In Sri Vaishnavism, Ekadashi is the most sacred fasting day — the eleventh tithi of each lunar fortnight. The Padma Purana, Bhagavata Purana, and Vishnu Purana extensively praise Ekadashi observance. Each of the twenty-four Ekadashis has a unique name, story, and specific blessings. Fasting on Ekadashi destroys sins and draws the devotee closer to Sriman Narayana. The Acharyas of the Vedic tradition emphasize Ekadashi as an essential observance for all devotees.
Devashayani Ekadashi falls on the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi of the month of Ashada (June-July) and marks one of the most cosmically significant moments in the Hindu calendar. On this day, Sriman Narayana enters Yoga Nidra — the divine cosmic sleep — reclining upon the serpent Adishesha in the Kshira Sagara (the Ocean of Milk). This Ekadashi is also known as Harishayani Ekadashi (Hari's sleeping day) and inaugurates the four-month period of Chaturmas, during which no auspicious ceremonies — marriages, thread ceremonies, griha pravesham — are traditionally performed.
The Story
The Padma Purana narrates the glory of Devashayani Ekadashi through the cosmic rhythm of the Lord's own activity. After sustaining the universe through the waking months — answering prayers, guiding destinies, upholding dharma through His direct supervision — Sriman Narayana reclines upon Shesha Naga in the milky ocean and enters Yoga Nidra: not ordinary sleep, but a state of transcendent meditation in which the Lord withdraws His active governance while still sustaining all creation through His mere existence.
The Cosmic Significance
The imagery of Vishnu reclining on Shesha in the Kshira Sagara is among the most iconic in all of Vaishnavism. Adishesha, the thousand-headed serpent, forms the Lord's bed — His coils the mattress, His hoods the canopy. Sri Lakshmi Devi sits at the Lord's feet, pressing them in loving service. From the Lord's navel rises the lotus upon which Brahma sits to create the next cycle of beings. This is not merely mythology but the Puranic representation of the cosmic principle: all creation rests upon Narayana, all creation emerges from Narayana, and all creation will dissolve back into Narayana.
The Padma Purana teaches that during the four months of Chaturmas — from Devashayani Ekadashi in Ashada to Devutthana Ekadashi(Prabodhini Ekadashi) in Kartika — the Lord's active grace operates through a different modality. While He “sleeps,” the responsibility for maintaining dharma falls more heavily upon the devotees themselves. It is for this reason that Chaturmas is considered the ideal period for intensified spiritual practice: additional fasting, Purana study, pilgrimage, and acts of charity.
Padma Purana on Devashayani Ekadashi
“On this Ekadashi, Lord Hari enters His divine sleep. The wise devotee observes a complete fast, worships the Lord with tulasi and incense, and resolves to spend the coming four months in heightened spiritual discipline. The merit of this observance protects the devotee throughout the Chaturmas and earns the Lord's special grace when He awakens on Prabodhini Ekadashi.”
Sri Vaishnava Significance
In Vishishtadvaita theology, the Lord never truly “sleeps” in the sense of becoming unconscious or withdrawing His sustaining power. Yoga Nidra is understood as a state in which the Lord demonstrates that even His apparent inactivity is an act of grace. The universe does not collapse during Chaturmas because Narayana's very being — not His active intervention — is sufficient to sustain all existence. This illustrates the teaching that the Lord is simultaneously Nimitta Karana (the efficient cause) and Upadana Karana (the material cause) of the universe.
For the Sri Vaishnava devotee, Devashayani Ekadashi is a moment of deep reflection. As the Lord “withdraws,” the devotee is called to step forward — to intensify personal practice, to serve the community, and to hold fast to dharma even in the apparent absence of the Lord's active oversight. The Acharyas teach that this is the test of true Vishvasa(faith) — not devotion that flourishes only when the Lord's presence is palpable, but devotion that persists undiminished even when He seems distant.
Chaturmas Observances
During the four months of Chaturmas, Vedic tradition encourages additional vratas, daily Purana parayanam, intensified japa of the Ashtakshari Mantra, pilgrimage to Divya Desams, and increased acts of charity. No new auspicious ceremonies (marriages, upanayanam, griha pravesham) are commenced until Lord Vishnu awakens on Devutthana Ekadashi in the month of Kartika.
How We Observe at JETNJ
Upavasa — The Sacred Fast
Devotees observe a complete fast on Ekadashi, marking the beginning of Chaturmas with heightened spiritual discipline.
Vishnu Shayana Puja
A special puja is performed depicting Lord Vishnu reclining upon Shesha Naga. The murti is ceremonially placed in the shayana (reclining) posture with tulasi, flowers, and abhishekam.
Chaturmas Sankalpa
Devotees make a formal resolve (sankalpa) for the coming four months — committing to additional spiritual practices such as extra japa, Purana study, fasting, or acts of seva.
Night Vigil and Dvadashi Paranam
Devotees keep vigil through the night with bhajan and Divya Prabandham recitation. The fast is broken on Dvadashi morning with tulasi water and prasadam.
Sarva Dharman Parityajya Mam Ekam Sharanam Vraja
— Bhagavad Gita 18.66, the Charama Sloka
Based on the Padma Purana, Bhagavata Purana, and the teachings of the Sri Vaishnava Acharyas. This article is published for educational and devotional purposes by JETNJ — Sanjeevani Jeeyar Asramam.
