Putrada (Pavitra) Ekadashi
What it is
Shravan Sud Agiyaras carries two names and two glories. As Putrada Ekadashi, the Bhavishya Purana tells of King Mahijit of Mahishmati: noble, prosperous, and childless. The sage Lomasha divined the cause — in a past life, as a merchant, he had driven a thirsty cow and her calf from a pond so he could drink first himself. The remedy was this vrat: ministers and subjects observed it together and on Dwadashi gifted its entire merit to their king. The queen conceived, and a radiant son was born — hence Putrada, the giver of progeny.
As Pavitra (Pavitropana) Ekadashi, this tithi is the very heart of Pushtimarg. On this night in V.S. 1549, at Gokul on the bank of Shri Yamunaji, Shrinathji Himself appeared before Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya and bestowed the Brahmasambandh mantra; the following day Damodardas Harsani became the first Vaishnav to receive it. The path of grace was founded on this Ekadashi. Ever since, Vaishnavs offer a pavitra — a garland of sacred threads — to Shri Thakorji on this day, and to their Gurudev on Dwadashi.
Why we observe it
Putrada's katha teaches that a vrat need not be for oneself. A whole kingdom fasted for one man's emptiness, poured their merit into his lap, and heaven answered. Observed in this bhav, the day is for interceding — keeping the fast for another's unspoken sorrow, asking Prabhu to fill a home that waits.
For the Pushtimarg Vaishnav, though, this Ekadashi is nothing less than the birthday of our sambandh with Prabhu. Brahmasambandh means every thing and every self offered first to Shri Krishna, and only then touched; whatever is so offered becomes pavitra — pure. The pavitra of threads laid upon Shri Thakorji says silently: bind me to You again. It is the day to remember one's own initiation, to renew samarpan, and to thank Shri Mahaprabhuji for opening the door of grace to ordinary souls. The Purana promises progeny; the marg's own history promises more — that on this tithi the Lord accepts relationship. To keep this vrat is to say: I am Yours, Prabhu; let all I have become pure by being Yours first.