of suns. The Lord said, ‘O Lumpaka, because you observed Ekadasi without even knowing its greatness, all your sins have been destroyed. From now on, your heart will be purified, and you shall regain your father’s favor and rule the kingdom with devotion to Me.’
When he awoke, Lumpaka was filled with joy and gratitude. His mind became peaceful, and he felt divine energy within himself. He returned to the city of Champāvatī and bowed before his father, confessing all his sins and begging forgiveness. The king embraced his son with tears of joy, seeing his heart purified and transformed.”
The Return to Devotion and Prosperity
“Lumpaka, from that day forward, ruled the kingdom with righteousness, always engaged in the service of Lord Viṣṇu. He built many temples and performed great sacrifices. Every year he observed the vow of Saphalā Ekadasi with faith and devotion.
After ruling for many years, he attained the lotus feet of Lord Viṣṇu and returned to the spiritual world. Therefore, O Yudhiṣṭhira, whoever observes this sacred Ekadasi becomes freed from all sins and achieves success in both this life and the next.”
The Glory of Saphalā Ekadasi
“O king, even if one observes fasting on this day only partially or with simple devotion, all one’s desires become fulfilled. The merit gained by observing this Ekadasi is greater than that obtained by performing a thousand sacrifices or giving charity equal to the weight of the earth.
This day is especially dear to Me. Therefore, one who worships Me on this Ekadasi with flowers, incense, lamps, and fruits attains residence in My eternal abode. Whoever remains awake throughout the night, glorifying My name and chanting My holy mantras, attains the merit of giving one thousand cows in charity.”
Phala-śruti (Result of Observance)
“O Yudhiṣṭhira, by hearing the glories of Saphalā Ekadasi, one becomes free from all sinful reactions and attains the merit of performing great sacrifices. Simply hearing or reading about this sacred day bestows immense merit. Whoever observes it with faith, even unknowingly, becomes successful in all endeavors.”
Origin of the Story
This narration of Saphalā Ekadasi is described in the Bhaviṣya-Uttara Purāṇa, where Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa instructs Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira about the deliverance of Lumpaka, the son of King Mahishmata, who attained liberation through fasting and devotion on the day of Saphalā Ekadasi.
