We celebrate the awakening of Vishnu after four months of sleep today. Hindus worship Lord Vishnu and seek his blessings and love. Tulsi leaves and flowers are offered to Vishnu and Lakshmi. Dev Uthani Ekadashi (Ekadashi means eleven as in the eleventh day of two fortnights of the waxing and waning of the moon, in the lunar month) marks the awakening of Lord Vishnu after a four-month period of sleep. On this day, it is possible to get rid of our karmas and seek salvation. We also request Vishnu to grant us a place in his abode—Vaikunth Dham. The mantra chanted is Om Namo Bhagvata Vasudevaya, and the other mantra is the Maha mantra.

Remembrance and pratyahara

The story behind this special day is when Vishnu was resting in Yoga Nidra, a demon called Mundanav challenged him. Mundanav had been granted a boon that no human could kill him. Vishnu created a beautiful woman from eleven parts of his body. Mundanav was stunned by the beauty of this creature. He fell in love with her and asked her to marry him. She agreed on the condition that he should defeat her in battle. He was killed by her. She then asked Vishnu for a boon as she was created by the eleven spiritual parts of Vishnu’s body, and she would be known as Ekadashi. Since she is full of penance (Taap), she would like people to observe the Ekadashi Vrata on this day and they should control their senses. Vishnu agreed to this request and this day is a remembrance and pratyahara.

A true Ekadashi Vrat is when one withdraws the ten Indriyas (five sense organs: eyes, ears, nose, skin tongue and five motor organs: hands, feet, mouth, reproductive and excretory organs) and the eleventh the mind and concentrating on God.

My dear ones, be regular with your sadhana and be blessed.

Aim Hrim Klim