Safla Ekadashi : Worship Rituals & Legend behind it

Coming in the darker half (Krishna Paksha) of month Paush, Safla Ekadashi is falling on December 12 this year. It is considered as a way to get rid of all sins. It is Lord Vishnu's favorite and therefore, worshipping Lord Achyuta is highly recommended on Safla Ekadashi.

Process of Worship

According to Padma Purana, people observing fast should go to bed a day earlier remembering Lord Vishnu. On Safla Ekadashi day, awake early in the morning and make a vow after bath. Offer prayers to Lord Vishnu taking all his names with devotion and proper rituals. Keep fast all through the day. Place statues of God Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi over a red piece of cloth on a wooden cart and offer prayers to them. Give food to Bramhins and poor people after that. In the night, organize Aarti, Path, Bhajans, Kirtan etc. and stay awake all through the night.

The Legend behind Safla Ekadashi

Telling the story about Safla Ekadashi Vrat, Lord Shri Krishna tells Yudhishthir - In ancient days, there was a king named Mahishmat who ruled over Champawati. Lumpat was the oldest of his four sons. Lumpat got into bad habits like drinking, gambling etc. His deeds brought financial losses and disrepute to his father and feeling helpless, Mahishmat threw Lumpat out of the kingdom.

Lumpat went into the jungle and started making plans to rob the city in night. He hunted animals in the daytime and returned back to city in the night to commit theft. People were scared of him as he was King's son. Lumpat also used to eat fruits everyday sitting under a peepal tree. He did not know that peepal tree was very dear to Lord Vishnu. While all this was going on, came the day of Safla Ekadashi. A day before Ekadashi, Lumpak couldn't sleep owing to too much cold. By morning he was feeling weak and could not stand on his feet. He tried again in the afternoon but in vain. As a result, he could neither eat nor drink anything. Feeling helpless, Lumpat started crying. Sitting under the tree, he kept a fruit in front of him and said, God, what is happening with me? O my father! Why I am in such a miserable condition? Please help me, I offer this fruit to you. By default, he remained awake all through the night afterwards.

Unknowingly, Lumpat had observed Safla Ekadashi fast and had appeased Lord Vishnu. Next morning on Dwadashi, a beautiful horse came running and stood still in front of him. Came a voice from the sky with it, which said, O lumpat, this horse is for you. Sit on it and go out of the jungle to meet your father. O the son of Mahishmat, you have appeased God by observing Safla Ekadashi vrat and now will get back your lost kingdom.

Lumpat's joy knew no bounds. He rode on the horse to Champavati city. He got rid of all his sins and became a prince and a devotee to the almighty once again. He touched the feet of his father and Mahishmat anointed him the new king.