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News India Live, Digital Desk: Have you ever wondered why there are some months in a year when no auspicious events like marriage take place? There is a very interesting mythological story behind it which is related to Devuthani Ekadashi. It is also called Prabodhini Ekadashi or Devotthan Ekadashi. This is the day when Lord Vishnu wakes up after a deep sleep of four months and with this all the auspicious works start again. Let us know this special day and the story related to it in simple words.
After all, why does Lord Vishnu sleep for four months?
According to a legend, once Goddess Lakshmi prayed to Lord Vishnu that he remains awake day and night and when he sleeps he falls asleep for millions of years, thereby hindering the works of creation. He requested God to give him rest for some time every year. Following the advice of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu made it a rule to go into Yoga Nidra for four months every year. This period is called ‘Chaturmas’ and during this period no auspicious ceremony like marriage, tonsure or house warming is done.
When Lord Vishnu wakes up on the Ekadashi tithi of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month, that day is celebrated as Devuthani Ekadashi.
Story of Devuthani Ekadashi
There is a very famous story of Devuthani Ekadashi. There was a kingdom where the king and all the subjects observed the fast of Ekadashi with full devotion. On that day, even animals in the state were not given food.
One day, a man from another kingdom came to the king looking for a job. The king hired him on the condition that he would not get food for food twice a month on Ekadashi days. The man said yes, but when Ekadashi came and he was given fruits, he went to the king and started asking for food. He said that eating fruits would not fill his stomach and he would die of hunger.
The king reminded him of his condition, but he did not agree. Then the king gave him flour, pulses and rice. The man went to the river bank, took bath and started cooking food. When the food was ready, he called out to God, “O Lord! The food is ready, come and eat it.”
Upon her sincere call, Lord Vishnu himself appeared in his four-armed form and dined with her lovingly. After the meal the Lord disappeared.
On the next Ekadashi, the man asked for double the ration from the king and told that last time even God had come to eat with him, hence the goods were short. The king was very surprised to hear this and could not believe it. The king secretly followed him to find out the truth.
The man prepared food and started calling God, but this time God did not appear. When in despair he decided to commit suicide by jumping into the river, God appeared and stopped him. God had dinner with him and then took him in his plane and took him to his abode. Seeing all this, the king came to know that fasting is not successful unless the mind is pure and full of faith. From that day the king also started fasting with a true heart and in the end he attained heaven.
importance of this day
The day of Devuthani Ekadashi is considered very holy and auspicious. From this day, marriage, house warming and all other auspicious functions begin in Hindu religion. On this day, there is also a tradition of getting Tulsi ji married with Shaligram, which has special significance. It is believed that by observing fast and worshiping Lord Vishnu on this day, all sins are destroyed and every wish is fulfilled.