Devshayani Ekadashi 2025

Devshayani Ekadashi is an important fast in Sanatan Dharma, observed on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Ashadha. It is also known as Devshayani Ekadashi, Shayani Ekadashi, and Padma Ekadashi. According to the Padma Purana, on this day Lord Vishnu enters a four-month-long yogic sleep (Yoga Nidra), which is why it is also called the divine sleep festival of Lord Vishnu.

Date and Time of Devshayani Ekadashi 2025

Date: 6 July 2025
Ekadashi Begins: 5 July 2025 at 7:00 PM
Ekadashi Ends: Sunday, 6 July 2025 at 9:16 PM

Story of Devshayani Ekadashi

The mythological story of Devshayani Ekadashi is described in scriptures like the Padma Purana. According to the tale, in ancient times, there was a severe drought in the kingdom of King Mandhata of the Suryavanshi dynasty that lasted for three years. The people suffered from hunger and thirst. The king then sought guidance from the sage Angira. Sage Angira advised that observing the fast of Devshayani Ekadashi, which falls on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha, would bring rain and prosperity to the kingdom.

Following the sage's advice, King Mandhata, along with his officials, observed the Devshayani Ekadashi fast with full devotion. As a result of the fast on Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi, it began to rain immediately, and the kingdom regained its former prosperity. Thus, this fast is considered highly powerful in removing all sufferings and sins. Even today, devotees observe this fast with discipline and worship Lord Vishnu on this sacred day.

Devshayani Ekadashi 2025: Fasting Method

Procedure for Fasting and Worship on Devshayani Ekadashi:

Night of Dashami (5 July): Begin preparations on the night of Dashami. Avoid salt and grains in dinner. Take a light (fruit-based) meal. Before sleeping, take a vow to observe the fast the next morning.
Morning of Ekadashi (6 July): Before sunrise, complete your bath and wear clean white clothes. Clean the place of worship and install an idol or picture of Lord Vishnu on an altar.
Puja and Worship: Bathe the idol with Panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and Ganga water). Then offer purification with Ganga water or clean water. Perform worship with incense, lamp, and flowers. Offer Tulsi leaves, roots, conch, and present fruits, dry fruits, and sweets as offerings. Conclude the puja by chanting Lord Vishnu's mantras and offering prayers.
Devotion: Spend the entire day in devotion and meditation on Lord Vishnu. Read the Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu Sahasranama, or Vishnu Chalisa. Engage in Hari-bhajan and kirtan. Follow non-violence, truthfulness, and sattvic (pure) rules throughout the day.
Night Vigil: Observe night vigil by staying awake and spending the night listening to Lord's stories, chanting mantras, or singing devotional songs. This vigil pleases the Lord.
Morning of Dwadashi (7 July): Before breaking the fast, offer water, fruits, etc., to Brahmins and seek their blessings. Then, recite the mantra "Om Pundarikaksha Jagatpate... Ab Ahar Nisham Namami Tumhein" and pray to Lord Vishnu before taking food.

Devshayani Ekadashi 2025: Benefits of the Fast

Destroys all sins of life and leads to liberation (moksha).
Removes all obstacles and enhances good fortune.
Simply listening to or reading the vrat katha (story) also eliminates sins.
Fasting with devotion and discipline brings joy, prosperity, and divine shelter.
Donating food and helping the needy, especially offering to Brahmins and cows, yields immense merit.
Those who do charity on this day receive special blessings from Lord Vishnu.
Seeing or feeding Brahmins on this day grants special spiritual rewards.
Pativrata (devoted) women can attain moksha and fulfill their desires by observing this fast.

Devshayani Ekadashi 2025: Worship Method

Take a bath in the morning and clean the worship area.
Place Lord Vishnu's idol or image on a red or yellow cloth seat.
Perform abhishek with Panchamrit and offer achaman with Gangajal.
Sprinkle charanamrit (holy water) around.
Offer sandalwood paste, flowers, incense, lamp, and naivedya (fruits and sweets) to the Lord.
Offer Tulsi leaves while chanting sacred mantras.
Chant the mantra "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya."
Offer bhog (food offering) to the Lord.
Recite Vishnu Stotra or sing bhajans and kirtans at home.
In the evening, perform Lakshmi Puja or havan for special blessings.

Devshayani Ekadashi 2025: Mantra Chanting

Chanting Vishnu mantras on this day is considered highly auspicious and virtuous.
Main Mantra: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya"
Other Mantra: "Shuklambaradharam Vishnum Shashivarnam Chaturbhujam..."
Chant "Hare Rama – Hare Krishna" mantra 108 times using a Tulsi mala.
Recite Vishnu Sahasranama and Vishnu Stotras.
Keep the mind calm and worship with full devotion during mantra chanting.
Remembering saints and sages on this day is also considered highly rewarding.

