Devshayani Ekadashi fasting story

 

Importance of Devshayani Ekadashi:-significance

The specialof Devshayani Ekadashi has been described in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana. With this fast all the wishes of the creature are fulfilled. This Ekadashi comes after Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Ashadha month which is called Yogini Ekadashi.

Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of Ashadh month is called Devshayani Ekadashi. Chaturmas is considered to be the beginning of this Ekadashi. No auspicious work like marriage etc. is done during this period. It is believed that from this day onwards Lord Shri Hari Vishnu sleeps in Kshirsagar and then after four months he is raised. That day is called Devotthani Ekadashi. This interval is called Chaturmas.

Devshayani Ekadashi is also known as Dev Devshayani, Maha Ekadashi, Tholi Ekadashi (Telugu), Hari Devshayani, Padmanabha, Shayani and Prabodhani Ekadashi.

Devshayani Ekadashi fasting story

Dharmaraja Yudhishthira said: O Keshav! What is the name of Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi? What is the method of observing this fast and which deity is worshipped? Shri Krishna started saying that O Yudhishthira! I tell you the same story that Brahmaji told to Naradji.

Once Devrishi Naradji expressed his eagerness to know about this Ekadashi from Brahmaji, then Brahmaji told him: In Satyuga a Chakravarti emperor named Mandhata reigned. People were very happy in his kingdom. But no one knows what will happen in future. Therefore, they were also unaware that there was going to be a severe famine in their kingdom soon.

There was a severe famine in his kingdom due to lack of rain for the whole three years. There was chaos all around due to this famine. There has been a decrease in the sacrifice, havan, pind daan, story-fast etc. of the religious side. When there is trouble, where is the interest of the creature in religious works. The subjects went to the king and cried for their pain.

The king was already sad about this situation. They started thinking that after all what sin have I committed, for which I am getting punished in this form? Then with the intention of finding some means to get rid of this suffering, the king went towards the forest with the army.

While roaming there, one day he reached the ashram of Angira Rishi, son of Brahmaji and prostrated to him. The sage asked after blessing. Then wanted to know the purpose of wandering in the forest and coming to his ashram.

Then the king folded his hands and said: Mahatman! I am seeing the sight of famine in my state even after following all the religions. After all, why is this happening, please solve it.

Hearing this, Maharishi Angira said: O king! The golden age is the best of all the ages. In this, even a small sin receives a severe punishment.

In this, religion pervades its four feet. Except a Brahmin, no other caste has the right to do penance while a Shudra is doing penance in your kingdom. This is the reason why it is not raining in your state. Until he attains Kaal, this famine will not calm down. The peace of a famine is possible only by killing him.

But the king's heart was not ready to quell a malevolent Shudra ascetic.

He said: O God, I should kill that innocent, my mind is not accepting this. Please suggest some other solution.

Maharishi Angira said: Fast on Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of Ashadha month. There will definitely be rain due to the effect of this fast.

The king returned to the capital of his kingdom and strictly observed Padma Ekadashi with all the four varnas. Due to the effect of the fast, there was torrential rain in his kingdom and the whole kingdom became full of wealth.

The special significance of Devshayani Ekadashi has been described in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana. This fast fulfills all the wishes of the creature.