Date and Time of Saphala Ekadasi in Mumbai
Spahala Ekadasi fasting will be observed from 16 December 2025 07:04 AM to 17 December 7:04AM and Ekadasi fast needs to be broken on 17 December 2025 from 07:04 AM to 10:44 AM.
Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja Inquires About the Ekādaśī
Yudhisthira Maharaj said, "O my Dear Lord Sri Krishna, what is the name of that Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Pausha (December-January)? How is it observed, and which Deity is to be worshipped on that sacred day? Please narrate these details to me fully, so that I may understand, O Janardana."
Lord Krishna Begins Describing Pausha-Kṛṣṇa Ekādaśī
The Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna then replied, "O best of kings, because you desire to hear, I shall fully describe to you the glories of the Pausha-krishna Ekadasi.
Krishna Glorifies the Power of Ekādaśī Fasting
"I do not become as pleased by sacrifice or charity as I do by My devotee's observance of a full fast on Ekadasi. To the best of one's ability, therefore, one should fast on Ekadasi, the day of Lord Hari.
The Non-Difference of All Ekādaśīs
"O Yudhisthira, I urge you to hear with undivided intelligence the glories of Pausha-krishna Ekadasi, which falls on a Dwadasi. As I explained previously, one should not differentiate among the many Ekadasis.
O king, to benefit humanity at large I shall now describe to you the process of observing Pausha-krishna Ekadasi.
The Name and Deity of This Ekādaśī
"Pausha-krishna Ekadasi is also known as Saphalaa Ekadasi. On this sacred day one should worship Lord Narayana, for He is its ruling Deity. One should do so by following the previously described method of fasting.
Ekādaśī — The Best of All Vows
Just as among snakes Shesha-naga is the best, and among birds Garuda is the best, among sacrifices the Ashvamedha-yajna is the best, among rivers Mother Ganges is the best, among gods Lord Vishnu is best, and among two-legged beings the brahmins are the best, so among all fasting days Ekadasi is by far the best.
O foremost of kings who took your birth in the Bharata dynasty, whoever strictly observes Ekadasi becomes very dear to Me and indeed worshipable by Me in every way.
How to Observe Saphalā Ekādaśī
"Now please listen as I describe the process for observing Saphalaa Ekadasi.
On Saphalaa Ekadasi My devotee should worship Me by offering Me fresh fruits according to time, place and circumstance, and by meditating on Me as the all-auspicious Supreme Personality of Godhead.
He should offer Me jaambira fruit, pomegranate, betal nuts and leaves, coconut, guava, varieties of nuts, cloves, mangoes, and different kinds of aromatic spices.
He should also offer Me incense and bright ghee lamps, for such an offering of lamps on Saphalaa Ekadasi is especially glorious.
The devotee should try to stay awake the Ekadasi night.
The Merit of Fasting and Staying Awake on Ekādaśī
"Now please hear with undivided attention as I tell you how much merit one gets if he fasts and remains awake throughout the entire night singing and chanting the glories of Narayana.
O best of kings, there is no sacrifice or pilgrimage that yields merit that is equal to or better than the merit one gains by fasting on this Saphala Ekadasi.
Such fasting — particularly if one can remain awake and alert the entire night long — bestows the same merit upon the faithful devotee as the performance of austerity for five thousand earthly years.
The History That Made Saphalā Ekādaśī Famous
"O lion among kings, please hear from Me the glorious history that made this Divine Ekadasi famous.
Once there was a City called Champaavati, which was ruled by the saintly King Mahishmata.
The Sinful Life of Lumpaka
He had four sons, the eldest of whom, Lumpaka, always engaged in all manner of very sinful activities — illicit sexual encounters with the wives of others, gambling, and continual association with known prostitutes. His evil deeds gradually reduced the wealth of his father, King Mahishmata.
Lumpaka also became very critical of the numerous devas… and would blaspheme the Vaishnavas.
At last King Maahishmata… exiled him to the forest.
Lumpaka’s Life of Crime in the Forest
"Bewildered in his exile… Lumpaka thought, 'I shall sneak back to the city at night and plunder its wealth.'
He killed many animals by day, and by night he stole valuable items from the city.
Though caught several times, the citizens left him alone out of fear of the king.
He resided under an old banyan tree, dear to Lord Vasudeva, and ate fallen fruits.
The Arrival of Saphalā Ekādaśī
In due course of time… Saphalaa Ekadasi arrived.
On the eve of Ekadasi (Dasami) Lumpaka had to pass the entire night without sleep due to severe cold.
By sunrise he was near death, unable to move.
Lumpaka Unknowingly Observes the Fast
"When midday of Saphalaa Ekadasi arrived… he stumbled like a lame man, suffering from hunger and thirst.
Too weak to hunt, he collected fallen fruits and returned at sunset.
Placing the fruits at the base of the banyan tree, Lumpaka cried,
‘O Sri Hari, please be merciful and accept these fruits as an offering!’
Again he remained awake the whole night.
The Lord Accepts Lumpaka’s Simple Offering
"But in the meantime the all-merciful Supreme Lord Madhusudana became pleased with Lumpaka's humble offering of forest fruits, and He accepted them.
Lumpaka had unknowingly observed a full Ekadasi fast, and by that merit he regained his kingdom.
Divine Blessing on Dvādaśī Morning
"As the Sun rose on the day following Ekadasi, a handsome horse approached Lumpaka.
A celestial voice declared:
‘O Lumpaka! By the mercy of Lord Vasudeva, and the merit gained by observing Saphalaa Ekadasi, your kingdom will be returned to you.’
Lumpaka’s Transformation and Restoration
Lumpaka mounted the horse and returned to Champavati.
By Ekādaśī’s merit he became a handsome prince and a devotee of Lord Hari.
He offered obeisances to his father, who restored the kingdom to him.
He ruled many years, worshipping Lord Narayana on every Ekadasi.
He married a beautiful wife and had a fine son.
Lumpaka Returns to Godhead
In old age he handed the kingdom to his son and went to the forest to serve the Supreme Lord with controlled mind and senses.
Purified of all material desires, he left his body and returned back to Godhead.
The Fruit of Observing or Hearing Saphalā Ekādaśī
"O Yudhisthira, one who approaches Me as Lumpaka did becomes free from lamentation.
Anyone who observes Saphalaa Ekadasi — even unknowingly — becomes liberated.
One who simply hears the glories of Saphala Ekadasi obtains the merit of a Rajasuya-yajna.
Thus ends the narration of the glories of Pausha-krishna Ekadasi, or Saphala Ekadasi, from the Bhavishya-uttara Purana.
