Lord Vishnu will wake up on 22nd November 2015 ending His four months of sleep (Chaturmas)and the negative period of time considered inauspicious.
Dev Uthani Ekadasi or Prabodini Ekadashi is observed on the eleventh day during the Shukla Paksha or waxing phase of moon in the lunar month of Kartik.
Lord Vishnu, who was in a deep sleep during the period of four months (Chaturmas) starting on Devshayani Ekadashi the eleventh day of the first bright half (Shuklapaksha) of the lunar month of Ashadha, wakes up on this day.
The Legend behind Chaturmas
Lord Vishnu due to certain reasons had irregular sleeping patterns. Sometimes He remained awake for days and on some occasions He slept continuously for several days without any pre-declared schedule.
It so happened that prominent devatas like Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva and many other sages and deities visiting Lord Vishnu had to return disappointed as He was found asleep.
Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, was thus unhappy with Lord Vishnu’s sleeping habits.
Also demons kept terrorising devatas and humans and once stole the Vedas; the source of all knowledge. So Lord Vishnu fought with the demon and got back the Vedas.
Due to long fight He was tired so he declared that in future He will sleep continuously for four months and stay awake during the rest of the year.
Importance of Devuthani Ekadashi
For the scientific minded people it can be said that Lord Vishnu’s sleep refers to the negative state of one’s mind when it is difficult to keep positive thoughts. As Lord Vishnu wakes up then the time is conducive to keeping positive thoughts.
So all auspicious ceremonies and functions such as conducting marriage ceremonies which were barred during the Chaturmas are now allowed.
How to Celebrate Devuthani Ekadashi
Observing fast on this day is of special importance and as per mythology it bestows results equal to the result of 1000 AshwamedhaYagna. It is also customary to keep Jagran (night long vigil and worship).
On this day like on any other Ekadashi, one is not supposed to eat rice and drink water. Fast on Ekadashi helps in calming down the turmoil of mind.
It is customary to break the fast after sunrise or before sunrise on next day as and when the DwadashiTithi begins.
On this day for welfare of women, for improving marital happiness and for enjoying worldly comforts recite 1080 times the following Vishnu mantra:
“Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaay”
Article by: Jyotirvid Pawan Kumar
