Devashayani (Ashada) Ekadashi Puja: Shriman Narayana Seva for Blessings of Bhagwan Vishnu

The Puranic story of Devashayani Ekadashi is found in the Padma Purana and Brahma Vaivarta Purana, narrated by Bhagwan Krishna to Yudhishthira.

Once King Mandhata of the Ikshvaku dynasty ruled a prosperous kingdom, but a severe drought struck the land for three years. Crops failed, rivers dried up and the people suffered greatly. Troubled by the condition of his subjects, King Mandhata went into the forest to seek guidance and met Rishi Angira, a wise sage known for his knowledge of dharma.

King Mandhata asked the sage why such suffering had come upon a righteous kingdom. Rishi Angira explained that the current age was Treta Yuga, where only Brahmins were meant to perform tapasya, yet a Shudra in the kingdom was performing severe penance, which had disturbed the natural order and caused the drought.

Rather than punishing the man, Rishi Angira advised the king to observe Devashayani Ekadashi with full devotion, as its punya was said to be powerful enough to correct such imbalances and restore prosperity. King Mandhata, along with his ministers and subjects, observed the vrata with sincere devotion. Following the fast, rains returned to the kingdom, and the land flourished once again.

This story establishes Devashayani Ekadashi as a vrata capable of restoring balance, removing obstacles caused by past karma and bringing prosperity to those who observe it with faith, regardless of their circumstances.

How to Observe Devashayani Ekadashi

Devotees who wish to observe Devashayani Ekadashi traditionally follow a set of practices rooted in Vedic tradition. Those who cannot fast or perform the full vrata can still participate through puja and seva performed by priests on their behalf.

Traditional Observance Includes:

• Waking up before sunrise and taking a holy bath, ideally in a sacred river or with water mixed with tulasi leaves
• Cleaning the puja area and placing an idol or image of Bhagwan Vishnu
• Offering Panchamrut Abhisheka followed by flowers, tulasi leaves and incense
• Observing a fast for the full day, either a strict nirjala fast or a fruit based fast, depending on the devotee's capacity
• Chanting Vishnu Sahasranama or other Vishnu stotras through the day
• Lighting a diya near the tulasi plant in the evening
• Breaking the fast the next day, known as Dwadashi, at the appropriate time after sunrise
• Donating food, clothes or money to those in need, considered highly meritorious on this day

Devotees who cannot observe the fast due to health, age or travel constraints can book a seva through Jyotirgamaya, where our priests perform the complete ritual at the temple with the devotee's name and gotra included in the sankalpa.

Why Devashayani Ekadashi Puja Is Performed

Devashayani Ekadashi holds a special place among the twenty four Ekadashis observed through the year. It is believed that once Bhagwan Vishnu goes into yoga nidra, the universe enters a phase of rest and introspection. Devotees perform puja and seva before this period begins to seek blessings for health, prosperity, marriage harmony and removal of obstacles, since many important ceremonies are traditionally paused during Chaturmas.

Sadhus, grihasthas and devotees observe a strict fast on this day, and many undertake the Chaturmasya Vrata, a four month vow of discipline and devotion. Performing seva through Jyotirgamaya allows devotees who cannot travel or fast to still participate in this sacred occasion and receive the blessings of Bhagwan Vishnu through proxy puja performed by qualified priests.

Detailed Seva Descriptions

1. Devashayani Ekadashi Shriman Narayana Panchamrut Abhisheka Seva

This seva begins with a Panchamrut Abhisheka to Bhagwan Vishnu, using milk, curd, honey, ghee and sugar, followed by a Dravya Abhisheka with sacred substances. This ritual is known to cleanse negative karma and invoke peace and purity in the devotee's life.

Seva Includes:

• Panchamrut Abhisheka (milk, curd, honey, ghee, sugar)
• Dravya Abhisheka with sacred items
• Vedic mantra chanting during the abhisheka
• Sankalpa in the name of the devotee and family

2. Devashayani Ekadashi Shriman Narayana Sarva Seva

This seva combines the Panchamrut and Dravya Abhisheka with a full alankara of Bhagwan Vishnu using lotus flowers and tulasi leaves, followed by archana and naivedya offering.

Seva Includes:

• Panchamrut Abhisheka and Dravya Abhisheka
• Sarvalankara with lotus and tulasi
• Tulasi Pushpa Archana
• Naivedya offering
• Mangalaarti

3. Devashayani Ekadashi Maha Puja Seva

This is the most elaborate seva offered on this day, combining abhisheka, alankara, archana and a special naivedya of pancha phala and coconut, concluded with a grand tulasi haar samarpan to Bhagwan Vishnu.

Seva Includes:

• Panchamrut Abhisheka and Dravya Abhisheka
• Sarvalankara with lotus and tulasi
• Tulasi Pushpa Archana
• Mangalaarti
• Vishesha Naivedya with pancha phala and coconut
• Grand Tulasi Haar Samarpan

4. Shri Vishnu Sahasranama Parayana/Pathan Seva

This seva involves the recitation of the Vishnu Sahasranama, the thousand sacred names of Bhagwan Vishnu, followed by archana, naivedya and mangalaarti. It is known to bring mental clarity, remove fear and grant overall wellbeing to the devotee and family.

Seva Includes:

• Shri Vishnu Sahasranama Parayana
• Archana in the name of the devotee
• Naivedya offering
• Mangalaarti

Benefits of Devashayani Ekadashi Puja

• Invokes the blessings of Bhagwan Vishnu before His four month yoga nidra
• Helps cleanse past karma and reduce the effect of doshas
• Brings peace, harmony and stability to family life
• Supports success in marriage, career and health related matters
• Considered auspicious for beginning the Chaturmasya period with devotion
• Ideal for devotees who cannot fast or travel but wish to participate in the ritual

Dos and Don'ts for Devashayani Ekadashi

Dos:

• Wake up early and take a holy bath before beginning any puja
• Offer tulasi leaves to Bhagwan Vishnu, as tulasi is considered dear to Him
• Chant Vishnu Sahasranama or Vishnu related mantras through the day
• Keep the mind calm and engage in devotional activities like reading Puranic stories
• Donate food or essentials to the needy

Don'ts:

• Avoid consuming rice or grains on Ekadashi, as per traditional practice
• Avoid cutting nails, hair or engaging in disputes on this sacred day
• Avoid negative thoughts, arguments or harsh speech
• Avoid starting major new ventures during Chaturmas, as this period is traditionally considered a time of rest rather than new beginnings

Who Should Perform Devashayani Ekadashi Puja

This puja is beneficial for a wide range of devotees, particularly those seeking clarity, peace and removal of obstacles before the Chaturmas period begins.

• Devotees seeking blessings of Bhagwan Vishnu for family harmony and prosperity
• Those wishing to start Chaturmasya Vrata but unable to observe the full fast personally
• Individuals facing repeated obstacles or delays in important life matters
• Devotees who wish to seek forgiveness for past karma and start afresh with devotion
• NRI devotees who wish to stay connected to Vedic tradition despite being away from India

For NRI Devotees

Devotees living outside India, including in the USA, UK, Canada, UAE and Australia, can book Devashayani Ekadashi Puja online without needing to travel to India. Our team performs the seva at the temple on the devotee's behalf, following complete Vedic procedure, with the devotee's name and gotra included in the sankalpa. Prasadam can be shipped to India address on request, and devotees receive photos or videos of the puja performed in their name.