Astha SangrahASTHA SANGRAHhttps://asthasangrah.comDevshayani Ekadashi
Devshayani Ekadashi is observed on Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi and is also called Harishayani, Padma or Ashadhi Ekadashi. On this day Lord Vishnu goes to sleep for four months, and Chaturmas begins.
Chaturmas begins on this day and ends on Devutthana Ekadashi in Kartika's bright fortnight. In Maharashtra it is Ashadhi Ekadashi, the main day of the Pandharpur Wari.
Significance of Devshayani Ekadashi
In the Padma Purana, Lord Krishna tells Yudhishthira that Shayani Ekadashi of Ashadha's bright fortnight gives heaven and liberation, and that merely hearing of it brings the fruit of the Vajapeya sacrifice. One who worships Lord Vamana with lotuses on this day has worshipped the three worlds and the three eternal gods.
According to the katha, in the Treta age the daitya king Bali was the Lord's devotee. At the gods' prayer, in his fifth avatar the Lord took the form of Vamana and asked Bali for three and a half steps of land; in his cosmic form he measured all the worlds in three steps and set the half step on Bali's back. Bali went down to Rasatala, but the Lord was pleased by his humility.
This is why, from this day, one form of the Lord stays with Bali, while another sleeps on the back of Shesha in the ocean of milk until the Ekadashi of Kartika. These four months are called Chaturmas.
How Devshayani Ekadashi Is Celebrated
Devotees bathe in the morning, take the vow, worship Lord Vishnu with lotuses and hear the Devshayani Ekadashi katha. The katha lays special stress on the night vigil, so bhajan and kirtan continue through the night.
According to the Padma Purana, in Chaturmas one should sleep on the ground, give lamps, eat from palasha leaves, and give up leafy greens in Shravana, curd in Bhadrapada, milk in Ashvina and pulses in Kartika. By tradition, auspicious ceremonies such as weddings and housewarmings are not held in these four months.
Devshayani Ekadashi Puja Vidhi
Eat a simple sattvic meal on Dashami, and on Ekadashi bathe in the morning and take the vow of fasting. Worship Lord Vamana (Vishnu) with lotuses, hear the katha, keep vigil all night, and the next day, on Dwadashi, give alms and break the fast within the parana muhurat. Begin the rules of Chaturmas from this day.
About Devshayani Ekadashi
Devshayani Ekadashi is the vow kept on Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi for Lord Vishnu's sleep and the start of Chaturmas. This page gives its date, the vidhi of the fast, the rules of Chaturmas and a summary of the Padma Purana's story of King Bali and Vamana.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Devshayani Ekadashi in 2027?
Devshayani Ekadashi falls on Wednesday, 14 July 2027. The parana time will be added here as the date approaches.
Why does Lord Vishnu sleep from Devshayani Ekadashi?
According to the Padma Purana, as Vamana the Lord took the earth from King Bali and sent him to Rasatala; pleased by his humility, from this day one form of the Lord stays with Bali and another sleeps on Shesha until the Ekadashi of Kartika.
When does Chaturmas begin and end?
Chaturmas runs from Devshayani Ekadashi in Ashadha's bright fortnight to Devutthana Ekadashi in Kartika's bright fortnight, when Lord Vishnu wakes.