Devuthani Ekadashi, also known as Prabodhini Ekadashi, holds immense religious and cultural significance in Hinduism. Celebrated on the Ekadashi (eleventh day) of the bright fortnight of the Kartik month, this year it falls on November 1, 2025, while this sacred day signifies the awakening of Lord Vishnu from his four-month-long yogic sleep, an event referred to as 'Devprabodhan'. With Lord Vishnu's awakening, the universe is believed to be infused with renewed auspiciousness and positive energy, marking the resumption of marriages, housewarming ceremonies (Grihapravesh), and all other auspicious activities that were paused during the Chaturmas period. It's a day of great joy and spiritual rejuvenation for devotees.
The Significance of Chaturmas and the Pause on Auspicious Events
According to the Hindu calendar, the four-month period from Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi (the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha) to Kartik Shukla Ekadashi is known as 'Chaturmas'. During this time, Lord Vishnu is believed to go into a state of yogic sleep in Ksheer Sagar (the cosmic ocean of milk). Religious texts state that while the deities themselves are in a state of rest, it's deemed inauspicious to perform major life events such as marriages, housewarming ceremonies, mundan (first haircut), upanayan (sacred thread ceremony), and other such significant rituals. This period is primarily dedicated to spiritual practices, penance, fasting, and acts of charity, allowing individuals to focus on their spiritual growth and detachment from worldly affairs. It's considered a time for introspection and devotion.
Lord Vishnu's Awakening: The Return of Auspiciousness
On Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu's yogic sleep concludes, while this propitious moment is believed to be when the Lord resumes his cosmic duties of sustaining the universe. According to ancient scriptures, with Lord Vishnu's awakening, the activities of all other deities also recommence, and a wave of positive energy permeates the entire cosmos. This day marks the end of the 'Devshayan' period (the period of divine rest) and the beginning of a renewed period of auspiciousness. Consequently, all forms of auspicious ceremonies and rituals can be performed without hindrance from this date onwards. It's widely believed that activities undertaken during this period receive the divine blessings of Lord Vishnu, ensuring their success and fruitfulness.
The Special Significance of Tulsi Vivah
Devuthani Ekadashi is particularly notable for the celebration of 'Tulsi Vivah,' a symbolic marriage between Lord Vishnu (in his Shaligram form) and Goddess Tulsi, while legend has it that Goddess Tulsi is an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, and her marriage to Lord Vishnu symbolizes prosperity, good fortune, and overall well-being. The Tulsi Vivah ceremony itself is seen as a harbinger of the wedding season, signaling the restart of all auspicious ceremonies in creation. Many devotees perform this ritual with elaborate customs, symbolizing the. Union of the divine and the beginning of new, prosperous ventures. This ceremony reinforces the sanctity of marriage and family life.
Resumption of Marriages and Other Sacraments
Throughout Chaturmas, when Lord Vishnu is in his yogic sleep, all auspicious ceremonies are put on hold. However, with his awakening on Devuthani Ekadashi, the auspicious timings (muhurats) for such events resume. That's why, from Devuthani Ekadashi onwards, major sacraments and auspicious events like marriages, housewarming ceremonies, Annaprashan (first solid food ceremony), Namkaran (naming ceremony), and Janeu Sanskar (sacred thread ceremony) are performed. This period is considered replete with divine blessings and positive cosmic energy, while astrologically, the planetary and stellar positions are also believed to become favorable for auspicious undertakings after Devuthani Ekadashi, helping to remove obstacles and ensure the successful completion of these events. It's a deeply held belief that all endeavors initiated after this day are long-lasting and fruitful.
