Devshayani Ekadashi fasting story

॥ Shri Devshayani Ekadashi fast story (complete story) ॥ 🐚🌸🛌

Dharmaraja Yudhishthir asked - "O Keshav! What is the name of Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi? What is its method and for which virtue is this fast observed? Please explain in detail."

Lord Shri Krishna said - "O Yudhishthir! This Ekadashi is also called 'Devshayani', 'Padmanabha' or 'Maha-Ekadashi'. I am narrating to you the same story that Lord Brahma had narrated to Narad Muni. This fast is the destroyer of great sins."

1. Happy kingdom of Chakravarti king Mandhata

In Satyayugathere was a Chakravarti king named Mandhata. He was extremely religious, truthful and a protector of the people. There was never any famine in his kingdom, nor did anyone suffer from any disease. The people considered him like a father and the king also took full care of his subjects.

2. Dreadful famine and the outcry of the people

Once upon a time, by the will of fate, there was no rain in the kingdom of King Mandhata for three yearscontinuously. The water of rivers and ponds dried up, the earth cracked and there was a severe shortage of food. The people started suffering from hunger. It became difficult to provide help even from the king's treasury because all the yagya-havan etc. had stopped.

The people went to the king and pleaded - "O King! Without water, everything is being destroyed. In the scriptures, water has been called 'Narayan'. Please find some solution that will please Lord Indra and it will rain."

3. King's journey to the forest and meeting with sage Angira

Seeing the suffering of the people, King Mandhata started considering himself guilty. To find a solution to this crisis, he set out towards the forest with a small army. While walking, he met Maharishi Angira, son of Brahma ji.महर्षि अंगिराReached the ashram. Sage Angira was shining with divine brilliance at that time.

The king prostrated himself before the sage. The sage asked the reason for the king's arrival. The king said - "O Rishivar! I rule righteously, yet there has been famine in my kingdom for three years. The people are dying of thirst and hunger. Please tell me some way to get rid of this sin."

4. Solution of Devshayani Ekadashi fast

Maharishi Angira said - "O King! This era is 'Satyayuga'. Here religion is standing on its four legs. In this era only Brahmins have the right to perform penance, but in your kingdom perhaps someone from another class is performing inappropriate penance, due to which this famine has occurred."

The king said, "Your Majesty! I do not want to punish any innocent person. Please suggest some simple solution which will benefit everyone."

Then the sage said - "O king! You observe the fast of 'Devshayani Ekadashi'of the Shukla Pakshaof the month of Ashadha. This Ekadashi is going to give all the accomplishments. Due to its effect, clouds will definitely rain and your people will become happy."

5. King's fast and prosperity of the kingdom

King Mandhata immediately returned to his city and on the arrival of Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi, he along with his queen and all the subjects worshiped Lord Vishnu and fasted with full devotion.

Lord Vishnu was pleased with the virtuous effect of the fast and it immediately rained heavily. The earth became green and the grain stores were filled. King Mandhata's people became happy again.

॥ The mystery of Lord Vishnu's sleep (Raja Bali incident) 🏯🔱

Another popular story is related to Devshayani Ekadashi, due to which Lord Vishnu goes to hell for four months:

When Lord Vishnu, taking Vaman incarnation, asked for three steps of land from King Bali and sent him to the underworld, then pleased with Bali's devotion, God asked him to ask for a boon. Bali asked - "Lord! May you always remain at my door."

By subservient to the devotee, God became the gatekeeper of Bali in the underworld. Mother Lakshmi became distraught due to this. Then he tied Rakhi to Bali and asked for Lord Vishnu. The Lord promised Bali that Hewould stay with Bali in the underworld every year from Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi to Kartik Shukla Ekadashi(four months). That is why God 'sleeps' during these four months.

॥ Importance of fasting and Chaturmas rules. 📋💎