Devutthana Ekadashi: Return of Auspicious Times

In Vedic culture, the timing of an event is very important. For an initiative to achieve success or for it to function smoothly, it should mark its beginning in an auspicious time. People prefer to pick this time after consulting an astrologer. In the Vedic calendar, there is a four-month period beginning from the Devshayani Ekadashi (July 17, 2024), which is generally considered inauspicious. This four-month period ends with the Devutthana Ekadashi.

The 2024 Devutthana Ekadashi falls on Tuesday, November 12

This marks the end of the inauspicious time. Also, called the Prabodhini Ekadashi, Kartik Ekadashi, and the Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, it falls on the eleventh tithi of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase) during the month of Kartik. It marks the end of the four months when Lord Vishnu breaks his sleep. This comes after the festival of Diwali. This Ekadashi is considered special for marriage dates and marks the beginning of the wedding season. It is also believed that Lord Vishnu married Tulsi on this day.

Devutthana Ekadashi Vrat date: 12 November 2024

• Ekadashi Tithi Start Time: November 11, 2024, 6:47 PM
• Ekadashi Tithi End Time: November 12, 2024, 4:05 PM
• Parana Time on November 13: 6:43 AM to 8:54 AM
• Hari Vasara End Moment: November 12, 2024, 9:19 PM
• Dwadashi End Moment: November 13, 2024, 1:01 PM

Devutthana Ekadashi Rituals

1. On the evening before Devutthana Ekadashi, devotees offer prayers and worship Lord Vishnu to invoke and wake him.
2. The next day devotees wake up early in the morning, preferably during the Brahma Muhurta (4 AM), and recite the name of Lord Vishnu.
3. They clean the house, take a holy bath and worship at the feet of Lord Vishnu.
4. A picture or idol of Lord Vishnu is placed in an Okhli (pounder) and is filled with sugarcane, water chestnut (singhara), jujube, sweets and fruits and then the same is covered with a lid.
5. Earthen lamps are kept lit in homes as well as in the temples.
6. Family members worship various deities along with Lord Vishnu during the nighttime.
7. They try to wake up Lord Vishnu by blowing the conch (shankh) and ringing bells.
8. Performing fast on this day will grant personal salvation. Nirjala fast (fasting without the consumption of water) is recommended on this day. However, if one has health issues, consuming water is allowed. The elderly or children can perform a one-day fast. Tamasic diet is prohibited.

The legend of Tulsi Vivah

It is customary to celebrate the marriage of the Tulsi (Basil) plant with Lord Vishnu on Devutthana Ekadashi. According to ancient history, the Tulsi sapling is considered the reincarnation of a woman named ‘Vrinda’, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. She was born into the family of the Asuras and was married to a demon king Jalandhar. Vrinda was a virtuous and chaste wife. Her chastity was so powerful that it immortalised her husband, Jalandhar.

But this immortality and Vrinda’s faithful devotion to Lord Vishnu made Jalandhar unbeatable to the gods. They approached Lord Vishnu, seeking a solution. So, Lord Vishnu went to Vrinda disguised as Jalandhar and broke her prayer for victory for her husband along with her chastity. This helped the gods finally kill Jalandhar and win the war.

When the gods beheaded Jalandhar, his head fell near Vrinda and she realised that she was cheated by Lord Vishnu. She cursed him to turn into a stone and immolated herself through Sati practice. The Tulsi plant grew from her ashes and blossomed. Vrinda was immortalised through the plant.

It was then that Lord Vishnu, as repentance, declared that one of his forms would be embodied in the form of a stone and would not accept any supplication without Tulsi. Moreover, to preserve the chastity of Vrinda, she was married as Tulsi to this incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the stone now known as Shaligram. The marriage ceremony of the Tulsi plant to Shaligram (incarnation of Vishnu) is performed on Devutthana Ekadashi.

So Tulsi Vivah is also celebrated as part of Devutthana Ekadashi. This custom is followed with much fare and pomp. The marriage of the Tulsi tree and Shaligram is celebrated like any other wedding. It is believed that those who do not have daughters will be blessed with the birth of a daughter by performing Tulsi vivah.

Remedies for wealth

Apart from marriage, it is believed that performing some remedial acts during Devutthana Ekadashi will grant the native immense wealth in life.

• After the bath, chant the Gayatri Mantra to ensure good health. Prepare white sweet or kheer along with Tulsi leaves and offer as bhog to Lord Vishnu.
• Donate coconut and almonds to the temple. This will help one to resume pending tasks and complete them.
• In the evening, light a diya of ghee in front of the Tulsi plant and turn yourself around near the Tulsi plant 11 times. This will bring peace to the home.
• Offering yellow-coloured things like yellow clothes, fruits or flowers to Lord Vishnu will gain the devotee blessings of the Lord. Bringing a Vishnu Yantra and installing it at home will bring prosperity at home.

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The story of Devutthana Ekadashi

The Devutthana Ekadashi story revolves around Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu. According to the story, Goddess Lakshmi was unhappy with Lord Vishnu’s irregular sleeping practices. Lord Vishnu had spent years without sleeping as he was fulfilling his duty of destroying evil and blessing his devotees. This schedule had a drastic effect on his sleeping pattern. Lord Vishnu used to remain awake for a long time, and then when he slept, it lasted for millions of years, during which time all life on Earth was destroyed.

So, Goddess Lakshmi asked Lord Vishnu to sleep for a particular time during the year. This will give time for the rest of the world to revitalise. Lord Vishnu accepted this suggestion. He said that he would sleep for four months in a year before winter, that is, during the rainy season. This will give rest to all the gods and goddesses. Lord Vishnu also said that during his sleep, if any devotee serves him and then celebrates his awakening with pomp and enthusiasm, then that devotee will be majorly blessed.

Devutthana Ekadashi is celebrated prominently in the North Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra. It is also celebrated in some southern states. This auspicious occasion also marks the beginning of the sugarcane harvest.