Shayana (Devashayani or Padma) Ekadashi is described in the Bhavishottara Purana in a conversation between Lord Krishna and Maharaja Yudhisthira.
Once Maharaja Yudhisthira, turning to Krsna, said: “Oh Kesava! What is the name of that Ekadashi that falls on the period of the growing moon in the month of June / July? What deity is worshiped on this holy day and what are the rules for observing this Ekadashi? Please tell me more about this. ”
Lord Krishna replied: “O master of this world! This question Narada Muni once asked Lord Brahma. Now please hear from me the wonderful story that Lord Brahma told Narada Muni.
Once an eloquent speaker and the best of the sages Narada Muni, turning to Lord Brahma, said: “Oh father! What is the name of that Ekadashi that falls on the period of the growing moon in the month of June / July? Please tell me how I should observe this Ekadashi in order to satisfy the Supreme Lord Visnu? ”
Lord Brahma replied: “In this material world there is no vow as sacred as a vow of Ekadashi. It is imperative to keep the Ekadasi vow in order to get rid of the effects of sins. A person who does not observe Ekadashi in this world will inevitably go to hell. The Ekadashi, which falls during the growing moon in the month of June / July, is called Devashani or Padma Ekadashi. In order to satisfy the Supreme Lord Hrsikesa, one should observe this Ekadashi.
The Purana says that there once lived a holy emperor named Mandate, who ruled the whole world. He was born in the dynasty of the sun god. The king’s power was great; he always stood on the side of truth. In the kingdom of this pious king, there was no famine, drought or any disease. All his subjects lived happily, not experiencing anxiety and flourishing in every way. In the king’s treasury there was no wealth acquired in unrighteous ways.
After many years of such a happy life in the kingdom, rains did not fall for three consecutive years. Famine began, and people suffered. Due to the lack of food, various sacrifices and the study of the Vedas ceased.
Then all the subjects turned to the king: “Oh king! Please listen to our speeches. The scriptures call the water "nara." The Supreme Lord dwells in "ayan." Therefore the Supreme Lord is called Narayana. Supreme Lord Vishnu becomes clouds. He is the only cause of the rains. Thanks to rains, products are born; living things depend on rain. Now, due to the lack of grains, your subjects suffer and die. Oh best of kings! Please find a way to relieve us of our suffering and restore peace and prosperity. ”
The king replied: “Everything that you said is true. Grains are considered brahmana. The whole world and all living things depend on grains. The Puranas and other scriptures clearly state that because of the sins committed by the king, he and his subjects suffer. Although it is difficult for me to judge my own flaws, nonetheless, I will do my best to help my subjects. ”
Having said this, King Mandate gathered an army and, offering obeisances to Brahma, entered the forest. In the forest, he regularly visited the ashrams of great sages and ascetics. Once, wandering in the forest, by the will of Providence, the king met the great sage Angira, the son of Brahma. Sage Angira was radiant, like Brahma - all four sides were illuminated by his radiance. As soon as the king saw him, he immediately got down from the palanquin and offered respectful obeisances to the feet of the sage. Then the king with folded hands offered prayers. The sage answered with kind words and blessed the king. After this, the sage inquired of the king about the reason for his visit and the state of affairs in his kingdom.
The king answered: “Oh, Lord! I ruled my kingdom in accordance with religious principles; Despite this, there has been no rain in my kingdom over the past three years. As a result, my subjects suffer. I never managed to establish the cause of this suffering. Today I have come to your lotus feet. Please tell me how my subjects can live peacefully and thus achieve the highest good. ”
Sage Angira answered: “Oh king! The modern era, Satya Yuga is the best of all the yugas. In this south, people worship the supreme Brahman. In this south, they live in accordance with religious principles. In this south, no one, except for the Brahmins, should perform penances. Despite this limitation, a certain sudra, an inhabitant of your kingdom, does penance. As a result of this inappropriate behavior, you are faced with the effects of drought. Therefore, you must try to kill him. If he is executed, then peace and prosperity will return to your kingdom. ”
The king answered: “Oh, great sage, it is unthinkable for me to kill an innocent person doing penance. Please advise me a different solution. " The sage said: “Oh, king, in this case, observe the sacred Ekadashi, known as Padma or Devasiani, which will fall during the period of the growing moon in the month of June / July. Under the influence of this vow, your kingdom will certainly rain. This Ekadashi awards all good and all perfection. Oh king! You must observe this Ekadashi with all your subjects. ”
After hearing these encouraging words of the great sage, the king bowed to him and returned to the palace. After that, in the month of Ashadh (in June / July), the king, along with his relatives and subjects, duly observed this auspicious Padma or Shayana Ekadashi. Under the influence of this vow, rains passed throughout his kingdom. Soon, by the grace of Lord Hrishikesi, mountains of grains formed and all the subjects of the king healed happily.