Significance of Devshayani Ekadashi

Vishnu's Divine Slumber: From this day, Lord Vishnu enters Yogic sleep (Yoganidra) for the next four months (Chaturmas). It is believed that during this period, he resides in the netherworld (Patal Lok) at King Bali's abode, as promised during his Vamana incarnation. During this time, the responsibilities of creation are taken over by Lord Shiva.
Destruction of Sins and Attainment of Salvation: According to scriptures, observing Devshayani Ekadashi with devotion destroys all sins. This fast not only grants worldly happiness but also helps the soul move toward liberation (moksha), freeing it from the cycle of birth and death.
Fulfillment of Wishes: Devotees who sincerely worship Lord Vishnu and observe the fast on this day are blessed with the fulfillment of all their desires. It is considered especially auspicious for gaining children, wealth, and family happiness.
The Greatest Among Ekadashis: Devshayani Ekadashi is considered one of the most important Ekadashis of the year, as it marks the beginning of the holy Chaturmas period.

Beginning of Chaturmas and Its Cultural Significance

Devshayani Ekadashi marks the beginning of Chaturmas, a four-month period (from Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi to Kartik Shukla Ekadashi) dedicated to spiritual discipline and austerity.

Pause on Auspicious Ceremonies: During Chaturmas, auspicious events such as marriages, housewarming (Griha Pravesh), and Mundan (tonsure rituals) are paused. It is believed that due to Lord Vishnu's divine sleep, sufficient divine energy is not available for these rituals.
Period of Austerity and Devotion: This is a sacred time for both monks and householders to engage in self-reflection, chanting, penance, meditation, and religious observances. Devotees are encouraged to spend more time in devotion to the Lord.
Health and Cleanliness: Chaturmas holds significance from a scientific and Ayurvedic perspective as well. Due to the rainy season, this period calls for dietary restraint, consumption of sattvic (pure) food, and emphasis on cleanliness. Observing religious rules during this time indirectly ensures better health and hygiene.

FAQ

1. Why is Devshayani Ekadashi Celebrated?

Devshayani Ekadashi marks the beginning of Lord Vishnu's Chaturmas (four-month divine sleep). On this day, Lord Vishnu enters a state of yogic slumber for four months. Devotees observe this fast with faith so that even during His absence, His grace remains upon them, and all obstacles in life are removed.

2. What to Do on Devshayani Ekadashi?

Observe a full-day fast (consume fruits or only water).
Worship Lord Vishnu with full devotion.
Follow truthfulness and self-discipline during the fast.
Offer Tulsi leaves as a sacred donation.
Donate food to the needy as an act of charity.
Listen to Vishnu Stotras in the morning and sing bhajans in the afternoon.
Offer food or donations to a Brahmin in the evening.
Donating a cow on this day is believed to bring great spiritual merit.

3. How to Perform Devshayani Ekadashi Puja at Home?

Take a bath in the morning and clean the place of worship thoroughly.
Place the idol or picture of Lord Vishnu on a red or yellow seat.
Bathe the Lord with Panchamrit (perform Abhishek).
Offer Durva, flowers, fruits, Tulsi leaves and perform Shodashopachar Puja.
Fill ghee in an earthen lamp and light a lamp.
Perform Deep-Aarti in the evening and chant Vishnu mantras.
At the end of the puja, offer food to the Lord and remember him with devotion.

4. How to Worship on Devshayani Ekadashi?

Recite Vishnu Sahasranama, Vishnu Chalisa, and stories from the Puranas.
Read episodes related to Lord Vishnu from the Mahabharata or other scriptures.
Chant the mantra "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" with devotion.
Use a Tulsi mala to chant the Hare Krishna – Hare Rama mantra.
Spend time in Hari-kirtan, bhajans, and worship.
This form of worship pleases Lord Vishnu and brings peace of mind to the devotee.

5. What Not to Do on Devshayani Ekadashi?

Avoid consuming grains, pulses, oilseeds, meat, and fish.
On Dashami night, do not eat food with salt.
Stay away from anger, deceit, dishonesty, and harsh behaviour.
Avoid alcohol and all kinds of intoxicants.
Refrain from contraceptive acts and impure (sinful) activities.
Complete all sensual indulgences before early dawn.

6. What to Eat and Avoid During the Devshayani Ekadashi Fast

Do not consume grains, pulses, sesame seeds, oily items, meat, or fish on this day.
Avoid salt in the meal on Dashami night.
Stay away from anger, lies, deceit, and cunning behaviour.
Refrain from alcohol and all forms of intoxication.
Avoid contraceptives and any inauspicious acts.
Complete all sensual or indulgent activities before early morning twilight.

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