Dev Prabodhini fast story

॥ Story of Shri Dev Prabodhini (Devotthani) Ekadashi fast. 🪔🙏

Story begins:

Lord Shri Krishna says to Yudhishthir – O king! Now let me tell you the story of 'Prabodhini Ekadashi' of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month, which is the destroyer of all sins and the provider of salvation. Once upon a time, Devarshi Narad had asked Grandfather Brahma ji - "O father! What is the result of this Ekadashi and what is the method of doing it? Please explain in detail."

Brahma ji said – O son! The results obtained by fasting on this Prabodhini Ekadashi are much greater than what is obtained by performing Ashwamedha Yagya. On this day Lord Vishnu wakes up from four months of yoga sleep.

According to a popular story of ancient times, Lord Vishnu always remained awake to protect the religion, but there was no fixed time for his sleep. Sometimes he would remain awake for years and sometimes he would sleep for years. This caused great inconvenience to Goddess Lakshmi and she was not able to rest. All the gods and sages of the world were also afraid of the violence of the demons at the time of God's sleep.

One day Goddess Lakshmi ji prayed to Lord Vishnu - "O Prannath! You either remain awake day and night or sleep for millions of years. This disturbs the balance of the universe and I too do not get the opportunity to serve you. I request you to fix a fixed time for your sleep, so that I and all the gods can get some rest."

Lord Vishnu smiled and said - "O Goddess! You have said the right thing. My waking up causes pain to all the Gods and you. Therefore, from today onwards, I will sleep for four months of the rainy season every year. This sleep of mine will be called 'Alpa Nidra' and 'Yoga Nidra'. Whichever devotee will serve me during these four months and celebrate the festival of my sleeping and waking up with devotion, I will reside permanently in their house."

Lord Vishnu further said – "I will sleep on Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi (Devshayani) and will wake up on the day of Kartik Shukla Ekadashi (Dev Prabodhini). Those human beings who practice Dharma in these four months (Chaturmas) will receive my special blessings."

Bhagavaana ke jaagane ke dina yaani deva prabodhini ekaadashi par samasta devtaon ne bhagavaana ki stuti ki, deepa jalaae aur utsava manaaya. Tabhi se is ekaadashi ka mahatva badha gaya. Is dina bhagavaana vishnu ne shankhaasura naamaka daitya ka vadha bhi kiya tha aur dharma ki punah sthaapana ki thi.

॥ Rules of fasting and method of worship. 📋👉

1. Fasting and resolution:Nirjala or fruitless fast is observed on this day. Take a bath early in the morning and take a vow to fast in front of Lord Vishnu.

2. Making a square in the courtyard:In the courtyard of the house, the shape of the feet of Lord Vishnu is made with cow dung or ocher and they are covered.

3. Waking up the Lord:Shaama ke samay shankha, ghanta aur ghadiyaala bajaakara bhagavaana ko jagaaya jaata hai aur yaha mantra bola jaata hai—"Uttisthottistha Govind Tyaj Nidram Jagatpate. Tvayi Supte Jagannath Jagat Suptam Bhavedidam."(Meaning: O Govind! Wake up, wake up and do good to the world.)

4. Tulsi Vivah:On this day, Tulsi ji's marriage is solemnized with Lord Shaligram, which is called 'Tulsi Vivah' festival.

5. Naivedya:Sugarcane, water chestnut, plum, radish and seasonal fruits are offered to the Lord. Making a sugarcane pavilion is considered auspicious on this day.

6. Celebrations like Diwali:Since the Lord wakes up after four months, the festival is celebrated by lighting lamps inside and outside the house.

7. Prohibition:Eating rice is completely prohibited on this day. One should stay away from anger, greed and slander.

॥ Religious importance. 🔱🌟

• End of Chaturmas:Chaturmas, which has been going on for four months, ends from this day.

• Beginning of auspicious works:As soon as God wakes up, all the auspicious works that were stopped in the society like marriage, mundan, yagyopaveet and housewarming start again.

• Puny results:According to Lord Brahma, donations and chanting done on this day give inexhaustible results. The sins of thousands of years are destroyed by this one fast.

॥ Benefits of fasting. 💎🌈

• Attainment of salvation:The person who observes this fast with devotion, gets a place in Vaikuntha Dham after death.

• Fulfillment of wishes:By solemnizing Tulsi marriage on this day, one gets virtue like Kanyadaan and brings happiness and prosperity in the house.

• Reduction of sins:The sins of previous births committed due to ignorance also get destroyed due to the effect of this Ekadashi.

• Health and Happiness:Offering and consuming seasonal fruits and vegetables (like sugarcane, water chestnut) on this day provides health benefits.