Shayani Ekadashi or Maha-Ekadashi or Prathama-Ekadashi or Padma Ekadashi or Devshayani Ekadashi or Devpodhi Ekadashi is that the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of the brilliant fortnight (Shukla paksha) of the Hindu month of Ashadha (June – July).
Thus it is also referred to as Ashadhi Ekadashi or Ashadhi. It is called Toli Ekadashi in Telugu. This holiday is of special significance to Vaishnavas, followers of the Hindu protector God, Lord Vishnu.
What is Sayana Ekadasi?
Tholi Ekadashi is the most auspicious festival of Hindus, mainly the Vaishnavas celebrating by keeping fast, praying, and singing bhajans of Lord Vishnu today and the Hindu people everywhere on the planet. Hindu Gods in some unspecified time in the future is adequate to Humans one year period.
Therein way the Deities one-morning period = six months of our Daskshinayanam period and one night period = 6 months Uttarayana period, each half is good one complete Day for Gods.
So during the Monsoon month, the Sayana Ekadashi celebration is done. The primary Ekadashi which falls during this month is understood as “Tholi Ekadashi” or “Shayan Ekadashi,” which marks the sleeping period of Deities (starts night for them) and also the Day when Lord Maha Vishnu falls asleep in Ksheersagar – a cosmic ocean of milk – on Sheshanaga, the cosmic serpent and is seen in Shayan mudra for four months.
According to the Hindu calendar, of all the 26 Ekadashi’s, this Ekadashi is understood as Tholi Ekadashi. The day when the daytime starts shortening and already dark starts increasing.
This holiday is of special significance to Vaishnavas, the followers of Hindu preserver god Vishnu and is well mentioned in notes of Bhagavata Purana (SK. IX, adhy. 4) by Ambarisha, a friend of Vishnu.
It is observed on Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) in Ashadam Masam(June-July), referred to as Tholi Ekadashi, when Lord Vishnu sleeps on nowadays wakes up after four months on Prabodhini Ekadashi.
Vishnu finally awakens from his slumber four months shortly Prabodhini Ekadashi – eleventh day of bright fortnight within the Hindu month Kartik Masam (October–November). Hence, this era is understood as “Chaturmas” (“four months”), which coincides with the time of year.
Thus, Tholi Ekadashi is that the beginning of Chaturmas. Devotees start observing the Chaturmas Vrata (vow). Please Vishnu on at the moment.
Devshayani Ekadashi is very special as indicated by its many names including Maha Ekadashi, Ashadi Ekadashi, Toli Ekadashi, Padma Ekadashi, Devpodhi Ekadashi and Hari Sayana Ekadasi.
Within the state of Maharashtra, this Ekadashi is popular within the name of Ashadi Ekadashi. The annual Padharpur Yatra or holy pilgrimage to the Padharpur temple involves an endways in this day and age. Within the south, today is identified as Toli Ekadashi.
As per the popular custom within the Vaishnavite Mutts, the inmates wear heated seals on their bodies called Tapta Mudra Dharana.
Why Devshayani Ekadashi is so popular ensues from the concept that Lord Vishnu chooses to travel to a long sleep within the Ksheer Sagar (milky ocean) today. Therefore, this day and age is considered ideal for propitiating Lord Vishnu and Mata Mahalakshmi.
Starting at present, the sleep of the Lord called Yoga Nidra stretches over four months called Chaturmas. So when the Lord wakes up after the sleep at the tip of 4 months, the day is heralded as Prabodhini Ekadashi or Dev Uthani Ekadashi falling on the Karthika (October – November) month.
What is the Significance of Sayana Ekadasi?
The term Ekadashi means the eleventh day. In an exceedingly typical month of the Hindu calendar, two Ekadashis occur, one during Shukla paksha (waxing phase) and the other during Krishna Paksha (waning phase).
The Significance of Sayana Ekadasi is associated with the worship of Lord Vishnu, and an excessive number of individuals regularly observe Ekadashi Vrat. However, every Ekadashi is uniquely special in how.
Devshayani Ekadashi is that the one that comes during the Shukla paksha (waxing phase) within the month of Ashada (June-July). Therefore, this can also be called Ashadi Ekadashi within the name of the month.
Ekadashi is thought of as Hari Vasara – “The Day of Sri Hari,” which is observed on every 11th Tithi in the Hindu calendar of the lunation. There are two Ekadashi fasting in an exceedingly month, one during Shukla Paksha (bright half) and another during Krishna Paksha (dark half). Devotees of Lord Vishnu observe Ekadashi fasting to seek his blessings.
Why is Sayana Ekadashi Celebrated?
According to the Vishnu Purana, fasting on Vaikuntha Ekadashi is love fasting on the remaining 23 Ekadashis of the (Hindu) year. However, in line with Vaishnava tradition, fasting is mandatory on all Ekadashis of Shukla paksha and Krishna paksha. Therefore, fasting on Ekadashi is taken into account holier than the other religious observation.
