Devuthani Ekadashi fasting story

॥ Story of Shri Devuthani (Prabodhini) Ekadashi fast. 🐚🔱

Dharmaraj Yudhishthir asked - "O Janardan! You cleared my doubt by telling me the greatness of 'Rama Ekadashi'. Now please tell me about Kartik Shukla Ekadashi. What is its name and what is its story?"

Lord Shri Krishna said - "O son of Pandu! The name of this Ekadashi'Prabodhini'. It is extremely sacred and destroyer of all sins. I tell you the advice that Lord Brahma had given to Narada Muni."

1. Problem of Lord Vishnu's irregular sleep

In ancient times, Mother Lakshmi prayed to Lord Vishnu - "O Lord! When you wake up, you remain awake for years and when you sleep, you remain asleep for thousands of years. Due to this, the balance of the entire creation gets disturbed and the time of service remains uncertain for me also. Therefore, as a rule, you take rest every year during the rainy season, so that I and other gods also get rest."

Lord Vishnu agreed to Mother Lakshmi and said - "Dear! From now on I will sleep for four months (Chaturmas)every year. This sleep of mine will be called 'Alpa-Nidra' and the devotees who serve me during this time will get inexhaustible virtue."

2. Killing of Shankhasura and protection of the Vedas

Oncethere was a powerful demon named Shankhasura. He defeated the gods and stole the Vedas and hid in the depths of the ocean. Lord Vishnu took the 'Matsya Avatar' and killed Shankhasura and Vedas were again handed over to the gods. After this fierce war, he went to rest on Shukla Ekadashi and woke up again after four months.

A main part of Devuthani Ekadashi.

देवउठनी एकादशी का एक मुख्य भाग 'तुलसी विवाह', whose story is related to Jalandhar and his wife Vrinda.

Vrinda,wife of demon Jalandharwas extremely devoted to her husband. Due to her chastity, Jalandhar became invincible. To protect the gods, Lord Vishnu violated Vrinda's chastity by deceit, due to which Jalandhar was killed. In anger, Vrinda cursed Lord Vishnuto turn into a 'stone' (Shaligram).

Later, on the prayer of Goddess Lakshmi, Vrinda took back her curse and became Sati herself. From his ashes a plantTulsiwas born. Lord Vishnu said - "O Vrinda! To respect your chastity, I will remain in the form of a stone (Shaligram) and will never eat food without offering Tulsi." That is why the marriage of Tulsi and Shaligram is done with great pomp on the day of Devuthani Ekadashi.

4. Method of fasting and awakening the Lord

Is dina bhakta dina bhara upavaasa rakhate hain aur shaama ko aangana mein ganne ka mandapa banaakara bhagavaana vishnu ke charanon ki puja karate hain. 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. O Lord of the world! Give up your sleep. By your sleep the whole world goes to sleep and only by your waking up the entire world becomes awake.)

॥ Importance and results of fasting. 📋💎