Devshayani Ekadashiदेवशयनी एकादशी
Devoted to Lord Vishnu (in Yoga Nidra) · Annually on Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi (June-July)
Significance
Devshayani Ekadashi marks the beginning of Chaturmas, the sacred four-month period when Lord Vishnu enters yoga-nidra on Sheshanaga in the Kshira Sagara. Auspicious ceremonies like marriages, housewarmings, and sacred thread rituals are suspended until Prabodhini Ekadashi. The day initiates intense spiritual sadhana, austerities, and devotional practices for serious seekers.
Who Observes
All Vaishnavas, sannyasis who begin their chaturmas vrat at this time, householders undertaking annual disciplines, and devotees preparing for the holy monsoon period of inner contemplation.
Fasting Rules (Upvas Niyam)
- •Nirjala or phalahar fast observed strictly through the Ekadashi tithi
- •Avoid grains, lentils, salt, and all tamasic substances
- •Light single meal on Dashami evening preparing the body for fasting
- •Take sankalpa for personal Chaturmas vows like giving up sweets or oil
- •Maintain brahmacharya, truth, and non-violence in thought and deed
- •Break fast on Dwadashi morning during the prescribed parana window
Rituals (Puja Vidhi)
- Ceremonially put Lord Vishnu to sleep on a decorated bed of flowers
- Worship Vishnu reclining on Sheshanaga with Lakshmi at his feet
- Recite Vishnu Sahasranama, Purusha Suktam, and Sri Suktam
- Take Chaturmas vows publicly before the deity and a guru
- Donate umbrellas, footwear, and food to brahmins and the needy
- Light akhand jyoti to burn through the chaturmas period
Prasad
Tulsi charanamrit, panchamrit, fruits, milk-based sweets, and panjiri
Benefits (Phal)
Observance purifies the body and mind for the intense monsoon sadhana ahead. It grants protection from disease during the rainy season, builds spiritual discipline, accumulates immense punya across four months, dissolves sins of previous births, and prepares the soul for deep meditation. The vrat is said to equal the merit of performing rajasuya yagna multiple times when observed with sincere Chaturmas vows.
Primary Mantra
Vrat Katha (Story Origin)
King Mandhata of the solar dynasty witnessed his kingdom suffering a three-year drought. Sage Angiras advised him to observe Devshayani Ekadashi with his subjects, explaining that Lord Vishnu enters cosmic sleep on this day and only intense collective devotion could invoke his grace. The king fasted with his entire kingdom, performed elaborate worship, and the rains returned in abundance. Since then, this Ekadashi has been observed as the threshold of Chaturmas, when devotion replaces ceremony as the path to divine favor.
Book a pandit for Devshayani Ekadashi udyapan or katha
Concluding ceremony, havan, or full katha recitation at your home or remotely with video proof.