Kathmandu : The eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Asar (June-July) is known as Harishayani Ekadashi. On this Ekadashi day, the ritual of worshiping the Tulsi plant begins in every household, which continues for four months.
A month ago, on the Ekadashi of the bright fortnight of Jestha (May-June), the main branch of the Tulsi plant in every household was pruned. According to the ancient Vedic tradition, Tulsi is considered a symbol of Lord Vishnu. From today until the Ekadashi of the bright fortnight of Kartik (October-November), special worship of Tulsi takes place. The four-month period from Asar Shukla Ekadashi to Kartik Shukla Ekadashi is known as the period when Lord Vishnu rests on the Kshirasagara (Ocean of Milk), hence today’s day is called Harishayani Ekadashi.
The four months during which Lord Vishnu rests are also known as Chaturmasa. On this Ekadashi, followers of Hinduism residing in countries like Nepal and India observe fasting and celebrate it as a festival.
According to the ancient scriptures, Lord Vishnu resides in the kingdom of King Bali in the netherworld from this day until the Ekadashi of the bright fortnight of Kartik. It is for this purpose that this day is called ‘Devshayani’ Ekadashi, and Kartik Shukla Ekadashi is called ‘Prabodhini’ Ekadashi.
Eleventh Day (Ekadashi) Fasting Ritual:
- On the day of Ekadashi, wake up early in the morning and clean the house, including daily chores.
- Take a bath and sprinkle holy water in the house.
- Set up the idol of Lord Sri Hari Vishnu in the puja room or a sacred place in the house.
- The idol should be made of gold, silver, copper, or if not available, a picture can be used.
- Then perform the worship with sixteen rituals (Shodashopachar).
- Afterward, adorn Lord Vishnu with yellow garments.
- Then, listen to the Ekadashi fasting story.
- Conclude the ritual by performing an aarti and distributing prasad (sacred food offering).
- Finally, cover Lord Vishnu with a white cloth and put him to rest.
During the fasting period, the devotee should abstain from and observe certain things according to their preferences or desires. These include abstaining from worldly possessions for physical purification or beauty, regular intake of milk for the growth of progeny, sesame oil for the destruction of enemies, sweet oil for good fortune, offering flowers and other offerings for attaining heaven, and refraining from any auspicious activities on the day of Lord Vishnu’s rest. Activities such as sleeping on a bed, engaging in sexual intercourse, telling lies, eating yogurt, rice, fish, meat, and other impure food items should be avoided. They should be renounced.
The Vrat Katha (Fasting Story) of Harishayani Ekadashi:
Once, the divine sage Narada eagerly approached Lord Brahma to inquire about the significance of this Ekadashi. Lord Brahma narrated the story as follows:
In the Satya Yuga (the first age), there was an emperor named Mandhata, who ruled as a righteous and prosperous Chakravarti Samrat. His subjects were very happy under his rule. However, nobody knew what the future held. So, out of curiosity, he went to Lord Brahma seeking answers. Brahma informed him that a severe drought and famine would soon occur in his kingdom. Mandhata, being unaware of such circumstances, did not know how to prepare. Therefore, he too was informed that a great famine would befall his kingdom in three years.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Mandhata realized his ignorance and that his kingdom lacked rainfall for three consecutive years. He was filled with anxiety and wanted to know the solution. Lord Brahma advised him to observe the Harishayani Ekadashi Vrat (the fast of Lord Vishnu). By doing so, all his problems would be resolved and his kingdom would receive abundant rainfall. Lord Brahma then narrated the significance and procedure of observing the fast.
During the famine, there was widespread lamentation on all sides. The observance of religious activities such as yajnas (sacrificial ceremonies), havans (fire rituals), pind-daan (ancestral offerings), and storytelling rituals decreased. In such a troubled time, the interest of living beings in religious activities diminished. The people went to the king with their grievances, and the king himself was greatly distressed by the situation. He started pondering over the reasons for such suffering and wondered which sinful actions he had committed to deserve such punishment. In order to find a means to attain liberation from this suffering, the king took the army and headed towards the forest.
While wandering in the forest, one day he arrived at the hermitage of the sage Angira, the son of Lord Brahma. The king paid his respects to him with folded hands and after receiving the sage’s blessings, he inquired about the purpose of his visit to the forest and his own hermitage.
Then the king said, “O great sage! Despite diligently observing all forms of religious practices, I am witnessing a scene of famine in my kingdom. Please enlighten me on the reasons behind this and provide a solution.”
Upon hearing this, the sage Angira replied, “O King! This is the most truthful and supreme age, surpassing all other ages. In this age, even the slightest sin receives a severe punishment. Dharma (religious duty) remains confined to the four varnas (castes) with Brahmins having the exclusive right to perform penances. In your kingdom, a Shudra (the lowest caste) has been performing penance. This is the reason why rainfall has been absent from your kingdom. As long as that time does not come, this famine will not cease. The end of the famine can only be achieved by eliminating that person who is responsible for disturbing the equilibrium.”
However, the king was not prepared to accept these words and find a solution to mitigate the sin associated with the image of a Shudra. He said, “O deity! I cannot kill an innocent person; this idea is not acceptable to me. Please suggest some other remedy.”
Sage Angira then said, “Observe the Ekadashi fast of the bright fortnight of the month of Ashadha. By the influence of this fast, rainfall will certainly occur.”
Afterward, the king returned to his kingdom’s capital and observed the Harishayani Ekadashi fast along with all the four varnas (castes) according to the prescribed rituals. Due to the impact of the fast, a bountiful rainfall occurred in his kingdom, and the entire realm became abundant with wealth and grains.
In a year, there are twenty-four Ekadashi fasts. Those capable of observing the fast abstain only from eating and continue the fast. Those unable to do so observe a fast on the eight Ekadashis falling within the four months of Chaturmas. If one is engaged in active work and cannot sustain a fruitarian diet for the entire four months, then they observe a fast by consuming only fruits on the days of Harishayani Ekadashi and Haribodhini Ekadashi