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Traditional story (retold)
Part 1: The Kingdom of King Mandhata
In the kingdom of the Suryavanshi king Mandhata there was no rain for three years. The people were distressed by hunger, and the king, worried, went into the forest to look for a remedy.
Part 2: The Guidance of Sage Angira
Reaching the ashram of Sage Angira there, the king told his sorrow. The sage said, "Keep the vrat of Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi; this will avert the crisis."
Part 3: The Effect of the Vrat
The king returned and kept the Devshayani Ekadashi vrat along with his people. By its effect rain fell in the kingdom and happiness returned. From that time the importance of this Ekadashi is recognised.
Thus ends the complete Devshayani Ekadashi Katha
At a glance
• Deity: Lord Vishnu
• When: Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi (the start of Chaturmas)
• Fast: Waterless or fruit diet (according to capacity)
• Special: From this day, weddings and other auspicious works pause for four months
• Main lesson: Crisis is averted through truth and the vrat
Introduction and significance
Devshayani Ekadashi is also called Harishayani or Padma Ekadashi. It is believed that from this day Lord Vishnu goes into yoganidra in the Ocean of Milk and wakes on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi (Dev Uthani). These four months are called Chaturmas.
In Chaturmas sadhus and saints stop travelling and practise austerity and satsang in one place. During this time auspicious works such as weddings are not performed in tradition.
When it is observed
• On Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi; the parana is done the next day, on Dwadashi.
• See the Panchang for the tithi and the parana time.
Puja samagri
• An idol or picture of Lord Vishnu
• A yellow cloth, yellow flowers, tulsi leaves
• Sandalwood paste, akshat, incense, lamp
• Panchamrit, fruit, sweets
• Bedding on a couch or chowki (in the spirit of the Lord's bed)
Vrat vidhi
1. Take sattvik food the day before. On the morning of Ekadashi bathe and take the resolve.
2. Install Vishnu Ji on a chowki and offer a yellow cloth, flowers and tulsi.
3. Perform abhishek with panchamrit and light incense and lamp.
4. Chant 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya' and read the Vishnu Sahasranama.
5. Listen to the katha and perform the aarti.
6. Do bhajan or a vigil at night.
7. On Dwadashi do the parana after sunrise and give food or charity to someone in need.
Udyapan vidhi
The vrat is considered concluded at the end of Chaturmas on Dev Uthani Ekadashi. There is no special method of a separate udyapan; follow your family's or pandit's tradition.
Do's
• Stay sattvik and do bhajan-kirtan.
• Offer water to tulsi.
• Give charity and do service.
• Follow the parana time.
Don'ts
• Avoid grain and rice (tradition).
• Avoid anger, slander and lies.
• Do not eat tamasic food.
Benefits (as believed)
It is believed that the Devshayani Ekadashi vrat helps in calming sins and purifying the mind. It is not a guarantee of any result, but a practice of restraint.
Mantras and aarti
• Mantra: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya"
• Aarti: https://divyavani.app/aarti/om-jai-jagdish-hare
• Vishnu Sahasranama: https://divyavani.app/stotra/vishnu-sahasranama
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is Devshayani Ekadashi?
A: On Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi, usually in June-July. See the Panchang for the date.
Q: What is Chaturmas?
A: The four months from Devshayani to Dev Uthani Ekadashi, in which sadhana, vrats and restraint are regarded as especially important.
Q: Why are weddings not held during this time?
A: In tradition it is believed that Lord Vishnu is in yoganidra, so auspicious works pause.
Q: What can one eat during the vrat?
A: Fruit, milk, sabudana, kuttu and water chestnut. Avoid grain. Keep the fast only according to your health.
Q: When should the parana be done?
A: On the Dwadashi tithi after sunrise, within the parana time given in the Panchang.
Precautions
Take care of your health while fasting and consult a doctor if needed. This katha is a retelling of a traditional story. The method and the form of the katha differ by region.