Ekadashi Vrat Chaturmasya Vidhan

Ekadashi Vrat Chaturmasya Vidhan

Arjuna said - "O Kamalanayana! How is Shayana Vrat of Lord Vishnu observed? Please explain it in detail."

Shri Krishna said - "O Son of Kunti! Now I shall narrate to you, in detail, the procedure of Lord Shri Hari's Shayana fast. Listen to it attentively - When Surya Narayana enters Karka Rashi, Lord Vishnu goes to rest and when Surya Narayana enters Tula , the Lord awakens. The same procedure applies even during the extra lunar month (Adhika Masa). Other deities must not rest in this manner. On the Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashadha, one should observe a fast as per the prescribed rituals. On that day, an idol of Lord Vishnu should be made and the Chaturmasya fast should be observed following proper procedures. First, the idol should be bathed. Thereafter, it should be adorned with white garments and placed on a cushioned bed. It should be worshipped with Dhupa, Dipa and Naivedya. The worship should be conducted by learned Brahmins according to the scriptures. Lord Vishnu should be praised in this manner - 'O Lord! I have put you to rest. When you rest, the entire world sleeps.' One should then pray to Lord Shri Hari with folded hands, saying - 'O Trilokinatha! While you sleep for four months, kindly ensure that my Chaturmasya fast is free from obstacles.'

After worshipping Lord Vishnu, individuals should adopt the rules of purification, such as brushing teeth (Datuna) and similar practices, with a devoted mind. Five periods have been prescribed for initiating Lord Vishnu's fast. The Chaturmasya fast should be observed from Devshayani Ekadashi to Devotthan Ekadashi . The fast can be commenced on Dwadasi , Purnima , Ashtami , or Sankranti . It should conclude on Shukla Paksha Dwadasi of the Kartika month. Through this fast, all sins of the person are eradicated. Those who observe this fast annually ascend to Vishnu's abode on radiant planes that shine like the Sun. O King! Now you shall learn about the various rewards of charity associated with this observance.

Those who decorate temples with colorful patterns and designs attain a Brahmin's birth for seven lifetimes. During the Chaturmasya period, anyone who bathes Lord Vishnu with a sacred mixture of curd, milk, Ghee, honey and sugar called Panchamrita achieves immense wealth and boundless happiness. Those who devoutly donate land, gold and offerings to Brahmins, experience happiness akin to that of Indra , the king of gods, in heaven. Additionally, anyone who creates a golden idol of Vishnu and worships it with Dhupa, Dipa, Pushpa and Naivedya attains eternal bliss in the Devaloka.

During the Chaturmasya period, those who daily offer Tulasi leaves to Lord Vishnu ascend to Vishnuloka in a golden celestial vehicle. Worshipping Lord Vishnu with Dhupa-Dipa grants inexhaustible wealth. Those who worship Lord Vishnu from this Ekadashi until the month of Kartika attain Vishnuloka. Individuals who light Diya for deities and Brahmins during the evenings of Chaturmasya fasts, as well as donate garments to Brahmins in golden containers, are granted residence in Vishnuloka. Devotees who reverently partake of the Charanamrita from Lord Vishnu's feet are liberated from the cycle of birth and death. Those who chant the Gayatri Mantra 108 times every day in Lord Vishnu's temple remain free from sin. People who donate garments to learned Brahmins who recite the Puranas and scriptures are regarded as generous, wealthy, wise, and renowned. Individuals who remember Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva and eventually donate their idols become virtuous and free from all sins. Those who offer Arghya to Lord Surya Narayana and conclude the ritual with cow donation receive health, longevity, fame, wealth and strength.

Those who perform a Homa using sesame seeds alongside the Gayatri Mantra during the Chaturmasya period and thereafter donate sesame seeds once the Chaturmasya ends are believed to eradicate all sins. They are said to attain a healthy body and are blessed with virtuous and well-cultured offspring.

Those who observe the Chaturmasya fast and perform a Homa using grains and later donate Ghee, pitchers and clothing at the conclusion of the fast, are believed to attain prosperity and wealth. Additionally, those who wear the sacred Tulasi and ultimately offer donations to Brahmins in honor of Lord Vishnu are said to achieve Vishnuloka, the divine abode of Lord Vishnu.

During the Chaturmasya fast, individuals who offer milk on the head of Lord Vishnu every day, after He enters His divine rest, and ultimately donate gold in the form of Durva Grass while reciting a prayer such as - 'O Durve! Just as you spread across the earth with your branches, grant me, everlasting progeny', are believed to cleanse all their sins and attain heaven in the afterlife.

