Devshayani Ekadashi (देवशयनी एकादशी)
Ashadi Ekadashi | Shayani Ekadashi | Beginning of Chaturmas
🗓️ Devshayani Ekadashi 2025 - Dates & Timing
*Chaturmas period continues until Devutthana Ekadashi (November 12, 2025)
⭐ Why Devshayani Ekadashi is Special
📿 Devshayani Ekadashi Katha (कथा)
Hindi (हिंदी में कथा)
प्राचीन काल में मान्धाता नाम का एक धर्मात्मा राजा था। उसके राज्य में तीन वर्ष तक वर्षा नहीं हुई और भीषण अकाल पड़ा। प्रजा परेशान होकर राजा के पास गई और बोली, "हे राजन्! हमारे राज्य में कोई पाप हुआ है जिससे वर्षा नहीं हो रही।"
राजा मान्धाता बहुत चिंतित हुआ और महर्षि अंगिरा के पास गया। ऋषि ने ध्यान लगाकर देखा और बताया, "हे राजन्! आपके राज्य में एक शूद्र वेद पढ़ रहा है, इसी कारण यह अकाल पड़ा है।"
राजा ने उस शूद्र को ढूंढकर दंड दिया। फिर ऋषि ने कहा, "अब आपको आषाढ़ शुक्ल एकादशी का व्रत करना चाहिए। इस दिन भगवान विष्णु शेषशय्या पर शयन करते हैं। इस व्रत से वर्षा होगी और आपका राज्य समृद्ध बनेगा।"
राजा मान्धाता ने पूरे राज्य में देवशयनी एकादशी का व्रत कराया। इस व्रत के प्रभाव से मूसलाधार वर्षा हुई और राज्य में खुशहाली आ गई। तब से यह एकादशी 'देवशयनी एकादशी' के नाम से प्रसिद्ध है।
इस दिन से चार महीने तक भगवान विष्णु योगनिद्रा में सो जाते हैं। इस समय को 'चातुर्मास' कहते हैं और इस अवधि में शुभ कार्य नहीं किए जाते।
English Translation
In ancient times, there lived a righteous king named Mandhata. For three consecutive years, there was no rainfall in his kingdom, causing a severe drought. The suffering people approached the king and said, "O King! Some sin has occurred in our kingdom due to which there is no rain."
King Mandhata became very worried and approached Sage Angira. The sage meditated and revealed, "O King! In your kingdom, a Shudra is reading the Vedas, which has caused this drought."
The king found that person and punished him appropriately. Then the sage said, "Now you should observe the Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi fast. On this day, Lord Vishnu reclines on the serpent bed (Sheshashayana). This fast will bring rainfall and prosperity to your kingdom."
King Mandhata organized the Devshayani Ekadashi fast throughout his kingdom. Due to the power of this fast, heavy rains poured down and happiness returned to the kingdom. Since then, this Ekadashi has become famous as 'Devshayani Ekadashi.'"
From this day, Lord Vishnu sleeps in Yoganidra for four months. This period is called 'Chaturmas,' and during this time, auspicious activities are avoided.
🕰️ Chaturmas Period (चातुर्मास काल)
📅 Duration
Begins: Devshayani Ekadashi (July 17, 2025)
Ends: Devutthana Ekadashi (November 12, 2025)
Total: 4 months of spiritual observance
🚫 Avoided Activities
- Marriage ceremonies
- Housewarming (Griha Pravesh)
- Starting new business ventures
- Thread ceremony (Yajnopavit)
- Mundan (first haircut) ceremony
✅ Encouraged Practices
- Daily prayers and meditation
- Reading spiritual texts
- Charity and feeding poor
- Visiting temples regularly
- Observing monthly Ekadashis
- Avoiding non-vegetarian food
🌟 Spiritual Significance (आध्यात्मिक महत्व)
🌧️ Rainfall & Prosperity
Traditionally brings good monsoon rains and agricultural prosperity to the region.
🧘 Spiritual Discipline
Initiates four months of intensive spiritual practice and self-control.
🏠 Household Peace
Brings harmony, peace, and protection to family and home.
💫 Karmic Purification
Cleanses past karmas and prepares soul for spiritual advancement.
