देवउठनी (प्रबोधिनी) एकादशी व्रत कथा

The beginning
Dharmaraj Yudhishthira asked Shri Krishna, “O Lord, what is the name of the Ekadashi in the Shukla paksha of Kartik, and what is its meaning?”
Shri Krishna said, “O King, it is called Prabodhini Ekadashi. People also call it Dev Uthani or Devotthan Ekadashi.”
It is believed that from Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi, that is Devshayani Ekadashi, Vishnu ji rests for four months in yoga nidra in the ocean of milk. On Kartik Shukla Ekadashi he wakes up, so this is called the day the Lord rises. In the evening, families wake the Lord with the conch, bells and songs, and worship Tulsi ji. From this day, weddings and other auspicious events begin again. Here is a much-loved story of this Ekadashi.

The story
There was once a king. Everyone in his kingdom kept the Ekadashi fast. On Ekadashi no one in the whole kingdom was given grain; everyone ate only fruit.

One day a man from another kingdom came to the king’s court and said, “Maharaj, please give me some work.” The king said, “All right, you will have work. Every day you will get everything to eat, but on Ekadashi you will not get grain.” Happy to find work, the man agreed.

When Ekadashi came, he was given fruit to eat. He went to the king with folded hands and said, “Maharaj, this will not fill my stomach. I cannot stay hungry. Please give me grain.” The king reminded him of the condition, but he kept pleading. In the end the king had him given flour, dal and rice.

The man went to the riverbank as usual. He bathed and cooked his meal. When the food was ready, he called out with a simple heart, “Come, Bhagwan! The food is ready.” Hearing his innocent call, Lord Vishnu came there in his four-armed form, wearing yellow silk. He sat with the man and ate with great love, and then disappeared. The man went back to his work.

Fifteen days later the next Ekadashi came. This time the man said to the king, “Maharaj, please give me twice as much. Last time I stayed hungry.” When the king asked why, he said, “Bhagwan eats with me. This much is not enough for both of us.”

The king was amazed. He said, “I cannot believe this. I keep so many fasts and do so much puja, yet the Lord has never shown himself to me.” The man said, “Maharaj, if you do not believe me, come and see for yourself.”

The king went to the riverbank and hid behind a tree. The man cooked the food and began to call the Lord. But this time the Lord did not come. He kept calling till evening, and tears filled his eyes. He said, “O Bhagwan, until you come, I will not eat a single bite. I will sit right here and keep calling you.”

Seeing his true love and firm faith, the Lord appeared at once. He sat and ate with him and blessed him with his grace. In time, that devotee went to the Lord’s own abode.

From behind the tree, the king saw all this with his own eyes. He understood that God is pleased not by show, but by a true heart and real feeling. A fast is not complete just by following rules; the heart must be pure too. From that day the king also kept the Ekadashi fast with all his heart and love, and in the end he too reached heaven.

May Vishnu ji keep faith and peace in every heart.
Bolo Shri Hari Vishnu Bhagwan ki Jai!