Devshayani Ekadashi fast is being observed today on Saturday. This Ekadashi is considered one of the most important Ekadashis. There is a religious belief that on this day Lord Vishnu goes into Yoga Nidra for four months and from here Chaturmas begins.
It is believed that worshiping Lord Vishnu as per the rituals on this day brings happiness and prosperity in life. Along with this, it is said that the full results of Ekadashi worship are achieved only when the Vrat Katha is heard or read after the worship. Worship is considered incomplete without the story. In such a situation, after worshiping Lord Vishnu today, you can listen to the fast story of Devshayani Ekadashi from here.
Read the fast story of Devshayani Ekadashi here
According to the legend, Dharmaraja Yudhishthir asked Lord Krishna what is the significance of Ekadashi of Ashadh Shukla Paksha and what is the method of this fast. Then Lord Shri Krishna told that this Ekadashi is called Padma or Devshayani Ekadashi. He told that Brahmaji himself had narrated this story to Narad Muni. By observing this fast, Lord Vishnu is pleased and the person’s sins are destroyed.
There was a severe famine in the kingdom of King Mandhata.
Long ago, a just and pious king named Raja Mandhata ruled in Suryavansh. His subjects were happy and there was never any shortage of anything in the kingdom. But there came a time when there was no rain for three consecutive years. There was a severe famine in the entire state. The fields dried up, there was a shortage of food and people’s life became difficult.
Seeing the problems of the people, King Mandhata went to the forest in search of a solution. There he met Maharishi Angira. The king asked him the reason for the famine and the solution to avoid it. Then the sage said to fast on Padma i.e. Devshayani Ekadashi of Ashadha Shukla Paksha as per the rituals. He told that due to the effect of this fast, Lord Vishnu will be pleased and all the problems of the state will go away.
According to religious beliefs, by listening or reading this story of Devshayani Ekadashi with devotion, one gets the blessings of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that this fast and story will remove the sorrows of life, destroy sins and open the path to happiness and prosperity. Therefore, listening to this story along with worship on this day is considered especially auspicious.