Prabodhini Ekadashi: Timings, Vrat Katha, Significance, Rituals, and Dates

Prabodhini Ekadashi is one of important ekadashi vrat observed by the Hindus. Also called Dev Uthani Ekadashi, this day falls on the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of moon) ekadashi tithi in the auspicious month of ‘Kartik’ of the traditional Hindu calendar. It corresponds to the month of October-November.

The Prabodhini Ekadashi vrat is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is observed by Vaishnavas in different parts of the country with full enthusiasm and fervour. Devotees pray to Lord Vishnu to invoke His divine blessings.

Prabodhini Ekadashi 2024 is on November 12, Tuesday

Ekadashi tithi timing: November 11, 6:47 pm - November 12, 4:05 pm

6 months and 12 days to go for the event

On this day the auspicious Tulsi Vivaah ceremony is also performed and the ‘Chaturmas’ period - when Lord Vishnu is in his cosmic sleep, also comes to an end with Prabodhini Ekadashi. As per the Hindu scriptures, Lord Vishnu goes off to sleep on Shayani Ekadashi and wakes up on Prabodhini Ekadashi.

Prabodhini Ekadashi is also known as Dev Utthana Ekadashi, Vishnu-Prabodhini or Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi. This ekadashi is also referred as Kartik Shukla Ekadashi or Kartiki Ekadashi.

The celebrations of Prabodhini Ekadashi are very renowned in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The famous month-long ‘Pushkar Fair’ commences from this day. The renowned Kartik Month Pandarpur Yatra ends on the day of Prabodhini Ekadashi.

Prabodhini Ekadashi comes after Rama ekadashi and is followed by Utpanna ekadashi

Important Timings On Prabodhini Ekadashi 2024

Vrat Katha

Prabodhini Ekadashi Vrat Katha English

According to the Padma Purana, the story behind the significance of Prabodhini Ekadashi is as follows.

Yudhisthira enquired, "O Madhusudhana, I am unaware of the significance of Ekadashi falling in the bright half of Kartika. Please enlighten me".

Sri Krishna replied, "O King, I will describe the significance of Prabodhini Ekadashi, which Brahma narrated to Narada. The story is as follows".

Narada asked Bhrama, "O Lord, please illuminate me about the significance of Prabodhini Ekadashi, the day on which Vishnu wakes up after his cosmic sleep".

Brahma replied, "O best sage, let me tell you about the greatness of the Ekadashi that falls on the Shukla Paksha of the Kartik month, known as Prabodhini Ekadashi. The blessings bestowed upon those who fast on the day of Prabodhini Ekadashi are equivalent to the blessings received by people who perform hundreds of Rajasuya yagya and thousands of Ashwamedha yagya (Horse sacrifice). Splendour, wealth, intellect, kingdom, and happiness are some of the blessings one could receive upon fasting on this day.

Furthermore, fasting on this blessed day will help to purge their sins. Even people who have committed hideous sins, such as the murder of a Brahmana, are forgiven and protected from going to hell. Not only are the sins of an individual forgiven but also his family's wrongdoings are pardoned. Moreover, observing vrat on Prabodhini Ekadashi would even rescue their dead ancestors from hell and help them attain moksha and go to Vaikuntha.

One who fasts on Haribodhini receives pleasure and salvation. Similarly, bathing and chanting the Hymns of Vishnu on the day of Prabodhini Ekadasi would help one enjoy divine pleasure. By abstaining from eating, they would obtain the fruit of the Chandrayana-vow. Rather than sacrifices, gifts, and Vajapeya, stories and stotras recited from the Vedas and other sacred writings are what Vishnu finds most pleasing.

Singing, listening to or playing musical instruments, and dancing about Lord Vishnu on this day would help in showering ample blessings. Similarly, on the Prabodhini Ekadashi day in Kartika, worship of Vishnu should be performed with a variety of fruits, camphor, agaru, and saffron, to yield immense blessings.

Salvation is secured for everyone who reads or listens to the Bhagavata on the day of Prabodhini Ekadashi. Similarly, one could avoid going to hell if they worship Vishnu with Agasti-leaves on Prabodhini Ekadashi day.

If Tulasi is constantly seen, touched, meditated, praised, planted, sprinkled, and worshipped on this sacred day, it yields blessings that endure for several years. The custom of worshipping Lord Vishnu regularly with the gentle Tulasi leaves, especially during the month of Kartika, would be equivalent to hundreds of Yagyas and sacrifices.

Rituals during Prabodhini Ekadashi:

On Prabodhini Ekadashi it is considered purifying and meritorious to take a bath in the holy rivers or water bodies. Taking a religious bath on this day is more beneficial than taking a bath in any of the Hindu pilgrimages. Hence the observer of this vrat. Get up before sunrise and take a bath.

Devotees observe a fast on the Prabodhini Ekadashi. They spend the whole day without eating or even drinking water. The observer of the vrat visits the temples of Lord Vishnu in the evening and participates in the puja rituals held there.

On the day of Dev Utthana Ekadashi’ a picture of Lord Vishnu is drawn on the place of worship. In some places, the image drawn is covered with a brass place to symbolize the sleeping of the lord. Lord Vishnu is worshipped with lamps, fruits and vegetables. Devotees then sing bhakti songs or bhajans and pray to their lord to get up from His sleep and shower blessings on all. In order to wake Lord Vishnu from His slumber, children make lots of noises and light mustard torches during the night.

On this day the marriage ceremony of Lord Vishnu to Goddess Tulsi is also performed and the ceremony is known as ‘Tulsi Vivaah’. Sometimes this ceremony is also conducted on the next day following Prabodhini Ekadashi.

Significance of Prabodhini Ekadashi:

The greatness of Prabodhini Ekadashi was first narrated by Lord Brahma to Sage Narada and is explained in the ‘Skanda Purana’. It holds great significance for Hindus as it marks the beginning of the auspicious ceremonies like marriages, child naming ceremonies, grah pravesh and so on. Prabodhini Ekadashi holds immense importance among the ‘Swaminarayan sect’. This day honours the religious initiation or ‘diksha’ of Swaminarayan by his guru and mentor Guru Ramanand Swami. Devotees observe this sacred fast to wash away their evil deeds and sins committed during the lifetime. Also by offering prayers to Lord Vishnu will devotion on the day of Prabodhini Ekadashi, it is believed that a person can attain salvation or ‘moksha’ and go straight away to ‘Vaikunth’ after death.

FAQs

What does Prabodhini Ekadashi mean?

The term "Prabodhini" is a Sanskrit compound of two words: "Prabhu" and "Bodhin." In Sanskrit, "Prabhu" signifies God or the Lord, while "Bodhin" translates to Awakening. Therefore, "Prabodhini" aptly translates to "The day when the Lord wakes up." This marks the moment when Lord Vishnu awakens from his cosmic slumber, which commences on Shayani Ekadashi. This particular Ekadashi is also referred to as Hari-Bodhini Ekadashi and Dev-Uthani Ekadashi, both signifying the Ekadashi when the Lord rouses from his divine rest.

When can I break the Prabodhini Ekadashi Vrat?

The Parana timing for Prabodhini Ekadashi 2024 is from November 13, 6:43 am to 8:54 am.
In Sanskrit, the act of fasting is termed "Vrat." It is imperative that a fast be concluded by partaking in "Parana," which is the meal intended explicitly for breaking the fast. For Ekadashi Vrats, the Parana ritual should be observed by the followers only after the conclusion of the Hari Vasara period.
(The mentioned timings are in IST, for Ujjain. Click here to change the location.)

Prabodhini Ekadashi festival dates between 2020 & 2030

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