Additionally, those who sing hymns in praise of Lord Shiva or Lord Vishnu are said to earn the spiritual benefits equivalent to those of staying awake through the night in devotion.

Those observing the Chaturmasya fast are encouraged to donate a high-quality sounding bell, symbolizing purity and devotion. During the offering, they should recite a prayer like, 'O Lord! O Narayana! You are the destroyer of all sins. Kindly absolve me of the sins caused by actions I should not have performed.'

Those who, during the Chaturmasya fast, consume the Charanamrita of Brahmins every day are believed to be freed from all sins and suffering, attain longevity and become wealthy.

During Chaturmasya, both Prajapatya Vrat and Chandrayana Vrat are observed. The Prajapatya fast is completed in 12 days. For the first three days, the observer consumes 12 morsels of food daily, followed by 26 morsels daily for the next three days, and then 28 morsels daily for the subsequent three days. The final three days are spent in complete fasting. Observing this fast is believed to fulfill desired wishes. While undertaking the Prajapatya fast, the devotee should also engage in all suitable religious practices for Chaturmasya, such as worship, chanting, penance, charity, reading scriptures and singing hymns."

"O Dhanurdhara! Similarly, the Chandrayana fast is also observed. Now, listen to the procedure of this fast - it is carried out for a complete month.

This fast, observed for liberation from sins, follows a pattern of increasing and decreasing food intake. On Amavasya, one should consume one morsel of food, two morsels on Pratipada, three morsels on Dwitiya and so on until fourteen morsels are consumed the day before Purnima and fifteen morsels on Purnima. After Purnima, the intake should decrease daily - fourteen morsels the next day, then thirteen, twelve, eleven and so on."

"O Arjuna! Those who observe the Prajapatya and Chandrayana fasts are blessed with wealth, good health and the grace of God in this world. The scriptures prescribe the donation of a bronze vessel and clothing. At the conclusion of Chaturmasya, it is customary to satisfy deserving Brahmins with offerings.

Only after the completion of the Chaturmasya fast one should perform the donation of a cow, i.e., Gau Dana . If one cannot afford to donate a cow, clothing must be donated as Vastra Dana .

Those who bow daily to Brahmins achieve a fulfilled life and are freed from all sins. Feeding Brahmins at the conclusion of the Chaturmasya fast increases one's lifespan and wealth.

Those who donate a Kapila cow with a calf adorned with ornaments to Brahmins well-versed in the Vedas are said to become emperors blessed with long life, offspring and prosperity. They rule in heaven, like Indra, until the end of the cosmic cycle.

Those who bow daily to Lord Surya and Lord Ganesha experience an increase in their lifespan and wealth. If Lord Ganesha is pleased, He grants their desired wishes. Donating idols of Surya and Ganesha to Brahmins leads to the fulfillment of all tasks.

In both seasons, those who donate sesame seeds, clothing and a copper vessel to please Lord Shiva are blessed with healthy and beautiful children devoted to Shiva. Upon the completion of the Chaturmasya fast, one should donate a silver or copper vessel along with jaggery and sesame seeds.

After Lord Vishnu enters His divine rest, those who donate gold along with clothing and sesame seeds to the best of their ability are believed to cleanse all their sins, enjoy worldly pleasures and attain liberation in the afterlife.

On the completion of the Chaturmasya fast, those who donate a bed, i.e., Shayya Dana attain everlasting happiness and wealth comparable to Lord Kubera . Offering Gopi Chandana during the rainy season pleases the Lord. Eating only once a day, donating food to the hungry and sleeping on the ground during Chaturmasya help fulfill one's desires. Controlling one's senses leads to infinite spiritual benefits of the fast. Avoiding leafy vegetables in Shravana , curd in Bhadrapada , milk in Ashwina and pulses in Kartika ensures good health.

The Udyapana of the Chaturmasya fast should only be performed after observing it diligently. During the ritual, while requesting the Lord to relinquish His divine rest i.e. Shayya Tyaga, special worship should be conducted. On this occasion, a humble and learned Brahmin should be pleased with appropriate donations and offerings according to one's capability. O Arjuna! The greatness of Devshayani Ekadashi and Chaturmasya is infinitely rewarding. Observing this fast brings peace to mental afflictions and strengthens devotion towards Lord Vishnu."

Synopsis (Katha-Saar)

The Chaturmasya fast is a four-month-long observance dedicated to attaining the grace of Lord Vishnu. Connecting this fast with Devshayani and Devotthan Ekadashis strengthens one's devotion to the God. During Chaturmasya, while Lord Vishnu is believed to be resting, no auspicious activities are performed. Such activities resume with Devotthan Ekadashi.