Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry
Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja said, “O Lord Kṛṣṇa, O master of all creation, O ocean of mercy, please tell me the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the bright fortnight of the month of Āṣāḍha (June–July). Kindly describe to me its observance and the merit gained from fasting on this day.”
Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Reply
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa replied, “O king, listen carefully as I describe the glories of this sacred day. The Ekadasi that occurs during the bright fortnight of Āṣāḍha is known as Śayanī Ekadasi or Devapodhi Ekadasi.
By observing this Ekadasi, one attains immense merit, destroys all sins, and becomes dear to Me. This day is extremely auspicious, for it marks the time when I, Lord Viṣṇu, enter My divine rest, known as Yoga-nidrā, upon the ocean of milk.
The four months that follow—known as Cāturmāsya—begin from this day. Whoever observes this Ekadasi with devotion becomes purified of all sins and gains My eternal mercy.”
The Divine Rest of Lord Viṣṇu
Lord Kṛṣṇa continued, “On this sacred day, I rest upon Ananta Śeṣa in the ocean of milk. During these four months, from Śayanī Ekadasi until Prabodhini Ekadasi in the month of Kārtika, the demigods, sages, and devotees worship Me with special austerities and vows.
Whoever observes fasting, vows, or devotional service during this period attains inexhaustible merit.
Therefore, O Yudhiṣṭhira, whoever wishes to please Me should begin his Cāturmāsya-vrata from this day of Śayanī Ekadasi.”
The Process of Observance
“On the day before Ekadasi, one should eat only once and sleep on the floor. On the day of Ekadasi itself, one should rise early, bathe in pure water or in a sacred river, and worship Lord Viṣṇu with full devotion.
One should offer incense, lamps, fruits, flowers, and tulasī leaves to the Lord and meditate upon His beautiful form resting upon Ananta Śeṣa, holding the conch, disc, club, and lotus in His hands.
One should fast completely or take only water and remain awake throughout the night, singing songs and glories of Lord Viṣṇu. On the next day, Dvādaśī, one should feed brāhmaṇas, give charity, and then break the fast with tulasī water and prasāda.”
The Merit of Observing Śayanī Ekadasi
“O King, the merit obtained by observing this Ekadasi surpasses that gained from performing all sacrifices and pilgrimages. Even a person who observes this vow only once becomes freed from all past sins and attains happiness in this life and liberation after death.
Whoever begins the Cāturmāsya-vrata on this day becomes purified of all offenses.
If one donates an umbrella, a pair of shoes, or a water pot to a brāhmaṇa on this day, one’s sins of ten thousand lifetimes are destroyed.
Giving sesame, gold, or food to devotees of Lord Viṣṇu on this day yields merit that cannot be measured even by the demigods.”
The Glories of Cāturmāsya
Lord Kṛṣṇa said, “O Yudhiṣṭhira, whoever observes fasting, worship, and vows during the four months beginning from this day attains immense merit and pleases Me greatly.
Those who control their senses, avoid sleeping on a bed, refrain from eating certain foods, and spend time hearing and chanting My glories during Cāturmāsya will have all their desires fulfilled.
At the end of these four months, I awaken on Prabodhini Ekadasi, and whoever continues the vow until that day attains the merit of performing a thousand Aśvamedha-yajñas and donating the earth in charity.”
The Story of King Mandhāta
“To illustrate the glory of Śayanī Ekadasi, hear this ancient story. Once, there lived a righteous king named Mandhāta, who ruled his kingdom with justice and devotion. However, due to the sins of his citizens, there was no rain in his kingdom for three years.
Crops failed, rivers dried, and famine spread everywhere. Seeing his people suffer, King Mandhāta went to the forest to perform austerities and pray to the sages for guidance.
There he met Sage Angirā, to whom he offered obeisances and said, ‘O great sage, due to my sins or the sins of my people, rain has ceased in my kingdom, and everyone is suffering. Kindly show me a way to remove this calamity.’
Sage Angirā replied, ‘O King, you should observe the sacred fast of Śayanī Ekadasi, which occurs during the bright fortnight of Āṣāḍha. By observing this vow with devotion and faith, you and your subjects will be freed from all sins, and rain will again bless your land.’”
The Blessings of the Fast
“Hearing the sage’s instructions, King Mandhāta returned to his kingdom and, along with all his citizens, observed the vow of Śayanī Ekadasi with great devotion.
They fasted, remained awake at night, chanted the holy names of the Lord, and offered lamps and incense to Lord Viṣṇu.
As soon as Dvādaśī arrived, dark clouds gathered in the sky, and rain fell throughout the land, bringing life and joy to all. The kingdom prospered, and the people became virtuous and peaceful.
Thus, by the observance of Śayanī Ekadasi, all calamities were removed, and the hearts of the people were purified.”
The Phala-śruti (Result of Observance)
Lord Kṛṣṇa said, “O Yudhiṣṭhira, by observing Śayanī Ekadasi, one attains the merit of performing a hundred sacrifices and donating a thousand cows in charity.
Whoever remains awake during the night of this Ekadasi, singing and glorifying My name, attains residence in the spiritual world.
Those who begin their Cāturmāsya-vrata on this day and maintain it faithfully attain My eternal abode at the end of life.
Even one who simply hears or recites the glories of this Ekadasi with faith gains the merit of performing great austerities and sacrifices.”
Origin of the Story
This narration of Śayanī Ekadasi is described in the Padma Purāṇa and the Bhaviṣya-Uttara Purāṇa, where Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa speaks to Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira about the deliverance of King Mandhāta.
By observing Śayanī Ekadasi, one gains the blessings of Lord Viṣṇu, who enters His divine rest, and attains both worldly prosperity and ultimate liberation.