Complete fasting has got to be observed on Ekadashi, the 11th Day of the Paksha. [1 Paksha = 15 days, One month (maasa) has two pakshas in Hindu calendar.) that is why the meal on Dwadashi (12th day) is meant to be wholesome, nutritious, and filling.
Lord Vishnu opened the gate of Vaikuntham (his abode) for two asuras (demons) despite their being against him. They also asked for the boon that whoever listens to their story and sees the image of Vishnu setting out of the door called Vaikunth Dwar will reach Vaikunth yet. Temples everywhere in India make a reasonable door structure on this present day for devotees to run through.
According to Padma Purana, the feminine energy of Vishnu slayed the demon Muran. It protected the ‘Devas.’ This happened on the eleventh day of the month during the sun’s journey within the Dhanu Rashi. Impressed by the act, Vishnu names her as ‘Ekadashi’ and offers her the boon that those that worship ‘Ekadashi’ on the day of her victory over Muran would reach ‘Vaikunth’ (His abode).
Vaikuntha Ekadashi is one of every of the important and auspicious days for Hindus. It is dedicated to Vishnu. It occurs within the Hindu calendar, within the month of Margashirsha (between December and January). When observed, it bestows liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
It is believed that Lord Vishnu falls asleep in Ksheersagar – cosmic ocean of milk – on Shesha naga, the cosmic serpent on at present. Thus the day is additionally called Dev-Shayani Ekadashi or Shayani Ekadashi. Lord Vishnu awakens from his sleep four months shortly Prabodhini Ekadashi – eleventh day of bright fortnight within the Hindu month Kartik (October-November). This era is thought of as Chaturmas and coincides with the season.
What is the Benefit of Ekadasi Fast?
On this auspicious Day of Tholi Ekadasi devotees wakened early within the morning and finish their regular activities does puja to the Lord and observe fast on whole day chanting the Lord Vishnu mantra’s like Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram, Vishnu Ashtotaram (108 names), Vishnu Sahasranamavali (1008 names), Govinda namalu, sing Anmacharya sankeertanas, study holy books like Ramayana, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, etc. there is a large rush of Devotees seen in Temples on in this day and age to worship Lord Vishnu and seek his blessings.
Who Can keep Ekadashi Fast?
Vaikuntha Ekadasi fast is a very important aspect of these related to it. First, people fast the entire day and keep vigil. Then, special prayers to Vishnu and devotees engage in Japa (chanting Vishnu’s name) and Dhyana (Meditation).
On ‘Dashami,’ the previous day of the observance, devotees who take up Vaikuntha Ekadashi fasting are to require only lunch. But, on Ekadashi, the subsequent day, they need to keep up an entire fast and interact in prayers and meditation of Vishnu.
They are strictly prohibited from taking rice. That night, people keep vigil the entire night and visit the temple of Vishnu, mostly within the wee hours of the morning.
At the moment, the Vaikuntha Dwaram or the Vaikuntha Vaasal, ‘The Gates of Vaikunta,’ are believed to be kept open. Vaikuntha Vaasal mentions the realm encircling the sanctum, and devotees throng to enter the temple and hunt Vishnu’s blessings.
Which God is Worshipped on Sayana Ekadashi?
In Bhavishyottara Purana – God Shri Krishna narrates the significance of Shayani Ekadashi to Yudhishthira, and the creator – God Brahma, narrated the importance to his son Narada.
Here is that the Story of Sayana Ekadashi. The story of King Mandata and about the people of his Kingdom. Once upon a time, the pious King’s country had faced drought for three years, but the King could not search out an answer to please the rain gods. So finally, sage Angiras advised the King to watch the Vrata (vow) of Tholi Ekadashi or Dev-Shayani Ekadashi.
On doing so by the grace of Vishnu, there was rain within the Kingdom. Hence, the moment is marked very auspicious for Hindus, mainly the Vaishnavas worshipping Lord Maha Vishnu, who showers his blessing being in Shayan Mudra in Chaturmas.
On the Day of Sayani Ekadashi, Vishnu and Lakshmi are worshiped, the complete night is spent singing prayers, and devotees keep fast and take vows on these days, to be observed chaturmas holy four-month period of the season. These may include, yield a food item or fasting on every Ekadashi day.
It is believed that Vishnu falls asleep in Ksheersagar – the cosmic ocean of milk – on Shesha nāga, the cosmic serpent. Thus the day is additionally called Dev-Shayani Ekadashi or Hari-shayani Ekadashi or Shayana Ekadashi. Vishnu finally awakens from his slumber four months shortly Prabodhini Ekadashi – eleventh day of bright fortnight within the Hindu month Kartik (October–November).
This era is thought of as Chaturmas and coincides with the time of year. Thus, Shayani Ekadashi is that the beginning of Chaturmas. Devotees start observing the Chaturmas vrata (vow) to please Vishnu in this present day.
A fast is observed on Shayani Ekadashi. The fast demands abstinence from grains, beans, cereals, certain vegetables like onions, and certain spices.
Conclusion
If we believe the almighty is within us, there is no longer route to meet him. All it takes is a belief from within us. For more information about sayana ekadasi, you can contact us.
