Shayani Ekadashi has special importance in the Hinduism. Devotees observe fast on this day and it is believed that one gets blessings of Lord Vishnu. Shayani Ekadashi is the eleventh lunar day of the Hindu month of Ashadha. The day is holy to Vaishnavas, followers of Lord Vishnu, as it is regarded as the day when His sleep commences and goes into Yog Nidra and will wake up after four months.
The fast of Shayani Ekadashi is observed on the Ekadashi date of Shukla Paksha of Ashadh month. The Chaturmas begins from the day Lord Vishnu goes to sleep. When He sleeps, it is believed that Lord Shiva takes care of the world. As per astrologer Dr Anish Vyas, Director of Pal Balaji Jyotish Sansthan Jaipur shared that this year Chaturmas will start from Shayani Ekadashi today and will end on Devuthani Ekadashi on November 12.
This year, the Chaturmas will be 118 days. Last year, Chaturmas was for 148 days or five months. In 2023, due to Adhik Maas, there were two Shravan months. This year, due to Chaturmas being 30 days, all the major festivals will fall 10 to 11 days earlier. The astrologer further added that Lord Vishnu is called the saviour of the universe. After He goes into rest mode and during this time, auspicious works like marriage, tonsure (mundan) and sacred thread ceremony. It is believed that doing auspicious works during this time is considered inauspicious.
Dr Anish Vyas shared that the first month of Chaturmas is Sawan. This month is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The second month is Bhadrapada and is full of festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and Krishna Janmashtami. The third month is Ashwin month when Navratri and Dussehra are celebrated. The fourth month is known as Kartik Maas when Diwali is celebrated.
As per the expert, there are not just religious but also astrological reasons behind not eating rice on Ekadashi. Rice has water content which is influenced by the moon. Eating too much rice increases the water content in the body. This can make the mind distracted and restless. The religious reason explained by the expert is that Maharishi Medha left his body to avoid the wrath of Goddess Shakti and he got absorbed in the earth. He was born in the form of rice and hence it is considered to be a living being. The day he got absorbed into the earth was Ekadashi Tithi, hence rice is not eaten during the fast of Ekadashi.
On the auspicious day of Shayani Ekadashi, people should engage in charity work and donate sesame seeds, gold, silver, Chandan, turmeric and much more. Doing so is considered to be fruitful. Devotees who feed curd rice to Brahmins and needy people on the day of Ekadashi attain heaven.
Comments
0 comment