Devutthana Ekadashi
The Ekadashi which comes after Deepawali is also called Devotthan Ekadashi, Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi, or Devauthani Ekadashi. Lord Vishnu sleeps on Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha in Ashadha month and awakes on Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha in Kartik month. After sleeping for four-month Lord Vishnu wakes up on Devauthani Ekadashi of Kartik month. This is Ekadashi is celebrated for waking up of God from Yogic sleep, that is why it is also called Devauthani Ekadashi or Prabodhini Ekadashi.
It is believed that no auspicious work is done during these four-month periods when Lord Vishnu is sleeping and on the day of Devuthani Ekadashi when Shri Hari awakens, all religious and auspicious works begin. This day is considered a very auspicious day and marriages take place on this day all over India. All auspicious work that could not be done during the Chaturmaas is started on this day. Tulsi Vivah is also performed on this day.
The festival of Prabodhini Ekadashi is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The renowned Kartik Month Pandarpur Yatra ends on the day of Prabodhini Ekadashi.
Devutthana Ekadashi 2021 is on 14th November, Sunday.
How is Devutthana Ekadashi celebrated?
Shukla Paksha Ekadashi of Kartik month is known as Devotthan Ekadashi. Lord Vishnu wakes up in Kshirsagar on the day of Devouthan Ekadashi after his 4 months of sleep and all auspicious works are done on his wake. Hindus observe fast and offer prayers to goddess Tulsi and Lord Vishnu. Tulsi Vivah is performed, the marriage of Tulsi tree and Shaligram is celebrated with great fanfare like a normal marriage. Every year the maximum number of weddings is performed on this day, as this day is considered the most auspicious day of the year according to Hindu Calendar.
On the first day of Devotthan Ekadashi, we should wake up in the morning and resolve to fast, and meditate on Lord Vishnu. After cleaning the house, one should take a bath and draw the shape of Lord Vishnu’s feet in his courtyard. One can perform the marriage ritual of the Tulsi Plant with Shaligram stone that represents Lord Vishnu.
With this, lamps should be lit outside the houses and at places of worship on the night of Devotthan Ekadashi. All the family members should worship all the deities including Lord Vishnu at night time. After that, wake up Lord Vishnu from his sleep by ringing bells or blowing Conch (Shankha) while repeating these words: Utho Deva, Batho Deva, Aanguria Chatkao Deva, Nayi Soot, Nayi Kapas, Deva Uthaye Kartik Masa.
Sugarcane is used exclusively in Devotthan Ekadashi Pujan. A cane is offered to the cane god, along with a mandapa consisting of three, five, and eleven canes. After this, Lord Vishnu is awakened by worshiping sugar cane. Other seasonal vegetables including Singhada, plum, radish, carrot, banana, and brinjal are offered in the worship of God on Ekadashi.
It is the religious belief that Singhara is the most beloved fruit of Goddess Lakshmi. Maa Lakshmi is pleased by applying its offerings. At the same time, a banana is offered to Lord Vishnu. While brinjal, radish, a carrot is a symbol of health.
You may visit the Vishnu temple to offer prayers or meditate on Lord Vishnu and chant Dev Uthani Ekadashi Mantra or “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” Mantra. Donate clothes, food grains, umbrellas, hand-fans, pitchers filled with water, and any other items to Brahmins.
Dev Uthani Ekadashi: Mantra
उत्तिष्ठ गोविन्द त्यज निद्रां जगत्पतये।
त्वयि सुप्ते जगन्नाथ जगत् सुप्तं भवेदिदम्॥
उत्थिते चेष्टते सर्वमुत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ माधव।
गतामेघा वियच्चैव निर्मलं निर्मलादिशः॥
शारदानि च पुष्पाणि गृहाणमम केशव।
Significance of Devutthana Ekadashi
All the Ekadashi are important in mythological texts and Devotthan Ekadashi is one of the important festivals of Hinduism. It gives us a feeling that whether it is a human being or a god everyone needs rest and even though God is sleeping, he always takes care of his devotees. During the period when Lord Vishnu is sleeping in a yogic state the universe is under the Chaturmas period which is inauspicious for major events like marriage, housewarming ceremonies, and tonsuring. Devotees wait for the Chaturmas period to end so that they can plan auspicious ceremonies.
During Devutthana Ekadashi positivity spreads in the creation and all work starts running smoothly. Several auspicious works like marriage etc. are prohibited during the Chaturmas period. Once the lord wakes up, every auspicious work is initiated again.
The Mythological Story of Devutthana Ekadashi
Once Goddess Laxmi requested Lord Vishnu – Oh God, now you awake all day and night, but when you sleep, you keep sleeping for lakhs and crores of years and destroy the whole universe. Therefore, you should take proper rest regularly and it will also help me to take some rest during that period.
Lord Vishnu liked her advice. He said – “you are right. All the gods and especially you suffer a lot due to me being awakened. From now onwards, every year I will take a rest for four months in the rainy season. This sleep will be called a nap (Alpa-Nindra) and my sleep at the time of the destruction of the universe will be called deep slumber (Maha-Nindra). My nap is very beneficial for my devotees and during this period, if a devotee serves me with the feeling that God is in sleep, I will always reside in his/her home with you.”