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Wednesday, 5 November 2014
Sunday, 2 November 2014
Tomorrow is Prabodhani Ekadashi
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Prabhodhini Ekadashi, also known as Dev Uthani Ekadashi, Utthana Ekadashi, Bodhini Ekadashi and Dev Utthana Ekadashi, is observed in the month of Kartik in the traditional Hindu lunar calendar. The Hindu devotees believe that Lord Vishnu woke up from his Yoga Nidra (cosmic sleep) on this day, thereby marking the end of the Chaturmaas vrat.
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Legends state that the consort of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi was unsatisfied with the way Lord Vishnu slept. Sometimes, he remained awakened for days and sometimes, he slept continuously for several days. Hence, Goddess Lakshmi visited Lord Vishnu and complained about his indiscipline followed. She also informed him that several lords, such as Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, Devas and Saints, are forced to wait for many days in order to meet him. Hence, they returned disappointed without having Lord Vishnu’s Darshan. Furthermore, this neutral situation of Lord Vishnu is highly taken advantage of by the demons. They make the most of this opportunity in causing pain to human beings, thereby leading to the spread of Adharma on earth.
After patiently listening to Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu replied that he would soon come up with a solution. Meanwhile, the Devas and Saints visit Lord Vishnu and inform him about the robbery of the Vedas by a Demon named Shankhyayan. The demon had committed this act in order to deprive the human beings about the knowledge of the Vedas and spread Adharma all around. On hearing this, Lord Vishnu promised the sages that he would get back the Vedas. After fighting for several days with Demon Shankhyayan, he was successful in getting the Vedas back. He returned the Vedas to Goddess Lakshmi, Devas and Saints. Additionally, he insisted on continuing with a long sleep but only for four months.
This sleep started from Ashadha Shuddha Ekadashi until Kartik Shuddha Ekadashi, which is also known as Prabhodhini Ekadashi or Dev Uthani Ekadashi. Various pujas and prayers are carried on this day dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The important Pandarpur Yatra also takes place on this day in Lord Vithal Temple. The most popular Tulsi Vivah Festival and Shaligram Puja rituals also commence on Prabhodhini Ekadashi in some regions while in other communities, they take place on the day after Ekadashi. By observing the Prabhodhini Ekadashi vrat, devotees believe that they would be able to get rid off their sins and attain salvation, or Moksha.
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HSVJ
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