Deva Sayana Ekadasi

23.07.2018

The Significance of Deva Sayana Ekadasi

Significance of Deva Sayana Ekadasi:

1. The importance of Deva Sayana Ekadasi was mentioned in Bhavishyottara Purana.

Story related to Deva Sayana Ekadasi:

 The saintly king Yudhishthira Maharaj said, “Oh Keshava, what is the name of that Ekadasi
that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Ashadha (June - July) Who is the
worshipable Deity for the auspicious day, and what is the process for observing this event?”
 Lord Sri Krishna replied, “Oh caretaker of this Earthly planet, I shall gladly tell you a
wonderful historical event that the deva lord Brahma once narrated to his son Narada
Muni.One day Narad Muni asked his father, ‘What is the name of the Ekadasi that comes
during the light part of the month of Ashadha’, much as you did? ‘Kindly tell me how I should
observe this Ekadasi and thus please the Supreme Lord, Sri Vishnu.’

 Lord Brahma replied, ‘Oh great saintly orator, O best of all sages, Oh purest devotee of Lord
Vishnu, your question is as usual excellent for all mankind. There is nothing better than
Ekadasi, the day of Lord Sri Hari, in this or any other world. It nullifies even the worst sins
if observed properly. For this reason I shall tell you about this Ashadha-shukla Ekadasi.
 Fasting on this Ekadasi purifies one of all sins and fulfills all ones desires. Therefore,
whoever neglects to observe this sacred fast day is a good candidate for entering into hell.

 Ashadha-shukla Ekadasi is also famous as Padma Ekadasi. Just to please the Supreme Lord
Hrishikesha, the master of the senses, one should fast on this day.

 Listen carefully, Oh Narad, as I relate to you a wonderful historical event that was recorded
in the scriptures regarding this Ekadasi. Just hearing this account destroys all kinds of sins,
along with all obstacles on the path to spiritual perfection.

 Oh son, there was once a saintly king in the Surya Vamsha (Sun dynasty) whose name was
Mandhata. Because he always stood up for the truth, he was appointed emperor.

 He took care of his subjects as though they were his very own family members and children.

 On account of his piety and great religiosity, there was no pestilence, drought, or disease of
any kind in his entire kingdom. All his subjects were not only free of all kinds of disturbances
but also were very wealthy. The king’s own treasury was free of any ill-gotten moneys, and
thus he ruled happily for many years.

 Once, however, because of some sin in his kingdom, there was a drought for three years.

 The subjects found themselves beset by famine also. The lack of food grains made it
impossible for them to perform the prescribed Vedic sacrifices, offer oblations of grita
(ghee) to their forefathers and to the devas, engage in any ritualistic worship, or even study
the Vedic literatures. Finally, they all came before their beloved king in a great assembly and
addressed him thus, ‘Oh king, you always see to our welfare, so we humbly beg your assistance
now. Everyone and everything in this world needs water. Without water, almost everything is
rendered useless or dead. The Vedas call water nara, and because the Supreme Personality of
Godhead sleeps upon water, His another name is Narayana. God makes His own abode on water
and takes His rest there.In His form as the clouds, the Supreme Lord is present throughout
the sky and pours forth rains, from which grow the grains that maintain every living entity.

 Oh king, the severe drought has caused a great lack of valuable grains; thus we are all
miserable, and the population is decreasing as people die off or leave your kingdom. Oh best
ruler on Earth, please find some solutions to this problem and bring us to peace and
prosperity once again.”

 The king replied, “You speak the truth, for grains are like Brahman, the Absolute Truth, who
lives within grains and thereby sustains all beings. Indeed, it is because of grains that the
entire world lives. Now, why is there a terrible drought in our kingdom? The Holy Scriptures
discuss this subject very thoroughly.
 If a king (or head of the country) is irreligious, both he and his subjects suffer. I have
meditated upon the cause of our problem for a long time, but after searching my past and
present character I can honestly say that I find no sin. Still, for the good of all your
subjects, I shall try to remedy the situation.”

 King Mandhata Thinking in this way, assembled his army and entourage. paid his obeisance’s to
me, and then entered the forest. He wandered here and there, seeking great sages in their
ashrams and inquiring about how to resolve the crisis in his kingdom. at last he came upon the
ashram of one of my other sons, Angira Muni, whose effulgence lit up all directions. Seated
in his hermitage, Angira looked like a second Brahma. King Mandhata was very pleased to see
that exalted sages, whose senses were completely under control.

 The king immediately dismounted his horse and offered his respectful obeisance’s at the
lotus feet of Angirasa Muni.

