Dev Shayani Ekadashi can be disambiguated as the eleventh lunar day meaning Ekadashi, of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha), which falls on the Hindu month of “Ashadha”. “Ashadha” falls in the month of June-July and it is because of this that it is also known as Ashadhi Ekadashi or Ashadhi.
Dev Shayani Ekadashi holds special significance to Vaishnavas, followers of Lord Vishnu. This auspicious day is known as Toll Ekadashi in Telegu. Not just by a few but Dev Shayani Ekadashi is known by various other names, some of which are listed below.
- Shayani Ekadashi meaning sleeping eleventh.
- Maha Ekadashi translating to the great eleventh.
- Prathna Ekadashi which is the first eleventh.
- Padma Ekadashi or Devpodhi Ekadashi interpreting the eleventh lunar day of the bright fortnight.
In other words this auspicious day of Dev Shayani Ekadashi marks the beginning of “Chaturmaas”, here “chatur” means four and “maas” means months. Thus Dev Shayani Ekadsahi is the beginning of the four auspicious monsoon months headlined by a number of festivals and holy occasions. The monsoon season characterised by cool heavy rains and moisture are Asadh, Shravan, Bhadarpada and Ashvin in the Hindu calendar.
Observance of Dev Shayani Ekadashi
Images of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi are decorated and worshipped on this day. Devotees fast on this auspicious day and people sing bhajans or songs in praise of the Gods and Goddesses for the entirety of the night. Fasting generally involves giving up a specific food item for every Ekadashi . The fast observed on Shayani Ekadashi usually calls for the giving up of all grains, beans, cereals and certain vegetables like onions and specific spices.
Ekadashi Fasting and Three Days Routine
The fasting for Shayani Ekadashi is followed in the three day routine which is elaborated below.
The devotees refrain from consuming their evening meal or dinner a day prior to the actual fasting day. This is to ensure that there are no residual food particles in our system on the actual day of fasting. On the day of Dev Shayani Ekadashi the fasting is stringent and religiously adhered to. This fasting ends only after the sunrise of the next day, hence completing the three days routine. If however a person is unable to follow the Ekadashi fasting, care should be taken to avoid rice in any food item on the day of Dev Shayani Ekadashi.
Important Places to Visit on Dev Shayani Ekadashi
Dev Shayani Ekadashi is marked by devotees visiting different locations and their landmark temples, listed below are the different locations:
- Char Dham or all the four revered temples in India which includes temples across all four directions namely :
- Badrinath in the north
- Dwarka in the west
- Jagannath Puri in the east; and
- Rameshwaram in the south
- Shri Vishnu Mandir
- Shri Ram Mandir
- Shri Krishna Mandir
- ISKCON Mandir
- All Vaishnav Homes
Dev Shayani Ekadashi and its relevance in the Puranas
The Puranas ascertain that during Dev Shayani Ekadashi Lord Vishnu takes rest in Ksheer Sagar (ocean). Inferentially, during his presence in Ksheer Sagar, all rivers and water bodies are considered divine and pure. It is also the prime reasons why devotees take holy bath during this period. It is widely accepted that a believer’s sins would be absolved provided he observes severe austerities and penance along with the holy bath in rivers and lakes.
The devotees are also asked to observe asceticism, discipline and refraining from sensual pleasures and intoxication of any kind. Dev Shayani Ekadashi not just demands a purification of our physical body but also makes sure that the believers have a pure and unadulterated sense and being, including our sense of touch, smell, sight, hearing and feeling. Therefore according to the Puranas, this day should be observed as a day of penance. It is also on Dev Shayani Ekadashi, a devotee takes a vow to carry on extra devotional duties and practices, observe penance and to keep ones senses and body pure and clean.
When it comes to eating in the holy four months or “chatturmaas”, the Puranas have advised us to regulate a systematic food habit.
- The Bhavishyottara Purana states that vegetables should not be consumed during “shravan”.
- Likewise, one should refrain from eating curd during “bhadarpada”.
- Milk should not be consumed during “ashvin”; and
- Pulses are best avoided during “karthik”.
