| Shayani Ekadashi | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Sculpture of Vishnu sleeping upon his celestial serpent, Shesha | |
| Also called | Maha-Ekadashi |
| Observed by | Hindus, especiallyVaishnavas |
| Type | Hindu |
| Significance | Beginning of theChaturmasya |
| Observances | Prayers and religious rituals, includingpuja toVishnu; Pandharpur Yatra |
| Duration | 1 1/2 day |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to | Prabodhini Ekadashi |
Shayani Ekadashi (Sanskrit:शयनी एकादशी,romanized: Śayanī Ekādaśī,lit. 'eleventh day of sleep'),[3] also known by various other names,[note 1] is the eleventh lunar day (Ekadashi) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of theHindu month ofAshadha (June - July). This occasion is holy toVaishnavas, the followers of theHindu preserver deity,Vishnu, as it is regarded to be the day the deity's sleep commences.[4][5]
On this day images ofLord Vishnu andLakshmi are worshipped,[6] the night is spent singing prayers, and devoteesfast and take vows on this day, to be observed during the entonth period of rainy season. These may include, giving up a food item or fasting on every Ekadashi day.[citation needed]
It is believed that Vishnu falls asleep inKshira Sagara - the cosmic ocean of milk - onShesha, the cosmic serpent.[7] Vishnu finally awakens from his slumber four months later onPrabodhini Ekadashi - eleventh day of bright fortnight in the Hindu monthKartika (October–November). This period is known asChaturmasya (lit. "four months") and coincides with the rainy season. Shayani Ekadashi is the beginning of the Chaturmasya. Devotees start observing theChaturmasyavrata (vow) to please Vishnu on this day.[8]
A fast is observed on Shayani Ekadashi. The fast demands abstinence from all grains, beans, and cereals, as well as certain vegetables, including onions and certain spices.
In theBhavishyottara Purana,Krishna narrates significance of Shayani Ekadashi toYudhishthira, as the creator-godBrahma narrated the significance to his sonNarada once. The story of King Mandata is narrated in this context. The pious king's country had faced drought for three years, but the king was unable to find a solution to please the rain gods. Eventually, sageAngiras advised the king to observe thevrata (vow) of Devashayani Ekadashi. On doing so, by the grace ofVishnu, there was rain in the kingdom.[8]
This day, a hugeyatra or religious procession of pilgrims known asPandharpur Ashadi Ekadasi Waari Yatra culminates atPandharpur, in Solapur district in southMaharashtra, situated on the banks of theChandrabhaga River. Pandharpur is main center of worship of the deityVitthala, a local form of Vishnu. Lakhs (hundreds of thousands) of pilgrims come to Pandharpur on this day from different parts of Maharashtra. Some of them carryPalkhis (palanquins) with the images of the saints of Maharashtra.Dnyaneshwar's image is carried fromAlandi, Namdev's image from Narsi Namdev,Tukaram's fromDehu,Eknath's fromPaithan,Nivruttinath's fromTrimbakeshwar,Muktabai's fromMuktainagar,Sopan's fromSasvad andGajanan Maharaj's fromShegaon. These pilgrims are referred to asWarkaris. They singAbhangas (chanting hymns) of Saint Tukaram and Saint Dnyaneshwar, dedicated to Vitthala.
