Today, we will discuss Devshayani Ekadashi fasting/vrat. This Ekadashi is very important — both for those who observe the Ekadashi fast and those who don’t. Whenever this video reaches you, please share it with as many Sanatan Dharma followers as possible.
There is an old story from Satyug that explains the significance of Devshayani Ekadashi.
Do you know that the Chaturmas (four holy months) begins from this day? Lord Narayana (Vishnu) goes into a deep yogic sleep (Yog Nidra) during Chaturmas. While He sleeps, Lord Shiva (Bholenath) takes over the responsibility of running the universe for these four months.
After Devshayani Ekadashi, Sanatanis usually don’t perform major auspicious tasks like housewarming, weddings, or mundan ceremonies. Regular puja, bhajan, and devotion can continue, but major life events are paused for these four months.
The results of observing the Devshayani Ekadashi fast are truly powerful. It is said:
- One who observes this fast gets heavenly blessings.
- They live a long and prosperous life.
- Their desires are fulfilled.
- All sins are washed away.
- And if someone seeks liberation (moksha), they also attain it.
The way to observe this fast is also important:
- Wake up early, take a bath, offer water to the Sun, and take a vow (sankalp).
- If possible, avoid food from the night before (Dashami).
- If you can, do a waterless fast (nirjala); if not, then take only water or fruits once in the day.
- Spend the day chanting Lord Narayan and Goddess Lakshmi’s names, doing puja, speaking truth, observing celibacy, and staying calm in thoughts, words, and actions.
- One must listen to the story (katha) of this Ekadashi.
The story goes like this:
In Satyug, there was a righteous king named Mandhata. He was very devoted to Dharma and his people were happy. But suddenly, a famine struck his kingdom — it did not rain for years. According to scriptures, when people suffer in a kingdom, it’s often because of the karma of the king.
After much suffering, the people went to the king and said, “Maharaj, we are suffering terribly — please tell us what to do.”
The king replied, “If a king acts against Dharma, his people suffer the consequences. But I have carefully reflected and do not recall committing any sin that could have caused this. Still, I will find a solution.”
With some citizens, King Mandhata went into the forest and found the sage Angira. He bowed to the sage and explained the situation. The sage said that there was indeed a reason for the suffering (which he didn’t elaborate in this story), but offered a solution.
Sage Angira told the king to observe the Devshayani Ekadashi fast with full devotion — through mind, speech, and action. The king followed all the instructions, completed the fast, and observed the Parana (breaking of fast) on Dwadashi (the next day). As a result, heavy rains blessed the land, crops grew, and prosperity returned.
If such a great result was achieved in Satyug, imagine the power of this fast in Kaliyug, where even a small act of devotion brings multiplied results.
So, we all should observe Devshayani Ekadashi with full faith, devotion, and good actions.
This year, the Devshayani Ekadashi fast falls on 6th July, and the Parana (breaking of fast) is on 7th July between 5:34 AM to 8:44 AM. The exact time may vary slightly depending on the sunrise in your location.
During the night, it is advised to do jagran (night prayers). Whether you do jagran or not, chant the name of the Lord as much as possible and try to please the divine couple — Priya and Pritam (Lakshmi-Narayan).I pray to Priya Ganju that she blesses you and your family with peace, happiness, and prosperity.