 Then the king joined his palms and prayed for the Muni’s blessings. That saintly person
reciprocated by blessing the king with sacred mantras; then he asked him about the welfare
of the seven limbs of his kingdom. The seven limbs of a king’s domain are the king himself; the
ministers; his treasury; his military forces; his allies; the brahmins; the sacrificial
performances performed in the kingdom and the needs of the subjects under his care.After
telling the sage how the seven limbs of his kingdom were situated, King Mandhata asked the
sage about his own situation, and if he was happy. Then Angira Muni asked the king why he
had undertaken such a difficult journey into the forest, and the king told him of the
affliction his kingdom was suffering. The king said, “Oh great sage, I am ruling and
maintaining my kingdom while following the Vedic injunctions, and thus I do not know the
reason for the drought. To solve this mystery, I have approached you for help. Please help me
relieve the suffering of my subjects.”

 Angira Rishi said the king, ‘The present age, Satya yuga, is the best of all ages, for in this age
Dharma stands on all four legs (Truthfulness, Austerity, Mercy, and Cleanliness). In this age
everyone respects Brahmins as the topmost members of society, Also, everyone fulfills his
occupational duties, and only twice-born Brahmins are allowed to perform Vedic austerities
and penances. although this is a standard, Oh lion among kings, there is one shudra
(uninitiated, untrained person) who is thus unlawfully performing the rites of austerity and
penance in your kingdom. This is why there is no rain in your land. you should therefore punish
this labourer with death, for by so doing you will remove the contamination inflicted by his
actions and restore peace to your [kingdom].

 The king then replied, “How can I kill an offense less performer of austerity and sacrifice?
Please give me some spiritual solution.”

 The great sage Angira Muni then said, “Oh king, you should observe a fast on the Ekadasi that
occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Ashadha. This auspicious day is named
 Padma Ekadasi, and by its influence plentiful rains and thus grains and other foodstuffs will
surely return to your kingdom. This Ekadasi bestows perfection upon its faithful observers,
removes all kinds of bad elements, and destroys all obstacles on the path to perfection. Oh
king, you, your relatives, and your subjects should all observe this sacred Ekadasi fast. Then
everything in your kingdom will undoubtedly return to normal.”Upon hearing these words, the
king offered his obeisance’s and then returned to his palace. When the Padma Ekadasi
arrived, King Mandhata assembled all the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and shudras in his
kingdom and instructed them to strictly observe this important fast day. After they had
observed it, the rains fell, just as the sage had predicted, and in due course of time there
were abundant crops and a rich harvest of grain. By the mercy of the Supreme Lord
Hrishikesha, the master of the senses, all the subjects of King Mandhata became extremely
happy and prosperous.Therefore, Oh Narada, everyone should observe this Ekadasi fast very
strictly, for it bestows all kinds of happiness, as well as ultimate liberation, upon the faithful
devotee’

 Lord Sri Krishna concluded, “My dear Yudhishthira, Padma Ekadasi is so powerful that one
who simply reads or hears its glories becomes completely sinless. Oh Pandava, one who wishes
to please Me should strictly observe this Ekadasi, which is also known as Deva-sayani Ekadasi

 Deva-sayana, or Vishnu-sayana, indicates the day when Lord Vishnu goes to sleep with all the
devas (demigods). It is said that after this day one should not perform any new auspicious
ceremonies until Devotthani Ekadasi (Haribodhini (Probodhini) Devotthaani (Uttana) Ekadasi),
which occurs during the month of Kartika (October - November), because the devas
(demigods), being asleep, cannot be invited to the sacrificial arena and because the Sun is
traveling along its Southern course (Dakshinayanam).

 Lord Sri Krishna continued, “Oh lion among kings, Yudhishthira Maharaj, whoever wants
liberation should regularly observe a fast on this Ekadasi which is also the day when the
Chaturmasya fast begins.”

 Since Shree Maha Vishnu rests on a Seven Hooded Cobra called Adi Sesha. So, this Ekasadasi
is also referred as Sesha-Sayana-Ekadasi. It is said that Shree Maha Vishnu goes to sleep
for four months; The symbolism of four months is Chaturvidha Purushardhas – Dharma,
Artha, Kama and Moksha.
 A unique feature of this Ekadasi is to not make any sankalpam unlike other Ekadasi’s where
devotees make sankalpam for material gains like marriage, progeny, wealth, health etc.
 The observance of Sayana Ekadasi is exclusively to get complete grace of Lord Vishnu
without keeping wish-list in mind. By doing so, one will get rid of sins committed unknowingly.
 Special Rituals & Poojas:
 The most auspicious Chaturmasya or Chaturmasa Vratam begin from Deva Sayana
Ekadasi Day.Ashada Ekadasi marks as a closing ceremony day of Pandharpur Yatra in
Maharashtra.
 Event Starting Day Ending Day Starting Date Ending Date

Chaturmasya Monday Monday July 23, 2018 November 19, 2018

Hare Krishna ,Hare Krishna, Krishna ,Krishna ,Hare, Hare