Sayana Ekadasi

Fasting for Sayana Ekadasi

Date of Fasting: Sunday, July 6, 2025
Break Fast (Parana): Monday, July 7, 2025,

Time: 05:32 AM to 10:31 AM (EST) - For NJ devotees

Sayana Ekadasi, as per the Padma Purana, is observed to honor Lord Vishnu's "sleep" for four months. King Mandhata, facing a drought, observed this fast and, with Lord Vishnu's blessings, restored prosperity to his kingdom. Devotees fast, perform pious activities like chanting, donating, and serving the Lord. Observing the day with devotion purifies sins, enhances spiritual progress, and strengthens faith in Lord Vishnu.

Introduction

Shayani Ekadasi, also known as Devshayani Ekadasi, is celebrated on the 11th day of the waxing moon in the month of Ashadha, which falls in June or July according to the Western calendar.

This Ekadasi marks the beginning of Chaturmas, a four-month period of austerity and spiritual practice. The significance of this day is that Lord Vishnu goes into a state of yoga nidra, or divine sleep, and wakes up on the day of Dev Uthani Ekadasi. This information is confirmed in the Vedic scriptures and by Srila Prabhupada's teachings.

The Legend of Sayana Ekadasi

The Padma Purana describes the story of a king named Mandhata who ruled over his kingdom with great wisdom and justice. However, due to a drought, his kingdom was hit by a severe famine, and his subjects were suffering from hunger and thirst. In order to find a solution to this problem, King Mandhata consulted a sage named Vashishtha, who advised him to observe the fast of Ashadi Ekadasi. The king followed the sage's advice and observed the fast with great devotion. As a result, Lord Vishnu was pleased with him and blessed his kingdom with rain, which ended the drought and brought prosperity to his people.

Spiritual Benefits of Observing Sayana Ekadasi

power to heal physical suffering and liberate one from sinful reactions, even those accumulated over lifetimes

MERITS

Fasting on Sayana Ekadashi is believed to cleanse the body of toxins and purify the mind and soul.
Devotees who observe the fast and rituals are believed to have their desires fulfilled

Purification

Observing Ekadashi can lead to ultimate salvation and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

LIBERATION

How to Observe Sayana Ekadasi ?

Preparation – the night before (July 6)

Take a simple meal before sunset
Offer a sankalpa (vow) to observe fast with devotion

On Ekadasi Day – July 6, 2025

One can also perform pious activities of Gau seva, Japa
Donations for diety worship, Prasadam Distribution, and others.
On Devshayani Ekadasi, one should offer prayers to Lord Vamana and His wife Kamala with flowers and coconut.
A well-decorated cow may be given in charity.
We should observe fasting and minimize the demands of the body.
The main purpose of fasting is to increase our faith and love for Lord Krishna.
We should engage our time in the service of the Lord by chanting or performing similar service.
It is also recommended to remember the pastimes of Govinda and to hear His holy name constantly.
We should offer water to the tulasi plant and amalaka trees.
One should offer respect to the cows and to the brahmanas, and serve the Vaisnavas by offering them respectful obeisances and meditating upon them.
Hearing about the pastimes of the Supreme Lord.
Reading scriptures like Bhagwatam and Bhagwat Gita
By observing Ekadasi in this way, we can minimize the reactions to our past sinful activities and advance in our spiritual life. Hare Krishna!

Break Fast (Parana) – July 7, 2025

break the fast from 5:32 to 10:31 AM EST (for NJ devotees)
Offer gratitude to the Lord and pray for continued devotional strength