Devshayani Ekadashi

Arjuna asked, "O Lord Krishna! What is the significance of the Ekadashi that occurs during the Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashadha? Which deity is worshipped on this day? What is the procedure for observing this fast? Please explain all of this in detail."

Lord Krishna said that Devarshi Narada had once asked Lord Brahma the same question, and that Brahma had told him he had asked the best question for the salvation of all beings in Kaliyuga: the Ekadashi fast is the most excellent of all fasts, and by observing it all sins are erased. This Ekadashi is known as Devshayani Ekadashi, and when it is observed, Lord Vishnu is pleased.

There was a Suryavanshi king of the Ikshvaku dynasty named Mandhata — truthful, a great ascetic, and an emperor. He ruled with compassion and treated his subjects as his own children. Under his reign the kingdom flourished; no famine had ever struck his land, and it was shielded from natural disasters as well. Yet at some point the gods grew angry with him, and a terrible famine swept the kingdom. The people had no food, and no yajnas were performed.

Afflicted, the people came to the king and pleaded, "O King! The foundation of all creation is rain. Due to the lack of rain, we are experiencing a famine in the kingdom and people are dying of starvation. O Lord of the earth, please do something to alleviate our suffering. If we do not receive relief from this famine soon, we will have no choice but to seek refuge in another kingdom."

The king answered, "You are right. Many of you are unhappy because of the lack of rain. It is because of my sins as king that you all must suffer. Although I am reflecting deeply on this matter, I cannot identify any faults in my actions. I am making significant efforts to alleviate your suffering, so please do not worry. I promise to find a solution."

Mandhata worshipped God and set out for the forest with a small chosen company. Wandering among the hermitages of the sages, he came at last to the hermitage of Rishi Angira, the mind-born son of Brahma Ji. He dismounted from his chariot and entered; the Rishi had just completed his daily rites. The king bowed, the Rishi blessed him and asked, "O King! Please tell me the purpose of your visit."

The king said, "O great sage! There has been no rain in my kingdom for the past three years. Because of this, there is a famine, and the people are suffering. According to the scriptures, the people suffer due to the sins of the king. I rule according to Dharma, yet I do not understand how this famine has occurred. Now, I have come before you to resolve this doubt. Please have mercy and tell me how I can solve this problem and alleviate the suffering of my people."

The Rishi replied, "O King! In this Satayuga, all four pillars of Dharma are intact. This era is the most virtuous of all eras. In this era, only Brahmins have the right to perform penance and study the Vedas, but a Shudra is performing penance. It is because of this transgression, there is no rain in your kingdom. If you seek the well-being of your people, you must have that Shudra executed at once."

The king said, "O wise sage! I cannot kill that innocent Shudra who is performing penance. Taking the life of an innocent person goes against my principles and my conscience will not allow it under any circumstances. Please suggest another way for me to be freed from this sin."

Seeing the king's distress, the Rishi told him instead to observe the fast of Devshayani Ekadashi, which falls in the Shukla Paksha of Ashadha, with all its rites, together with his people — and by the power of that fast the rain would return.

King Mandhata went back to his city and kept the Devshayani Ekadashi fast with the proper rituals, as did his subjects. By its power abundant rain fell upon the kingdom, and the people were freed from the famine.

On this day Lord Vishnu enters his yoga-nidra, and the four months of Chaturmas begin. Whoever keeps this fast is freed from sin and attains the abode of Lord Vishnu.