Therefore, it is the duty of everyone to observe this sacred Ekadashi. This Ekadashi rewards everyone with happiness and liberation. By hearing and reading about the glories of this Ekadashi, all the consequences of sinful acts are destroyed. This Ekadashi is also known as Vishnu Shayani Ekadashi. Desiring to satisfy Lord Visnu, devotees observe this Ekadashi with particular zeal. They do not seek material enjoyment or liberation; rather, they pray for pure devotional service to the Lord.
The famous vow of Chaturmasya begins with this Ekadashi. Devotees keep this Chaturmasya vow by hearing about the Lord and glorifying Him for four months, starting from the day that Lord Hari goes to bed and ending with the day that he leaves the bed. "
Maharaja Yudhisthira said to Lord Krsna: “Oh Krsna! Please tell me how to observe this Sri Vishnu Shayana or Chaturmasya Vrata. ”
Lord Krishna replied: “Oh king! When the sun remains in the sign of Cancer, then Sri Madhusudan, the Lord of the whole universe, lays on his bed, and when the sun enters the sign of Libra, then the Lord wakes up. Chaturmasya's vow begins on the day of Shayan Ekadashi. Oh King Yudhisthira! Having bathed, one should dress Lord Visnu in yellow robes. Then it is necessary to prepare the bed and cover it with white blankets, on which the Lord will rest. First of all, you should wash the Lord with five substances, such as yogurt, milk, ghee, honey and sweet water. This should be done by worthy Brahmins. After that, you should dress the Lord and anoint the body with incense paste. Then one should bow to the Lord, with devotion offering Him incense, ghee lamps and flowers.
You can begin to keep the Chaturmasya vow, starting from one of the days - Ekadashi, Dvadashi, Purnima, Ashtami or Sankranti (when the sun enters the sign of Cancer). Chaturmasya's vow ends on the day of dvadasi, which falls on the day after Utthan Ekadashi in the month of Kartika.
A person observing the vow of Chaurmasya in the remembrance of Lord Visnu sets off for the abode of Lord Visnu, seated in an airship, radiant like the sun. Anyone who cleans the Lord’s temple and in the courtyard of the Lord’s temple, decorates them with flowers and plants, and feeds the Brahmins according to their abundance; upon completion of the vow, they gain happiness, which lasts for seven lives. By offering the ghee lamps of the Lord in continuation of this vow, one can gain good fortune and prosperity. One who repeats the mantra in the temple of Lord Gayatri one hundred eight times three times a day — in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening — will never again have to commit sins. Lord Vyasa becomes pleased with such a person, and he returns to the abode of Vishnu.
Anyone who presents at the end of the Chaturmasya period twenty-eight or one-hundred and eight pots with sesame seeds to intelligent Brahmins is freed from the effects of sins accumulated through the mind and speech. He gets rid of all diseases, and intelligent children are born to him.
For four months, while Lord Janardan is resting, one should not sleep in bed and have sex. You should only have dinner, eat once a day or eat something that comes by itself. One who chants Lord Vishnu and dances for Him during Chaturmasya goes to the world of gandharvas. Those who refuse to eat molasses are blessed by sons and grandchildren. If a person turns out to be from oil, he becomes handsome, and his enemies die. Due to the rejection of bitter, pungent, sour, sweet and salty dishes, you can get rid of ugliness and foul smell. People who refuse flowers go to heaven and become vidyadharas. The rejection of betel nuts leads to the immediate disposal of all diseases. If there is from an empty flower, you can reach the paradise of Indra. If, for the sake of Krsna's pleasure, one abandons milk and yogurt, then one can return to the highest abode, Goloka. A person who does not shave his nails and does not shave his head during Chaurmasya finds good fortune to touch the lotus feet of Vishnu. He who goes around the temple of the Lord returns to the Lord’s abode in an airship carried by swans. ”