📋 Devshayani Ekadashi Vrata Rules (व्रत नियम)
🌅 Preparation (Dashami - Day Before)
- Eat simple, sattvic food in the evening
- Avoid heavy meals and spicy food
- Clean the house and puja area
- Prepare for early morning prayers
🌙 Ekadashi Day Observances
- Wake up before sunrise and take a holy bath
- Set up Lord Vishnu's altar with flowers and tulsi
- Recite Vishnu Sahasranamam or chant mantras
- Read Devshayani Ekadashi katha
- Observe complete or partial fast as per capability
- Visit Vishnu temple if possible
- Engage in charity and help needy
🌄 Breaking the Fast (Dwadashi)
- Break fast after sunrise on Dwadashi
- Offer prayers to Lord Vishnu
- Begin with water, then fruits, then regular food
- Feed Brahmins and donate to charity
🍽️ Food Guidelines for Devshayani Ekadashi
❌ Avoid on Ekadashi
- All grains: Rice, wheat, barley
- All pulses and lentils
- Onion, garlic, ginger
- Leafy vegetables
- Non-vegetarian food
- Alcohol and tobacco
✅ Allowed Foods
- Fresh fruits and dry fruits
- Milk and milk products
- Vegetables: potato, cucumber
- Singhara and sabudana
- Rock salt only
- Pure ghee
🌱 Chaturmas Food Restrictions
During the entire Chaturmas period, many devotees avoid:
- Leafy green vegetables
- Brinjal (eggplant)
- Certain seasonal vegetables
- Non-vegetarian food completely
- Eating meals after sunset
🙏 Detailed Puja Vidhi (पूजा विधि)
Morning Preparation
Wake up at dawn, take bath, wear clean clothes. Clean the puja area and spread a clean cloth. Place Lord Vishnu's picture facing east.
Altar Setup
Place kalash with water and mango leaves. Light a ghee lamp and incense. Offer fresh flowers, especially tulsi leaves which are dear to Lord Vishnu.
Invoking Lord Vishnu
Chant "ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय" and invite Lord Vishnu to accept your prayers. Offer water, sandalwood paste, and flowers.
Katha Reading
Read or listen to Devshayani Ekadashi katha. Understand the significance of Lord Vishnu's sleep and Chaturmas period.
Special Bed Offering
Prepare a symbolic bed for Lord Vishnu with soft cloth, flowers, and tulsi. This represents His cosmic sleep beginning.
Evening Aarti
Perform elaborate aarti with devotional songs. Pray for peaceful sleep for Lord Vishnu and blessings for the Chaturmas period.
🕉️ Special Mantras for Devshayani Ekadashi
Main Vishnu Mantra:
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
Salutations to Lord Vasudeva
For Peaceful Sleep:
ॐ शयनाय नमः
Om Shayanaya Namah
Salutations to the Lord who sleeps
Chaturmas Prayer:
चातुर्मास्ये शुभं देहि विष्णो सर्वेश्वरेश्वर
Chaturmasye Shubham Dehi Vishno Sarveshvareshvara
O Lord Vishnu, grant auspiciousness during Chaturmas
🎉 Regional Celebrations
🏛️ Maharashtra - Pandharpur
Famous Ashadi Ekadashi celebration with lakhs of Varkaris (pilgrims) walking to Pandharpur to visit Lord Vitthal.
🏛️ Gujarat - Dwarka
Special ceremonies at Krishna temple. Lord's bed is ceremonially prepared with flowers and silk.
🏛️ Karnataka - Udupi
Krishna Matha observes elaborate rituals with special prayers and community feasts.
🎁 Benefits of Observing Devshayani Ekadashi
📝 Chaturmas Observance Guidelines
🌅 Daily Practices
- Wake up early and meditate
- Read spiritual texts daily
- Chant Vishnu mantras
- Visit temple regularly
- Practice charity
🚫 Restrictions
- Avoid day sleeping
- No shaving/haircut on sacred days
- Minimal use of oil and luxury items
- Avoid unnecessary travel
- Stay away from negative influences
🎯 Monthly Observances
- Kamika Ekadashi (August)
- Shravana Putrada Ekadashi (August)
- Aja Ekadashi (September)
- Parsva Ekadashi (September)
- Indira Ekadashi (October)
- Papankusha Ekadashi (October)