Skanada Purana, advises that an individual with devotional leanings should avoid the consumption of onion, garlic and other non consumables during “chatturmaas”. Furthermore, according to the Puranas food items such as brinjal, watermelon, radish and sugarcane should be avoided. These specific food items are mentioned in the Puranas, as they are believed to constrain a devotee’s elevation on the spiritual journey.
Dev Shayani Ekadashi and the Bhavishyottara Purana
In the Bhavishyottara Purana, the importance of the Dev Shayani Ekadashi is mentioned vividly, accounted by Lord Krishna to Yudhistir. Similarly this story narrated by Lord Krishna is also told by Lord Brahma to his son Narada. The story of the King Mandata was narrated by bothLord Krishna and Brahma, highlighting the importance of Dev Shayani Ekadashi.
The Story of King Mandata
King Mandata was a pious and diligent leader. He was respected and loved by his subjects. However, the King’s happy and prosperous rule was harshly interrupted by severe drought of three years. King Mandata was thoroughly disturbed as the drought brought along calamities and casualties despite all his efforts.
Thus King Mandata in a desperate attempt to please the rain Gods met the renowned sage Angiras. This sage advised King Mandata to observe fast on the day of Dev Shayani Ekadashi along with his subjects. The King and his subjects followed the advice and observed a stringent fast on this day. Thereby, Lord Vishnu was pleased with the people and King Mandata as a result of which there was heavy rain following the Dev Shayani Ekadashi.
This is one of the prime reasons why observing a fast on this day is considered to be auspicious and is believed to bring about prosperity and well being to the devotees.
Pandharpur Ashadi Ekadashi Waari Yatra
On the eve of Dev Shayani Ekadashi a grand procession of pilgrims known as Pandharpur Ashadi Ekadashi Waari Yatra culminates in Pandharpur, which is in the Solapur District in South Maharashtra, located on the banks of the Chandrabhaga River.
Since this day is considered the most auspicious day for Lord Vitthala followers, the disciples take their holy dip in the Chandrabhaga River and also get a glimpse of Lord Vitthala and Rukmini. Pandharpuri Waari is believed to be the most scared pilgrimage of India in the Ashada month of the Hindu calendar. Thousands of devotees throng from Maharashtra and Karnataka during this journey which aptly translates to “Waari” or the journey, hence, the name, Pandharpur Waari. This tradition dates back to 1685 AD and till today people assemble in Pandharpur and start their journey of twenty one days.
During Dev Shayani Ekadashi the main temple is kept open the whole day, so that all the visitors get “darshan” (view/sight). The journey of both the revered saints, Sant Dhyaneshwar Palki and Sant Tukaram Maharaj from Pune and Alandi respectively are believed to come to a close during this day.
After the devotees congregate and finish their holy dip in the Chandarbhaga River, they proceed to the final leg of their holy walk to Pandhapur. This final occasion is called Pradakshina and it is on this day that the idols of Lord Vitthala and Goddess Rukmini are carried in a “Palkhi” (palanquin) or a decorated chariot. Thus this procession finally ends after reaching Pandharpur.
Vishnu Ashtotharam or Vishnu Sahashranamam
During Dev Shayani Ekadashi prime importance is given to the purifying of the body ,the mind and the soul. This is believed to be achieved by chanting, Vishnu Ashtotharam or Vishnu Sahashranamam.
Vishnu Ashtotharam or the hundred and eight names of Lord Vishnu along with, Vishnu Sahashranamam or the thousand names of Lord Vishnu should be chanted on this day with full devotion and purity of heart. It is believed, to help an individual fulfill his desires and overcome any obstacles or difficulties in life.
Vishnu Sahashranamam is part of the “Anushasanaparva” of the Indian epic Mahabharata. According to the renowned Indian sage Shri Adi Shankaracharya, Vishnu Sahashranamam is considered an important chant on the quest for one’s spirituality and “moksha” or nirvana.
Along with these two important chants, on the day of Dev Shayani Ekadashi, the devotees can also indulge in the simple chanting of “Om Nama Narayana” or any prayers dedicated to Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna.
Staunch devotees, not only keep stringent fasting on this day but also abstain from sleeping. Thus, they practise extreme penance during this period. In conclusion, on the day of Dev Shayani Ekadashi, all the disciples make sure that they follow the correct path for a peaceful and a prosperous life and the afterlife.
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