Safala Ekadasi falls during the waning phase of moon in December. It is observed during the Krishna paksha of Paush month in
Once there lived a very powerful and famous king named Mahishmata. He had four sons but the eldest son Lumpaka was arrogant and was indulged in all sort of bad activities including harming the citizens. The king was not ready to tolerate the behavior of his eldest son and exiled him.
Lumpaka began to live in a forest on the outskirts of the kingdom and started robbing travelers. He used to sleep during the day time under a banyan tree where there was a small idol of Lord Vishnu but he never bothered to worship it. His meals consisted of raw meat and fruits.
He lived like this for several years and once a couple of days before Safala Ekadasi he fell ill and became very weak. Due to illness, he became unconscious and woke up on Safala Ekadashi day but as he was weak he could not hunt or rob travelers. Unable to move, he prayed to Lord Vishnu idol under the banyan tree for recovery from illness and offered some fruits that had fallen from the banyan tree, which were eaten by birds.
He fasted the whole day and remained awake at night. Thus unknowingly Lumpaka performed the Saphala Ekadasi Vrat.
The next day morning he felt some kind of renewed energy. He felt sad about his wanton life and tears started trickling down from his eyes. He wept before the Vishnu idol and suddenly he heard a voice from the sky. The voice said that he had performed the Safala Ekadasi Vrat and Lord Vishnu has washed away all his sins and he should return to his father and start a new life.
As directed by the voice from the sky, Lumpaka reached the kingdom and started leading a good life and showed interest in the welfare of the people and in the course of time he became the king and was noted for his just and kind rule.