Significance and legend
Saphala means fruitful. In the Brahmanda Purana dialogue, Krishna tells Yudhishthira of King Mahishmata of Champavati, whose eldest son Lumpaka was wicked, given to gambling, theft and disrespect of saints. The king finally banished him to the forest. Lumpaka lived under an ancient peepal tree, stealing from travellers and eating raw meat and fruit. On the Dashami of the dark fortnight of Margashirsha, he suffered so badly in the winter cold that he fell unconscious through the night and most of the next day.
When he revived on Ekadashi, he was too weak to hunt, and could only gather fallen fruits. As the Sun set he placed them at the root of the peepal tree and, in his misery, said, 'Let the Lord be pleased with these fruits.' That night, again unable to sleep from cold and sorrow, he stayed awake. Unknowingly he had fasted, kept vigil and offered fruits to Vishnu. A divine voice then told him that by the merit of Saphala Ekadashi his sins were destroyed. Lumpaka returned to his father, was forgiven and crowned, and ruled righteously.
How Saphala Ekadashi is observed
Devotees fast and worship Vishnu with seasonal fruits, especially coconut, betel nut, pomegranate, amla, lemon and mango, along with incense and lamps. Lighting lamps through the night and keeping vigil are especially praised. The katha of Lumpaka is read. The fast is broken on Dwadashi after sunrise within the parana window, after feeding a Brahmin or the needy.